November 18th, 2016
We went out for dinner last night to celebrate our First Anniversary here in Germany. We ate at our local Doner Restaurant and reminisced how we ate Turkish food for dinner our first night one year ago. Though that is still pretty hazy since we were so whacked out with jet lag! Over dinner, we talked about our favorite places we have visited thus far. Mein Mann and I had the same top three: Rome, Lucca (Italy) and Salzburg. We toasted to all we have experienced and learned in this first year. To Germany! Prost!
I’m starting to close the gap of time that has elapsed on this blog from entries to real-time. Here are several snippets from this past month in efforts to catch up! Some of these thoughts, pictures or memories have already been posted on Facebook but I still want to capture them here as well.
Our Artists
One morning, the boys set up their art easel from our landlord and began to draw portraits of people and cats. I think they were inspired by all the artists we have met in various countries and most recently in Rome. They sold their work to willing buyers (a.k.a. Mom and Dad) for .1-.5 cents. After I posted these pics on FB, they got a drawing gig from a family in our church. They both earned .5 cents and were quite excited about it!
Date Night
Our friend, Ms. Kristin, watched the boys for us while we headed downtown and checked out a “new-to-us” restaurant. We enjoyed this trendy place with delicious food, cooked right in front of us. The pasta dishes reminded us of Rome. The boys loved their time with Ms. Kristin who they have come to adore. A total win-win!
I Poisoned Myself…Ugh! (The Full Story)
The boys and I collected chestnuts one afternoon on our way home from the bus stop. We took them home, watched a video on how to roast chestnuts and got to work. Thankfully, when they were ready to taste, I was the only one to try them. My first taste was shockingly bitter. Wondering if I got one that wasn’t ripe, I tried one more bite from another chestnut. It tasted better but still not the familiar, sweet taste I have grown to love since living in Europe. Shortly after, I felt a strange sensation move through my body. I began to google “bitter chestnuts” and came across someone’s blog about poisoning themselves by eating a Horse Chestnut. After a little more research, my heart sank as I realized I had just done the same thing!
After positively identifying the leaves on the tree, I took one of the chestnuts to our village pharmacy and showed it to the pharmacist. She told me that it wasn’t the edible one. I told her I found this out too late and had already taken a couple of bites from two separate chestnuts. Her eyes got big. She asked me a few followup questions and then quickly disappeared in the back. I heard a lot of German spoken faster than I have ever heard before, which didn’t help my stress level at that moment. After a few minutes, she returned with the numbers to our local hospital and poison control. She told me I should be okay because of the small amount I had consumed and the time that had already passed. However, she shared all the symptoms I needed to watch for and told me to get to the ER if any of them presented themselves. I called Poison Control after I got home and got the same response. I was feeling pretty good until I ate dinner. My stomach got upset but I didn’t need to go to the ER. Thankfully, I awoke the next morning with a settled stomach and a whole new appreciation for life! Thank God the boys didn’t taste them!!!!
(Mom and Dad, I will be significantly more careful in the future! I promise!! I’m sorry for any stress this story causes you. I now understand parental love and stress!)
The Sheep Are Back!
I shout out a greeting to these furry creatures when we pass them going to and from the boys’ school. They were gone from the meadow during the summer but are now Baaaaaaaaaaack!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Grammy Julie!
The boys received a super-fun package in the mail for Halloween and Thanksgiving from their dear Grammy! Her creativity and thoughtfulness spoiled all of us. =)
Kaffee Klatch
I get together with two women in my village on a regular basis for coffee and conversation. I look forward to these gatherings each week! These friends have become kindred spirits in a short period of time, enriching my life simply being themselves. Our families are getting together this upcoming Sunday for an early Thanksgiving Dinner celebration!
Batman and Robin Return!
The boys pulled out their Halloween costumes from last year and dressed up for their school’s Super Hero Day.
Foreign Inspiration
E’s class wrote creative essays about a “Leaf that Blew Away.” His leaf went to Roma!
The Year of the Warrior!
S lived out his dream to be a Ninja this year for Halloween. E came across the hardware for a Dragon Warrior costume and we improvised with his clothing. I’m glad to have such brave boys to protect me!
Fall Festival and Halloween
The boys’ school put on quite the festival the Saturday before Halloween. They had a blast playing carnival games, putting Dad in jail, riding a pony, doughnut wrestling and seeing their friends. Afterwards, they participated in a Trunk-or-Treat in the parking lot. We took them to a nearby village on Halloween night for a second go-around. A few German children came to our house to Trick-or-Treat too!
Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You…
We have really enjoyed getting to know our neighbor, Kristin (and her husband). She often rides home with us in the afternoons because she works at the nearby middle school. One day, on the ride home, S had the idea to invite Ms. Kristin to the coffee shop for a treat. The boys were delighted when she took us up on it!
Schönen Tag!
