Snow

I don't remember it snowing that much in December, ever. We are drowning in snow here and I am just glad I don't have to work this month. There are no more regular flights in Europe to speak of and my collegues are stuck in London and Berlin and who knows where else.

But we are trying to get in the Christmas mood by walking in the snow instead of taking the car...

visiting the beautiful Christmas markets...

having long breakfasts on the weekends...

and looking for Christmas gifts at "holyshitshopping"

where you can buy products made by young and mostly unknown artists (not for much longer). They offer their designs in German cities like Berlin, Hamburg and Stuttgart, in unique locations and just for two days. It is a great opportunity to get new ideas and buy gifts that are not mass produced!

Award

The other day husband was presented with an award by a 4 Star General because, well, because he is great. He asked if we wanted to come to the presentation and we did, not realizing that this was kind of a big deal and there were flags everywhere and official speeches and a lot of hand shaking.

My hand got shaken, too, because I am the wife of a great guy. This was pointed out several times but I already knew that!

December

As much as I dislike winter, I love Christmas! And this year I started early with the preparations.

It is unbelievable how early daughter can get up when there is an advent calendar involved. She is in the best of moods as early as 5am!

Gingerbread House - Baking Class

Daughter and a friend at the traditional Gingerbread House Baking Class in our local bakery...I don't even want to know how much candy ended up in their bellies...

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, husband was home for Thanksgiving and so was I! Daughter was home in the afternoon and son came bursting in the door right after 3pm. It isn't easy celebrating an American holiday in Europe!

Being in charge of the cooking, husband made his famous mashed potatoes. Really, they are the best mashed potatoes you can get! There was the turkey, corn and gravy, rolls. Cake and ice-cream. Missing were any greens.

The Not So Perfect Ending to a Not So Perfect Day

Friday night at around 11pm:

Long day at work. Loads of passengers. Very windy weather. Bumpy flights. I am so glad when I arrive at home and just want to plop into bed and go to sleep.

When opening the door to the house and seeing the "Careful! Glas is broken!" sign, I half believe I am already asleep...

I guess, son closed the door with a karate kick earlier in the day. "A very, very light karate kick," he tells me in an innocent voice the next morning.

Apparently not light enough.

Halloween!

Every year our children invite a few friends "trick or treating" to the base husband works at. The local kids know what "Halloween" is but are always amazed how much Americans love this holiday and how much fun and excitement it is.

We had one little guest/witch who told her father he had to cancel all weekend plans because she was going trick or treating no matter what. (She was also the one who had eaten half of her candy by the time we dropped her back off.)

The activities started with a conference by the witches where the best trick or treating strategies were discussed...

Fall

How I like the local fall fests with their great foods baked in stone ovens and served on a bail of hay...

Linkin Park

October has been incredibly busy so far.

I have been on so many flights that sometimes passengers recognize me on their return flight...I definitely deserve some time off.

In the meantime, when not working himself, husband has taken the kids to meet some bands.

Here is a picture of son at Linkin Park drummer Rob Bourdon's drum set:

And no, there is no way I will agree to a drum set in the house.

If you are...

If you are ever in my neigborhood and you need a pick-me-upper, let me know...

...and I will bring you to this mill I know. A mill, that is over 500 years old and simply is the most fantastic mill you will ever encounter...

...you can sit in the garden and I will fetch you some very strong coffee and the most delicious homemade apple pie...

...or, you do as I do and choose the carrot soup, which husband called "the most carroty carrot soup" ever!

There will be a few chickens walking around you, hoping for you to drop some crumbs of the fresh bread that was baked right there, at the mill. But it is likely that you don't even want to share the crumbs...

Afterwards, you can buy some apples or vegetables, but you already know, that nothing you will cook or bake at home, will taste as good as the food right here, at the mill.