Renewing Wedding Vows in Germany- Randy Aderholt Shares his Story

Randy Aderholt wrote this fantastic story about renewing his wedding vows in Uthleben, Thuringia to share with us. Randy writes…..” I had traced my family back to Uthleben, Thuringia. I first visited in 2009, making friends and meeting actual German cousins. I realized that in 2010 , the 300th anniversary of my ancestors wedding would occur. This would be my grandparents…

A Wonderful Story about Finding Family by Veronika Hearn

This guest post about Finding Family is from my new friend Veronika Hearn. Warning! It will bring happy tears to your eyes! Veronika and her sisters, Angelika and Doris. I guess from the beginning of my life of when I was born in Frankfurt, Germany. A young couple( my adoptive parents) in the Army had been stationed to Germany, they…

Using a German Hand Grinder- There’s One in Every German Kitchen

I don’t know if German cooking uses more bread crumbs than other places…. but it seems like we were always using a German Hand Grinder to make them. For Schnitzel, Kotlett, Frikadellen and of course, toasted in butter for a yummy cauliflower topping. In our home no bread was ever thrown away. If it was too stale to eat, mom…

Kathe Kruse Dolls- Over 100 years of Special Dolls

  When my daughter was born, my aunt sent her a soft little doll that we named Maya. This sweet faced dolly is colorful, and perfect for cuddling. Käthe Kruse dolls weren’t familiar to me at the time, but now (two more kids and two more dolls later) I know what wonderful toys they make, and how long they last.…

Cherry Streusel Muffins- A German Classic as a Muffin!

Cherry Streusel Muffins are my way of adapting a German Recipe to America. Kaffee Klatsch and Kirsch Streusel Kuchen are a traditional German combination. A  slice of Cherry Streusel cake, a cup of coffee and friends. What could be nicer for an afternoon treat?  Sadly, most of my American friends don’t drop in for a piece of cake. (We need…

German Life Magazine Subscription- Travel, Culture, Recipes and Heritage

[no_toc] German Life I’ve had a German Life Magazine Subscription for the past 7 or 8 years. German Life Magazine, for those of you who haven’t been lucky enough yet to discover it, is a magazine for anyone who loves Germany or has a German speaking heritage (The magazine is not just Germany, the magazine also covers Austria and Switzerland).…

Der StruwwelPeter – How German Parents Kept Kids in Line

German Stories and Fairy Tales for kids were NOT all sweetness and light. Many stories, especially those from the pre-1950s, were cautionary tales, designed to impart lessons, or give warnings. Aschenputtel’s (Cinderella’s) sisters get their feet cut off….and Max and Moritz get eaten by ducks. And then there was Stuwwelpeter (and Struwwelliese…). It’s truly a wonder any of us got…

Steiff Stuffed Animals – Toys to Love for a Lifetime

Like so many German kids, I was lucky enough to have a few stuffed Steiff Stuffed Animals & Plush toys. A  small Dog with a blue collar and a bell, an Owl, and a Goldfish. One very memorable Christmas, I found a Steiff Bear sitting in the branches of our Christmas Tree. The Owl is still with me today, it…

Visiting My Oma in Germany- From Suburban California to NRW

My Oma, Elfriede, was a strong woman. She was a widow for the last 20 years of her life, and lived alone with her dog, Ben. But, she never seemed lonely. She had her routines, her friends, and a set way of doing things. I loved going to visit her in Germany. Once I turned 11, my parents would send…

Dr. Oetker School Cookbook (Schulkochbuch) My Kitchen Lifeline!

My copy of  the Dr.Oetker School Cookbook (Schulkochbuch) is a bit worn out and falling apart. There are stains on many of the pages and drips have glued some pages together. You could honestly say that this book has been used! I got this book when I moved away from home many, many (many) years ago. Mom was such a…

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