fall y'all

Happy Monday!

There are a lot of things about living here in Germany that I don't really care for. There are things that I miss dearly back in Texas and Minnesota. It is no secret that I am pretty homesick. The adjustment to life here has been pretty tough for me. But there are things that I love, love, love here.

Take Fall, for example...it exists here!! Crisp air, changing colors, falling leaves..all here! Weather in the 40's, sweaters everywhere, fur lined coats, and boots everyday...this is my thing. This makes me happy down deep into my soul. It is just built into me to love this. Makes me feel at home.

Every corner I turn and almost every window ledge has one of these beauties in it. This makes me smile every time I see one. I have always loved orchids. I was nervous to try to keep one until a few years ago,  and after my first successful attempt I was a like a crazy cat lady who couldn't stop...except I was bringing home clearanced orchids that obviously needed a home and some love ;) After moving here I noticed that everyone here has an affinity for these as well...it must be in my blood!

*My crazy orchid lady status was secured for sure when I transported all my orchids 1200 miles to Minnesota for safe keeping while I came here...I just couldn't throw them or put them by the curb*

This picture was sent to me by my cousin Steffi who lives here. 

We are clearly related. This is one of 3 or 4 that she has, lol!! 

 It was so crispy beautiful out this weekend we decided to go and do something outdoors with the kids. This is a local farm and about a 15 min drive from our flat. I'm not sure how long the weather will last like this before it gets colder and my Texas babies freeze every where we go.

 Pedal go-karts.

Some seriously giant king pumpkins.

  Heading out into the corn maze.

 They found the middle and climbed to the top of the haystack. 

Tractor made of gourds!

We fed the bunnies and guinea pigs.

 We fed the donkeys and geese.

 So many fun things to play with. The parks here in Germany seem to have some of the simplest of toys that are absolutely genius! Kids young and old play endlessly with these "primitive" toys. 

*Happy heart*

 And...we fed the bunnies and guinea pigs once or twice more before we left. Kids and animals..there is an undeniable magnetism there. They could have done this ALL day.

There was also a market gift shop that was filled with homemade goodness, jellies, jams, sauces, meats, candles, decor, trinkets, local seasonal wines and beer, baked goods... all the things you could need.

This pumpkin champagne and some hagebutten wine may have come home with me.

*Hagebutten=rose hips=delicious in anything*

All in all a really fun afternoon being outside, enjoying the weather, and running off some toddler 

energy. Sometimes a girl just needs to do something to take her mind off of the things we don't love.

Thankfully I have someone great in my life who knows the remedy...fresh air, family, and friends!

Now I need to find something to do with these pumpkins we brought home...who has a great recipe with pumpkin in it they want to share?? What is your favorite fall pumpkin dish? Share if you can!!

Fun Fact Friday

We are learning new things almost each day over here. Some are cultural things, some are just interesting things we notice, others just slap us over the head. I thought it would be fun to write small posts on Fridays to share with you and make sure we remember all the things that we find so strange or interesting now.... maybe we won't notice one day down the road.

Being we have a soon-to-be birthday boy in our midst, I thought it would be fun to do a post on birthday traditions...

*hint: the one grinning about his chicken bratwurst :)*

... and here it is thought to be bad luck to wish someone a happy birthday before their birthday. It is saved for on that day or after. No exceptions.  Even if you won't see them again until well after the big day.

*P on her first birthday thoroughly enjoying her cake. As it should be done!*

*Might as well post some birthday pics while we are on the subject*

If you go out to dinner the night before...no one will utter a word until the strike of midnight and the beginning of your actual day of birth. And when the clock strikes midnight that night...it is over. Just.Like.That.

Also, please note, if you invite your friends to go out to dinner with you for your birthday celebration...be prepared to cover the bill. It is customary for the birthday person to treat those around them and cover the tab for the evening.

Happiest of Fridays to you and a most wonderful weekend to all!!!
Lord willing I will be back with more on Monday.
Love and hugs until then.

Gouda

I have so many pictures from this small town that I thought it deserved its own post!!

Seriously, so many pictures. We loved this little town. So quaint!

Canals ran all throughout the town just like in Amsterdam.

But the streets were far less crowded. We basically had the whole place to ourselves!

This town came as a recommendation from a friend of a friend. Our kind hosts said, "Hey, we heard Gouda is a nice place to visit. Shall we check it out on our way out of town?"...

...we said, "Sure! Let's check it out!"

I think we are all glad we stopped and had a look around.

City Hall in the marktplatz.

Oh, those doors! *Swoon*

All these stairs. A three year old's dream :)
He went up and then down most of them.

And of course, they had pigeons.

This may be his most favorite pastime... chasing pigeons.

We stopped for coffee and cocoa at one of the cafes here in the square.

 

After meandering through town we needed to replenish. We spotted this and knew it was just meant to be. The sign out front translated to something like hops are plants so beer is technically salad.

There was a little play area for the kids in this family-owned pub. The owners also had children about the same age as ours who were good playmates.

Something for the kids and the grown ups :)

A nice Russian Imperial Stout for Mr. RosieQ.

The beer selection board.

We were given some snacks with our drink order.

Cuteness everywhere we turned!

Gouda in Gouda! Yum!! We love cheese!

Precariously avoiding puddles just to make me nervous. 

A tradition was shared with us over this trip and the kids love it! Love. So now we take pictures in front of all kinds of doors...especially small doors. Because tall people in small doorways is awesome! 

P especially loves this. We may have a post in the future of just this topic. We have taken many pictures since this started :)

Gouda. You are awesome!

Friends, you are awesome!

Happy Thursday, everyone.