Halloween: Part I

Halloween. The festivities began on Saturday (gotta love Germany) with a birthday/pumkin carving event at our neighbors. I, Miss Left-Handed herself, carved my veryfirst pumkin and was blown away by how advanced the whole process has become. Seriously, it seems like yesterday that we scooped and heaved, heaved and scooped the pumkin's inner mush out with mom's old spoons, then drew scary faces on with black markers, and then, after all was said and done, painfully carved out the little monster's face, sweating and cursing all the while. Not the case today. I learned, from my German neighbors, mind you, that there are tools, even kits that make your carving experience stress-free and sweatless.

Tool one: The scoop that effortlessly helps remove the mush.

Tool two: The pattern for your pumkin.

Tool three: The pin you use to outline the pattern (goodbye black markers!).

Tool four: The little saw you use to carve out the pin-poked-pre-pattern.

Tool five: The energy drink.

The result.

Most of the pumpkins were carved out by, are you ready for this, children! Awesome, huh??! Now granted, all of the above tools probably came from the US of A, but to me they are hottest things on the German market. Neverever in my life have I had such an easy-peasy pumkin carving experience. Gotta love innovation!!

Happy day after.

Deutsche Gemütlichkeit. German cosiness is the closest translation I can think of for this phrase, but it really doesn't do its meaning justice. Even Germans themselves have trouble explaining what "Gemütlichkeit" means and I've come to realize that it's its lack of explanation that makes it so unique to Germany. I've simply decided that it can't be explained, it has to be experienced. The winter is probably the best time to do just this, sipping on a cup of tea, eating sweet treats, feeling your cheeks get rosy warm as you start thawing out, getting all "gemütlich". This is one of the things that has saved me as the days in Germany get shorter and colder; it is one of the things that I love most about my office and the home it's in. My office is on the ground floor of an amazing home a hopskipandajump away from my humble abode. Every winter, as I trudge around in my big boots, all ghost-white and freezing my tush off, I find myself smiling and my cheeks turning rosy warm when I cross over the threshhold of this little slice of cinnamon-spiced heaven. My housemates that are officially my officemates because I don't live in their house I just work there are usually gathered 'round the kitchen table in the mornings when I arrive, sipping on coffee, candles burning, sauntering through the breakfast spread, deciding what to eat next. Walking into their home after shutting out the cold behind me does what "gemütliche" things do, it makes my insides feel like I've just drunk warm wine with chocolate chip cookies while sitting on a wonderfully comfy sofa with cushiony pillows under my elbows and toasty blankets wrapped around me as I lay in front of a log-burning fire watching a movie. See, these housemates of mine have a way of warming up corners. They have a way of paying special attention to those places that often go unnoticed. There are little vases with single flowers, brightly colored tea cups, and corners adorned with treasures. Things get changed around and find new places as the winter progresses and I always take delight in finding out where they've gone. I love where I work and this here post is to honor the "gemütliche" magic that my dear housemates spread with their turquiose terrace, pink kitchen, purple bath, teal hallway, and mint green kitchen, with their flea market treasures and tea breaks. This post is my thank-you to them for keeping me sane in the winter.

In celebration of extreme winter cosiness...

Big dilemma. The film festival I work for has been postponed to April. This alone is not that big of a deal, but the fact that my brother's wedding is a week before the festival kick-off is. I am terribly torn because I feel like I'd be jumping ship at the hottest of times (I am the only person in the office) where there's so much to be done, but I don't wanna miss out on my baby brother tying the knot on.a.beach. in the sunny South smack dab in the middle of Germany's rainy season. Granted, I knew I'd be faced with such decisions the day I said "ja" to my German husband and his German life. But, it just doesn't get any easier. I remember the day my grandma died. We were in the process of moving, the boys were all crazy attention-deprived little people because moves are hard like that, and I was bone-tired, wanna-lie-in-bed-all-day-and-cry, pooped out to the max. The night before Maw-Maw's funeral I was too exhausted to register not being there. But, the day of her funeral I was a mess. I wanted to pack everyone up and jet off, but I was frozen. I walked aimlessly from room to room, feeling like an American semi had just run me over, looking at the boys and my tired husband, knowing all the while that the dotted line had won the coin toss all those years ago. I wanted at that very moment to be a kid again. I wanted my folks to grab my hand, pull me on the plane, take me to see my brother, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins who I missed so much, and make this decision for me, but they were already gone and I was all-grown up with two precious babes who were needing me to hold their hands and promise I wouldn't go anywhere. Darn it anyway! So, yeah. Here I am again. I'm sure it won't be the last time and I'm sure that it won't be any easier. Gonna (and gotta) keep rockin' on rockin' on I guess...


In celebration of embracing decisions even though making them sometimes bites the big one.

Today's randomness. Germans start counting with their thumb, not index finger. Parents get paid "Kindergeld" (direct deposit of coldhardcash) every month for every child they have. Children get this money until they are eighteen and are elligible to get it until they are twenty-five if they study or are being schooled for a specific job . There is no fresh fat-free milk in Germany, only 1.5% a.k.a. fettarme Milch or 3.5% a.k.a. Vollmilch. Tax is already included in the price; the price you see is the price you pay. When writing the date, dots not commas are used and the day comes before the month, i.e. 22.10.2010 or 22.Oktober.2010. The fine for not having a parking ticket is often cheaper than the fine for having a parking ticket, but coming too late. "Koriander" is cilantro...I just learned this little tidbit myself and was thrilled!

Happy Tuesday.

Mondays are always kind of hard and I find that my normal one cup of coffee usually doesn't cut it. This morning, though, my day got jumpstarted with a giggle. I was looking over pictures taken this weekend when I stumbled upon some shots taken by the boys after they got a hold of the camera. I loved seeing what they consider picture worthy, what fascinates them and makes their world go round. . .

In celebration of little people and their perception of the world! Happy Monday.

Dressing for the Winter

bare feet, a no-go in the winter

two thumbs up for down!

I am from Texas and wore sandals in the winter. It has taken me more than a decade to figure out how to dress in cold-wanna-crawl-back-under-the-covers-fast weather and I am still learning. Carolyn, one of my new cyberspace buddies, posted her outfit today and it's quite similiar to my all-winter-wear outfit, so I thought I'd share. For a bit of visual and a good laugh, drop by her great blog and for a few how-tos continue reading. If you can't stay under the warm delightfully down blankets that I heart Deutschland for introducing me to, then my must-have survival list for peeps who did not grow up freezing their tush off might come in handy for the approaching winter:

-good boots and, if your cold-blooded, lined boots. My favorite shops are Zalando (no shipping fee within Germany) and Görtz.
-tank tops a.k.a. leftover summer gear for the first layer to tuck into your jeans
-long-sleeve shirts for the second layer
-sweaters, or pullis as they are referred to over here, for the third layer
-a down jacket (neverever thought this would make a difference, but it does)
-a hat (neverever thought this was necessary, but it is!)
-gloves
-a scarf
-house shoes (believe it or not, this helps at home)
-a hot water bottle (Wärmflasche) for the night
-Glühwein
-good facial cream (I love Clarins and Nux)
-candles for the cozy factor
-and, last but not least, hot tea! 

Now to rock the cold-fighting gear listed above, it's important to:

-Keep your chest covered (crew necks, turtlenecks, and scarves do the job)
-Wear socks that you will not sweat in (wet feet, cold feet, cold body)
-Layer, layer, layer
-Tuck it all in -tanks, tanks in jeans, jeans in your boots, socks in your jeans, gloves in your jacket
-Quality products are worth it, especially if you wear them year after year

It all seems so basic, I know. But, I just bought my first hat last year, so I'm hoping that I'm not the only one who's still learning how to stay toasty-roasty in Germany. Got any more tips? I'd love to hear from you!

Happy layering, tucking, and staying warm.

Flats in Germany

Let's talk about apartments in Germany, K?

Floors. If you want an apartment on the first floor, keep in mind that you may end up sweatin' up a flight of stairs. In the land of black, red, and yellow, folks begin counting floors with the ground floor "Erdgeschloss" and the first floor "erstes Stock" corresponds to the second floor in the States. This little bit of info also applies to office buildings, department stores, and hospitals. Think this one over before your first beer; it's a bit tricky. I'm sober and I am still not sure if I explained it right!

Rooms. When talking about the rooms in a German apartment, it's important to keep in mind the total number of rooms (kitchen excluded) in a flat. For example, if you want an apartment with two bedrooms, you will need a place with a minimum of three rooms (two bedrooms plus a living room). Each of the rooms, not bedrooms, counts.

Kitchens. One funny topic, dear Readers, one funny topic. More often than not, you gotta b.y.o.k. (bring your own kitchen). I swear. When I first came to Germany I moved into an apartment that was already furnished. Can you imagine my surprise on moving day when I came home from the uni to a kitchen-less kitchen? There I was, wanting to whip up a little lunch, but unable to do so because the hardware was m.i.a. Clueless as I was, all I could do was gasp at the pipes all lonely and unhooked on the wall, wondering where in the heck our kitchen went and how it got there when my boyfriend-turned-hubby informed me (duh) that our roommates' folks took the 'ol kitchy-poo h.o.m.e because it was theirs. So yes, you can take a kitchen to your next pad it if it's yours or you can buy an existing one off the ex-renters if they wanna sell theirs, or if you're superduper lucky, the apartment might come with one free of charge -hail to the landlords who provide kitchens!!

Rent. Last, but defintely not least, there are usually two rents listed in the paper, the "cold" rent or "Kaltemiete" and the "warm" rent or "Warmmiete". You wanna focus on the "Warmmiete". This, however, is not the end price because utilities and other things, the so-called "Nebenkosten", also come into play. For example, your "cold" rent might be 575 euros, your "warm" rent might be 650 euros, and the rent you ultimately end up paying might be 700 euros. You pay your ultilities and heating in advance, so you may end up getting money back or having to pay more at the end of the year.

OK. That about sums this baby up. Is your head spinning yet? Thanks to Jackie Kersch, whose decor I dig, for the shots of her beautiful home; if you wanna see more check out what More Ways to Waste Time posted about her pad.

Happy day.

Living in Germany has taught me that...being direct works; adding vinegar to the wash prevents darks from fading; insurance is vital and countries that recognize this are golden; dorm room fridges (as my sis endearingly calls ours) can hold enough to feed a family four; onions can heal earaches; talking about politics does not ruin friendships, but enhances them; yeast beer strengthens nails and hair, women can run a country (I always knew we could!); kangarooing is one of the best things in the world; reading books about raising bilingual children is not as important as simply being consistent; soccer is a powerful sport; alternative medicine is an option; and nothing beats real butter.

Can you believe that this light, airy, beautiful cabin butterfly was once an awkward little cabin caterpillar with brown patterned wallpaper, dark walls and flooring, bright lights, and close quarters? It's hard, I know, but you don't have to take my word for it. Take a look at this:

Vilde from My Scandanavian Retreat and her husband saw the potential of this space and gave this little gem of a shelter the wings it needed to f.l.y. Recognizing the potential that "hobins" (great term coined by my bro-in-law), homes, or apartments have is, in my book, a great talent; it is the thing that fascinates me the most about before and after shots, especially when the makeover is as dramatic as this Scandanavian retreat.


In celebration of seeing the potential in places, people, or things and running with it...

I so love a beautiful table, but am so not a table setter. This, dear readers, will change in the near future thanks to Jordan Ferney's delightful blog that I thankfully stumbled across the other day. Her tables and the ones she features are simply set, but oh-so-festive and full of life. Don't you think? Got any table setting tips of your own? I'd love to hear 'em!

Hooray for happy tables. Simplicity.at.its.best.

Wednesday morning randomness. When writing emails or letters in German, the word that starts the first sentence after the greeting is not capitalized unless its a noun or the formal pronoun "Sie". Steak lingo is broken down to "durch" (well done), "medium" (rosy), and "englisch" (somewhere between rosy and rare). Depending on where you come from in the States, you may or may not have to take a test to get your German driver's liscense. Toilet paper rolls are always over, never (neversaynever) under. When you walk into the waiting room at a doctor's office, it's polite to greet the others. Following a lecture at the university, students knock on the table to show their appreciation. There are designated hiking days at school. Most German homes don't have air conditioning. There are still many stores and restaurants that only accept coldhardcash. It's mandatory to marry in the courthouse; a church wedding is optional. You don't have to pay a pet deposit as a renter.

Hope your day is a good one!