I can't believe that it has almost been a month since my last post. A lot has happened in that time, but the most fun by far was the visit by brother Bridger and sister in law Julie! We were lucky enough to have them for 2 weeks and loved every minute of it. I have to say that they are some easy customers and even made dinner for us a couple nights (really, thanks guys). I hope they enjoyed their stay as much as we did, we love you.

Is it possible to take a bad picture in Amsterdam?

Lovebirds

Yes, I think I will go in here

And eat all of this

And stare at this darling window

The little things...really

Back in Deutschland

Naked grapes

Just happy to be included in the fun

For miles and miles

A quick stop over in France for a baguette

Front door goals

The dog whisperer and the plant doctor...

 

January seems to take FOREVER. I'm sure most people feel that way, but this year it seems to be really dragging it's feet. I am ready for warm weather, like, today...I am not a patient person by nature. The weather has been crazy and a couple weeks ago we had a very nice wind storm that did some damage to our lovely local forest. Zach is staying busy at work and me at home. The short grey and wet days are starting to wear but cooking and art have been keeping me going, also some dear loved ones will be here next week to cheer us up! Hope everyone is hanging in there...

 

Finland

 

 

 

A little bit of Christmas

A bit about Christmas in Germany.

The sixth of December is St. Nicholas day. It is tradition to buy your "Schatz" or loved ones a chocolate Santa. Some, more traditional Germans exchange their big gifts on this day and just open little ones on the 25th.

Germans open their gifts on the 24th of December and have a feast on the 25th, usually a goose with all of the German trimmings.

German Christmas markets are great, but busy, over 48 million visitors come here each December just to go to one and drink the famous Gluwein, or hot spiced wine.

More traditional Germans don't teach their kids about Santa, but instead they have a christkind, or Christ Child that delivers the goodies.

They are huge on their advent calendar here, every business and home has at least on wreath burning candles, and they have celebrations on the advent Sundays leading to Christmas.

According to the Germans, the traditional Christmas colors of red and green came from Germany, when, way back when they would cut down their tree (the green) and place preserved bright red harvest apples on the tree for decoration (the red) then their Christmas day treat was eating the apples.

Frohe Weinachten