More Sex Stories...

My blog is getting steamy... I nearly forgot to relate another sex story. This one took place on Friday. I was in the city with my dear husband and he wanted to go to this French market I told him I'd gone to with my friend Esra. It was only about 8 booths, but the sellers were of course from France and so very lovely (one told me I looked like this gorgeous French TV Host so I loved her especially)... And they only spoke French - some German - some English. So! The sex part.

I was at a tent where cookies were being sold. Some French kind, I cannot recall the name. They looked and smelled like little slices of heaven. My husband turned to me and smiled. That meant he wanted some. Cookies, that is. So I asked the lady if we could have 6 cookies, in English. She said something about her German being better than her English so I said to her in German, "My husband would like 6 (in German this word is sechs)" and I pointed to the bin of cookies directly in front of her. But, you see, sechs is another one of those words. With a word starting with se and ending in chs, which sounds like an x sound, you know you're kinda screwed for lack of better words.

Unlike the Germans, who would remain professional and reserved as you stood there making a moron out of yourself butchering a language -- this French lady laughed so hard she lost her balance and said, You want sex huh? and looked at my husband and we started to laugh and I said, "Well we're with the French, anything is possible, right?" and she continued to laugh and I then said, "No, SIX, six cookies". And she continued to laugh a hearty smoker's laugh and then proceeded to tell me how lovely I was. The French. Gotta love 'em.

So I asked for sex today and I asked a lady to give my husband sex a few days prior. What a language whore I am! :0)

Asking For Sex

I'm popping in quickly to share another funny story, though it will be short and sweet because I'm very tired and don't feel like rambling this one time. But today I asked for sex. I meant to ask the waitress for a glass of sekt and she paused, smiled, and said in what would in English mean, "Excuse me?". I thought that when I heard my husband order champagne, or sekt, that he had said "secs" and so I was parroting him as I usually do to pretend I'm someone I'm not as I fake it to make it here in Germany. He was saying sekt, but you see with a German accent on the sharp kt at the end it can sound to an inexperienced American like secs but when I said it, it just sounds like sex.

Well, no need to explain further. Holly has done it again. Well, perhaps I should add that I asked for sex (what should have been sekt) in front of the entire table at an anniversary party I was at. Had my mother been there, I would have made her SO PROUD.

First I'm asking for squirrels at the bakery, then I'm asking for some ass, and now I'm asking for sex.

What is my problem? :)

Now I Can Say I've Moved...

Our boxes have arrived! YES! They arrived promptly at 8am, left two hours later, and now I'm standing in a sea of boxes but I'm just sooo happy. Here is a glimpse of Holly central and what I call a train wreck. Time for me to display a smile and my big CAN DO attitude because this is only a snippet of what I have in store for me over the next few days...

BUT despite the work, boy is this a very rewarding time for both my husband and I because in my opinion a move is never final until you have all of your personal belongings in your home. I feel like I've been living in limbo-land up until today. I kept wanting this jacket, or that spoon, or a certain book or pattern and was reminded time and time again that it was on the boat. And for those of you who have moved overseas, the anticipation of the wait can be a bit stressy because you wonder if you'll ever see your things again too, am I right?! And if you do, if they'll be in good shape.

We are SO happy to have our possessions back in, well, our possession. And sure, the difficult part is that our current flat is only temporary as it was our vacation apartment up until now -- but we plan to move as soon as we find a larger place, so I cannot fully set up my home office and my husband cannot set up his because we only have a one bedroom. I can only unpack about a 1/4 of everything so I need to go through 82 boxes to see what stays and what goes downstairs into our cellar. Wish me luck but I'm feeling like I can knock this ball out of the park over the next few days.

My mother called me last night and wished me well with all of this, saying how she wished she could be here to help me since we both know that she's the organization queen and that she's helped me on every move I've ever made. Until now. And she cried some more. She's emotional like that.

This time, I'm doing my move mom-free and I feel a bit like I'm officially on my own. It's odd, because I'm in my thirties now but a girl always needs her mom I think, especially at times in her life when a major shifting occurs. My mother and I have had our moments, and recently we had very long moments that lasted for months, but before I moved this conversation took place that I hadn't had with her in a long time and everything became normal again. And now I feel like we're close and this makes me happy because I'd missed our bond over the past few years. But when she hung up last night after we laughed and chatted like old friends for a few hours, I felt like I really, really needed her here for the first time in years. I felt like the little girl who would hold her hand in the school yard so tightly because I was scared to let go and enter the school for my first day of class. I remember those days, each year in grade school, and I felt so lonely and afraid, so unsure... but then the moment that I walked into school and the kids came over to introduce themselves and I'd open my pencil case to get started with my lessons, I felt like a big girl and that I would be fine on my own. I'd wipe away the last tear and have my last sniffle and get to work, big girl style. And the days that came after that, I no longer felt sad when I went to school each morning. But the first day of a new year was when I needed my mother. This morning when the truck arrived I felt my relocation was official and final and really happening. It was like the first day of school all over again. And I felt my mother's hand holding mine and knew she was somehow with me.

Then, as the movers came and went, the postal worker arrived with a some housewarming presents from friends, and I was reminded that I have plenty of love and support from around the world, including my mom, and that I have no reason to feel first day jitters. All is well and I'll be just fine. I'm a big girl.

With these thoughts in my mind, my mood is soaring -- I feel loved, excited to unpack and now I can't wait to see where this German adventure takes me. I'm listening to classic Michael Jackson (Don't stop till you get enough, baby!!!) and I'm ready to sort and unpack and live my life.

So with that, I will take the next few days off because I've earned it and I'm ready to get this place organized because there is no way I can live in a sea of boxes for more than a day or two - I'm fussy like that. I will see you soon again and hopefully when I do, I'll be much more organized. :)

(images: holly becker for haus maus)

Beautiful Sunday...

Today is Sunday, we're officially 5 hours ahead of east coast time (vs. 7 as I had thought earlier) since we turned our clocks forward (I think a few weeks before America, right?) last night... Anyway, it's Sunday and the day is coming to an end now as I will soon partake in something I love to do when my husband is off with his brother -- chick flick night. Last time I watched The Reader (which I loved despite that he was only 15, gasp!). Tonight, I'm not so sure but my friends, it will be chick-ish for sure. Funny now that I think of it, I watch a lot more films now since I don't care for television here because it's either German and I don't really like watching American shows like Law & Order dubbed over with the mouths not matching the lips and the English stations we get are British and well, the selection is really not of interest to me. Instead of watching television, I usually pop in a movie. Which I will do in a moment but first let me share my afternoon with you.

A day in the forest, walking, talking, taking photos and exploring all the different varieties of mushrooms (some people were picking them). Here are a few shots to share with you the gorgeous 62 degree sunny weather, which in my opinion, is the perfect Autumn day.

Anyone know what kind of mushroom this is? It looks poison, look at this thing, huh? It creeped me out... I was scared it would put a spell on me. ;) But in all seriousness, I can see why the Brothers Grimm were so inspired by forests in my region, they're so diverse and full of stories...

Police on horseback, only these two were lady cops who looked like they were 16. ;) The forest here is completely safe, so you barely see police presence except for days when there are many people in the forest, like on the weekends... I think it's more for the safety of the people vs. crime.

This is an entrance to our city forest which is the largest natural city forest in the whole of Europe. To say it's gorgeous is an understatement. It's the best forest in a city that I've ever been to, and I like it even more than the forests in New Hampshire - it's just amazing. And no biting bugs, ever!

I love the variety of species of fungus that I find here, I saw many others but I wasn't in the photography mood, I felt more introspective and quiet and humbled while walking through the forest... I saw a huge falcon and some doves, and a squirrel too. I think I stayed in the forest for at least 3 hours, it was very peaceful. I love the slow Sundays here, it's the best and I'm so sad that America is still running at 100% on Sundays while we're over here relaxing with our families and staying out of the stores. Gosh, having this day off is magical to me. Really.

We wrapped up the day at a lovely Italian cafe sipping on the best hot cocoa with amaretto... A lovely afternoon well spent!

Gnoc Gnoc, Who's There?

Gnocci, that's who! Yup, that was dweebish. But I'm so proud... this is the fresh basil gnocci that I made today (recipe here) and on it, a wonderful light lemon olive oil with fresh shaved parmesan cheese, the only way to have it, in my opinion. Doesn't it look lovely? And the other day, I had my friend Esra over and I made American style apple buttermilk pancakes with cinnamon, nutmeg and Maine maple syrup. I put the butter directly into the batter this time, so once off the griddle all I needed to do was sprinkle some extra spices on top and drizzle on the warm maple syrup. I brought some over to my mother-in-law, who is German, and she cooed in delight. See, I'm trying to build a good mother-daughter-in-law relationship -- food usually works. ;)

I thought I'd never post food on my blog and look at me - I move to Germany and all I do is eat! But I can't help it, the food here is delicious and the grocery stores are a little magical to me -- everything is marked "Made in Germany", "Product of France", Denmark, The Netherlands, Italy... in the states it's very different and we'd consider all of this gourmet and it's very normal. Everything is so fresh in the region where I live, all surrounded by farmland, I feel so spoiled. Some grocery stores are really, really strange looking inside though. Like everything is still in boxes and you have to dig through them to get your milk and such. These stores are Penny Markt, Netto, Plus and Aldi. It's strange, but the prices are low. I go to them for quick purchases but honestly, being American with our massive grocers, I opt for stores that are well designed and beautiful inside with products from Germany and the rest of Europe, jams, ice cream, cheeses, you name it. I recently found some delicious Swedish glace, which was so delicious - it was the creamiest raspberry sorbet in the world. The stores I shop are Jibi, Galeria Kaufhof (a Macy's type of department store with a massive grocery store on the lower level), Rewe and Edeka. I go to DM and Reformhaus for my gluten-free foods, or to the local bio (organic) food markets which are easy to find, like the lovely Denns downtown. There is even a British food store that I hit just for fun. They have great tea and candy!

And our grocery bill is so cheap, don't get me started. To eat bio food (organic) and to buy fresh delicious things is 1/2 of what we paid back in the states. Our weekly grocery bill is around 60- Euros. And that's if we really pig out. If we don't, it's around 45-. In the states, our grocery bill was at least $200 a week, but in addition to that, another $100-200 on Starbucks runs, restaurants, and quick cocktails with friends. With martinis at $12-15 a pop, it all adds up. Here, we hit Happy Hour or late night cocktail hour with 1/2 price drinks (some places have this between 11-midnight) or we just get wine or beer with our meal -- it's so inexpensive. Cocktails are half the cost as in the states and beer is a 1/3 I believe. And the beer is brewed locally or somewhere in Germany, but it's a small country so it's still pretty much local.

Instead of Starbucks (it's way overpriced anyway), I hit either Balzac which is a Starbucks knock-off, or I go to a small cafe and grab a cappuccino or latte maybe once or twice a week -- usually I make all of these things at home because I love being home and since I can purchase so many delicious things at stores to make at home, I cook a lot more. It feels great to not run out to restaurants all of the time. And when we do eat out, we get great meals and usually hit the lunch specials between 12-4 because the meals are fresh and cheap. And food halls and small kiosk style places are super cheap - some have wonderful lunch specials for 2- and 3- Euros.

I sometimes listen to expats from the states complain about food in Germany and I don't get it. I never had this quality of food in the states - ever. And I lived down south, in the mid west and in New England. Even when I paid $300 a week to shop at Wholefoods from time to time, the quality was great but still, I paid a lot for that quality. Sure, there are no cheetoes and mini marshmallows and 10,000 different kinds of salad dressings, but as a result I'm cooking more and creating more in the kitchen... I'm finding plenty of delicious things in my grocery stores locally. And at the farmers' markets, which are numerous in my city, nearly every day of the week. I'm not complaining...

It's been nearly 3 months and I'm still quite happy in my new country. I'm eating good, feeling good, and enjoying all the fun new products I'm finding at the most mundane places: like the local pharmacy and grocery store.

Quick "laugh at me" moment to share: I went into the pharmacy to ask for aspirin. In Germany, you have to ask for it because it's over-the-counter medication. Germans are not drug-crazed and when my relatives saw my massive bottle of Excedrin they nearly passed out. When they saw my other bottle of ibuprofen, they nearly had a heart attack. "That is very dangerous", "Why would you own that?" ,"Are you in great pain?", and other such statements of shock and disbelief came from their lips. I started to wonder myself... Maybe taking all this stuff whenever I had any ache or pain wasn't such a good idea. But it's an American thing, any pain we feel, we pop a few Motrin, right? Anyway, I was experiencing headaches for several days in a row due to a bad pillow I was sleeping on. I decided to buy a new pillow once I figured it out and the pain has since stopped. But in the meantime, when I didn't realize what it was, I decided to go buy some aspirin. Asking for it felt a little strange because of the name, but there is no other way so I asked. The kind that my mother-in-law bought for me once was called ASS + C, it is the only brand I know. So, in broken German, I asked the lady for some ass. I didn't know it was Ah Es Es mit Cee. I thought it was just pronounced ass plus c. So I asked for ass plus c and she nearly died. I could see her entire expression, because she obviously knew some English, change from serious to wanting so badly to laugh but trying to be reserved and professional. I didn't understand, of course, though asking for some ass was a weird feeling.

In the end, I got some ass. But it was rather embarrassing when I told my husband when I walked in the door later that day that I was proud of myself, I told the lady at the pharmacy in German that I wanted ass and the color drained from his face. "Schatzie," he said, "it is an abbreviation A S S not the word ass."

The moral of the story: Expats learning other languages may at times make a total ass of themselves.

(image: holly becker for haus maus)

I scream

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! I wonder if there is a German expression that is similar? Perhaps not, as ice cream is not called ice cream here, it's only called "eis", pronounced: ice. And it tastes kind of like gelato, very different from what I'm accustomed to in the states. With the exception of Haagan Daaz (which we have here) and Ben & Jerry's (which we also have here now), I really dislike most ice cream in the states. I always get these massive headaches and feel sick after eating it. Once I started eating ice cream here I'll never again want to attack a bowl of Breyer's. Sorry, but I'm American and so I can say this: yuck.

If you visit Germany please stop at one of the many, many eis cafes here, they are amazing and the ice cream is soooo amazingly delicious (and cheap) you won't ever want that American stuff again. It's just as good as the ice cream in Italy, trust me. And if you want something fun, ask for Spaghettieis. Near my house there are several eis cafes and there I can get 2 scoops on a waffle cone for 1,60- and no, I'm not even kidding. When I got the equivalent size and portion in New Hampshire this past summer, the lady at the ice cream stand charged me nearly $5!

And if you cannot get to a cafe for ice cream, there is plenty of it in the grocery stores here. Movenpick of Switzerland is a favorite but also there is Langnese of Germany. This brand is dope, ya'll. (Do people still say dope?). There are other brands too, but this is what the average carton of ice looks like here. And when you open it, it looks sort of pretty, don't you think? And you know what else is pretty cool here? Ice cream is seasonal in that you can only get certain flavors during certain times of the year. Don't you love that? Same with chocolates too. And lots of baked goods are also seasonal. I mean, c'mon how great, right? There is actually something to look forward to. Like in the states kids look forward to peeps and those cadbury eggs with the yolk inside, and candy cones. Seasonal is nice...

So this is a random food musing... I'll try to share more products here because I'm willing to bet that most of you are interested in seeing what my mundane things look like in comparison to your mundane things...

(image: holly becker for haus maus)

Everyday is like Sunday

I'm on my way to a festival outdoors, and the weather is not holding up so I must bring along my umbrella and boots, but I thought about you this morning and so here I am popping in to say hello and see how you are doing. And by the way, I love Sundays don't you?

I woke up a bit late today at 9:30 to be greeted by my husband who had leaned over to plant a kiss on my cheek and then placed a hot cup of rooisbos vanilla tea (made from loose tea, he makes the best) on my bedside table. How nice, right? And so from there, he made breakfast which we ate on the sofa (I don't always enjoy breakfast at the table, don't ask me why as I do not know, feels too formal?) and I decided to read a few chapters in a design book a lovely friend sent to me. Of course, listening to A Fine Frenzy's new CD was a necessary touch only to enhance the experience of relaxing on the sofa this morning...

And this lovely cake above, well it was actually shared with my family yesterday. We had relatives up to visit and I pulled together a mini sweets table with several tradition German pastries and sweets, but I admit I made nothing by hand because I had no time... next visit. But all enjoyed the sweets anyway... I wish I had taken time to shoot the table before my guests arrived, it looked very, very pretty.

So yes, it's been such a nice morning. I often wish, unlike Morrissey from the 80s band, The Smiths, that Everyday WAS like Sunday because the mood is so chill and romantic. Especially here in Germany. Nicole from Little Brown Pen once wrote on her blog, after a visit to Paris, that the French take their Sundays very seriously. And they do.

And so do the Germans.

Sunday is not a day to vacuum the house, nor is it a day to clean out the garage or do yard work. And of course, you'd never go shopping unless it was a special Sunday Shopping day organized by the city (we have them here but sporadically). Sunday is really a day of rest. You might attend a festival if there is one happening, but most families visit the parks and gardens, go to a cafe for coffee and cake, or enjoy a Sunday dinner either at home or to a restaurant.

I really, really REALLY wish America has retained this culture because in the 80s I remember things being closed, just like here. And slowly, more stores opened and more things because acceptable, and before long it was no longer a quiet day of reflection, relaxation or time spent with friends and family. It morphed into just "another day" of errand running, mowing the lawn and doing a "Target Run", which for those of you reading who are not American -- Target is a store much like an upscale version of Walmart, and many Americans flock to Target on the weekends to shop for everything from pillows to candles to CDs to cleaning supplies. I once did this too. Not every Sunday, but because Sunday was the only free day I really had NOT working, it was the only day I really could go.

I felt like my life was a bit comparable to a hamster in a non-stop wheel, only the hamster wasn't in control - my wheel was running on electric being controlled by some exterior force that I couldn't really identify. There was always this fast pace I was trying to keep in step with but never questioned why or how or what was behind it. I just ran around keeping up with it. But I was not more productive than I am now. And I'm still wondering why my life felt so fast because I'm living the same exact life now, doing the same job, and my life feels slower and more enjoyable. Why is this?

Living here I've come to understand the importance of taking a time out on Sunday to not think about responsibility or duty or anything relating to shopping. I love it. I also feel much more balanced and I find there is more excitement on Fridays for me because I know the weekend will truly belong to me and not to anyone else. Plus, I'm more productive during the week because I know that I cannot bring my work with me into the weekend. I also do not like to battle the crowds on Saturday as here it can get very busy in grocery stores, bakeries, etc. so I try to finish everything up by end of day on Friday, including my weekend housework, and my husband does a great deal to assist me as he handles many tasks in the home along with me. That way, Saturday and Sunday is 100% devoted to family, creativity, relaxation, travel, day trips and anything I fancy.

I can't tell you how vital this is and how I wish so badly that my family back in the states would adopt more of this European state of mind and learn to separate the weekend from the week and give themselves a Sunday off now and then, you know? But this is merely my opinion.

What are you doing today, anyway?

(image: holly becker)

Tea & Me

I love a little me time. In fact, I'm a big fan of it and I love to promote a more pampered lifestyle whenever I can because I think many are just flying through days without really appreciating the gift of the life and the sheer pleasure of just spending time alone. Little pleasures like lighting candles, flipping through a magazine, enjoying some tea with a few cookies (mine are gluten free so they don't look as good as the ones I could be eating from the bakery here!) and a simple flower bud in an egg cup... nothing fancy but that pinch of yellow is energizing. This little "me" time is such a treat and it's not fussy or styled to perfection as I do not exist inside of a magazine. My style, my world, is casual and relaxing... Little thought went into this arrangement as I want to show you exactly what my vision is of the perfect way to take tea. No frills, baby. I'm NOT Martha. :)

If you have time today, why not set aside 30 minutes or so for a little alone time... I take these moments each and every day, in the afternoon, and I love it so, so much. I'm waiting for my watercolors and brushes to arrive so I can work a little on some art, I feel SO inspired living here. It's all coming back to me, what I loved to do as a child, what I enjoyed doing well into my twenties... and now that I'm here and no longer stressing out, running around constantly, and driving all over the world to this and that appointment, I have more time to be a lady and take my tea and enjoy my projects and create things. I long to create things with my hands. It's one pleasure I've not allowed myself in a long, long time (since I was last in Germany in fact) and now I will do this. I love living in Hannover, in Germany, in Europe...

It's so much calmer here and the pace is about 70% less hectic. And I'm making more progress. And my priorities are really coming to the surface and not getting all cluttered up with muck that doesn't matter. To say I'm happier than I've ever been in my life is an understatement. I am overjoyed and thrilled to live here and experience my new lifestyle because it feels just like how I grew up and how I remember days with my mother and time spent at home and on nature walks and at flea markets with her -- and all the inspiration and ideas and love she gave me. I feel it all living here again, as I'm in touch with my core self here and it feels really, unexplainable... but beautiful. I needed this.

Timing is everything.

(images: holly becker)

French Butter & Little Brown Pen

I was reading Nichole's adventures on her recent trip to Paris over at Little Brown Pen and well, I got a bit jealous. French butter. Hmph. I'm sure everything in France is better, huh Nichole? Well my dear friends, I decided to go on a hunt today for French butter to see what the fuss is all about. I want to see what would make a lady go all the way to Paris from New Jersey and bring back BUTTER in her carry on luggage. I mean, what taste could inspire such madness?

And now I eat my words.

Literally.

Because I just went to Kaufhof to the grocery store on the bottom floor and found a whole section of butter from mainly France, Switzerland and of course, Germany and there were these large "bricks" of butter. And I bought a smaller sized brick, about 1/3 of the size, and came home and ate it on a rice cake (can't have bread right now). And it was HEAVENLY. I plan to put this in rice when I'm having one of those days when all I want is a bowl of rice with nothing on it except butter and salt. Oh my Nichole, you were right. This stuff is worth smuggling through security check. The French butter with the Irish name. Who would have known?

And what else did I find today? Newman's salad dressing. Not that I need it, but I bought it anyway just to let my mother-in-law sample it as she's never had it before. ;)

(image: holly becker)

8 Weeks!

Tomorrow will mark 8 weeks of life in Germany, two months already! I can't believe it really. So much has been accomplished in such little time that my head is spinning. We have everything we need and I'm going to start taking German classes five days a week starting in a month or so, and my 'to do' list is shorter and shorter which really excites me. Contrary to popular opinion from the Americans I've met, paperwork in Germany, so far, has been a breeze unlike all of the scary stories I'd heard about German bureaucracy. Plus, everyone I've dealt with in business has been friendly, helpful and extremely easy to deal with.

Oh I cannot forget! A driver's license! But, the license isn't such a worry as I don't drive anyway. I plan to buy a car at some point, I have my eye on a baby blue Fiat (new one), but that's so far in the future that I'm not too concerned. With gas being about $8 USD a gallon it's not really worth it for me when I can take the train or walk. And next year, in the Spring, I'm getting a bike! I am already seeing physical differences in my health and body from walking everywhere. My energy level is high and I feel absolutely great from the miles I cover on foot each day. I try to walk at least 2 miles daily but usually cover 3-4. I fear having a car will make me lazy again and I don't want that, plus it's so much better for my wallet and the environment to live without a car for as long as possible, right? Once I have a child or two, my ideas on this will no doubt change but for now, it's just Tee and I and we love taking the train and walking everywhere.

Plus our city has an amazing public transportation system that is timely, clean and extensive -- you can get anywhere via train and bus. ANYWHERE. Plus, I do so much of my business here in our district (List), that I really don't need to drive as it's so compact. Oh and another perk from not having a car -- I'm buying less because I have to carry everything home!

So, 8 weeks in Germany and I'm very happy and enjoying my life so, so much. I feel at peace inside and my head is full of ideas... I feel more creative than ever! It's peaceful, safe, cozy and most of all, holds so many good memories for me as I first met my husband in this city, we went on dates here, and in this very apartment his grandmother once lived and this is where we visited her for dinners often when we were not yet married. Just yesterday, we had lunch at the place where we had our first date, which was the same day I met my husband in 1999. How can you not love a city where you met and dated your true love? Also, there are many fond memories of my husband's childhood as he was born around the corner and lived in Hannover until his late 20s. I think it would feel differently moving to Hannover, or anywhere in Germany, if I did not have these emotional ties. I may feel uncomfortable, a bit lost, or lonely. But no, this all works just great for us both.

Oh and guess what? Our boxes have not yet arrived! They left Boston end of July and now we are end of September. We hadn't heard from anyone either, so I called the shipping company back in Boston and they connected us with a company in London who now has our things. We had to fax forms and send over more money this morning but the good news is this: our things may arrive within the next three weeks! Yeah! So end of October looks promising which is great because I'll need my boots and winter coats by then. Just in time for cool weather. I didn't think it would take 3 months total, we were told less, but it gave us plenty of time to clean out our cellar and make room for the 82 boxes arriving soon. I'm just so happy everything cleared customs -- I packed brownie mix and several bottles of vanilla extract and I can't wait to break those things out and bake original American brownies for my friends and family -- they are waiting! :)

And one more P.S. to this post. I just ordered some things from a company in Munich called American Heritage. If you are American living abroad, definitely check them out. I ordered some salad dressings, maple syrup, and a few other things that I think my friends will love to sample. It's funny, you cannot find too many salad dressings in my region. In the states, we have about 90 billion different kinds. It's too much and stupid if you ask me to have so many choices, but in Germany it's just the opposite when it comes to most foods. Locally, we have this "Yogurt" dressing which is white and creamy with a slight herb taste to it, then we have "American" dressing which is orange-y in color and tastes like what we call in the states, Russian dressing... And I don't know, I don't see much else in the stores outside of those two dressings. I know there is a huge 24 hour grocery store downtown so I may go check it out to see if they have more options, but it's pretty much yogurt or "American" dressing. I usually just drizzle my salad with olive oil, fresh lemon, herbs, cracked pepper and balsamic vinegar anyway because it's healthier, lower in calories, and brings out the taste of the veggies, but I find it interesting that there isn't much variety in salad dressing.

Perhaps Germans enjoy tasting their salad vs. Americans who usually need to cover anything healthy with piles of sauce or dressing to eat it? LOL. I'm American, I can say this. :) Oh and you know what is popular in salad? Corn! Whenever I order a salad there is this bit of whole kernel corn on the top. And it's really good on salad, if you're in the states try it sometime -- it's most certainly not traditional back home but it is in my new home and I rather like it.

I can't wait to talk to you again soon. I'm quite tired tonight though... I had a very busy day out at appointments and then I prepared dinner for my husband and his friend and had to work and answer about 1000 emails (not kidding)... and I went boot shopping which was fun (I found a great pair of leather ones in this gorgeous caramel color with a small heel). But tomorrow will be a really restful day as I plan to do laundry, run to the grocery store and out for flowers at the farmers' market, and then write, write, write and answer emails!

Chat soon, okay?

(images: holly becker, except for bottom photo: thorsten becker)