Bald kommt der Nikolaus, December 6, 2009

Wils and our neighbor friend got a visit today from the Man in the red dress, Saint Nikolaus and his buddy the Krampus or Schwartz Peter.

Bald kommt der Nikolaus

Im Winter, wenn es stürmt und schneit

und's Weihnachtsfest ist nicht mehr weit,

da kommt weit her aus dunklem Tann,

der liebe, gute Weihnachtsmann.

In seinem Sack sind gute sachen,

die braven Kindern Freude machen.

Doch auch die Rute ist zur Hand

für Kinder, die als bös bekannt.

Das mag wohl früher so gewesen sein,

heut gibt's nur brave Kinderlein.

Die sagen schnell ihr Sprüchlein auf,

Knecht Ruprecht macht den Sack dann auf.

Und Äpfel, Nüsse, Pfefferkuchen,

darf gleich das liebe Kind versuchen.

Knecht Ruprecht aber fährt geschwind

davon zum nächsten art'gen Kind.

(unbekannter Dichter)

thursday, New Year's walk, 2009

While Paul was off to Zurich to pick up Vaden from a TCK retreat, the rest of us went for a quick walk at dusk. Enjoy:

Thursday mit kamera - December 25, 2008

SANTA CAME!!

and left goodies under our beautiful tree (our tree, another adventure to share).

The traditional HESS truck from the states....always a hit.

Paul gets excited about a new DVD! Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull...good stuff.

And Lego was had by all....

and more Lego....

Then on to others...

..such as breakfast quiche. A shrimp quiche receipt found in the "Virgina Hospitality" cookbook of course.

Peter even had a visit from the Tomtum...notice the new rolled leather collar Peter is sporting as we go out for a Xmas day walk while the duck is cooking.

and Vaden sports a new scarf as we step off for our walk.

and we are off.....

and we stop for a quick photo, I think Wils is trying to blow a bubble of gum...?

"The Boys" all with a new sweater, a new hat and a new collar. Sharp looking bunch.

Late afternoon view across the valley towards France.

Putting the finishing touches on the Xmas dinner of roast duck, with wild rice mixture, corn pudding, green snapbeans, green Feld salad with walnut oil and walnut vinegar....

the duck, yumm

and to finish...a Yule Log!

JOYEUX NOËL !

Thursday, Oktober, 30, 2008

OUR FIRST SNOW!!!!!

Just a dusting in the yard, and it has started to rain....but look up higher.....

over the roofs of Rümmingen...

high on the hills of Öttlingen....

there is SNOW....as seen from our upper window!

not a lot but it is there.

Thursdays with camera, Oktober 23, 2008

Yep, third Thursday in a row it has rained. The day before was beautiful, the day after sunny with partial clouds blowing through. Ah well, so we go inside:

We girls are taking riding lessons at the stable here in Rümmingen. My girls for the first time; me not for the first time, but my legs think so. It is a scene from the familiar approaching middle age life: My mind is willing, but my body says: what are you doing?!

I must say however that all of the knowledge and time in the saddle are coming right back. Now, my nerve to do some of the same things while astride a horse, four feet plus in the air, well, maybe not~~~but you never know, once I get my legs back.

So enjoy the girls while they groom down Nadine after their third lesson.