Every Easter, someone asks me if I remember the Rote Zuckerhase (Red Sugar Rabbit). The truth is, a Zuckerhase is new to me. I’m a child of chocolate bunnies. And I first saw one of these nostalgic treats in Berlin when I visited Germany at Easter. I did some digging since so many people have fond memories of them. There’s…
Author: karenanne
Lessons I Learned from My Oma… Now I’m Sharing them with You
What other Oma lessons did you learn?? We are coming up on my Oma’s birthday, and although she’s no longer with us, I will never forget all the life lessons she taught me. Now, don’t go thinking she sat me down in front of a chalk board and hammered this stuff into my brain. Oma was way more subtle…
Getting Around Berlin – 5 Reasons Why I love Berlin’s Transportation System
Getting around Berlin might seem a little daunting, but for my Exchange Student Daughter, Katy, navigating the U Bahn and Bus System is a breeze compared to what she grew up with in the Bay Area of Northern Calfornia. Katy is a veteran city bus rider, and used the BART to get around the Bay Area from an early age,…
Chicken Döner Recipe – Ersatz Döner You Can Make at Home
Let me start by saying that this Chicken Döner Recipe is not the same as visiting your favorite Döner stand in Germany at 1 am, when you are looking for delicious nourishment to get you through an evening of celebrating with friends. BUT! It’s a pretty darn good recipe, and it might just satisfy your cravings for those fabulous flavors.…
Interesting, Historic, Unusual and Cool Places to Stay in Germany
One thing I’ve learned in my travels, chain hotels can be somewhat impersonal. Yes, they have impeccable service, and it’s nice knowing what to expect…. but sometimes you want something that doesn’t look like everything else. I love staying somewhere a little fun or historical. A building with quirky staircases or odd shaped spaces. And if you want to stay…
Shopping for German School Supplies in Germany
My daughter, Katy, spent a Semester studying in Berlin. I’m delighted that she sent us a few posts about life as a California Girl in Germany. This week… shopping for German School supplies. Apparently, it’s not the same as it is here in California… All photos taken by Katy used with permission. There were many things I expected to be…
The Maschkera… Behind the German Fasching Masks
Cover photo- photo by F Delventhal courtesy flickr creative commons The Rhineland may be known for its Karneval / Fasching parades and celebrations, but go further south, to the Alpine area of Baden Württemberg, and you will find a different sort of Fasching Reveler. The Maschkera hide behind heavy carved wooden German Fasching Masks and parade through towns, making noise…
The Mainzelmännchen… Guud’n Aamd!
Cover image of Mainzelmännchen Michael Kramer, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Isn’t it nice how the little things can make you so happy? One distinctly German cartoon that brought me endless delight was the Mainzelmännchen! These little animated men on German TV would come on during the commercials in quick animated spots that just made us LAUGH. Over…
Some of my Favorite German Cookbooks in English
When we moved a few years ago, I had to box up my Cookbook collection. Some might think I have a cookbook problem, but I look at it more as an “enthusiasm”. There were a lot. I stopped counting at 15 boxes. My Tech Guy just shook his head, but since he benefits from the meals, he has no real…
German Drink Recipes For German Mixed Drinks- Order like a Local!
I remember the first time I ordered a Radler in America. The bartender was confused, then when I explained, he was HORRIFIED that I would mix Beer and Soda. (I’ve since learned to order a beer, a soda, and an extra glass to avoid that look). But think about it, Germans do enjoy taking simple things and combining them to…