I am a social butterfly. I like people. And while at times I enjoy being alone, I am not the type of person that must have that special place far away to retreat to. Many times, it is just a few simple corners in my home where I take the time to reflect, contemplate, and refresh.
Often in the mornings I drink my second cup of tea in my favorite chair and take time to ponder. It is in the corner of my living room at just the right angle to enjoy the room and with a view into the garden. When I first moved to Germany, my husband wanted me to bring things that would make me feel at home... and I find that those familiar things around me do just that.
For me the garden is also that special place of reflection... hands deep in the dirt feeling the fresh cool earth between my fingers, enjoying the silence of being outside with birds hopping back and forth singing their sweet melodies, being inspired by the colors, shapes, and variety of nature, and marveling at the resiliency of flowers and plants.
But I would have to say that my deepest and most reflective times are when I am creating. I feel alive when I create. Whether it is the repetitive hum of the sewing machine to make purses, placemats, or other special projects or the tedious and steady work of shaping metals and combining them with natural stones... this is how I find my therapy, my solace, my quiet, and while often that place might be just in my work room, outside in the garden, or even on the sofa, it is that one place that I go to just be.
Visit Jane at Spain Daily for more places of meditation and reflection.
My Mom is what they call a "firecracker baby"... which means that she was born on the 4th of July, or what every American knows as Independence Day. In the States, this has become a much beloved friends and familiy day with grilling and fireworks... and what better way to make her feel at home than to have a barbecue in Germany... American style.
A few years ago my husband traveled to the States on a business trip without me. He returned, quite excited about all his Wal-Mart finds including 2 meters of American flag fabric. I mused inwardly thinking, "what in the heck am I going to do with that?!?" A few snips and couple staples later, and we ended up with great red, white, and blue holiday decorations.
One of the essential "must-haves" for an American barbecue are big, fat, juicy burgers... and lots of them. Top them any way that you like, but stack 'em high and make them almost too big to hold, and you've arrived.
My parents got to meet all of our friends and enjoyed exchanging stories and impressions with many of our friends that have either traveled to or lived in the States. Kids ran back and forth, played games, jumped on our trampoline, until they just couldn't run or jump any longer.
So how could one top a barbeque in the backyard, with lots of laughter, second helpings, and weather that could have been custom made... fireworks. But I guess I'll have to wait until next year.
Legend has it that one of Germany's early Kaisers enjoyed potatoes so much that he wanted to also offer them to his people. Many commoners, influenced by mystical thinking, believed that those things growing below the earth were evil, and would not eat the strange vegetable. In reaction to their superstitions the Kaiser planted a potato field and required that it be heavily guarded. The people assumed that whatever was in that field must be of great worth, and they would sneak in and steal the potatoes... it is thus said that this is how the potato came to the common man in Germany.
What many non-Germans may not know about Germany is that "Bratwurst" and "Sauerkraut" is not your average, everyday kind of meal. Of course they are served here, but more as a cookout kind of food like hamburgers in the US for picnics and barbeque's. German cuisine would be what I consider a no fuss, no frills kind of food, no heavy seasonings or flavors, no explosion of colors on the plate, a basic meat and potatoes kind of meal, and it will always, ALWAYS, ... ALWAYS be served with potatoes in numerous varaiations.
I realize that my assumptions about German cuisine might be just that when you compare them to Southern Germany. I suppose one could say it is like comparing Texas and New York, you just can't. But from here in the North, a summer meal of asparagus, a winter meal with wild game, and all those meals in between, I know that it will usually be served with potatoes... just basic... just German.
Are you still hungry? Then you should visit Jane at Spain Daily for a second helping.
You may have heard me mention Jane (Spain Daily) a time or two here before. She was tagged recently to list seven things about herself and she passed the invitation on to anyone else who wanted to join in. So I thought I would oblige her request and share a few random things about me.
1. I have never liked cola. When I would get a tummy ache or the flu my mom would give me "Sprite", but I would cry and beg her not to make me drink it.
2. When I was younger I would always scrape the toppings off my pizza, eat the crust and dough first, and then the cheese and pepperoni... yeah, I know... weird, probably just as much as separating the marshmallows in my "Lucky Charms", eating one food at a time, or eating the crust of the toast first and then the center (Note: I don't do these things anymore)
3. For some reason, red is the one color that I don't like to put in my garden.
4. I eat an egg almost everyday for breakfast. If I don't eat protein in the mornings I am hungry an hour later.
5. Growing up I dreamed of getting married at my parents home in the summer and then honeymooning in Europe... the facts are that I got married in January, went to the beach for our honeymoon, but ended up living in Europe. (so I guess it all evens out)
6. I hate to sew with a pattern... it just takes too much time to line everything up, measure it out, when all I really want do is start sewing.
7. My friend Phyllis in Texas asked me why I never told her before that I could take good pictures, to which I answered that I didn't know that I could. ( I really only started taking pictures when I started my blog.)
On the drive to the countryside farm of my parents-in-law, we made a slight detour through the little town of Uelzen. The purpose of our diversion was, of all things, to stop and see the railway station. In preparation for the 2000 world's fair Expo, the residents and politicians of the city started an initiative whose purpose was to create an environmental and cultural railway station.
Unlike most railway stations that I have been in, the colorful and unusual architecture set the normally ordinary structure apart. Designed by Friendenreich Hundertwasser (literally translates... Hundred Waters) the building boasts of colorful tiles laid in unsymmetrical patterns, solar panels, an inside fountain, and a living roof all in a style that is not the typical architecture that one expects to find in Germany. In addition, museum shops and a restaurant completed the whole "cultural" atmosphere.
I laughed inwardly when I saw the "kiss and ride" circle in front of the station for customers dropping off loved ones at the station, because English is so commonplace here.
Upon reaching our destination, it was clear that an afternoon walk was a "must" ... just to soak in the sun, breath the fresh air, enjoy the quietness, and appreciate the things that refresh the soul because the busyness of everday life diverts one from it. Our stroll led us under the canopy of two large cherry trees that were burdened with branches of beautiful, red, fruits for a tasty afternoon snack. It just doesn't get any better than this...
Traveling and sightseeing this week with my parents, has taken us to the beautiful port city of Bremen, just miles from the hometown of my husband... and what a perfect place to end up in for the "corner view" music theme.
One of the famous stories connected with the city is the "Bremen Town Musicians", a tale by the brothers Grimm of a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster "all past their usefulness on the farm, soon to be discarded by their masters. One by one they leave their homes and set out together. They decide to go to Bremen, known for its freedom, to live without owners and become musicians there." A statue, somewhat of the city symbol, has since been erected in front of the city hall depicting the tale and many visitors touch the hooves of the donkey for luck or wishes to come true. (Wikepedia)
The streets were peppered with corner musicians despite the on and off rain, creating melodic surprises and bringing the streets to life. It seemed as though just about every genre of music could be heard floating down the streets.
At one point, much to our delight, a "baker's choir" traveling from Cologne stopped in the city square to sing their hometown song. It is not everyday that one just breaks out singing on the streets... it was almost stepping onto the set of a musical.
Recently when we visited the city park we were welcomed at the entrance by a gentleman playing a "Drehorgel". I was delighted by the greeting that we received and it reminded me of one of my first trips to the Baltic Sea. These are the type of traditions that I live for.
... for more musical delights, don't forget to visit Jane at Spain Daily. Our travels carry on this week to the next town and I will only rejoin the group next week.
There is only one other meal that I would put in the same classification as Thanksgiving, best-meal-of-the year category... and that is Spargel Essen (White Asparagus Meal) How could one live in Germany and not delight in the much anticipated seasonal meal of white asparagus, smoked prosciutto, potatoes, and sauce Hollandaise?
Starting in April and running until the end of June, one can find giant strawberry stands selling white asparagus and fresh strawberries all over Germany, which the two seasons always coincide. If you eat the one, you always know that the other will be served with it... they just go together like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, corn on the cob and butter, Easter and eggs, wine and cheese... you can try to separate them, but they are just not quite as good unless they are together.
I find that since I have been living in Germany, I look forward to this meal like I look forward to the Christmas markets. As with the Christmas markets, we have started our own special tradition to celebrate with friends. This year just happens to be the fourth year that we have shared this meal with the same friends, and as a special treat, my parents were able to partake in the traditional German meal.
After diner, only one word could cross my lips... "mmmm, herrlich!" (delicious, marvelous, magnificent, superb, splendid, glorious, wonderful)
Of course just about everyone who sews or works with patchwork fabrics has heard of Amy Butler. And since she has come on the scene, Heather Bailey and Anna Maria Horner are hot on her heels with their own fantastic fabric collections, but one designer, who I think does equally as brilliant work is fabric designer, Tula Pink.
Tula "who" might be going through your mind, but in case you have not heard of her, perhaps I should introduce this talented lady. Neptune, a sea and nautical themed collection, is actually Tula's fourth fabric collection produced by Moda fabrics.
Tula Pink has set herself apart in the fabric scene and has defined her unusual and intriguing fabrics as a "delicate camouflage of hidden creatures and themes", which has become her signature style. What I find fascinating about Tula's work is that one does not immediately recognize the subtle hidden images in her fabric.
... like turtles, seahorses, mussels, and anchors.
... or small life rings with the ship name "S.S. Pink".
... mussels hidden in a bed of seaweed, paisleys, and swirls.
What memories or thoughts do you have about going to the beach or ocean?Tula's Pink's fabulous ocean themed fabrics can be found here.
For me the garden is also that special place of reflection... hands deep in the dirt feeling the fresh cool earth between my fingers, enjoying the silence of being outside with birds hopping back and forth singing their sweet melodies, being inspired by the colors, shapes, and variety of nature, and marveling at the resiliency of flowers and plants.
But I would have to say that my deepest and most reflective times are when I am creating. I feel alive when I create. Whether it is the repetitive hum of the sewing machine to make purses, placemats, or other special projects or the tedious and steady work of shaping metals and combining them with natural stones... this is how I find my therapy, my solace, my quiet, and while often that place might be just in my work room, outside in the garden, or even on the sofa, it is that one place that I go to just be.
Visit Jane at Spain Daily for more places of meditation and reflection.
