This was no time for a scarf extravaganza and I wore my Brazil GM every single day, the GM's are fine in foul weather.
The complicated travel arrangements meant landing in Munich and returning from Stuttgart. The little gardener was charmed by the festive decorations of Munich's central station.
There was a carved nativity scene, much admired by all the travellers.
There were stands for hot punch (Feuerzangenbowle) which seems to be making a comeback, mulled wine (Gluehwein) and of course gingerbread (Lebkuchen).
The little gardener admired the lion, symbol of Munich, sponsored by a brewery (another symbol of Munich).
We travelled in style and comfort in the teutonic equivalent of a bullet train, reaching speeds of over 170km/h and the cup of coffee barely moved.
On our way home we met up with friends at Stuttgart central station. We had plenty of time to catch our flight and took a brief stroll around the utterly delightful Christmas market. I would have prefered better weather, the lashings of rain made the experience a rather soggy one. Still, we had a fabulous time, forgetting for a good hour any worries.
There were giant nutcrackers and pyramids galore.
Despite the bustle and travels of the last few weeks, I have managed to make a gingerbread house. Officially it is for the little gardener but who am I kidding.....
A good friend of mine shared in the effort this year, which is also known as the four nights of stickiness: one to prepare the dough (I got out of this one as Anna prepared it), one for rolling out/cutting the shapes/baking (a shared effort), one for decorating the panels and a last one for sticking it all together. I am quite happy now to not clap eyes on another packet of icing sugar but the little gardener is delirious with joy and anticipation and asks dozens of times when she can break off a bit (not before Christmas Eve).
Merry Christmas!
Bienchen,
ReplyDeleteFrohe Weihnachten. I deeply hope your family member is better and am sending good thoughts.
Your pictures put a smile on my face. I am from the Munich area and have been so homesick. Thank you for indulging me.
What a beautiful Lebkuchenhaus. Did the little gardener have fun this Christmas.
Maedi
Maedi, Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you, too. Thank you for the good wishes, they are much needed and very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI lived near Munich for a while (Daglfing) and am a Bavarian by birth, so I totally get the homesickness. Christmas is still that bit more traditional there and this appeals to me a lot.
The little gardener had a smashing time and the Lebkuchenhaus tastes yummy (even if I say so myself).
Hope you get to go back home soon. Big hugs!
Dearest Bienchen,
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best in the coming year and adding my good thoughts to Maedi's with hope for better health for your family abroad.
I'm smitten by the little gardener's Lebkuchenhaus, it's adorable! I thought kuchen was cake, no?
I hope the illness has been conquered and that you, the little gardner, and your family are celebrating the season joyfully. Take care, Bienchen, and Happy Holidays.
ReplyDeleteThank you textilegirl and AA for your kind wishes.
ReplyDeleteTextilegirl, you are right about Kuchen meaning cake. The consistency of the dough is much more akin to a bread dough, maybe that's where the gingerBREAD comes from. Gingercake also denotes another type of cake. Lastly, I don't find the English language very consistent, just think of sweet breads....not that sweet and definitively no bread.