Since I grew up in the wooded, mountains of West Virginia, and my husband on wide and expansive farmland, there was one thing that we both had in mind as a "must have" when we purchased our home... green. Instead of the hustle and bustle of the city with beautiful buildings, quaint cafes, and the abundance of cultural opportunities as our backdoor view, we opted for large, old oak trees, an old Bauernhof (farmhouse estate), hedges of rhododendrons, and paths behind our house that lead us through fields filled with horses.
Our whole first floor is nothing but windows looking out into the backyard and garden, which is what first drew us to our home. I love to linger at the breakfast table, sipping my tea, and watch the birds looking for a snack at our feeders. This fall we even had a family of pheasants visit us quite frequently and each time they came I was so awestruck at what handsome birds they are.
As a Christmas surprise, my husband purchased a beautiful bird feeder with a "living" roof, which sits just outside of my studio. While working, it is delightful to see all the birds flitting in and out who seem not quite certain about the new addition.
I love the transitioning of flowers from spring, to summer, to fall... each season offering something unique.Just outside the kitchen window are beautiful climbing roses from soft pink to deep red that bloom throughout the season. We have since added many flowers to the already existing garden and it is great to discover a new bloom that has just burst forth or tiny visitors in the garden.
We yearn for summers to come because our living area extends to our outside space with a covered terrace, which allows meals to be enjoyed outside even in the rain. In true American style, we barbecue, even in winter, and there is nothing like dinner hot off the grill.
Such a view out my back window is like the fulfilment of a dream, and I can let out that deep sigh that has somehow been stored up deep inside me... that sigh when you are really home... that sigh that is released when you are surround by such a deep peace, and all you hear is nature singing its song... that sigh when you've stopped long enough to notice and enjoy it.
... thanks to all my "backyard participants", who held still long enough for me to snap just a small part of their beauty. For more "Out Your Back Window views... visit Jane at Spain Daily.
Of course with a name like "Park & Garden", I think it is pretty obvious that one would expect to find things for your favorite room outside the house... the garden.
... antique stone wells flowing with cooling water. Somehow water works so well in the garden with such a soothing and relaxing sound.
... everything one would need for a picnic in the flower park or by the beach.
... fresh herbs to fill containers or garden spaces that add spice and flavor any favorite summer dish.
... from silver to "Landhausstil" (land house style), topiaries and decorative pots to hold summers bounty of flowers.
... extra color in the garden or to just show someone you love them.
... soft pink roses, and deep purple delphinium to add that soft cottage look to a garden... oh, how inviting.
I've always loved going to art shows and garden festivals... to totally soak in the environment, be inspired by other artists, energized by vibrant colors, allow the music to penetrate that deep place inside, and inhale fresh air with bursts of scrumptious smells wafting through the air. This past weeks show was by far the nicest show that we have done and with so much for the senses, so I wanted to share a few of my impressions... for the taste buds.
... one of the most eye-catching booths at the show with mountains of fresh oranges waiting to be squeezed into juice and mixed with your favorite beverage, or with seasonal sweet, red strawberries.
... cheese varieties of every shape, size, and flavor from all over Europe, cut to order as well as smoked fish, perfect for picnics or simply as a snack with toast and capers.
... coffee bars with lush palm trees as backdrops with comfortable wicker chairs to complete the safari ambiance... just to sit and relax and enjoy deep rich blends and flavors from espresso to cappuccino.
... people lined up to enjoy the plump, ripe strawberries atop fresh, warm waffles served during the much anticipated "Spargel und Erdbeeren Zeit" (white asparagus and strawberry season)
... outside garden cafes lined with guests enjoying the atmosphere, the warm weather, and laughter with friends and for some...
... as they say, good things come to those who wait.
What's in a name, really ?... I can remember when I first decided to start my blog, and as I went through the setup process, I came to the section where it asked what would be my blog name. I sat there totally stumped because I had not even thought about that when I had spontaneously decided to join the world of blogging. I made up a list of possible names, words I liked, anything, but nothing seemed to fit. So for my 100th post I thought I would share a little history behind the name "Campbell Soup Diary".
For thirty-three year's of my life I have been a Campbell... that is before my husband "imported" me to Germany and I changed my last name. Campbell was my maiden name (Mädchenname) and I was always proud to bear it. I even look like my dad's side of the family, act like them, tell long detailed stories like them, and think like them... let's just say it's in my genes.
Often when introducing myself to new people, making business calls, giving out personal information for any reason, clarifying my name spelling, I would always identify myself as Allison Campbell... "you know, like the soup", I would say. Campbell's Soup (unfortunately of no relation) is the most recognizable and well-known soup brand in the U.S. ... it's like Tempo's or Tesa here in Germany. When you think soup, you think Campbell's... period.
Recently my husband happened to be the one to go to the grocery store. He brought back some soup mixes... the really convenient, make it on the go, one cup soup, just add boiling water... perfect for exhibits or picnics. After ohhhing and ahhhing for some time about how yummy the soup tasted, I flipped the box, and what do 'ya know... Campbell's, and right here in Germany!
...so for me, "Campbell Soup Diary" is that little attempt to embrace and hold onto the part of me that once was... the part that I always will be, the part that makes me who I am... Mmmm, mmmm, good!
Did you hear the news? Amy Butler is having a contest using her Midwest Modern collections. The "Mid Mod Contest", which runs from June 1st to September 15th, is open to entries even outside the U.S. ... Germany that means you! The only rule is to use fabric from Amy's Midwest Modern collection... that's it, and you can use any of Amy's patterns or something of your own.10 winners will be announced in September and the prizes are great including Midwest Modern fabrics and the new Amy Butler softwares program.There will be a Flikr board set up on her website and entries should be sent to contest@amybutlerdesign.com.
Here is a fabulous "no-sew" project that I found recently in the April issue of Living At Home using MM fabrics. What a great way to add a little sizzle to the bedroom. You can see some of mypreviousprojects using Amy's MM fabrics... the possibilities are endless. Happy Sewing!
A selection of Amy's Midwest Modern fabrics can be found here.
Warm, blazing sunshine, white sands as far as the eye can see, the constant movement of the waves... in and out, bright colored umbrellas and beach chairs peppering the soft sandy shores, lifeguards looking cool, squinting to read a book, and cooling off in the salty water when you just can't stand the heat anymore... this is what I think of when I think about going to the beach.
... but this is not what I think about when I think about beaches in Germany. The Northern part of Germany is surrounded by two bodies of water, the North Sea and the Baltic sea. When I first moved to Germany, my mother-in-law wanted to take me for a day trip to the North Sea. I was very excited having beaches like Virgina Beach, Myrtle, and Wilmington in mind (Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina), but found the cold, rainy, muddy, day (at least weather-wise) to not be the beach experience that I had imagined.
The North Sea is quite unusual because every six hours the water recedes and then comes back in. The ebbing cycle (when the water goes out) leaves beautiful water formed patterns and mud behind, or "Matsch" in German. You can walk where the water once was and many tourists often take a horse and carriage ride through the "Matsch". Even annual horse racing events are held on the "Meeresgrund" (translated bottom of the sea) .
However, I must say that my idea of going to the beach does not include wearing a winter coat, scarf, boots, gloves, turtlenecks, and everything else one needs to stay warm. This past fall we had friends visit us when they were traveling through Hamburg on the way to the Northern beaches. I sat the whole time wondering if they were really crazy and will remain forever perplexed at why one wouldn't instead travel to a nice warm beach somewhere South... I guess to each his own.
...thanks to my brother-in-law for the great North Sea photos. For more lazy days at the beach, (and hopefully warmer ones) ... visit Jane at Spain Daily.
I have found that with living in another country and learning a new language, some things just don't translate. I continually find myself speaking a funny, mixed, language of it's own, we affectionately call "Denglisch" (Duetusch/German and Enlglish) I speak to my friends here in "Denglisch" but sometimes have problems when I talk to others who don't know both languages. What frustrates me the most is when I have to ask my German husband to translate a word into English because it has somehow left the drawer in which I last stored it in... some things just sound better in English and some things sound betterin German.
I took these photos recently and my husband quickly passed them over because the flowers are at the end of their blooming time. I told him that it was the exact thing that I liked because the photos show what the flowers look like when they are "verblüht" (luckily he understands "Denglisch") which I would translate to mean "bloomed out", but the German word just seemed to say exactly what I meant.
I think it is easy to overlook the odd and unusual beauty of something just because it appears to be past it's prime... but don't we all do that at one time or another?
Have you ever attended an event that was literally perfect from the time it began to the time it ended? Amidst the busyness of our show preparations, this past weekend was a welcomed and much needed time of rest with our family. The purpose of our gathering was centered around the newest of my four nieces for her baptism. Everything about the day seemed to be the fulfilment of a heritage passed down from generation to generation.
This momentous occasion was held at the family home of my husband... a house that is well over 350 years old with more personality and character than one can fathom. Currently my husband's grandmother lives in the lower half of the house and his parents in the upper part, as has been done for generations before them. Surrounding us were large antique furniture pieces that lined the open black and white tiled entryway, leading up the old stairs that creek each time one treads on them. At the beginning of the service, there was such an amazing stillness and peace that filled the room as the first note was played of an old German hymn.
The baptism dress, a family heirloom, has been worn by my husband's grandfather, his five daughter's, her three children, and two from this generation. Each child that has been baptised in the sweet, white linen dress has had their name and birth date embroidered by the child's grandmother. I think no one can convince me now that weather cannot be custom ordered. A warm, sunshining day moved our celebration plans and champagne toast into the garden... we could not have asked for more beautiful weather despite the fact that we are in Northern Germany. For lunch, the seasonal and traditional white asparagus, potatoes, salmon, smoked prosciutto, and hollandaise sauce adorned the table. Everywhere one looks in the dining room are reminders of those who celebrated and lived the same things before. Vintage china lined the table which were just as fantastic as the fresh flowers brought in for the festivities.
... and what would a family gathering in Germany be without an afternoon walk? Groups formed and disassembled and reformed all along the way like a bees floating from one flower to the next. Our normal round included a stroll through the woods with patches of warmth from the sun and cool from the large shading trees above. The well-worn path lead us to the cemetery of the family ancestors and hellos, goodbyes, and memories were are shared. The cousins ran through the wooded green laughing, playing, and making up games as they went.
So how does one conclude such a family outing?... why, of course, with "coffee and cake" time in the garden. The branches of a decades old walnut tree provided just enough shade, while allowing warm sparkles of the sun to filter in. I made sure to sit at the table adorned with my favorite tea/coffee china... a simple pattern with a delicate fern leaf and octagon shaped saucer to match.
What could be more fitting for such a sweet little girl than a cake dressed in white and embellished with the softest pastel accents... divine.
In the midst of all this, I realize... it somehow seems that I knew deep inside, long before I ever set foot in Germany, that this is what my heart had secretly longed for... family, rich traditions, laughter, gardens, and especially old things still remembered and cherished.
Our whole first floor is nothing but windows looking out into the backyard and garden, which is what first drew us to our home. I love to linger at the breakfast table, sipping my tea, and watch the birds looking for a snack at our feeders. This fall we even had a family of pheasants visit us quite frequently and each time they came I was so awestruck at what handsome birds they are.
As a Christmas surprise, my husband purchased a beautiful bird feeder with a "living" roof, which sits just outside of my studio. While working, it is delightful to see all the birds flitting in and out who seem not quite certain about the new addition.
I love the transitioning of flowers from spring, to summer, to fall... each season offering something unique. Just outside the kitchen window are beautiful climbing roses from soft pink to deep red that bloom throughout the season. We have since added many flowers to the already existing garden and it is great to discover a new bloom that has just burst forth or tiny visitors in the garden.
We yearn for summers to come because our living area extends to our outside space with a covered terrace, which allows meals to be enjoyed outside even in the rain. In true American style, we barbecue, even in winter, and there is nothing like dinner hot off the grill.
Such a view out my back window is like the fulfilment of a dream, and I can let out that deep sigh that has somehow been stored up deep inside me... that sigh when you are really home... that sigh that is released when you are surround by such a deep peace, and all you hear is nature singing its song... that sigh when you've stopped long enough to notice and enjoy it.
Our whole first floor is nothing but windows looking out into the backyard and garden, which is what first drew us to our home. I love to linger at the breakfast table, sipping my tea, and watch the birds looking for a snack at our feeders. This fall we even had a family of pheasants visit us quite frequently and each time they came I was so awestruck at what handsome birds they are.
As a Christmas surprise, my husband purchased a beautiful bird feeder with a "living" roof, which sits just outside of my studio. While working, it is delightful to see all the birds flitting in and out who seem not quite certain about the new addition.
I love the transitioning of flowers from spring, to summer, to fall... each season offering something unique. Just outside the kitchen window are beautiful climbing roses from soft pink to deep red that bloom throughout the season. We have since added many flowers to the already existing garden and it is great to discover a new bloom that has just burst forth or tiny visitors in the garden.
We yearn for summers to come because our living area extends to our outside space with a covered terrace, which allows meals to be enjoyed outside even in the rain. In true American style, we barbecue, even in winter, and there is nothing like dinner hot off the grill.
Such a view out my back window is like the fulfilment of a dream, and I can let out that deep sigh that has somehow been stored up deep inside me... that sigh when you are really home... that sigh that is released when you are surround by such a deep peace, and all you hear is nature singing its song... that sigh when you've stopped long enough to notice and enjoy it.
