The Shortest History of Germany I never pack enough books when I travel. The worry about overweight luggage or carrying things I won’t need is just too stressful. So, on my last trip to Berlin, I got to the airport with only a chapter of a book left to finish… not nearly enough for my 11 hour flight home. Luckily,…
Author: karenanne
Why does America call Football ‘Soccer’?
Sometimes, it seems like soccer in America gets treated as a “lesser” sport. Then it feels like an insult to injury when we don’t even call it by the correct name. It’s called Football or Fußball everywhere else on our planet. And why is that? Why does America call Football Soccer? Why would we have a different name for a…
How to Make Choco Crossies at Home with My Choco Crossie Recipe
My daughter loves Choco Crossies. I mean, REALLY LOVES Choco Crossies. (To be fair, so do I) Whenever I bring them home from Germany, no matter how many boxes I stuff into the suitcase, they vanish within the week. To keep her happy and to lighten the load in my suitcase, I learned how to make Choco Crossies (aka Schoko…
Bundt Cake History- How did a Gugelhupf become a Bundt?
Everyone loves a Bundt Cake, that familiar round cake with the hole in the middle, and we all have our favorite flavors and memories associated with them. As someone who enjoys baking, I appreciate how easy it is to bake a bundt cake and the cake’s versatility. Dress it up with an icing or serve it simply with powdered sugar. Give…
German Food Box -What do You Get in the Monthly German Food Boxes
It seems like the hottest trend in the past few years is Monthly Gift Box Subscriptions. There’s even a German Food box! And why not? It’s the Gift that keeps on giving. Every month, a surprise box arrives on the doorstep, filled with goodies! The German Monthly boxes are generally filled with Food or Candy—just enough stuff to give a…
What is a Schrebergarten or Kleingarten? Germany’s Little Gardens
You are traveling along in Germany, and suddenly, on the side of the railroad tracks, there is a cluster of fenced-in tiny houses surrounded by small gardens. Are these actual homes? Is it a campground for seasonal workers? Is this where the Garden Gnomes live when they aren’t in your garden?? These little plots of land are called Schrebergarten or…
Berlin Food Tours- One City, a World of Tasty Food!!
One of my favorite things about visiting Germany is the Food. The bread, the sausage, the Souvlaki, the Sushi… Sound odd? But the BEST “ethnic” foods I’ve ever eaten were in Germany. As you can see from the image above, the city with the what has to be the most diverse restaurants in one small place is Berlin. Something about…
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson- My Review
“In the Garden of Beasts” refers to the Tiergarten in Berlin (which translates to Animal Park or Beast Garden). Much of the book takes place around this beautiful park, once the hunting ground for the Great Elector Friedrich Wilhelm, the Grosse. In the 1930s, the Reichstag, the US Embassy, the Brandenburg Gate, and Görings “city house” were nearby. The Tiergarten…
Dirndl Jewelry- German Style Jewelry for German Fests or Everyday
We are headed into German Festival Season… Maifests, Germanfests… and the king of all German Festivals … OKTOBERFEST! Whether or not you wear a Dirndl, it’s always fun to wear Dirndl Jewelry. Necklaces, chokers, bracelets or earrings can help you express your personal style… and show off your love for Germany! There are simple styles, and more elaborate statement pieces…
Symbolism of Maiglöckchen, Germany’s Lily of the Valley
On May the first, or Maitag, and throughout the month, you will see Maiglöckchen or Lily of the Valley everywhere you look. Flower shops sell bouquets and small posies. You will see images on cards, and people love to give them as a special sweet-smelling token of happiness, joy, and love. What made these little bell shaped flowers such an…