There is a rule in my family; when you travel to Germany, you must take along a list of what to bring back from Germany for yourself, and for everyone else. Each of us has special items that we can’t live without. My mother loves her instant Schweizer Krautertee (so we always pack along 3 extra cans), and my daughter…
Author: karenanne
The Osterbaum / German Easter Tree- Make Your OWN Easter Tree
Every year during the Easter season, my mother would place a few budding branches in a vase and hang colorfully painted eggs from them. This was an Osterbaum, an Easter Tree. Some call it an Osterstrauss or Easter Bouquet since it’s in a vase. But what is an Osterbaum? Osterbaum, in German, means Easter Tree. This pretty decoration brightens the…
The Elves of Cologne -The story of the Heinzelmännchen of Köln
Once upon a time, as the legend goes, the city of Cologne was helped by a little race of creatures called Heinzelmännchen. It began simply enough; when the humans went to bed, the Heinzelmännchen came along and finished all the work left undone. The idea of Elves or Gnomes doing work while humans sleep has a long history in German…
Spoonfuls of Germany Cookbook Review- German Cooking in an American Kitchen
Spoonfuls of Germany: German Regional Cuisine To me, the title of Nadia Hassani’s cookbook, “Spoonfuls of Germany”, has two meanings. When I think of food that you eat with a spoon, I imagine comfort foods, foods your mother or Oma would make to nourish you with love; foods that fill you up and keep you warm and safe. But…
Easter Water- The Legend of Osterwasser
I received a message from Paul Von Stache, who told me a story I’d never heard before, The Legend of Osterwasser or Easter Water. He learned about it at an estate auction of an older woman in his hometown who originally came from Pomerania, Germany. One of the items up for auction was a brown glass gallon jug with a…
What is the Spiel des Jahres? The Prestigious German Board Game Award
Walk down the game aisle, or look around the game store, and you will see a Spiel des Jahres emblem. But, what is the Spiel des Jahres Award? Why is it important? And how is it that a German Game Award became so prestigious worldwide? To me… the emblem means that the game is perfect for my family! What is…
German Paper Mache Easter Eggs -History & Where to buy New & Vintage Eggs
The Easter Bunny (Oster Hase) in Germany doesn’t hide treats in pastel-colored plastic eggs. Instead, he uses these traditional German paper-mache Easter Eggs. These beautifully decorated eggs feature motifs of Bunnies, flowers, and springtime. They are big enough to hold all your favorite Easter Chocolates. The gift box eggs are a lovely addition to your Easter Celebrations and are one…
River Cruises in Germany- A Stress-Free Way to Experience Germany
River Cruises in Germany are a fabulous way to see the country. Imagine yourself on the deck of a cruise ship, slowly passing by some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Whether you choose a Rhine River Cruise, a Danube River Cruise, the Moselle, or the Elba, you will travel in luxury and comfort. All of the…
Beer Glass or Stein? German Beer Glasses for Different Types of Beer
One thing you may notice about Germans is that they can be rather particular about what sort of glass their beer is served in. This is not just snobbery… there really are special Beer Glasses for different types of Beer. Certain shapes will accentuate the flavors of different types of beer. (Sort of like wine). And why can’t you just…
What is Indiaca? A backyard sport fun for the Whole Family!
Several years ago in Germany, we were introduced to a fun game called Indiaca. The corner of Germany where my family lives, Indiaca is kind of a big deal… the local team made it to the World Championships! But what is Indiaca? This hybrid of Volleyball and Badminton is played with a giant shuttlecock (sort of a flat ball…