Looking back at December 2015

I have been - neglectful? - overlooking? - distracted? - lazy?  I think a bit of all, but lazy ranks right up there.

So, let's do a December 2015 wrap-up although this is going to be first in the 2016 line up.  I can fix the dates when I publish the story of my life based on my blog entries. ;-)

There was a meeting of the Cosmopolitan Ladies Club of Bremen (I'll have to say something about that later...), a December cookie exchange and pre-Christmas concert from a Swedish Lucia group.  How delightful!  The (women) singers were dressed in white, one with the traditional crown of (electric) candles on her head.  For accompaniment, there was one guitarist who sang a couple of songs as well. It was not a sing-along - they were way too good for us.  But it was special.

A good friend, now retired but a long-time serious photographer, has an exhibit at the Schönebecker Schloß.  You never really know what to expect from friends who do things as amateurs. But what a treat!  Wonderful quality prints of views of our north German moors and fens.  Very well done.

A nice aside, a collection of manger scenes was on display.

December 22 was the last meeting of the year with the Platjenwerbe English group, and naturally our annual Christmas party.  Nothing much changes here - lots of home-made goodies, to eat, crackers to pop, jokes to read, carols to sing.  Nothing much changes here - it is always wonderful.

We somehow took no pictures while with Christoph and Mirja (plus her two daughters and a boyfriend) on the 22nd. But we have nice memories!  A casual and easy dinner of Raclette and good conversation.

On the 24th, we had another wonderful meal (do folks think we need feeding???) of Beef Wellington with red cabbage and candied kumquats with dear Ursel and son Tille.  And more stimulating conversation:  American politics, German immigrant issues, science and teaching.  My head was alight with issues!!!

Christmas day was quiet - late, late, late breakfast, quiet afternoon, tea with friends, Skype talks with the family and a restrained though special dinner of shrimp and grits, NOLA style. So good.

Good grief!  It is not over!  Off to Ohlendorf and more Christmas with René, Rima, Amina, additional family and friends.  What fun.  There was goose to eat, presents to open, games to play. Everything was fun.

A few days rest - though we tried to do some little tasks at home.  A lovely cheese fondue evening with good friends.  Big yum.

New Year's Eve our usual meet-up with Klaus, Johanna, Ullie and Ilsemarie was at the wonderful restaurant in Verden, Pades.  Meine Güte!!!  (OMG in English.)  What a dinner!  Seven courses of fishes and meats and though each was a small portion, still it was more than enough to fill you up.  But amazingly tasty. I would be hard pressed to name a favorite.

The saying is "A new broom sweeps clean" and Nancy's mother was sure to have a new broom in the house for the new year.  I don't do that, but I am happy to think that each year is a new beginning.

Wishing for all of you the same.