I grew up with family stories about the German refugees from World War 2. Both of my parents came from the east, Mama from Silesia, Dad from Brandenburg, and both lost their homes. I had heard about Donau Schwaben and stories about staying ahead of the Soviet Army. About being expelled from homes and villages. About leaving houses, friends,…
Author: karenanne
German Alpine Hat Pins – History & Collecting
Every time I go to a German Fest or Oktoberfest, I see large collections of German Alpine Hat Pins. So, of course I got curious… why? History of German Pin Collecting My degree in history means I can’t just leave things alone. I had to do a little digging. Most references for German Pin Collecting talk about Military Insignia Pins……
Buy A Rare Dirndl: My Fantastic Rare Dirndl Experience
As strange as it may sound to many of you, before this year, I never owned a Dirndl. Not even as a child. But… since I’m attending a lot more German Festivals these days, it was pointed out to me, that I would fit in better if I wore one. True enough. But I didn’t want something typically Bavarian (my…
Bavarian Dialect Quiz- Can you speak Bayrisch?
As you know, German is not just one language, there are loads of dialects across the country. In Bavaria they speak Bayrisch… and to the outside world, it may seem like an impossible code to crack. How well do you understand Bavarian Dialect? Take this Bavarian Dialect Quiz to see! Special Thanks to Bob and Rosie Forster for putting this together…
Schwenker Grill Time! German Style Grilling and Marinade
Deep in one of my mom’s photo albums is this photo of my Uncle using his German Schwenker Grill. He took his job very seriously. We kids weren’t allowed to fool with it. My family made an all-day event out of it, which explains why so many bottles of beer are on the table. What is a Schwenker Grill? It…
Plymouth Junge Kameraden Band- An American High School Band Playing German Music!
“So ein Tag, so wunderschön wie Heute“… when I heard those words sung, I immediately flashed back to my childhood. My mother playing this on her record player… my Oma’s radio… singing in German school. But the source was unexpected; the singer was a beautiful High School girl, standing in front of the Plymouth Junge Kameraden Band, the first…
“Loferl” Two Part Lederhosen Socks Men Wear in Bavaria
One thing I noticed at Oktoberfests and the German Festivals are these two part Lederhosen Socks men wear… and I had to know… WHY? What is the story behind those calf-warmers? Why don’t men in Bavaria want to cover their ankles? As anyone who has suffered through knitting classes, you KNOW that when you are knitting socks, the hard part…
My Weekend at Germanfest Milwaukee- Music, Food, and FUN!
A few years ago I got to visit German Fest in Milwaukee…. What a fun weekend! Read on to find out why you should go…. Get Your Tickets to German Fest Milwaukee July 26-28, 2024 HERE–> Germanfest Tickets A Heartfelt THANK YOU and VIELEN vielen Dank!!! Well, I’m home again from GermanFest Milwaukee. The bags are unpacked, laundry is sorted…
German State Quiz
German State Quiz! How well do you know your German States? (you DO know that Germany has states… right?) Take this 15 question quiz, and let us know how you do. I admit, this quiz is a bit tricky… especially for those of us who went to school in the US. But … hopefully you will do well, or at…