German Christmas Smokers or Räuchermännchen may look like a toy or a simple decoration that goes on the mantle, but they do more; they are incense burners. Many people collect Räuchermännchen, and this Christmas decoration is pretty common in most German households (like Nutcrackers). What’s fun and collectible about these figures is the variety of Smokers. There are Santas, Brewers,…
Author: karenanne
Easy Blitz Torte Recipe-Lightening Fast Cake with Cream and Fruit
The Blitz Torte recipe came to me from my Tante Anne. It looks impressive, but despite looking “fancy,” it’s actually not that difficult to make. Sweet, tart fruit and a whipped cream filling are sandwiched between two layers of cake topped with meringue and almonds. It’s perfect for a Kaffeeklatsch. And it certainly lives up to its name—it’s LIGHTENING FAST…
German Green Bean Soup/ Gruene Bohneneintopf -Easy Delicious Meal
I love a good Eintopf.. one pot meal.. and my favorite would have to be German Green Bean Soup or Gruene Bohneneintopf. This easy and delicious meal satisfies even the heartiest of appetites. It’s loaded with Green Beans, potatoes and even beef (and a little bacon). Along with a few slices of bread, it’s the perfect meal for cool nights.…
Collectible Steinbach Ornaments for Your Christmas Tree
Every year for Christmas, my mother gives us each special Steinbach Christmas Tree ornaments. Sometimes it represents a hobby, other times, it’s a cute Santa. In this way we are amassing an amazing collection of Steinbach ornaments. The wood ornaments from Steinbach absolutely delight me from year to year, and since they are made of wood, they don’t shatter when…
Culinaria Germany – More than Just a Cookbook
Culinaria Germany might be stored on my cookbook shelf, but it is not a standard Cookbook. This encyclopedia of German food and food history contains more than just recipes. The book covers each German state, and the foods each region specializes in ( and why). This is the type of book you can read cover to cover, or you can…
Eierbecher German Egg Cups for a Soft Boiled Egg
We always had German Egg Cups in the house, I still do, because I love a Soft-Boiled Egg. I tried to order one in a restaurant once, but my mom stopped me, and told me her story about Eggs. When she first arrived in America, she and my father had breakfast in a restaurant. Mom ordered a soft boiled egg.…
How to Cook A Perfect Boiled Egg for your German Breakfast
On many breakfast tables in Germany, you will find a soft-boiled egg. It’s still my favorite way to eat an egg. I love the smooth feel of just-solid egg white and the delicious creaminess of still-liquid egg yolk. Yum. I thought I’d share how you cook perfectly boiled eggs every time. And, because I realize it’s new to some, how…
Erzgebirge Flower Children-A Sweet Memory of Blumenkinder
The Flower Children are a messenger that Spring is upon us! Bright colored outfits, little rabbits , sweet smiles, and of course, those giant Flowers. The Erzgebirge Flower children were traditional gifts for birthdays and Christenings. Gisela sent me an email with a memory. Does anyone else collect Angels and Erzgebirge Flower Children? My mom has a set of the…
Ravensburger Games & Puzzles for the Whole Family!
The first game that Ravensburger produced was “Weltreise“ (Journey Around the World), and it was one of my favorite games ever. I played it over and over… and learned geography along the way. Like most Ravensburger products, the game was engaging, well constructed and built to last. And our game closet was loaded with Ravensburger products because when my mom…
More Christmas Tablecloths than Tables Mehr Tischdeckchen als Tische
November is when I start cleaning the things I will need for the holidays. Glassware gets a polish, the “good dishes” get a wash, and the tablecloths all get checked for a touch-up iron. So, yesterday I went to the drawer were I keep the smaller Weihnachts Tisch Deckchen (Christmas table cloths) and I realized something… over the past few…