After such a long winter and a very chilly and rather snowy spring for many of you, I hope the sun comes out and spreads a little spring warmth at last.
I also hope you can enjoy a piece of cake or something tasty over the holidays!
Tag Archives: Holidays
Happy New Year!
Thank you all for a wonderful blogging year 2012… and for sharing all those fantastic posts full of beautiful photos, fascinating information and links, wit and humour, warmth and enthusiasm. They have enriched the past twelve months, and I’m so glad I’ve got to know you all.
Crab Apple: Tree of the Year, Germany 2013
And thanks too for visiting my blog and leaving such generous and positive comments. I’ve been inspired and found support and encouragement from you all.
Hepatica/Liverwort: Wildflower of the Year, Germany 2013
Finding friends who take pleasure in the same things, who make me laugh and cry, who think on the same wavelength, and who are simply there – wherever that may be – has been simply wonderful.
Common Snipe: Bird of the Year, Germany 2013
Here’s to the New Year, my dear friends! And another twelve months of pretty plants, curious creatures, fabulous food, and wonderful words!
Chocolate and Strawberry Swiss Roll (2012)
Happy New Year!
May it be a very Happy, Healthy and Peaceful one!
Advent (Part Four)
This year the fourth Sunday in Advent comes just one day before Christmas, since here in Germany Christmas is actually celebrated on the evening of the 24th… tomorrow.
So today I’m wishing you all a wonderful, happy and peaceful Christmas, full of love and laughter…
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
(Originally from the film Meet Me In St. Louis – Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane 1943, sung here by Frank Sinatra)
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
Our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
Our troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
Autumn Market
October 3rd is always a bank holiday in Germany – the Day of German Unity.
Every year my town has an autumn market on this day, which is dedicated to products only from the region. I love this idea, as even our farmer’s market sells imported fruit and vegetables, and I think it is important to try and buy locally produced goods when possible. It has become a tradition for my friend/neighbour and I to go and take a look. I think it has been going for about 4 years now, and gets better every year. And we always have beautiful weather!
There are stalls selling honey, and all bee-related products
… Pumpkins and old sorts of potato
… Herbs and spices – dried, roasted, prepared or gathered in our region
… Handmade autumn wreaths and decorations; wool and felt hats and scarves; things made from hops – including bread, liqueur and schnapps; and a variety of handicrafts, jams, syrups, dried flowers, baskets, plants and bulbs…
The setting is the beer garden of a local brewery, so for those who want refreshments there is of course beer, coffee, organic food and smoked fish on sale.
Among other things I bought a “gorgonzola pumpkin”, some dried bear’s garlic, apple spices, candied ginger, hazelnut flour, an autumn wreath…
What a lovely morning!
Thanks to Elisabeth for coming with me every year!
International Chocolate Day!
Today is International Chocolate Day!
(Guess what my favourites are!)
I was sent the useful tips below by my sister years ago, but have no idea where they originated. Although I do not consider myself a chocoholic, I refer to them regularly… 
Tips for Chocoholics
- If you get melted chocolate on your hands, you’re eating it too slowly.
- Chocolate-covered raisins count as fruit – eat as many as you like.
- How to transport chocolate safely home from the shop in a hot car – eat it in the car park.
- Diet tip – eat a chocolate bar before each meal – it’ll take the edge off your appetite.
- A nice box of chocolates provides all the calories you need for the day in one place. Now isn’t that handy?
- Store chocolate on top of a high cupboard – calories are afraid of heights and will jump out to save themselves.
- If you can’t eat all your chocolate it can be kept in the freezer, but if you can’t eat all your chocolate, it could be a sign of a deeper problem.
- A balanced diet is essential; eat equal amounts of white and dark chocolate.
- Put “eat chocolate” at the top of your “to do” list today. That way, at least you’ll get one thing done.
So, do tell…
Are you a chocoholic?
Do you wake up at night craving chocolate?
Do you put chocolate on your shopping list, or do you never forget to buy chocolate?
Do you eat it in secret or do you share?
Reveal your thoughts on chocolate to me. I promise I won’t tell on you…
- While you’re thinking about what to write (or what NOT to write!), why not vote on this poll…
