Merry Christmas!
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From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!
May the holiday be filled with love, laughter, family, and entirely too much food!
Christmas Market Round Up
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Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and most of the Christmas markets are either already closed or will be today or tomorrow. Some will stay open through the new year, but only a very small portion. Last year, Aaron and I spent our weekends in December hitting up some of the bigger, more famous Christmas markets in Germany - Munich, Cologne, and Heidelberg. This year, we switched tactics and tried to visit smaller, more local markets. It was nice to see the big ones last year, but I really think I like the smaller ones better. For one, there are fewer people in general (though not always), and they are usually much less overwhelming than the giant ones found in the bigger cities. But my favorite part, I got to see some new places that I probably would not have visited before, and a couple have been added to our, ''We need to come back here'' list.
Read MoreThe Dark Side of Christmas in Germany
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In every culture that celebrates Christmas, there seems to be a counter point to Santa Claus or St. Nicholas, mostly in an effort to get children to behave. In the US, naughty children are left gifts of coal in their stockings, while the good children receive toys, books, and games. In Germany, a land not known for sugar coating things, the naughty children face a much worse fate. However, this fate depends on where in Germany you live. Furthermore, since St. Nicholas is celebrated on December 6th, leaving small gifts in the shoes of good little boys and girls, the evening of the 5th is when the naughty children have to watch out from St. Nicholas' ''companions.'' So, who exactly are these companions?
Read MoreFoods to Try at German Christmas Markets
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Half the fun of visiting the Christmas markets in Germany is trying the food. There are, of course, lots of traditional things to try that are found throughout Germany, but many markets also have local favorites that you can buy as well. Aaron and I each have a couple of favorites, and sometimes, when I don't feel like cooking dinner, will just run down to the market and get stuff there to eat. Now, it's not necessarily healthy, but it sure is tasty! If you're planning a trip to Germany this December and are planning on visiting the Christmas markets, here are some foods that you should definitely try. Depending on the market, you may find all of them, or just a few. In any case, I'm sure that you will find something warm and tasty to eat. Guten Appetit!
Read MoreThat Time We Almost Went to Venice
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A few weeks ago, in the middle of November, Aaron and I had planned a weekend trip to Venice. I know, it sounds so glamorous. Heading off to Italy for the weekend. NBD. I researched, planned, and priced it all out. It was supposed to be one of our last trips before the baby is born at the end of January (travel after 36 weeks can get dicey). We had decided on a new-to-us method of travel: the overnight train. I was hoping that we could scope it out ourselves and decide is this would be a convenient and feasible way to travel with an infant (note, if you have suggestions for this, please share!). Alas, as the famous poem, To a Mouse, by Robert Burns suggests, ''The best laid plans of mice and men/Oft go awry.'' So, here is the story of that one time we were supposed to go to Venice.
Read MoreTimbuk2 2015 Aviator Convertible Backpack Review
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Seeing as how we have really embraced the whole traveling thing while living in Germany, we are always on the hunt for the perfect bag. At first, we used an old rolling carry on with a busted zipper. It worked well, but it had definitely seen better days. And after taking a number of short trips (anything 4 days or less), we had narrowed down some of the things we were looking for in a bag. Well, Aaron did. I have some different priorities in what I look for.
Read MoreAmerican Thanksgiving in Germany
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Fall is my favorite time of the year for many reasons. I love the cooler weather, the colorful leaves, the crisp feel the air gets, the way the sun seems to shine softer on everything, and the smells of the season - from apples to pumpkin to that special smell of the leaves after they have fallen from the trees. Some of the best times, and best memories, happen in the fall. It starts on my birthday, continues with our anniversary, is followed by Halloween and finally Thanksgiving. For many, Thanksgiving is the official start of the holiday season. It is the turning point from fall leaves to winter snow; it ushers the coziness of fireplaces, flannel pajamas, family, and the warm smells of Christmas. While many Germans are starting to visit the local Christmas markets (which opened this weekend), Aaron and I, some German friends of ours, and Aaron's cousin (who is currently living near Munich), celebrated a belated, traditional American Thanksgiving!
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