Postings from Germany

 First Advent

Can I say I am not ready? Good grief, here's the Advent wreath - some assembly required.  Maybe Tuesday this thingy will get put together and we'll light the first candle a couple of days late.  Maybe I will even get Christmas gifts to the US sent.  We can always hope.

Today, it was off to Ohlendorf for the annual First Advent Feast at René and Rima's.  Mutti was reluctant to go and even called a couple of days ago to say, No, I don't think I can.  Why, Mutti.  Oh, it's just so much trouble for everyone else.   So she needed a little convincing and I told her how disappointed everyone would be if she weren't there and she was somewhat swayed but then Amina called (a little bird told her to) and said how much she wanted her Ur-Omi there and my goodness can you resist the request of your great-granddaughter?  No, you can't.  So off we went with Grandma in tow.

It's cold here, today barely over freezing and overnight the hoar-frost descended and though it hadn't snowed, it was white.  If you're warm, it's quite pretty.

Unlike me, Rima had decorated and it all looked Christmasy.

Before we started, René got the second half of his birthday present - a chef's jacket - and we were tickled that he really liked it and wore it the whole time! 

This meal is the ultimate definition of German Comfort Food and comfort it did.There was chicken soup with custard royale.  Salad with fresh sole.  Slow roasted beef with a yummy gravy.  Brussels sprouts.  Boiled potatoes. 

Between courses, Amina was entertained by assorted adults and assorted adults entertained each other.

After a short break to move around and throw bits of snow at each other and make a snow angel or two (albeit very small), there was coffee and cake.  I contributed zucchini bread with crunchy lemon glaze and cranberry nut upside-down pumpkin cake.  Ooh.  They were good, too.

Mutti declared it was worth the effort and of course it was.......

Thanks to the host and hostess for another wonderful family event!