When I was growing up in Southern California, my Mother would make a cool and delicious “beat the heat” meal: Kaltschale, a Chilled Fruit Soup. The soup wasn’t dessert. It was the meal. And so refreshing. Over the past few days, we’ve experienced a heat wave in my part of the world, and I’ve started craving this cold and satisfying…
Author: karenanne
What was Peasant Life Like? Our Daily Bread: German Village Life 1500-1850
Our Daily Bread: German Village Life, 1500-1850 Most history books give you plain facts… you learn about wars, you learn who was king, and where the borders changed. What you don’t usually get, is what was it LIKE to be a peasant and have battles raging around you? To actually struggle to feed a family? What was German Village life…
St Paulus Dom in Münster- A Small Cathedral with an AMAZING Clock
Unfortunately, the St Paulus Dom Münster seldom makes it onto anyone’s must-see bucket list. It’s just not very big (compared to the Cologne Cathedral, it’s downright small). And, it has a lot of competition in Münster! As churches go, it takes second place to the much more famous Lamberti Kirche. (Face it, cages hanging off of the spire will lure…
Father’s Day In Germany- It’s NOTHING like American Father’s Day!
Germany is proof that fathers in Germany have it figured out. Think about it. On Mother’s Day, you get a card, a messy kitchen, and some flowers. In Germany, Fathers spend the day walking around in groups, drinking while pulling a Bollerwagon full of beer, wine, Schnapps, and grillable snacks. And! Since Father’s Day (Herrentag or Männertag) always falls on…
Deutsches Auswanderer Haus or Emigration Museum Bremerhaven
Wohin und Warum (Where to? And Why?) are the words that greet you in my favorite room at the Auswanderer Haus or Emigration Museum Bremerhaven. Known as the Gallery of the 7 Million, it is FILLED with names and stories. This room is a treasure trove of history, and it’s only a fraction of what you can see and experience…
Everything You Need to Know About German White Asparagus Season
German White Asparagus Season and the mania that surrounds it can be a bit confusing for anyone who grew up in America. It’s a vegetable. Who gets excited about vegetables? I can still remember the first time I went to a restaurant during German White Asparagus season. There was concern because the Season was ending in just a few days.…
Deutsches Haus New Orleans – The Story of Germans in Louisiana
I love finding pockets of Germany in unexpected corners of the United States. A few years ago, while visiting New Orleans for the Jazz Fest, I stumbled across a booth run by women in Dirndl. What a surprise to learn that Germans had a significant impact on the city’s development and that Germans STILL have a strong presence in New…
Travel to Germany on a Budget- A Few Tips and Tricks
Germany is a modern European country that’s on all of our must-visit lists. Why? Not only will you find some of the world’s most fascinating cities, you can also enjoy a variety of landscapes from mountains and fairy tale forests to fields of purple heather and great winding rivers. It’s a land of traditional festivals, wonderful castles, and an ancient…