WHAT A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

 Peace and rest at length have come. All the days long toil is past, And each heart is whispering, Home, Home...  Thomas Hood. 1799-1845.

    
     It was a splendid weekend.  The words cozy, rest, contentment, peace, and joy all come to mind when reflecting the past two days.  With nothing special on the agenda, we donned our fleece and slippers,

boiled the kettle,

and let the day while away as it would.
      Sudoko for him, crochet for me, and a bit of an online bridge lesson for us both.  Inclement weather had us debating the wisdom of venturing out into the cold.  With nothing special to do, we decided to do just that--nothing special.

     I made a quiche with carmelized onions for a late brunch, which did us just fine.  Warm from the oven, it was the perfect accompaniment for our lazy day at home.

     We are both reading the same novel, "The Good German," by Joseph Kanon which makes for interesting discussion.

     The day simply melted away.....carefree and timeless.  We both languished in the luxury and warmth of our home until the last few rays of sunlight fell below the horizon. 

     Taking it's cue, we both decided to finish our delightful day at home with a nightcap.

Ahhh...the simple pleasures of life....

ANTICIPATION, IS MAKING ME W...A...I...T...!

Image by Darwin Bell via Flickr

Spring is sure to come soon, at least I'm crossing my fingers!

I love Bavaria in the snow, but now the beauty of it has given way to its'  impracticality.  The snow has melted and  the diving temperatures have left sheets of ice on the roads and sidewalks making navigating in the city very dangerous.  The slushy re-frozen residue is ugly and the wind is bitter. 

 I'm afraid the fairy tale Bavarian Winter has run it course....at least for me.

My mind is months ahead.  Since we have lots on the agenda, I find that it is difficult to be in the "here and now."  I am dreaming of the months ahead and the events that will take us to the warm sunshine. 

Image by quinet via Flickr

I just want to escape the cold! 

I am looking at returning to the U.S. in late March to take the family to Disney World.  The warm temperatures of Florida are tempting me so much that it is all I can do not to book an earlier flight.

So many times I wish I could be in two places at one time.  I know I will return to Munich by May-- in time for my mother-in-law to arrive from Australia.   But,  in July, we have dear friends whose daughter is getting married back in the states.   The wedding, in the plans now, will be in Harbor Springs, Michigan where the bride has always dreamed it would be.

Image by sparktography via Flickr

In September, hubby has been invited to be a guest speaker at a conference in, YA HOO--  Brazil!  This will be our first first trip to South America where the temperatures are beckoning me now, as I blog.  Beaches, sun, warmth-- instead of -2 degrees and freezing. 

Bring it on!

Finally, in  October, we are planning to take a Mediterranean Cruise with our Shanghai Expat Friends Couples group.  Each year we plan a reunion and this year it will be on a cruise ship while exploring the Greek islands.

Meanwhile, I have to find a way to enjoy the present.

Image via Wikipedia

But as the map below shows, I'm hardly alone here in the Northern Hemisphere.

So, I will stop dreaming of the future and like millions of others braving the cold temperatures, I'll zip up my parka and don my ski cap and pray that Jack Frost is kind and spring isn't far behind.. 

GOBSMACKED

If you want to feel truly in awe, go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXrXTx94aFg