Postings from Germany

Easter Weekend

If we had been able to order weather, it couldn't have been better. Sunny - every day. Mild - every day. And mostly silent in our neighborhood since both Friday and Monday were federal holidays. And the kids were still on Easter break (and many out of town). And - since the shops and stores were closed Friday, Sunday and Monday - it was almost traffic-free on the street. GREAT!

Friday (sunny, 68°), we took Mutti for Kaffee und Kuchen to a restaurant on the Weser. It's a very traditional place (read: a bit dated) but pleasant there on the water and she was able to use her rolling walker to get some air and sun. That's the best present we can give her these days.

Saturday (sunny, 72°) was veggie market and flower shopping. The window boxes in the back were due for refurbishing and Werner had done that during the week, so they were ready for some color. Right now, the dusty Miller dominates (it's been in there since last fall!) but the little impatiens I stuck in there will soon have a lot to say.

Sunday (sunny, 75°) we had a late breakfast and then took the bikes out for a ride. But not too challenging. We took the paper and a book along and found a (sunny) bench in the Park and read. What a luxury!

Then it was time to prepare the Easter Feast. We'd seriously considered rabbit, but finally settled on lamb. We do like that and this time of year it's particularly good. So, lamb shoulder, braised with vegetables, garlic and a bouquet garni (of course from the little garden out back). Stamped potatoes with spring turnips, green beans, salad of arugula, orange and roasted pine nuts - oh, grilled red onions, too.

We eat like vertiable KINGS. I do believe I've said that before. Maybe we should come to dinner with crowns on our heads!

Monday (sunny, 72°) was yet another day one is not allowed to do outside work, so we did a work-out instead and after breakfast, took the bikes for a ride from Vegesack to the city center (22k) to check out the Waldemar Otto exhibit at the sculpture museum. The setting is so spare and with the sun particularly artful. This guy however seemed to want to get away from us and sun and holiday and everything!

Then to Ulli and Ilsemarie for Kaffee und Kuchen (I don't know if people would ever talk to each other here without Kaffee und Kuchen!) and a nice afternoon visit with friends. We were happy to take the train back - along with LOTS of others who'd been walking or biking or visiting the Easter market.

Whew. Relaxing is serious work sometimes.

Sorry you Atlanta folks didn't have our sunshine, but I hope your Easter was lovely, anyway.