EXPATS AGAIN

EXPATS AGAIN! Experiencing other cultures while enriching our global view.

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Munich, Germany
I am married to the love of my life and am finally able to shower him with all of the attention he deserves. I am now retired and living the life here in Europe. I am an American, he is an Australian, and this is our second overseas address. The first was Shanghai, China and now Munich, Germany. Come along and live the life with us as we continue our adventure of discovering all Europe has to offer.

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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

WEDNESDAY'S HODGEPODGE






Once again it is time to link up with Joyce for this week's Wednesday's Hodgepodge.  Click the badge above and join us!

1. The season of Lent begins on March 9th this year...do you participate and if so, in what way?

If having a krapfen (doughnut) during Fastenzeit (Lent) counts, then I'm guilty.  But I wouldn't go so far as inject my own filling with a syringe firmly planted on top.  You never know.  It could be a used one!

2. Traditionally pancakes are eaten on the day known as Shrove Tuesday which is the last day before Lent (March 8th this year). So....butter and syrup? Blueberry? Chocolate chip? ewww, no thanks!! What's your pleasure when it comes to eating pancakes?



Here in Munich a favorite pancake is served for desert.  It is called Kaiserschmarrn.  It really comes from Austria but has been adopted by Germans and is very popular.   The word "Kaiser" meaning Emperor and "Schmarrn" meaning mishmash = Emperor`s mishmash. It is such a quick and easy dessert recipe, enjoyable to make.  Basically it is cut up pieces of pancake sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with a fruit compote of apples, strawberries, blueberries, etc.  I've included the recipe here:

Kaiserschmarrn
200g flour
50g sugar
6 eggs
250ml milk
pinch of salt
2 tbsps raisins

butter
icing or powdered sugar
apple compote or puree of any fruit you wish





Separate the egg yolks from the whites.
Mix the egg yolks, sugar, flour and milk in a bowl.
Add a pinch of salt to the egg whites and beat with an electric whisk or hand whisk until stiff.
Fold the stiff egg whites carefully into the flour and egg mixture.

Melt some butter in a large frying pan. Pour in the dough and then sprinkle with raisins. Cook on one side for a couple of minutes, turn over, cook and then chop into rough pieces with a fork.
Do not overcook otherwise the pancakes will dry out.Sprinkle with icing or powdered sugar and serve with your favourite compote.


Or, if you shop in International food stores you might find this:





3. Spring is coming. (It is coming, right?) What's your favorite springtime flower and do you suffer from seasonal allergies? Two questions I know, but they're lightweights.

Hands down-- the lovely, fragrant hyacinth.  Pink or purple preferably.

4. "Our opinion of people depends less upon what we see in them than upon what they make us see in ourselves." Author unknown. Agree or Disagree? Why?

This is a quote I've forgotten about, but I find it to be very true.  I think we all choose to be close to people who bring out the best in us.  However, you can also look at this quote and come to the realization that if you met a brutally honest person, you probably wouldn't befriend him or her.  But I honestly believe that the qualities that we find distasteful in ourselves and others become outwardly apparent to us when we are faced with them in others; thereby reminding us of our own character flaws.  


This quote could be the basis of a great novel, don't you think?

5. Since it's "March" and also the season of Mardi Gras....have you ever been in a parade? What's the best parade you've seen?

Yes.  I was a member of my University Dance Team and did appear in parades "back in the day" as they say.















One of the best parades I have ever attended was a Kite Festival parade in Bali.  The participants were from Denpasar, Bali and were having the parade to honor the Hindu gods to bless their crops.  It was outlandish, exotic, and the kites were phenomenal.  It is one of many memorable moments we had in Bali. 

UPDATE!  I went out this afternoon and lo and behold, there was a PARADE in town.  A Faschingzeit Parade with drummers, music, and cars and trucks loaded with costumed people throwing candy to the little ones.  Here are some photos.





 Every one loves a parade!


6. You would jump up and down and shout for joy right now if someone told you___________?


I had three wishes!

7. How clean is your car on the outside? Inside? Is there junk in your trunk?

Good thing you asked this question this week, because up until Saturday, we didn't own a car here in Germany (we have one back in the U.S. being stored in our garage.) Since it is only been in our possession for 4 days, it is spanking brand new and clean as a pin--for now.

8. Insert your own random thought here.


We are moving house in a month!  In mid-April we plan to move farther south to a town called Forstenried, Germany.  It is a suburb of Munich and our new digs are located one street away from the Forstenried forest.   The forest is a recreational area consisting of 43 kilometers of hiking and biking trails, paved in part, and extensive riding trails. There are opportunities for sports like running, cycling , horseback riding, inline skating and winter skiing. There is also a playground, a nature trail and a fitness trail. The Rad-Ring Munich, a bike path around the city, crosses the east-west direction. We are looking forward to an active spring and summer this year--that is if we can avoid the numerous biergartens scattered throughout the forest!

18 comments:

Maribeth said...

How lovely it will be so close to the Forest. I always loved my walks though the forest in Berg.

Sheena said...

#2 sounds so yummy and a kite festival parade sounds like a blast

Joyce said...

Congrats on your new home...the location sounds lovely. And those pancakes look scrumptious!

The Honourable Husband said...

Congrats on the new house and the new car.

What kind of car did you get?

Anonymous said...

I love reading about your various world-hopping adventures!! Your life is drastically different from mine!!!

It sounds like you are a teensy bit excited about your move. Good for you!! :D

Bobbi said...

The krapfen with the the syringe...LOL...that's wild! What's in it? Sugar syrup?

So excited for your move. It sounds WONDERFUL! I'll be praying it all works out for you.

Donna @ The House on the Corner said...

So fun hearing from you about Germany! I was born there (my father was in the army) but we came home when I was about 4 months old. I've never been back and but I would so love to know more about the country and it's culture.

Kimberly said...

I love getting a new car - love the smell! ENJOY!

Jodi said...

Thanks for stopping by! Good luck with your move. How ironic that there was a parade! Looks like fun! :)

LynnMarie said...

WOW that pancake dessert looks wonderful and a great dessert! Living so close to the forest will be so much fun for you - enjoy.

LynnMarie said...

WOW that pancake dessert looks wonderful and a great dessert! Living so close to the forest will be so much fun for you - enjoy.

Cathy said...

Congrats on getting a new car and getting to move and so close to fun stuff to do. Have fun.

Tammy Enjoy Life said...

Enjoy reading about Germany-food it looks great. Good luck moving houses!

Sally said...

Thanks for stopping by! The parade in Bali sounds wonderful - but oh my, your pictures from the parade you happened upon yesterday were adorable! And how does one just stumble across a parade? Only in Europe!

Best wishes on your move - the new location sounds amazing! But being a military family, I know how much work moving is... good luck!

Liz Mays said...

I feel so left out. I've only ever had plain pancakes or blueberry pancakes. Those sound fantastic! The syringe laden doughnuts do not. :(

I agree about choosing the people you are close to. I like surrounding myself with positive people, not those with negative energy.

J said...

No Berliners for me during Lent!

I've approved your request for the Expat Bloggers' Forum. Feel free to sign in and have a look around. Introduce yourself if you want.

Holly G said...

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I'm now following you. :)

I think it's neat that we both have a dance team history. And how wonderful that you have the opportunity to live overseas. It must be a grand learning experience!

Susan said...

Thanks for reminding me about Kaiserschmarrn! I spent 6 weeks in Austria way back when I was a college student. I loved Kaiserschmarrn. I even made it for my own kids a few times. I'll have to pull out the recipe!