Gone fishing

Prime fishing hole

Oberammergau, April 2010

Oh how absent I've been.  Life and obligations get in the way, but I'm still here.

This photo is for my dad.  I missed Father's Day this year.  Rather than calling home, I was navigating the Paris rail system.  But Dad is never far from my thoughts, as evidenced by this photo I snapped for him during a trip to Oberammergau this past April.  Being the man who taught me how to fish, I knew he would appreciate this glorious little spot.  The hole was filled with trout that aren't visible in the picture.  Oh what I would have given for a pole...and my dad standing next to me.

Happy Mother's Day

Three generations

Schloss Hohenheim, November 2009

Almost spring...

...although you wouldn't know it by the below-freezing temperatures this morning.

I've been quiet again. February was a bit hectic. I got to go through a battery of tests for my ear/sinus problems, including them taking pretty pictures of the inside of my head. Of course, those pretty pictures were about the only ones taken during the month. My poor camera thinks I don't love it anymore.

But February was also a good month, as it always is for us...

...because of things like this...

Angel food cake lovingly made by my husband and son for my birthday

...and this...

Putting the finishing touches on our son's birthday cake

Music from my iPod...Galway Girl by Steve Earle & Sharon Shannon

Of love...and fishing

Raspberry-Apple Crumble

Our Valentine's dessert

I show love for my husband and son through food. For Valentine's Day, I always make them a special meal. It's just one of the ways to their hearts. I know I can't go wrong.

The first Valentine my husband gave me, while he was still just 'the boyfriend', included a bag of Kona coffee. I knew then I had to marry that man.

But in the realm of all time favorite Valentine gifts, my parents still hold one of the top spots. Every so often we would sit down to Valentine's dinner and there at our place would be our fishing license for the year. Few things said love like that. With the ranch keeping everyone constantly busy, the acknowledgment of a bit of fishing was like giving the gift of love and time, all wrapped into one. It was a real treat...just so long as you could stand the wait until the season actually started.

*******

Completely unrelated note: Watching the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, I had a complete sense of déjà vu when k.d. lang got on stage. How could it be twenty-two years since I heard her sing for the first time while watching the Olympic games in Calgary? I can remember buying her album, Absolute Torch and Twang, because of it. That cassette rode around in my pickup for ages.

Music from my iPod... Big Boned Gal by k.d. lang

Sludge...and tall winter boots weather

Frozen Katzenbachsee
January 2010

Some have asked how hard we were hit with the storm that moved through Europe. Answer - we were hit, but not as severely as originally predicted. Don't get me wrong, we got plenty of snow and it isn't leaving anytime soon (the picture above is from earlier this month, so it doesn't reflect current conditions). I guess I would call this 'tall winter boots with jeans tucked into them' weather.

Walking to and from school has become a test of seeing how much sludge you can avoid. Sludge is a technical term that my son and I came up with. It refers to the nasty, brownish-grey snow slush that develops near and around road crossings and other high traffic areas. Some days we do better than others, but this morning was particularly sludgey on the walk home and my boots look as if I bathed them in a salt bath. Oh well, the joys of winter.


Note: I was also asked whether or not I managed to snap a few pics of the snowflakes. No sooner had I mentioned the lovely, perfectly shaped flakes, than the snow changed to small microscopic dots...which resulted in the blanketing that we received. But I promise, when the other type of snowflakes return I will do my darnedest to get a pic!

Cowbell

I'm not one to have 'favorite' gifts. Come Christmas and birthdays, I am generally thrilled with any gift received, because I do believe it's the thought that counts.

But this year one Christmas gift stood out from the rest.

A Maasai cowbell!


My dear husband brought it back from a recent trip to Tanzania. He always finds the most perfect little gifts on his travels. I have to admit the trip also garnered me a pair of Tanzanite earrings (an anniversary gift). No offense dear, but I'm not sure which gift I treasure more.

I have it on display not too far from one of my family's cowbells. The contrast in appearance is striking, but the reason and use behind them is not. Our world is so small.

Yes, hands down, it is a favorite gift...well, it and the Swatch watch that my son gave me...and the meat grinder attachment for my Kitchen Aid...and...

Snowflakes

Snow on moss
January 2010

It's snowing again. Apparently we are just beginning to receive what has been hammering the UK. This weekend were are to expect a good blanketing.

On my walk to pick up our son from school, I noticed how beautiful the snowflakes are. This storm is very dry, so the flakes are perfectly formed. I was catching them on my gloves, examining their intricate designs. They looked as if they'd been cut with a punch. No matter the size, they were exquisite. True works of art.

And yes, more than once I had to make emergency maneuvers to avoid running into people because I was too busy staring at my hands.


Note: After telling my mom this story, she said I needed to get a picture of these snowflakes. I am kicking myself for not having my camera with me. With any luck, I'll have a chance this weekend to capture some.

Back to reality

A snowy view
January 2010

While we didn't have a picture-perfect white Christmas, the snowy weather has come back to remind us that winter is only beginning. Today is a not-so-balmy -3°C/26°F with flurries.

Yesterday my good friend asked if I was ready to get back to reality. With school starting again today and my husband returning to work, the chaos of the holidays has officially come to an end. The reality of everyday life has returned and that is fine with me. Holidays are out, normal is back.

We spent the better part of the weekend taking Christmas out of the house. Don't get me wrong, I do love having a beautifully decorated holiday season, but once the calendar turns to January 2, I'm done. No sentimentality here, when the holidays are over it's time for things to look normal again. And today, to finally put it all to rest, I am transforming the last of our New Year's ham into a pot of beans for dinner. C'est fini.

Happy New Year

Rain has replaced snow for the time being. I am hoping the new year will bring more of the white stuff. Cold rain is not my cup of tea.

On the last day of the year we are staying home (well, interrupted by a quick trip to buy a new DVD player this morning...why do those things always die at the most inopportune times?). We will ring out the end of the decade with pizza, movies, games, cheesy German shows and, of course, some bubbly.

Wishing all a healthy and happy new year!

Season's Greetings

We are busy prepping for our traditional Christmas Eve Mexican feast. Cilantro, avocados, and tamales will be dancing in our heads as we sleep tonight.

And wherever you may find yourself this year, I wish you a Merry Christmas!

Hot coffee and candy canes

If you're lucky you can find a candy cane...before they all disappear.

The snow is blowing outside. Beautiful, perfect flakes...as if they were each made be hand. A crisp -2°C (28°F), perfect weather to be an indoor spectator and sit with a cup of coffee.

The hectic season

Apple-Cranberry pie

Over a month since the last post. It was a month filled with good things like a visit from my mom (we're trouble when we're together) and lots of yummy food (how great is Thanksgiving).

And now, here I sit addressing Christmas cards, wrapping gifts and preparing for the next round of holiday madness. I could make a promise to post more, but knowing how things pop up this time of year, I won't. Instead I will say that I'm going to try to be better about it...really.

Fall

A bench with a view
October 2009

So...it's been over a month. I've been silent, but not absent.

A month ago I had much needed surgery on some faulty leg veins. Such surgery requires a decent recovery period of lying on the couch and walking, but no sitting or standing. And typing on a laptop that can't sit on my lap is a bit tough. The extent of my computer use is craning my neck to the side and reading until a crick sets in.

Anyway, I am getting back into the swing of things now. And I have been getting some fabulous photos from my frequent therapeutic walks. So enjoy the view and I will be back with more.

Walking

Cobblestones in the woods near Stuttgart
August 2009

Autumn is coming. The mornings are cold. The air is crisp. My little boy started school. To me, autumn feels like New Year's. Everything starts over again...at least in the world we live in.

I took a walk in the woods this morning to clear my head. Amazing what a little fresh air can do...and some selected music on an iPod. I think better when I'm out walking on my own. I can get a grasp on things. I can get all my ducks in the proverbial row. And now I'm ready. Come on, autumn, show your colors. I'm ready.

Music from my iPod... The Show by Lenka

Musical interlude

Summer quartet captivating the crowd with Mozart
Stuttgart, July 2009

We happened upon this quartet on a trip into the city for a minor repair to Betsy (my camera...but then again I call my car Betsy as well...perhaps I should come up with another name). Dust on the sensor leads to photos with spots. A good cleaning and the purchase of a sensor cleaning kit...all is well.

Bright spots

Yes, the sun did shine last weekend...enough for us to enjoy a nice long walk in the woods. A bright spot after the not-so-bright weather.

And now we are off for a long weekend...to another bright spot...guaranteed to be happy...or so they claim. See you next week!

Let the sun shine

A bit of sunshine

Osbourne House, Isle of Wight, 2007

It's been raining on and off for a week. Everything is beautifully clean. Shades of bright green are striking against the greys...but I'm hoping the forecast of sun this weekend holds true.

Sugar packets

My cappuccino this morning...and the beautiful sugar packet

I normally don't have espresso in the morning, I'm more of a black coffee girl when it comes to the first cup of the day. But today I had some free time on my hands, so I opted to put my moka pot on the stove for a cappuccino. And I normally don't do sugar in my coffees, but as I was putting my breakfast together I noticed a sugar packet that my husband brought me back from a recent trip (from an airport coffee break in Germany or France). This is one of the many reasons I love my husband, he noticed the packet's artwork and knew that I would enjoy it. It's the little things that count. As I looked at the sleeping duck (or is it a goose?), it reminded me of the sugar packets they had when I was a kid. Do you remember them? The small white packets that had photos of different places in the US on the back? I was so enthralled by the concept I collected them...much to the chagrin of my parents. So I guess it's no big surprise then that I kept this empty sugar packet and taped it inside my notebook.

1...2...3...Go

I needed a break. A big break. I took one.

Then I realized I needed a fresh start. A clean slate to work with. So I made one.

Now I am ready again.