The Detrius of War

During WWII, Bremen was a major target for Allied bombers - it was after all a major port city.  It's still easy to see where bombs fell - next to a lovely old city villa is a modern, non-nondescript apartment.

There are still bunkers around the city.  Some are decorated with murals to try and make them blend in. Others are overgrown and wonderful animal habitats.  They are just so hard to tear down, even 60 years later!

And there are the bombs still buried in the river and on the land - the reason they had the bunkers, of course.  I was really shocked when I moved here to learn that Bremen had a bomb squad - JUST TO DEFUSE OLD BOMBS!  Good grief, the things we don't have to deal with in the US of A - like defusing old WW!! duds.

While preparing a site for planting new trees in the City Park in the middle of Bremen, they came across a dud.  You never know if they're still live, so you call the bomb squad.  So, in the middle of town, in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week, they shut down the middle of town and evacuated the houses and offices and apartments and diverted the traffic for at least 500 meters and defused the bomb.  These guys have nerve.

In this video, you can see the bomb - over 500 pounds. 

Very cool.  But a little strange. You never know if you're walking over a bomb.....

Holidays and Food

--- and a lot of food.  Plenty of company, too, but nice quiet meals alone as well.

We had a lovely holiday - and hope you did too.  There were fewer hours to teach, so more hours to work on the bathroom, some time for stitching, lots of time at the nursing home with Mutti, telephone calls and Skypes with far-away loved ones and walks and lazy mornings.  The weather was wet and too warm for the season, and we'll take that over freezing rain, but a bit more snow would have been welcome!

Our Christmas Eve dinner you've already read about - a roast filet of beef as a centerpiece.  It showed up again later in another form.

Christmas Day, we were on our own and opted for duck breast, red cabbage and home-made potato dumplings.  That was a first for me, potato dumplings, and not quite as daunting a task as I'd imagined. Of course, it was all yummy.  And, of course, a smidge too much for one meal.

Here in Germany, the Christmas holiday is extended and there's not only the Eve and the Day of Christmas but a 2nd Christmas Day - also a federal holiday, so you plan ahead for food and company.

We went to Ursel's where we got together with her neighbors, also old acquaintences, and had a chance to welcome Ursel's son Tille back to Germany after three years in Utah doing post-doc research.  She wanted to make things easy, so we had smoked eel - no cooking!  I know, not everyone's thing, including Hilmar who had Würstchen (hot dogs!) instead.  Who cares? That's OK since company and conversation were the main courses anyway.

Then there were a couple of days in between for leftovers.  Pan fried left-over potato dumplings with left-over Christmas Eve beef in mushroom sauce, all enhanced a bit.  Another day, cold sliced duck from Christmas Day with a salad of fresh mixed greens. I have to say, left overs are at least as good as the first servings!

We had to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" on one night since Werner had never seen the whole movie and since it was a movie I had to have popcorn. Home made.  No microwave.  Wonderful.

And suddenly it's New Year's Eve!  We get together with the usual suspects for a cultural event and then welcome the New Year. This year we had tickets to an Operetta (Orhloff's Les Brigands - The Bandits) - that all my companions denounced as too sexist and too sexy.  Not being as well-versed in the genre, I thought it was amusing and fun and frankly just the right note for a not-at-all-serious "Holiday" - really.  New Year's is so NOT a serious holiday!
 
But after-operetta and before-midnight, you have to eat something. Too late to make fondue, so little bites.  Little yummy bites. I don't think we left Ilsemarie with too many overs.  And don't forget the Berliner - jelly-filled doughnuts that you eat for good luck.  OK!

And finally the NEW YEAR.  2013.  Wow.  Who thought this year would ever come?  Here it is.

Since we'd had to forgo the Cheese Fondue on the Eve of 2013, I had to have it on the Day of New Year and Werner was happy to comply.  It was so yummy.

 And so comes the end of 2012.  We finished it all. Finally.  No more leftovers.

All the best for a wonderful and healthy and happy 2013. And enjoy the leftovers.

ADVENT --- Second to Third

There's so much going on, and at the same time, so many hours of waiting.  Contradictions seem to define our lives right now.

On Second Advent, our family from Ohlendorf came to visit the Christmas Market, and we got to go along!  It's not such a long tradition, really, but for Amina, it is written in stone.

The calendar this year meant that Second Advent was a bit earlier in December which meant getting the tree up earlier.  Buying the tree and getting it in the house is easy-peasy.  The gardener just outside our back door has lovely trees, and shopping in the snow makes it fun - and getting it home a breeze - one in front, one in back, walk.

But I couldn't get all the decorating done before Amina arrived, which turned out to be a good thing.  She had a great time looking at all the ornaments, asking questions and finding just the right place on the tree for each one.

Then off to the Market!  Bratwurst!  Mulled wine!  Rides!  It's the same every year, but that's what traditions are all about.  Now Amina has the third different mug from the Christmas market - a complete set.

There was still a bit of snow on the ground but frankly we all agreed it was pleasantly cold instead of nasty cold.  And of course it was fun - part of which is running to get the train!

After a hearty breakfast, we sauntered up to the little local Christmas Market here in Vegesack where they've put up an ice rink.  Cool!  Amina couldn't wait to go and Mom and Dad were game to skate along.  Me, not so much.  My last skating event was when I broke my elbow.  And that was the last.  I'm happy to cheer from the sidelines now.

We said goodbye and promised to visit their Christmas tree in Ohlendorf.  We will, and it will be a first.

Then it was Monday!  Platjenwerbers!  Christmas Fest!

Talk about traditions --- these folks take the cake.  There is the candelabra from Christiane and the luminaries from Anneliese and the Christmas Crackers and flute playing from Brigitte and Jutta (and usually Lisa, too, but unfortunately she was sick) and the Yogi tea from Helena and so on from each person.  I get to be different each year because they ask every year for something "American."  HA!  This year they got Spanikopita.  How American is that!?  But it was yummy. We sing carols and pop our crackers and read the silly riddles and jokes.

                    Why don't bananas sunbathe? 
                    Because they'd peel!!  

Often, as you can imagine, I have to explain the jokes. Sometimes it's funny and sometimes it's a groan.  Sometimes they just don't get it at all, but that's fun too.  So it goes.

And suddenly it is 3rd Advent. Too much too fast.We haven't finished our Christmas tasks!

We've been caring a lot for Werner's mother, newly in the nursing home.  We visit almost daily and try to help with the transition, but transitions for folks in their mid-90s are not so easy.  So on this 3rd Advent weekend we were glad to have no special events and just sit back, just a bit.

Except for the bathroom. But more on that later.

Spring?

The calendar says it, but my bones do not agree.  I remember Easters in Baltimore that were less than lovely - cold and windy.  There was a tradition of "spring coats" up north that we never participated in, but in hindsight I understand it. You don't want to be wearing the same dark wool coat you wore all winter when the calendar says it isn't anymore, but the temperatures, well, they talk back  to you.

And I remember too hiding Easter eggs and Michelle and Lee hunting for them still wearing warm coats, so this isn't just a north Germany phenomenon.
 
But it is cold and you have to live with it and so you keep doing stuff you do.

So cold or not, the Spargel is in! And the first Spargelessen is always a bit special.

THIS time, however, I'm doing all the preparation alone.  Werner went and did in a finger!  It looks a lot more serious than it was, but still, peeling potatoes and washing asparagus are not on his "can do" list!

First, get out the special accoutrements.

Then cook it up just right.

Then serve it up.  A pretty dish and a nice Silvaner helps.

Then you just enjoy.  Life's pleasures are small, but these small pleasures take up a whole big place in our lives and are worth the work - even when I have to do it all myself!

Spring Traditions

We had those couple of days of mild weather about four weeks ago, but since then "spring" can be translated to "cold, damp, cloudy and gray with the rare sight of the sun." 

But last weekend, at least the sun came out just a little bit to remind us that spring is here - calendar-wise.

And the wild violets are out as well.  They are so sweet and so fragrant and flourish in the teeniest places, like here between the stones in the front of the house and the brick steps to our original but non-functional front door.  There's another little bunch of violets between the roots of one of the linden trees out front that has started to bloom as well. And frankly, these cuties can be considered a weed since it often pops up in places I don't really want any growing stuff to be. But I just can't get too irritated about them. Next step, after picking the lovelies and putting them in a teeny vase with some other teeny blossoms, is making tea of the leaves.  It's supposed to be a traditional spring cure - I'll let you know what it cures.

We took a long walk over the weekend.  What a treat to be outside and moving and not wet and not rushed.

The big sisters of our violets were in their glory along this wall.

Along the way we ran into some hens happily wandering, too.  Werner used his famous chicken talk to try and communicate and wouldn't you know - five other chickens showed up!  We got out of there in a hurry!

And then , just a bit further along the path, we found my favorite herald of springtime - Bärlauch (ramps)!!  I was so surprised at how full they were- really, if I had known, I'd have been out there much sooner.
 

I suppose you're tired of hearing about Bärlauch, but sorry - it has become an essential part of the season and I can't seem to do without it.  I picked a bunch - though Werner objected that carrying them another hour would be a pain in the whatever - but it wasn't - and later we had pasta and pesto from the fresh, garlicky, green, spring-infused, wonderful Bärlauch.

(Later, I'll do some dumplings and sauce!)

Love Bird

See the pigeon?  He's there on the lower step. Not an ordinary pigeon, mind you, but fancy, with long feathers on his feet and a tail that other pigeons would envy.

I noticed him from the bedroom window when I got up - something out of the ordinary always catches your eye, it seems.  Some years ago, a racing pigeon got disoriented and lighted on the back wall and wouldn't leave.  I though this might be such a pigeon too.  

Werner, go take care of it!  He did.  He shooed the bird away but it just waited on the roof for a bit.  Seems it had a thing for the concrete pelican!  Werner had to bring the pelican inside to make the pigeon leave!

Talk about a bird brain!

The Show

Ursel and I got to show our stuff last weekend at the "Quality of Life" show at the SwissHotel in downtown Bremen.

Friday night, we set up the stand that my neighbor lent us - how great is that!  He sets up huge sets for congresses, so this was small potatoes for him but a huge help for Ursel and me.

Herr Zoellner's son was a helper, too, so obviously, set up is child's play!

Saturday morning at 9 we got busy filling the shelves and the table with all our wares.  Looking good!  Ursel and I..

and with her nieces Ilke and Christina who made all the felted bags.

Pretty necklaces,

  and lovely linens.

Yeah, well, it obviously looked a lot better to us than it did to the folks who came to the show because we didn't sell much at all - at all !!  It was the wrong venue for us; everyone else there was a professional with shops of their own and commercial goods for sale.

But it was an experience and we'll consider a different venue in the future.  Meanwhile, I have a pile of pillow covers and assorted stockings.  Thursday I'm off to a shop in the little artists' village of Fischerhude to see if the Christmas things at least could be sold there on commission.

Getting started in selling is not so easy, we've found.

Visit from Hawaiians

Cousin Tom Strickland from Hawaii arrived last Tuesday with his traveling buddy Linda.  They had already toured Scotland, Wales and London.  Tom's spent some time in Germany and this is not Linda's first trip to Europe, but someone exchanged the Red Carpet Welcome to How About Some Wind, Rain and Cold!  I've said it before - this is the summer that wasn't.  And it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

But you have to go out anyway!

We walked the harbor here in Vegesack and posed by the whale tail.

We went to the Watt.  Needless to say, it wasn't beach weather and the beach chairs were all locked up.

Still, there were groups checking out the wildlife in the Wadden Sea, but no walking to the lighthouse on that day.  Besides the chill, the wind was blowing at Beaufort 8-9, or about 50 mph - gale force!

Then to Bremerhaven and a walk about the harbor there.  Since Tom is a naval engineer, that sort of thing is just his thing!

Of course, they had to visit Roland and the Town Musicians.

And on their last night (sort of) here, we dressed up and went to dinner at the Haven Haus.

The food was great, and the company has been delightful!

Saturday morning they left for Copenhagen but will return for one night to break up the drive from there to Utrecht.  Besides, Tom has to return the heating pad!  (Don't know what he'll do in Utrecht without it!)

Art

Last week as the world knows, Harry Potter's final adventure opened and of course we wanted to go!  They make it easy here - order the tickets on line and pick your reserved seat from the automatic seat teller.  No rushing the door, no standing in line - except for popcorn. Great!

But we didn't want to go into town just for the movie, so we made it an Art Day.  A visit to the Gerhard Marcks Haus fit the bill.

As it turns out, the exhibit was on - Gerhard Marcks!  He is one of the most well-know German sculptors and the small museum showcases sculpture well.

You readers might recognize this theme of his!

Upstairs, they highlighted a contemporary artist who works with foam.  Pretty detailed and interesting and art, in my opinion - but is is sculpture?  The "sculpting" was done with knife and scissors, so not nearly as smooth as the stone.

 
Outside in the small gatehouse there was a lovely installation of spheres made of natural materials - handmade paper and wood.  It reminded us of the galaxy.

Afterwards there was time for some food, at the restaurant just on the other side of the moat.   Looking at this picture, it's hard to remember that it was warm enough to eat outside and that we've had sunshine lately.  It's been so cold and rainy.

And we did enjoy the last of the Harry Potter saga.  I've got used to no longer looking forward to the next book, and the end of it all was satisfying, but I think I'll miss him.

  

Asparagus Fest

Yes, it's that time of year and can you believe it has been another year - they're going by ever faster.

This year, unlike some others, we had perfect weather!  Ilsemarie and Ulli had set up chairs and tables in their back yard and after our dry rosé sparkling wine, we started with the Starter - shrimp salad.  Lovely.

We retired to the inside for the main course, which varies not at all from year to year - wonderful fresh asparagus, boiled potatoes, smoked meats and butter sauce.  We ate our fill and then some.

But there was more:  Dessert with a capital "D."  In German, this is called Fürst Pücklers Torte (the name is a mouthful!).   Strawberry and vanilla creams layered in a form and then covered with chocolate sauce.  Home made ice cream. Bowls of strawberries.  Coffee.  Schnapps.

And of course unending conversation on politics (US and German), the election, recent trips, planned trips, catching up on family events.  As always, an evening with friends is an evening well spent.

Ready, Set, Sun, Bikes

It's been such a long time since we've taken a really good little tour on the bikes, and to tell the truth, biking back from Bremen (approximately 18 miles) is not such a challenge anymore - even Hunter and Hannah can manage that!  But it was great to get out nonetheless.  

But first breakfast!  We dusted off the Egg Coddlers that Werner brought back from England an eon ago, added chives from the garden and some lovely cured ham.  What we hadn't planned  for was NO BREAD for Werner's butter sculpture!  It was May 1, a holiday, and all the bakeries were closed.  We had to make do with baguette.

Since it was the first semi-lengthy trip and since it was incredibly windy, we took the train into town and then biked through City Park, past the Stage in the Woods where Sunday jazz wafted our way, and then went through the Riensburg Cemetery.

I'd not been there before - it's an old city cemetery, not associated with a church, and there are some impressive mausoleums there.  It's a bit more tended than Pére LaChaise, but beautiful as well.  We'll have to go back again.

Then on to the Rhododendron Park.  

It was a holiday, and a Sunday, and gloriously sunny and not too cool, so the place was packed.  People of all ages strolling with or without canes, sticks and rollators, children and older folks in strollers and wheelchairs, photographers with ladders and lots of good cheer. 

And it's not just rhododendrons.  There are all sorts of herbs and medicinals and lovely ferns getting ready to show their own stuff.

Not all the rhododendrons were out by a long shot, but there was enough of a show to enjoy and lots of hints of the show to come. 

Heading home, we sorta missed the turn through the park to the train station and just kept going.  The wind was at our backs and we took a favorite way home along the small gardens near a stream.  Here's one just FULL of tulips!

And the lilacs are out.  Full.  Perhaps you noticed them on the breakfast table.  I can't get enough of their wonderful scent - it's such a fleeting time.  

We got home still in the sunshine and refreshed from the ride, but maybe just a little tired, too.  But a nice kind of tired.  

Happy May.