Wednesday's Hodgepodge

                                         


1. St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated this coming Saturday...what's a favorite article of clothing you own that contains a touch o' the green?
I have a bright green blouse with a V-neck and pretty little embroidery around the neck in the same color of green.  It is comfortable and green is one of "my" colors, so I love it.        Unfortunately, we won't be celebrating this year.  Last year a dear expat friend of mine lost her 27 yr. old son after he drove home from a night's celebrating.  It was a horrific accident and his parents have since repatriated back to the states to be with their remaining son who just graduated college.  We are donating to a cause he felt strongly about, a food pantry, and skipping the prerequisite imbibing in alcohol.  I have no regrets on this decision.

2. What's a favorite 'green space' in the town, state, or province where you live?

Ahhh, in München it is the Englisher Garten.  It is a large public park (1.4 sq. miles), bigger than Central Park in New York!  And guess what?  You can surf there!

The Isar River runs through it.

                                                        The Chinese Tower, a biergarden!

3. Do you wish you were taller, shorter, or think you're just about right in the height department?

I am fine in the height department.

4. What's the surest way for someone to pick a fight with you?

Insist that you're correct when I have information that says otherwise.  Just because you "say it's so" don't "make it so."

5. Broccoli-Spinach-String Beans-Peas...of the four, your favorite green veg? (Or the one you dislike the least if that first option's too hard. I just know there's some veggie haters out there.)

At the moment, hubby and I are juicing so I am eating TONS of vegetables.  Of this group, my favorite would have to be string beans, if they are fresh.  (No canned or frozen veggies for us anymore.)

6. March is National Women's History Month...besides friends, neighbors and the women you're related to, who's a woman in history you admire and why?

I admire Mother Theresa for her selflessness and her willingness to devote her life to helping the less fortunate.

7. Keep Calm and ____________on.

You fill in the blank.  Bless

8. Insert your own random thought here.

As the facts seep out, I am stunned by the soldier that crept out in the middle of the night to slaughter innocent citizens of Afghanistan.  I know this will have to go through all of the channels, but I am afraid they will find him mentally incompetent and he will not have to face the death penalty for his crimes.  How do you feel about this sad turn of events?

WEDNESDAY'S HODGEPODGE

Wednesday Hodgepodge Vol 67

1. February 22nd is National Be Humble Day...what makes you proud? What keeps you humble?

Interesting, my grandson's, Wadiah, name means "humble" in Arabic.  He makes me very proud as do my children and grandchildren.  

What keeps me humble is the fact that in an instant I know all that I am proud of can disappear.  I would rather be thankful than proud.

2. Where is the catch-all (aka dumping ground) in your house?

This is a big "No, no" in our home.  I am constantly removing my hubby's keys and wallet from the countertop in the kitchen.  He has a dresser and a desk for that stuff!

3. Do you make it a point to visit State/National Parks when you travel or even in your own hometown? What's your favorite?

Yes, and once the hubs retires, we plan to visit as many as possible.  Yosemite is my favorite and I cannot wait to return.  

4. How would you define honor?

As far as being honorable, I would say a person who stands by his/her word, tells the truth, doesn't curse or swear or wish bad upon others, and treats everyone fairly.  My father was all of these things--and more.

5. Angel's food or Devil's food-which cake do you prefer?

No choice when it comes to chocolate. Devil's food it is.

6. What's the most recent road trip you've taken? Where did you go and how many hours did you spend in the car? Do you like to zoom to your destination without stopping or leisurely wind your way there with stops along the way? What is your car snack of choice?

Since we are now living in Europe and traveling from one country to another is like traveling from one state to another back in the U.S., car trips are very frequent for us.  The last one took us to Venice, Italy.  I refuse to go non-stop.  I'm a photographer and everything is new to us so we are often stopping along the way.  It's the journey, not the destination!    So we plan for frequent stops.

Car snacks for me are apples or pretzels and the prerequisite diet Pepsi, of course.

7. Recent headlines told how a preschool child in NC had their packed lunch from home taken away and a school lunch substituted by a school inspector who deemed the homemade lunch unhealthy. Reportedly the parent was then billed for the school lunch (chicken nugget meal) although an update to the story says the parent was not billed. The inspector was conducting a routine inspection of the classroom-he/she was not there solely to peek in the lunchboxes.

The packed lunch contained a turkey and cheese sandwich, an apple juice box, a bag of chips, and a banana. You can read the story here. Your thoughts?

All I have to say is, "Big Brother." How can this justify the salary of a school lunch inspector?  Next, we will have them in our homes.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  I will spill the beans as Joyce did--our next trip in March/April will be on a high speed train from Munich, Germany to Vienna, Austria, Kracow, Poland  and then on to Budapest, Hungary.  One by one, I am ticking off my bucket list of travel destinations.  These are cities are ones I have long awaited to visit with my hubby.  We are so anxious to do this.  

THIS ONLY HAPPENS ONCE EVERY 7 YEARS!

                           Schaefflertanzer

     Sounds like a typical Bavarian dish, doesn't it?  Something along the lines of Schnitzel, perhaps?  Not even close!  This word was not in my vocabulary a week ago until a friend here in Munich clued me in.  Schaefflertanzer refers to a Bavarian dance done by a group of Coopers, or barrel makers.  If you don't want to wait 7 years, you can see the next best thing in the Glockenspiel (clock) in the Marienplatz (main square) in Munich. At the strike of 11:00 am,daily, the Coopers, or their painted figure resemblance, do the Schaefflertanzer for the crowds to view.


     The tradition of the Schäfflertanz dates back to the year 1517 when Munich was suffering the plague. Almost half of the city’s 20,000 inhabitants had succumbed to the dreaded disease. When the Plague ended, the Schäffler (coopers, or barrel-makers) journeymen, took it upon themselves to raise the spirits of the people of Munich by dancing through the streets with hoops wrapped in greens, accompanied by lively music. As Munich’s residents heard the commotion, shutters opened, faces appeared and slowly it was decided it was  safe to go out into the streets. The Schäffler clowned with the crowds, bringing smiles to those who had suffered so 
much grief.

Today, the barrel makers make their way throughout our fair city at designated time and locations.  The Reifenschwinger has the most difficult job. He holds a wooden hoop with an indentation on the inside rim for a small glass filled with wine. Standing on the keg in the middle of the circle of the dancers, he twirls his hoop over his head and between his legs, being careful, of course, not to spill one drop of wine from the glass. At the end of his performance, he drinks the wine and tosses the glass over his shoulder where one of the
clowns catches in his cap. 

     This event grows large crowds of people of all ages.  We went to a local department store at 2 pm on Saturday and nearly didn't get an opportunity to watch it the crowds were so intense.  I wish I had an actual photo of the dance itself, but I was four or five deep in the crowd and astounded by how tall the German's are!  Truly!  Getting a decent photo was impossible, but I hope the ones I did get will do for now.

I AM BACK!!

Can you believe it was way back in November when I blogged last?  I have been a bad, but busy girl learning German, Christmas travels, and post Christmas travel and participating in far too many of the Munich International Women's Club's events.  Where to begin?

I can tell you that I spent most of November and December struggling with the beginner's level of German (I-A)  and I am now ready to move up to the second level (I-B) level in March.  Taking classes every day for four hours isn't called Intensive German for no reason.  It had me spinning in circles and then came the big hiatus--Christmas and travel back to Ohio to be with the family.  I so enjoyed having my family, both sons and their wives and all 8 grandchildren together.  Here are the grandchildren and the tiny one on the left is our first great-granddaughter.

I divided my time between Toledo where our home is and Cleveland where my oldest son lives. Then, during the second week of January, I went south to Ft. Myer's, Fla. to spend some sis time with my only sister.

This photo is us, but about ten years ago.  I guess we both need to spruce up and have our photos taken again.  I think I will make that my x-mas 2012 project.  It would make a great gift for my sis and myself (and if you're reading this, sis, be prepared!)

Once back on German soil, the hubs and I decided to travel to one of the cities on my "Want to Travel To" list, Istanbul, Turkey.  We spent four days visiting the former Ottoman Empire and the former city of Constantinople.  From the Sultan's Harem, to the Blue Mosque, we were immersed in Turkish culture.  The photos below will give you an idea of how we spent our time in this sprawling cosmopolitan city of 15 million people.

For the very first time, I forgot to take the battery to my trusty Canon 40-D and ended up taking photos with my iphone. Hence, the quality is not the best, but you will get the idea of what Istanbul has to offer.

                               Typical Turkish Tea served at the Grand Bazaar

                                         Fortress Wall surrounding Istanbul

               
                                          Fresh produce in the outdoor markets.

                   
                     Hagia Sophia, once the center of Christianity before St. Peter's
                     was built, before the great schism. Later to become a mosque after
                     the Byzantium conquer of Istanbul.

                                                The Blue Mosque

                              Unbelievable array of spices from the Egyptian
                                                        Spice Market

                                          Dolmabaci Palace on the Bosporus

I could go on and on about Istanbul and tell you how much  I love the lifestyle, the history, and the culture.  I loved it so much that we have already booked a return trip in early May, when the weather is much better and we can sit and while away an afternoon sipping Turkish coffee and soaking up the warmth of the sun on the shores of the Bosporus.

For now, it's good to be back in Germany and to enjoy the snow and the Alps.  We are just beginning the tradition of Fasching here and if you're not familiar with this custom, check back within the next few days to learn more about it.  It's good to be back and I hope I will see you here again soon!

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

1. Who taught you how to cook?

Anyone who was willing to give me a lesson.  My mother, mother-in-law, her mother, my daughter-in-law,  a new mother-in-law, my sister and sister-in-law, and two new countries.  My first mother-in-law taught me Hungarian dishes, her mother taught me Jewish dishes.  My daughter-in-law is from Jordan and is a wonderful cook and has unbelievable patience with me in her kitchen.  Her dishes are truly indescribably delicious. My mother-in-law, now, is from Australia and is very generous in teaching me what her son likes, except for the whole Vegemite thing.  They can just keep that in Australia (hope I didn't offend any Aussies here, sorry.)  Now, living in Germany, I have a plethora of willing teachers, both German and from all around the world.   The International Women's Club of München, to which I belong, has an activity called "Clever Cooks" where members invite other members into their kitchens to learn how to recreate their favorite homemade dishes from there respective countries.  This has proved to be a great way to learn ethnic dishes.  I'm a cook learning in progress...

                                          My beautiful, Jordanian, daughter-in-law & son

                                          

                      My beautiful, Urguyayan, daughter-in-law with son and grandson #2

                                                            My lovely sis and myself

Australian mother-in-law and my American uncle together in Munich (were we trying to matchmake or what, just kidding.)

                                

2. Have you been told you think too much? Are too much of a perfectionist? Are too sensitive? Were they right?

I don't have to be told that I think too much.  I'm still searching for the darn OFF button.

3. As a child did you have a favorite blanket or toy? Tell about it.

I did, but I haven't thought about it until Joyce posed this question.  It was a doll that was soft and it was my height as a child of four or five.  She actually was a Raggedy Ann doll with strips of elastic under her feet.  I would put my foot into the elastic which would make her shoes go over mine.  I held her hands outstretched and her head (soft doll) would flop on my shoulder and we would dance together the way I would dance with my dad while placing my feet on his feet.  What a great memory (tears here).  Thanks, Joyce, for conjuring up something I had long forgotten about.  Why don't they make that kind of doll for little girls now a days?  Would they like them as much as I did?

4. What 'institution' do you have the most faith in?

When I think of "institutions" I think of these guys, prisoners, because I once worked at an institution for the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation for the State of Ohio at this place, The Toledo Correctional Institution.  I don't know how much correction we did there, but I did teach and many convicted criminals (think medium-maximum level facility that houses 1,850 prisoners in the city of Toledo.) did get their GEDs while I taught there.

Oh, that word institution is fully loaded, isn't it?  Not a fan of institutions  so I guess I will have to say none.  Unfortunately, they are necessary in our society and have been forever.  

No, I prefer to put my faith in Him who will not disappoint or abandon me.  

                                                                            As if!!

5. Chrysanthemums, pansies, burning bush, ornamental cabbage...your favorite in an autumn garden?

Oh....the burning bush, for sure.  I just love them and fortunately I have them in the states.  We will go back in April to do a lot of new plantings and I am sure I will stock up on these beauties for the fall season.

6. What superpower do the kids in your neighborhood seem to posses?

We have a girl, age 3, and a boy, age 2, above us in our apartment complex here in München.  They are adorable little towhead blonds who keep their mummy and daddy very busy.  As far as the city of Munich goes, we are fortunate to have a large garden (yard for the Americans) so the kiddies are out of doors as much as possible.  They appear to have superpowers of unlimited energy as I look out to see a wearied set of parents.  Perhaps I ought to offer to help out/babysit once in a while and give these two a break!

7. Are you a fan of the cranberry?

Mostly for it's medicinal purposes or as a a companion with vodka and lime on a sunny beach somewhere.  But my sister-in-law (see #1) gave me her killer cranberry relish recipe for our Thanksgivings and I really do enjoy this dish.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Hubby and I have decided to to do the "Love Dare" that was so popular a few years back after downloading the movie "Firepoof" with one of my favorite child actors, Kirk Cameron. We are not a marriage in trouble, but we have been married 12 years (second time for us both) and have learned how important it is to "Maintain" a marriage.  Sensing a need to revisit what is important in a marriage and what work (yes, I did use the proper word) daily is needed to keep a marriage strong and beautiful, we decided to try it.  We are on day four and it really is exhausting challenging to remind yourself each day of the things we often neglect in our busy lives that contribute to a wonderful marriage.  

Although it is difficult, we are so happy we are doing this for us.  Here is what hubby sent me today in an email from his office reminding me of our past four lessons:

                       Side note:  He has the most perfect handwriting, doesn't he?

Hubby is oversimplifying this a bit.  

Day 1 meant biting your tongue when you wanted to say something you shouldn't have.  

Day 2 meant doing an act of kindness towards your mate, even if you didn't feel like it or felt they didn't deserve it.  (See what I mean about tough?)

Day 3 meant going out of your daily routine to pick up a phone and check on your spouse just to see how they are doing.  (We do this a lot anyways, but if you weren't into this habit, it could be easily interpreted as "checking up" on your spouse--a touchy area as shown on the movie, "Fireproof."  Did I tell you we were both in tears at the end of this movie?)

Day 4 meant actually going out and buying something worthy of how much you love your mate, not something chintzy or cheap just to fulfill that day's challenge.  (Sorry, I won't reveal what he got me, but I will tell you it took a lot of thought and was just what I needed! He did good!  Oh, I will tell you I bought him two 100% cashmere sweaters to keep my loved one good and warm in Munich winters.  He loved it and it was a great pleasure to see how happy it made him,:-)

Today, we are to tell our spouse 3 things that we do to cause him or her to be uncomfortable or irritated with us.  (See what I mean about exhausting and difficult??  Can you imagine the work it takes to write this in a kind, loving, and not offensive way?  Prayers needed that we don't have to decide who gets the house and kids after this challenge today!!)

He is really taking this seriously and so am I. ( Only good can come of this 40 day challenge, right?).  Pray for us....please.  It really is work people and we will need all the prayers we can get to get us through this challenge.  I promised not to look ahead in the workbook, "The Love Dare," and I haven't, but God have mercy on my soul if it gets harder than this.  

INTENSIVE GERMAN

                                                KRAÜTERGARTEN (Herbal Garden)
                 
Monday, Nov.7th, I begin Intensive German classes, alas.  I say that with foreboding because of all of the horror stories I hear from expats about their forays into German language and culture.  But, not to be daunted, I will venture forth in my blissful ignorance of the myriad errors I will likely commit and do my best to become educated.  My classes are every weekday from 9 am until 12:30 pm.  Just enough time to rattle this old brain and challenge it's ability to still learn a new language.  (Most of the Mandarin I have learned has disappeared and is only used in Chinese restaurants.  I hope our lengthy years of living in Deutschland will imprint this language on my psyche so that I will not have it disappear as my Mandarin has.)


I am looking forward to being able to  speak without pantomime communicate effectively with German speakers while also learning how to read in my (fourth?) language.  I don't feel you can truly assimilate into a new culture without being able to speak and read the language.  Only then will I feel a part of this country and not just a bystander.  Also, I will learn the correct spelling, pronunciation, and names for the things I know have to "Americanize" for my family and friends to understand.


Wish me luck on this new adventure and cross your fingers that I will be able to pass the test that will allow me to travel overseas and guarantee that I will be able to re-enter Germany.  The necessity of this validation is what has spurred me on to this quest, but now that it is imminent,I am looking forward to seeing how I do.  


I will update you and share with you what will certainly be a difficult, yet rewarding, challenge.

SCHAFTLAND ON THE ISAR RIVER

It was a glorious day today in München and a holiday too!  Temperatures hovered around 55° and the hubby and I could not wait to enjoy the great outdoors so we headed about 20 miles south of us to walk along the Isar River. Alongside of the river is a canal and we found much firmer footing there than along the side of the river that is made up of large stones.

Autumn is in full here in Bavaria and as you can see, we were not alone in wanting to feel the crisp air and admire the panorama.    People were walking, riding their bikes, roller blades, and horses.  We even saw a guy on skates using his ski poles to push him along!

We took along a bottle of Wolfe Blass Australian Shiraz, a few wine glasses, cheese and apples for our mid-day snack.  Tossing a blanket next to the river, we sat down to enjoy the scenery while feeling the sun on our faces.

After a few glasses, we continued our journey along the canal until we came upon a Gasthaus with a bier garden.  The aroma of Nuremberg sausages and apfelstrudel was teasing us and it didn't take much for us to succumb.

Looking at this lovely salad, you might think I was being very healthy this afternoon, but this was just the starter.  Along with the salad, I had roast pork, a knudle (dumpling), and warm sauteed purple cabbage (think of sweet and sour cabbage).  Hubs had the sausages and then generously shared his warm apfelstrudel with cream sauce.  YUM!

I hope we have more of these weekends before winter arrives.  This week it will be sunny and near 60° so we plan to make the most of our days outdoors.  Crossing my fingers that the leaves stay on the trees and we can continue to see their vibrant hues for a while longer.

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Before 1917, in the U.S., you could send a postcard for only 1¢.  After 1918, the price went up to 2¢, because of World War I. These postcards then became called "Penny Postcards."

The one above are of California, but each state, in fact each county in the U.S. is represented by a number of these historic "Penny Postcards."

This one of Buds Barbeque, Hilliard, is from Nassau County in Florida.

And from my hometown of Toledo, Ohio:

Yes, believe it or not, we DO have a yacht club and yes, it does have a marina today with proper yachts that sail in Lake Erie, along with other water craft.

I have spent the better part of the morning (shame on me) perusing this website:

Penny Postcards

If you would like to see how your hometown (or any town/city in the U.S.) was pictured and posted for a penny, click on the link above to see the website.  These postcards are not for sale, but they do take scans from collectors to add to their library if you are a collector or just happen to have a few of these beauties in your possession.

I warn you, it's a time guzzler but well worth the look!

SCHLEIßHEIM PALACE

I would like to apologize for the quality of these photos.  I didn't take my trusty Canon to the  Schleißheim Palace so I was at the mercy of my iPhone.  I thought it would work for me, but clearly the photos could have been much better.

The Palace started with a country house in 1598 and hermitage founded by William V close to Dauchau Palace.  His son extended the buildings between 1617 and  1623.  After heavy destruction during WWII, it was reconstructed.

A baroque New Palace was built in 1701-1704 as a new residence.  However, Bavaria was lost in the years of the War of Spanish Succession and the construction was interrupted.

Important works of art owned by the Bavarian State Picture Collections is exhibited in several rooms.  Famous Flemish Baroque painters such as Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck are here as well as the Italian artists Guido Reni, Alessandro Turchi and Carlo Dolci, but the Germans and Spanish painters also are represented.

The New Palace's East Side overlooks a spectacular park with a rare preserved baroque garden.  

The Schlrißheim Palace has been used as a location for several motion pictures.  The 1951 film, Decision Before Dawn,  1957 "Paths of Glory", and in 1961 "Last Year at Marienbad."

After the tour of the Palace we gathered for a lovely Bavarian Lunch at the Palace grounds.  It was a great day in Munich.

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

1. What gives you goosebumps?

Misjudging a step on the escalator,  my husband's hand touching the skin on my lower back, hitting the brakes to miss a collision, swallowing pills that stick in my throat, an unusual noise in the middle of the night, an unexpected hug from a sweet grandchild, my son's telling me how much I have influenced them, John Mayer's, "Come Back to Bed," and the perfect Chardonnay.

2. Halloween-are you a lover or a hater? Okay, that sounds harsh...Halloween-yay or nay?

Nay all of the way.

3. Can you respect someone you do not trust, and can you trust someone you do not respect?

Absolutely not.  Neither can I love someone I don't respect--let alone trust them.  Been there, tried that.  It doesn't work! .

4. Apples or oranges? Yes, you have to choose.

Oranges, mandarins, clementines, tangerines, Minneola Tangelos, etc.  Yum!

5. What is something you wish was in your town? (shop, restaurant, attraction, etc)

A good bagel shop.

6. What non-food item is in your refrigerator or freezer?

Sorry, all food.  European refrigerator space is too precious to waste on anything but!

7. Are you at all superstitious?

No, but I do believe things happen for a reason and  we cannot always chalk it up to coincidence. (This drives my husband crazy, but I find meaning where he will only see chance.)

  But I do not believe in black cats, ladders,  or a Friday the 13th kind of superstition. 

 I do, however, think there are signs and we need to be perceptive enough to understand them--premonitions of things to come.  I have many circumstances in my life that I have documented that arouse thoughts that something good/bad will happen in the future and whoa.....then it does.  

I'm not psychic, rather, I think some people are just attuned to their surroundings while others are not.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have taught about 8 gals the game of Chinese Mahjong and we meet every Wednesday afternoon to play.  We have an open chair policy and published an invitation in the "Munich International Women's Club Newsletter" for next month. Four can play a game at one table and we now have two tables of players.  I hope we can accommodate everyone.  It is so fun watching the girls learn the game and the strategy.  I'm looking forward to an active Mahjong group like we had in Shanghai with as many women who wish to play and a large enough venue.  Wish us luck!