It's been a rough couple of months. We are ready for longer days and sunshine. Spring, please come soon: we need you. We have been trying to stay warm and busy. This last weekend we crossed a European soccer match off of our bucket list and I was thrilled to visit a new antique market in Belgium. Staying busy is really the key to not letting things overwhelm us and we have been trying to make sure our weekends are full.

Germany is still Germany, and it surprises me with the good and the bad. Last weekend when I was driving to the grocery store I was listening to the radio when the host asked "Was ist eine Superbowl?" Or "What is a Superbowl". This struck me as particularly funny thinking there were people that didn't know what "A" Superbowl was. I also recently found out that measuring cups literally don't exist in Germany, instead all measurements are done by weight. This isn't that surprising since the Germans HAVE to be exact in everything they do.

On the home front, I am still busy cooking and doing art work. The dogs have been accumulating small injuries here and there but nothing that has warranted a trip to the vet office. I am so happy that we have found Frau Lenz, a dog lover if there ever was one. They love getting dropped off when we leave and I know they are happy there.

Needless to say we are beyond excited to be travelling to the States this week to be a part of my brother's wedding. I plan on hanging on all of my family like a little monkey the entire time. I also plan on visiting Target and buying, well, everything.

 

 

 

Small Things

Good: Took a weekend trip to the Black Forrest, didn't see any fairies, unfortunately

Bad: I received my first speeding ticket

UGH: Turns out the dishwasher soap I have been using for the past month is actually clothes detergent

New: Took both dogs to dinner....

Yummy: Hirschgulasch (deer stew) + Spaetzle

Nice: Longer days

 

Destination: Copenhagen

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oberservations

We are out to a nice rainy start to the year here in Germany. To me, this means coffee shop and mocha time! This presents a problem for me, since Germany fills the function of the "coffee shop" with their bakeries. Don't get me wrong, the more often I can stuff my face with bread the better, but sometimes on a cold and rainy day, all I want is a cozy coffee shop in which to enjoy my overly sweet chocolate and coffee mix.

While on the subject of food (tummy rumble), I recently went shopping with my dear friend, who lives on an army base. Yes, my friends, this means I was able to spend way too much money on things I NEEDED, you know, like Kraft mac and cheese, and saltines and peanut butter. It is a little slice of heaven when I walk into my kitchen and smear some peanut butter on a cracker. Seriously, if you only knew the magic of this: somedays when I am in a bad mood and another German Frau is giving me a lecture on how I am wearing the wrong shoes for the weather (true story) I just picture myself, at home, peanut butter laden cracker in hand.

With the rain and snow comes muddy, muddy dogs. I will not bore you with details about my cleaning regimen, just know that I may set some sort of world record for the number of times I need to wipe mud off the walls.