Home Sweet Home

Wir sind wieder wohlbehalten Zuhause angekommen! Die innere Uhr braucht natürlich noch etwas Zeit, sich umzustellen - Sophia ließ sich am späten Nachmittag kaum aufwecken ;) Gerade sitzen meine beiden auf dem Sofa, lesen Shel-Silverstein-Gedichte und knabbern Schokotrüffel. Die Wäsche ist gewaschen, die Koffer ausgepackt, die Weihnachtsdeko weggeräumt und der Kühlschrank blitzesauber. Hallo, Wochenende!

Happy New Year 2013

 Red's mission on New Year's Eve: decorating EVERY room!

Dinner with Polish Salad (fish, potatoes, apples, beets, eggs) and beer. On this special occasion also Coke for Red: "Uuuh, that's so sweet .... can I have some water, please?" 

After dinner we caught a glimpse of the future by melting lead and interpreting its shape. Even though we had a long list of possible shapes and their meaning, our future remains mysterious :)

Later on Opa made Feuerzangenbowle! In the pot: hot red wine with star anise, oranges, lemon, and cinnamon. On top: rum-drenched sugar cone that is set on fire. The melted sugar drips into the wine. Delightful!

Luckily everybody was still awake at midnight to toast with champagne and fizzy water! Afterwards we went out into the street and tried out the sparklers and fire crackers. It was great fun!

Late breakfast on January 1st - here's to a happy and healthy New Year!

Getting ready ...

... for German New Year's Eve!

All together

Lots of family! Both of my brothers could make it - I can't remember the last time we all met in the same place. Good times.

 Getting checked out by our Dad - Red is supposed to blow up balloons with her nose to help her get rid of that mucus in the ear. Not a favorite, as you can imagine ...

Cousin love! After a rough start the two are getting along well, until one yells ...

"This is MY Oma!"

Christmas Goodness

Oma's quark cake ...

... and cookies! Red's favorite: the striped Kalter Hund (cold dog).

Preparing Christmas dinner.

Raclette: load your little pan with corn, mushrooms, peppers, etc., top with cheese and let it melt! The best.

After carols and guitar playing, storytelling and pictures we realized that the Christkind had been here! Presents time.

Lego Christmas market ;)

Rainboots and umbrella. As always - the wrapping is the best part ...

Today we went over to my Dad's house and had more of everything - more family, more presents, and more great food (here, carving the goose).

Red learning how to eat goose like an Odenwälder.

Handmade Christmas

Time flies ... ;)

Opa made marzipan candy!

Opa's nativity scene - a family favorite.

A classic, made by Opa and Uncle.

I got big shoes to fill!

Back in the Odenwald

We're back! After a 6 hour delay at the airport we made it here safe and sound. Jany, Oma, and Opa picked us up in Frankfurt and had Brezeln and chocolate ready. Red got a reindeer girl that she named Jasmine. On the long drive home through dark forests and small towns (let's say we took the long route) we sang along to Christmas songs from the radio - Red led "Rudolph" and other American classics :)

This afternoon we caught the last day of Weihnachtsmarkt! It wasn't too cold and the snow is already gone, but we still had Glühwein (mulled wine) and looked at arts and crafts.

... and Red had a Worscht, of course!

Opa, Oma Andrea, Opa Max, me, and Red (Oma took the picture).

The Erbacher Christmas Tree is one of the tallest in Germany (say the Erbachers).