The night before GermanFest Milwaukee, we headed to the Bavarian Bierhaus to meet friends and eat delicious food. Little did we know that we would have a lovely surprise… D’lustig’n Wendlstoana Tanzgruppe was holding their dance practice in the basement, preparing for their GermanFest performance! And because my friends Rosie and Bob Forster (who is also a singer for the Freistadt…
Category: Celebrating German Culture in America
Traditional German Tracht Show at German Fest, Milwaukee
Many people think that the German Fest events, like the one in Milwaukee, are all about “Bavarian” attire. I’m happy to report that not only are other regions of Germany represented in food and culture, the Tracht from other parts of Germany are seen around the grounds…. and on Saturday, there is a special Traditional German Tracht Show to highlight…
Sounds of the Alpenhorn- The Alpine Echos play Traditional Music
A massive crowd gathered near the Welcome Gates of German Fest in Milwaukee to see The Alpine Echoes perform. It’s not every day you see a half dozen Alpenhorn players playing real music! I’m sure it was the first time many people even heard the Alp Horn outside of a Ricola Ad! (You can hear it in your mind now,…
German Language Schools in America For Kids and Teens
When I was a child, I went to German School every Saturday for 3 hours here in the US. While it was sometimes torture (who wants to go to school on Saturday!?!), in the end, it was well worth the effort, and I appreciate the extra miles my mother put on the car to get me there. This is…
What is Spanferkel? A Roasted Pig, Perfect for German Festivals!
At big German Festivals and gatherings, you will often find Spanferkel on the menu. What is Spanferkel? A “Ferkel” is a little pig (it’s also what my mom would call me when I came home particularly muddy), and “Span” is wood chips. Pig in Wood Chips? That can’t be right. It was time to learn more. My introduction to Spanferkel…
German Fest Milwaukee 2018! Thank You & PHOTOS!
UPDATE- Thursday before German Fest weekend is always a fun “gathering” day. 2 Years ago I was there with my family… this year, Covid-19 cancelled the event. Still… there’s always next year! Loving these KIDS!!! Isn’t it funny how time spent having fun just FLIES by? Seems like only yesterday I was packing my bags to go to German Fest…
German Idioms List- A Fun Way to learn to Speak Like a German
Have you ever heard an someone say something in German, and you understand the vocabulary, but you really have no idea what the heck they are saying? Most likely, they are using an Idiom. An idiom is defined as “a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words” …. in…
Recipe for Apple Streusel Cake -A German Style Cake in an American Pan
This recipe for Apple Streusel Cake is a family favorite, and is the recipe I’m asked for most frequently. It has everything a good German Apple Streusel Cake Recipe should have… Apples, Streusel, it’s not too sweet, and it’s fabulous with whipped cream. I call it a hybrid. This recipe is one of my go-to recipes when I need…
Bundt Cake History- How did a Gugelhupf become a Bundt?
Everyone loves a Bundt Cake, that familiar round cake with the hole in the middle. .. and we all have our favorite flavors and memories associated with them. As someone who enjoys baking, I appreciate how easy a bundt cake recipe is to bake and the versatility of the cake. Dress it up with an icing… serve it simply with powdered…
Symbolism of Maiglöckchen, Germany’s Lily of the Valley
On May the first, or Maitag, and throughout the month, you will see Maiglöckchen or Lily of the Valley everywhere you look. Flower shops sell bouquets and small posies. You will see images on cards, and people love to give them as a special sweet-smelling token of happiness, joy, and love. What made these little bell shaped flowers such an…