Sunflower

I love the pick-your-own flower fields around where we live.  Simply find a spot to park, select your bouquet (bring scissors or a knife), and pay on your honor.  I couldn't pass up the sunflowers...three for one Euro.

Everybody Wang Chung tonight...

Tübingen, Germany, April 2010

Too cold for a picnic

When we decided to go to Tübingen the other day, we thought we'd just pack a picnic and lunch in the town square.  The weather had been decent in the days preceding, so we figured it was a safe bet...until we got there and immediately changed our minds...it was downright cold.

And so we sought out a place to eat, stumbling almost immediately onto Alte Weinstube Göhner (Old Wine Bar Göhner).  Obviously a hangout for locals, it was small but welcoming.  And even though it didn't look like one, it reminded me of the 'mom & pop' diners I used to frequent as a child.  The owner greeted us with a smile and a hearty 'Grüß Gott'*.

The food was equally reminiscent of a diner, featuring regional Schwäbisch dishes. And although my Gaisburger Marsch (or what I affectionately call 'soup with meat and two starches') was not that great, the baked Maultaschen that my husband had was fabulous.  Plus, our son's schnitzel was really good, which is a gauge of a decent restaurant around here.  In the States, I measure a diner's worth with the quality of its hamburgers.  In Germany, I measure with schnitzel.

A far cry from the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches we had packed, the Alte Weinstube Göhner was a welcome discovery on our little walkabout...and sometimes those are the best type of discoveries.



* 'Grüß Gott', or 'greet god', is the common greeting in southern Germany, rather than 'hello' or 'good day'.

Not-so-blue skies

As my husband remarked during our walk today - is it a cloud or is it ash?  I tend to think it's the latter since satellite pictures show the Icelandic spew is over us now.

Tübingen

Central Tübingen, April 2010

Stopping for a drink

Refreshment break

Tübingen, Germany, April 2010

All things western

I'm not sure why, but Germans seem to have an obsession with the culture of our American west.  Since we've moved here I've seen more allusions to the wild west and cowboys than in most parts of the United States.

Case in point...the above photo is my snack from last night's trip to the movies.  'Film Stars Little Sour Sticks'...with the said stick dressed in wild west garb.  Yes, it made me smile.

Fitting that I also heard Texas Lightning on the radio the day before.  A German country music band (recently split up), it doesn't get any better than that.


Related note:  Those are 3D glasses in the photo.  I  got to see 'Alice in Wonderland' last night...my first 3D movie experience.  Really enjoyable, despite moments of nausea as my eyes were trying to adjust.

Think SPRING

'Denkpartner'
Friedrichsbau, Stuttgart, March 2010

Went for a head-clearing walk in the woods this morning. The weather is glorious right now. Bright sun, blue skies. Ducks were out on the pond. Birds were chirping. Spring is trying desperately to come to Germany. Too bad the weatherman is saying it's not going to last and that we still have a bit of cold to endure. Oh well, such is life...I just need to keep thinking positive 'spring' thoughts.


Music from my iPod...Our House by Madness

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!

In the spotlight

Buying meat
Markthalle, Stuttgart, December 2009

My favorite place in Stuttgart, hands down, is the Markthalle. The first time I walked into this year-round, indoor food market it took my breath away. Stalls, packed together, selling foods from around the world. The colors explode and the smells entice. On a busy day you will be sandwiched in like a sardine, jostling amongst the people to buy the treasures on your list. And yes, it's all worth it. The Markthalle is like Alice in Wonderland for foodies.

But the Markthalle is not without it's competition. Stuttgart has it's share of places that vie for my affections. Some were even featured in the December 2009 issue of Bon Appetit magazine. If you haven't seen it, click here.

Autumn color

Autumn on the Bärensee
October 2009

Happy Halloween

Schloss Ludwigsburg, October 2009

Pumpkins galore

If you ask me, pumpkins epitomize fall. Their gorgeous autumnal colors. Their rich, earthy taste. They are brisk days and crisp blue skies in gourd form. I adore them.

This past weekend we ventured to the Pumpkin Festival at Schloss Ludwigburg. The festival isn't an homage to Halloween (as the Germans aren't as in to the holiday as we are). Rather it's more about the gourd itself. Emphasis is on artful displays (centered on the theme of children's stories) and food that falls under the category of 'everything is better with pumpkin'.

There are large pumpkins. The one in the center weighed over 800 pounds.



There are pumpkins to buy, mainly for eating. Aren't these 'black' pumpkins gorgeous?



And there is an abundance of pumpkin food. Like the pumpkin maultaschen. Maultaschen are a speciality from this region of Germany. It's pasta stuffed with a mixture of meat and spices, similar to ravioli. This one has the addition of pumpkin flesh in the stuffing and a pumpkin puree sauce. To die for.

Prost!

We made it to Oktoberfest this year!

Okay, not really. We missed it by three weeks.

During a recent hop to Munich for a look around, we happened upon the fest site. I told my husband I wanted to get closer to snap a few pictures. To our surprise, the majority of Oktoberfest was already set up...and the grounds were open. In the States, you would never see a fairgrounds open to the public prior to the event, but here you could wander freely.

It was strange as we walked the streets of the famed fest. They weren't filled with masses of people or a barrage of sounds, rather it was quiet, with the only noise coming from the occasional bicyclist or walker also out to enjoy the area.



The Munich Oktoberfest opens tomorrow and runs for sixteen days. I'm actually happy that we were able to enjoy it the way we did. But to all those going - PROST!

Stuttgarter Weindorf

The Germans love food and drink festivals...and I admire them for that.

We spent a recent afternoon at the Stuttgarter Weindorf. Nothing like a festival where it's just booth after booth of fabulous local wine and food.


So many choices, I finally settled on a plate of mushrooms and spaetzle, followed by a glass of Bottwartal Kellerei Trollinger. Trollinger is a light red wine produced in our area of Germany, perfect for this mid-afternoon treat.


Sadly, I was so full after this that I had to pass on the waffle with raspberries and cream. Heaven help me when the beer festivals start at the end of this month.

The things you see

Flexible
Stuttgart, August 2009

I file this under the same category as the Indian - you just never know what you're going to see.

Can you imagine being this flexible? I certainly cannot. Joining her in her street routine was her fire-eating husband and three boys who could do various balancing tricks. I guess that is one way for a family to earn a few extra Euro.

Faces in the woods

The Germans love their forests. Really. They have a true love of the outdoors and spend loads of time out enjoying it. You never know what you will see or find during a walk. I am constantly in awe of walking a mile or so into a forest and stumbling upon a restaurant or ice cream stand, accessible only by foot or bicycle.

Or even stumbling upon a sight like this. In one of the woods near us, there is a carver/artist in residence. His handiwork can be purchased to take home or you can simply enjoy the work that is permanently on display.

Like this snag.

At first look, you may not see much. But then the creatures and faces pop out as if greeting you, in this very German way, to their forest.

Where are the cowboys...

Strolling Indian
Stuttgart, August 2009

...because I found the Indian.

Further proof of my theory that you always need a camera handy because you never know what you're going to see.

Musical interlude, part 2

Band of many colors
Stuttgart, August 2009

We had some dear friends visiting this past weekend. During our requisite tour of the city we came across another band in the same location as the girls' quartet from a few weeks ago. I wanted to convert the photo to black and white, perhaps start a series featuring the same subject, but I couldn't...because check out the guy on the right. That outfit. That color. A man truly comfortable in his own skin.

Watercolor

Impressionist painting or just a reflection?

Have a great weekend.

Update: Yes, the photo is a reflection...flipped upside-down. It's a pond in a nearby wood. The wind was creating just enough of a ripple on the surface to remind me of a Van Gogh.