May 10, 2010

Spring in Germany...

So far this Spring has alternated from fabulous weather to crap, which is where we stand right now. However, it hasn't prevented the sprouting of young crops, the return of the birdies singing and amazing flowers blooming in all colors. The new heading photo shows one of the many fields of mustard flowers. The picture doesn't do it justice...these fields can stretch on forever and the bright yellow flowers are at least as tall as I am. The other photos are from around my garden. I've also planted strawberries and grapes, tomatoes, cauliflower, eggplant and basil. There is an enormous rhubarb plant that grew from seemingly nothing. Judging by the looks of it, it should be a fruitful harvest this year.

As many of you know, April 30-May 1 is the celebration of Spring and fertility, Beltaine, or more commonly known as May Day. The pretty young ladies in Germany may be blessed on the eve of May Day to have a Birch tree tied to their house and strung with colored streamers, a gift from their boyfriends or admirers. Here I have taken a few pictures from around the villages of this cool tradition. The first one is of my landlord's house, the tree is for her daughter Eva.

Lastly, in keeping with my gradual conversion to greener living, the kids and I have spent some time this week preparing our herbal bug sprays and weed killers for the garden. They work amazingly well and are made from a mixture of vinegar and dish soap for the weeds, and garlic, oil and peppers for the bugs. We have also ventured into the world of jelly making...last week it was Jamaican Banana Jam and this week, Dandelion Jelly! See you all next time. You won't want to miss the next posting!

April 26, 2010

"Hello, my name is Brad. I like to wear gardening gloves to bed. In fact, I will most likely wake up every night after they fall off during my sleep and bring them downstairs to my exhausted mother, whereupon I will whisper in her ear gently to disturb her slumber and request assistance in putting them back on."

"It doesn't matter that I have a few little quirks though because my mom told me that I am her favorite, sweetest, most loved little boy on the planet. I am so lucky to have her and Daddy and Rhi!"

Yes I have painted a question mark on my nose!

April 16, 2010

Rhiannon has only had 3 haircuts in 6 years.
Today we got the fourth...

Not gonna lie to you. It turned out a little shorter than I was comfortable with. But we both love it. She looks so much older, and it will be amazingly easy for us to take care of now. I know it will grow back, and I have a souvenir, because I am a crazy sentimental mom.

April 4, 2010

Kinderdijk, Netherlands and Rotterdam

This weekend we went to a windmill town in the Netherlands. The town itself has 19 operational windmills that people still live in. One is open to the public for tours. We brought the kids' bikes and they had a great time riding up and down the road along the canals. It was incredibly windy there and we enjoyed a nice hot chocolate at the end of the day before heading over to Rotterdam for dinner.




















Rotterdam is a beautiful big city with crazy architecture. We didn't get many pictures since it was already late in the day when we got there but it is definitely a trip we want to do again, maybe without the kids.




This weekend I prepared the traditional Easter dinner and spent all day Saturday in the kitchen so I wouldn't have to on my birthday. The food has all turned out great even though I had to make cannoli shells using a few carrots to get them to hold their shapes, and we can't wait to eat all of it. The house on the other hand, suffered the loss of a glass door, and the kitchen exploded in hot oil and beer. We now have a nice collection of glass behind the house awaiting transport to the recycling bins.

The Easter Bunny came right on time this morning. There is nothing sweeter than laying in bed listening to your kids sneak around trying to find the eggs and expressing their awe and excitement. We even had a "real" bunny deliver some chocolates to the front door. It's a mystery to me who it could have been.


So here I sit trying to relax in the calm before the storm of chaos that will ensue with much loved company later...sipping my mimosa and eating sweet bread there isn't a better birthday present in the world than being with my family and watching...Brad running through the house with only shoes on...Rhi and Jim playing WAR and arguing...Brad still naked...waiting for my pictures to load...so I can get on with the day. Happy Easter everyone! Frohe Ostern!

March 27, 2010

Irish Kids
Dad's Gifts From Ireland

Rhiannon learned how to ride on two wheels this week! Brad learned how to ride on two feet!

We attended a pre -Easter Egg Hunt this weekend at the sports fields. It was a beautiful day, with lots of food, games and rides for the kids to enjoy. It was a perfect start to the long awaited Spring Break. We are hoping to take a few day trips during this vacation and see more local sights of Germany. Keeping you posted...

Someone Didn't Get Enough Eggs!

March 22, 2010

Rhiannon

For a few months Rhiannon has been a basketball cheerleader for the AfNorth Lions. We missed a few games during our move; nevertheless she had a great time and her team performed at the winter sports end of season potluck dinner. They danced to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and her favorite part was painting her face to look like a zombie.

Brad Being Patient

Mustache March Update

Thriller Dance