When you live in a place that has “seasons”, there’s always a reason to celebrate. Having come from CA, I had no idea that weather could change so dramatically. It’s like when your Master of Ceremonies comes out in a different outfit. It sets a whole different tone – and keeps things interesting.
There are plenty of seasonal celebrations here in Germany – all of them called “Fests”. There’s Spring Fest and Volksfest in Spring and Autumn, respectively, which focus on the growing cycle (first and last harvests). These celebrations seem to center around drinking a lot of beer and last a few weeks. In the summer there are a multitude of Fests – some for one day or weekend, others for a week or two. These are somewhat randomly inserted into the summer season – but are always a good excuse to get out and enjoy the weather. We’ve seen signs for (and attended some of) the following: Wine Fest (um yeah, we went there….a lot!), International Fest (international food and cultural demonstrations), Venice Fest (you got me!?!), Harbor Fest (we are landlocked, so this one focuses on seafood eating), and countless others.
But, the crown jewels of the Fests in Germany, are the Christmas Markets. Every little village seems to have one – even if only for one weekend. And there are definitely more than 20 individual ones within an hour’s drive from our place. Stuttgart has one of the largest ones, which is really just blocks from our apartment and it lasts a full month - ending on Christmas Eve.
The market is comprised of many neat little booths (all made of wood, most with rooftop decorations that are outstandingly done). There you can find a multitude of items, mostly Christmas decorations. There are also places to find specialty items (handmade puppets, wooden toys and puzzles, shearling boot liners and gloves, even jewelry and antiques) and then there are your Ginzu knives and magic cleaning products (which we've only seen at the larger markets).
About 25 percent of the booths sell edibles (german sausages on rolls, crepes, waffles, gingerbread and chocolate covered fruit on a stick (a fest staple!)). And then there’s the Gluhwhine. This is basically hot sangria which they sell in signature “Weinnachtfest” (“Christmas Market”) mugs. It comes in White or Red (with an option to “make it Irish", if you know what I mean) and there’s a non-alcoholic version for the kids called “Kinderpunsch”. Let me tell you this: Whether or not the idea of hot spiced wine sounds good to you now – when you are FREEZING amidst the festive décor and holiday rush of a Christmas Market – it’s the only way to fly. Hubbz has even turned to me at one point and said: “My fingers are cold, I need some gluhwine” – clearly the digestive tract is not the only voter in his body’s evaluative process!
Since I truly envisioned us living in an Ikea catalog when we were sorting for our move, I opted to leave a lot of our Christmas décor back in the states. We brought the essentials (important ornaments, stockings, etc), but none of the small things we put out around the house to mark the season. Well, this was surely divine intervention, Loved Ones. Because we are having a great time accumulating things that will decorate our house today – and remind us of our Christmases in Germany for years to come!
That’s it for now. But there are more things to share about Christmas in Germany – so stay tuned!!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
I BELIEVE IN ANGELS
I consider myself a spiritual person. And, while we don’t attend church on a regular basis, I also consider myself a Christian. I have a relationship with God. I speak to Him often and try really hard to remember to do so in thanks more often than when making a request. And I believe in angels.
I believe that those who love us in life do not stop loving us when their time on earth is done. In my way of thinking, those folks become our angels. They watch out for us. They are close by at all times, and they help me, when something doesn’t go as I had hoped, to accept that there is a grand plan at work. I can recover and carry on because I feel that my plan is one that my angels know, and understand and will support me through. They can see the happy ending. They will prop me up and help me to get there.
I talk to my angels as I do to God. It brings me great comfort to envision my grandmothers, together, laughing at my Lucy Ricardo moments, or standing together with comfort and love when I need support. I swear there are times when I can FEEL a palpable increase of love in the room, just before that moment of clarity or calm washes over me. When I can set my shoulders, raise my head and say to myself: “Okay, what’s the next step?”
I have been very blessed in my life to have made it into my 30’s before losing a grandparent. Moreover, all of my grandparents have lived independent and healthy lives that were entirely their own. While the passing of my grandmothers was sudden and somewhat shocking, I take some comfort in knowing that they were healthy and well (and I envision them even having a laugh) on their last day with us.
I come from a long line of smart, resilient and loving women. I grew up hearing the reverence in the voices of my grandparents as they spoke of my great grandmothers. I have so much admiration for both of my grandmothers. They both made raising their children their life’s work. One of them did it “on the road” and maintained comfort and normalcy as the military moved them from state to state and country to country. The other one attended to motherly duties in her home, and then pulled on a pair of boots to help her husband run a ranch, stopping just a half hour before he did, to make sure that dinner was hot and that a cocktail was waiting to help Grandpa relax at the end of his day. They each had their own way of handling hardship, one with quiet grace, the other with laughter. But the strongest impression they made on me was the amount of love they brought into my life. It poured out of them in their warm smiles and tight hugs. It was unmistakable in the way their voices softened and celebrated each time they greeted me. I miss that the most – the world just seems so much colder without that love in it.
It stands to reason to me that a love like that– visible and tangible – is an energy. It can’t just evaporate. It HAS to continue on to some other place in the universe. I know that the love I have for them is unchanged, even if they are no longer on this earth – so perhaps these people are our angels. That love is still flowing between us bridging the distance that separates us.
The end of this year has been tough emotionally. We’ve had a few setbacks and some times of deep sadness – and this week in particular is rough, in part because we are getting reports of the imminent passing of yet another person who is very special to me. Another strong, wise and loving woman whom I admire greatly and strive to be like one day. I have some perspective to what her grandchildren are feeling now – and the ache I feel for them is deep. It is hard to imagine a world without her. It is hard to envision how our family will stay connected in her absence. It is hard to imagine that love leaving our world.
But, when I set my shoulders back and raise my head, I think about the fact that I will someday have another angel in my corner. Another amazing woman with a strong heart and clear vision guiding me along my life’s path. And while the world will be colder without her, I do feel like my future will be a little bit brighter.
In the meantime, I hope that her last days are filled with love, and devoid of pain. I hope that when she gets where she is going, she will look back and feel the love that we all have for her here. That all of the sorrows of her life will be explained and her questions answered. I believe that HER angels will be there to greet her and I know that one of mine will be there among them.
I believe that those who love us in life do not stop loving us when their time on earth is done. In my way of thinking, those folks become our angels. They watch out for us. They are close by at all times, and they help me, when something doesn’t go as I had hoped, to accept that there is a grand plan at work. I can recover and carry on because I feel that my plan is one that my angels know, and understand and will support me through. They can see the happy ending. They will prop me up and help me to get there.
I talk to my angels as I do to God. It brings me great comfort to envision my grandmothers, together, laughing at my Lucy Ricardo moments, or standing together with comfort and love when I need support. I swear there are times when I can FEEL a palpable increase of love in the room, just before that moment of clarity or calm washes over me. When I can set my shoulders, raise my head and say to myself: “Okay, what’s the next step?”
I have been very blessed in my life to have made it into my 30’s before losing a grandparent. Moreover, all of my grandparents have lived independent and healthy lives that were entirely their own. While the passing of my grandmothers was sudden and somewhat shocking, I take some comfort in knowing that they were healthy and well (and I envision them even having a laugh) on their last day with us.
I come from a long line of smart, resilient and loving women. I grew up hearing the reverence in the voices of my grandparents as they spoke of my great grandmothers. I have so much admiration for both of my grandmothers. They both made raising their children their life’s work. One of them did it “on the road” and maintained comfort and normalcy as the military moved them from state to state and country to country. The other one attended to motherly duties in her home, and then pulled on a pair of boots to help her husband run a ranch, stopping just a half hour before he did, to make sure that dinner was hot and that a cocktail was waiting to help Grandpa relax at the end of his day. They each had their own way of handling hardship, one with quiet grace, the other with laughter. But the strongest impression they made on me was the amount of love they brought into my life. It poured out of them in their warm smiles and tight hugs. It was unmistakable in the way their voices softened and celebrated each time they greeted me. I miss that the most – the world just seems so much colder without that love in it.
It stands to reason to me that a love like that– visible and tangible – is an energy. It can’t just evaporate. It HAS to continue on to some other place in the universe. I know that the love I have for them is unchanged, even if they are no longer on this earth – so perhaps these people are our angels. That love is still flowing between us bridging the distance that separates us.
The end of this year has been tough emotionally. We’ve had a few setbacks and some times of deep sadness – and this week in particular is rough, in part because we are getting reports of the imminent passing of yet another person who is very special to me. Another strong, wise and loving woman whom I admire greatly and strive to be like one day. I have some perspective to what her grandchildren are feeling now – and the ache I feel for them is deep. It is hard to imagine a world without her. It is hard to envision how our family will stay connected in her absence. It is hard to imagine that love leaving our world.
But, when I set my shoulders back and raise my head, I think about the fact that I will someday have another angel in my corner. Another amazing woman with a strong heart and clear vision guiding me along my life’s path. And while the world will be colder without her, I do feel like my future will be a little bit brighter.
In the meantime, I hope that her last days are filled with love, and devoid of pain. I hope that when she gets where she is going, she will look back and feel the love that we all have for her here. That all of the sorrows of her life will be explained and her questions answered. I believe that HER angels will be there to greet her and I know that one of mine will be there among them.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
OH LA LA!!
Paris was great!!! The weather was cold, but not too cold for exploring. We even saw a little sun! We took the hop on and off bus for the first day – those kinds of tours are my favorite for getting to know a city. There are headphones to plug in and hear about the sites, and if you see one you like, you just hop off of the bus - and then climb on the next one when you’re done and head off for the next neat place.
We toured the Musee D’Orsay and wandered the streets of Saint Germain. We posed for pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame and warmed ourselves with café au lait at cute little cafes. It was the first vacation Hubbz and I have had, where we weren’t visiting family or attending a wedding, just the two of us, since before we got engaged. It was a lot of fun! I’m looking forward to the next one!
I actually have a little French still in the gooey parts of my gray matter, so it was fun to be able to figure out how to ask for things, and read the signs as we navigated the city. Hubbz was impressed and says he’s definitely interested in going back again sometime soon!
We found a wine shop (in our guide book) owned by an American. They had free tastings, and soon, we were on our way to purchasing our “Learn about French wine” kit! The lady who helped us had been married to a Navy man herself back in the 60’s. She chatted with us about Norfolk and the Navy and the wines she selected for us. What a treat! We brought home 7 wines (6 in a shipping box and 1 in my suitcase). I had to do some creative shuffling with our luggage, since we were flying Air France and they have strict checked baggage allowances. Basically, we made the box of wine one piece (since you can’t carry on any liquids) and then put all of our regularly checked liquids in the other suitcase for checking. Hubbz carried on a bag with just clothing and shoes in it, and I put extra stuff that he would carry on in my big purse. We were laden down like pack mules, but we got the job done!
What a crazy few weeks it has been! I guess that’s life in the fast lane!
We toured the Musee D’Orsay and wandered the streets of Saint Germain. We posed for pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame and warmed ourselves with café au lait at cute little cafes. It was the first vacation Hubbz and I have had, where we weren’t visiting family or attending a wedding, just the two of us, since before we got engaged. It was a lot of fun! I’m looking forward to the next one!
I actually have a little French still in the gooey parts of my gray matter, so it was fun to be able to figure out how to ask for things, and read the signs as we navigated the city. Hubbz was impressed and says he’s definitely interested in going back again sometime soon!
We found a wine shop (in our guide book) owned by an American. They had free tastings, and soon, we were on our way to purchasing our “Learn about French wine” kit! The lady who helped us had been married to a Navy man herself back in the 60’s. She chatted with us about Norfolk and the Navy and the wines she selected for us. What a treat! We brought home 7 wines (6 in a shipping box and 1 in my suitcase). I had to do some creative shuffling with our luggage, since we were flying Air France and they have strict checked baggage allowances. Basically, we made the box of wine one piece (since you can’t carry on any liquids) and then put all of our regularly checked liquids in the other suitcase for checking. Hubbz carried on a bag with just clothing and shoes in it, and I put extra stuff that he would carry on in my big purse. We were laden down like pack mules, but we got the job done!
What a crazy few weeks it has been! I guess that’s life in the fast lane!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
BACK IN THE SADDLE
So, I am back from sunny CA – and sunny it was – 90 degrees in mid October! Definitely NOT the weather I had left in Germany.
The week was nice, despite the circumstances. The flights were easy enough, I was able to share a room with my cousins - which provided us with some time to catch up, and I felt like I made a contribution of support somehow. I knew that my family was amazing and loving and capable – but it was really inspiring to see everyone in action as we all worked together to put together my Grandmother’s funeral and get my Grandfather situated for the biggest transition of his life. He’s perfectly capable of taking care of himself – he’s an impressive man for his 91 years by any measure. However, he hasn’t lived without my grandmother in more than 60 years – and that is something that he will have to learn to navigate. I can’t begin to imagine.
Today, I am working on my suitcase full of laundry because tomorrow, Hubbz and I head for Paris! We have no specific plan. I have been there a few times, but Hubbz hasn’t been there since he was a small child. It’s fun to be able to share something neat with someone you love. So croissants and museums – here we come!!
The week was nice, despite the circumstances. The flights were easy enough, I was able to share a room with my cousins - which provided us with some time to catch up, and I felt like I made a contribution of support somehow. I knew that my family was amazing and loving and capable – but it was really inspiring to see everyone in action as we all worked together to put together my Grandmother’s funeral and get my Grandfather situated for the biggest transition of his life. He’s perfectly capable of taking care of himself – he’s an impressive man for his 91 years by any measure. However, he hasn’t lived without my grandmother in more than 60 years – and that is something that he will have to learn to navigate. I can’t begin to imagine.
Today, I am working on my suitcase full of laundry because tomorrow, Hubbz and I head for Paris! We have no specific plan. I have been there a few times, but Hubbz hasn’t been there since he was a small child. It’s fun to be able to share something neat with someone you love. So croissants and museums – here we come!!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
NEWS THAT COMES AFTER MIDNIGHT IS SELDOM GOOD
There are times when I kind of forget that I am living in Europe. Family is still just a phone call or email away. My furniture is now in my apartment – and heck, we get American foods from our commissary whenever we want them!
However, last night we got a call in the wee hours that made us feel like we were very far away. Unfortunately, tragedy has befallen my family and it is time to start planning a trip home. I am struck by just how far away I actually feel from my loved ones. It’s silly, because there’s nothing I can do by being there. The situation will not change – but I sure would like to be available to help somehow – and that’s simply impossible from Germany. It kind of makes the situation feel surreal.
So – it seems that I am off to CA very soon. Hubbz is doing everything he can to be supportive and helpful as I pack and prepare for the journey, but I can tell that he too feels a little strange and disjointed. Thankfully, there are very few demands on my time from work right now – so the Trophy Wife advantage is that I have only to jump on a plane. I’m also strangely looking forward to the trip. It will be nice to see family and bear the burden of grief together. I guess there are blessings to count amidst the sorrows.
However, last night we got a call in the wee hours that made us feel like we were very far away. Unfortunately, tragedy has befallen my family and it is time to start planning a trip home. I am struck by just how far away I actually feel from my loved ones. It’s silly, because there’s nothing I can do by being there. The situation will not change – but I sure would like to be available to help somehow – and that’s simply impossible from Germany. It kind of makes the situation feel surreal.
So – it seems that I am off to CA very soon. Hubbz is doing everything he can to be supportive and helpful as I pack and prepare for the journey, but I can tell that he too feels a little strange and disjointed. Thankfully, there are very few demands on my time from work right now – so the Trophy Wife advantage is that I have only to jump on a plane. I’m also strangely looking forward to the trip. It will be nice to see family and bear the burden of grief together. I guess there are blessings to count amidst the sorrows.
VOLKSFEST FAMILY STYLE
We had a great day today at Volksfest. For some reason, today we were unable to get into a single beer tent! My theory is that Oktoberfest in Munich is done for the year. I figure that if one wanted to hit both festivals, they would go to Oktoberfest last weekend, and to Volksfest this weekend, with some travel in the middle. In any case, the beer tents were so crowded at three o’clock on a Saturday, that we couldn’t even get in the door, let alone find seating for seven!
It was nice to see the family side of the Volksfest. The rides entertained the kiddos, and the “fest food” was yummy! The line for the ladies room was incredible – more incentive to pay for admission to the tents and get that reservation!!
The kiddos stayed true to their darling, sweet, well behaved and impressively interactive selves. We watched the Neverending Story – it entertained the boys and took us adults back in time to our youth. I know that our friends are proud of their children – and we wholeheartedly agree that they should be!
It was nice to see the family side of the Volksfest. The rides entertained the kiddos, and the “fest food” was yummy! The line for the ladies room was incredible – more incentive to pay for admission to the tents and get that reservation!!
The kiddos stayed true to their darling, sweet, well behaved and impressively interactive selves. We watched the Neverending Story – it entertained the boys and took us adults back in time to our youth. I know that our friends are proud of their children – and we wholeheartedly agree that they should be!
Friday, October 8, 2010
COLUMBUS AND CROISSANTS
Today is important because it is my dear mother’s birthday! It’s tough to be so far from family on celebratory days – but I have a little insight into her celebration that she doesn’t yet have (don’t worry, she’ll know by the time I post this). Pops is giving my mom a trip for her birthday ….to this cute little place I know….also known as the Holy Grail Apartment (and Guest House). WOOOO HOOO!! I’m really, really excited to get to spend some time exploring Europe with her. I feel a little bad that her present is really a present for ME – but that’s not going to stop me from encouraging my Pops from going full steam ahead!!
We have had a relatively quiet week thus far. Our first house guests returned to Italy on Sunday afternoon. We sure enjoyed their visit and we look forward to many more opportunities to share our European experience together!
The State Department issued a travel warning this morning for Europe. It’s a little eerie to consider that we are LIVING here – so we can’t decide to stay home and be safe – but honestly, Hubbz and I are both of the mindset that while we won’t purposely insert ourselves into dangerous situations, we also can’t hide out every time we are reminded that there’s evil in the world. We went ahead and booked a long weekend in Paris for this month. It’s someplace we’d both like to go again – and it’s about to get pretty dang cold there – so we’re eager to get there before Winter does!
Thanks to Senior Christopher Columbus, Hubbz has a four day weekend – so we are welcoming our second set of house guests (also from Italy). I was lucky enough to inherit these sweet friends from Hubbz – he has known them since flight school. In addition to being a truly fun couple, they are the proud parents of three absolutely fantastic boys. We are so excited to have them with us!! We are off to Volksfest (part trois). However, we are insured yet another different fest experience this time – since we are taking three young kiddos with us, this trip will focus on the amusement park portion of the fest.
We cannot wait! Having a house that is relatively clean and ready to accept guests means that I can finally take a few pictures of our apartment! Since I’m still working the anonymity angle here – please consult my facebook site – or our Flickr account if you’d like to check it out!
We have had a relatively quiet week thus far. Our first house guests returned to Italy on Sunday afternoon. We sure enjoyed their visit and we look forward to many more opportunities to share our European experience together!
The State Department issued a travel warning this morning for Europe. It’s a little eerie to consider that we are LIVING here – so we can’t decide to stay home and be safe – but honestly, Hubbz and I are both of the mindset that while we won’t purposely insert ourselves into dangerous situations, we also can’t hide out every time we are reminded that there’s evil in the world. We went ahead and booked a long weekend in Paris for this month. It’s someplace we’d both like to go again – and it’s about to get pretty dang cold there – so we’re eager to get there before Winter does!
Thanks to Senior Christopher Columbus, Hubbz has a four day weekend – so we are welcoming our second set of house guests (also from Italy). I was lucky enough to inherit these sweet friends from Hubbz – he has known them since flight school. In addition to being a truly fun couple, they are the proud parents of three absolutely fantastic boys. We are so excited to have them with us!! We are off to Volksfest (part trois). However, we are insured yet another different fest experience this time – since we are taking three young kiddos with us, this trip will focus on the amusement park portion of the fest.
We cannot wait! Having a house that is relatively clean and ready to accept guests means that I can finally take a few pictures of our apartment! Since I’m still working the anonymity angle here – please consult my facebook site – or our Flickr account if you’d like to check it out!
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