Groundhog Day a GERMAN Tradition? Turns out that weather prediction using a burrowing animal on the 2nd of February Candlemas has roots in Germany. The Pennsylvania Dutch German immigrants who landed in America brought their traditions with them. Of course… a few adjustments had to be made… in Pennsylvania, there were no Badgers, and or Hedgehogs (Igel), so a Groundhog…
Category: Celebrating German Culture in America
Where to Celebrate German Karneval in the United States
Karneval like in Germany! Fasching (in the South) and Karneval (in the North) are a time of celebration of food and fun in the time before the austerity of Lent. Costumes and Masks are meant to scare away evil spirits. Parades and dancing add to the fun. The celebration begins on November 11, the beginning of the 5th Season, when the…
Losing a Language- How I Tried to Teach my Kids German and Failed
German was my first language. ( In fact, I sometimes joke that I could be an ESL, English as a Second Language Student, and apply for benefits.) You see, even though I was born in California, my parents are German… and had just recently arrived in the country. It’s only logical that they spoke German in the home, and I…
German Christmas Markets USA & Canada- Enjoy the Holiday Magic!
-Can’t make it to Germany this year? It turns out there are a few Christkindlmarkts or German Christmas Markets in America and Canada. These markets are a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit without the cost of plane fare, you just need a car, or heck, with the money you save, you can take a Limo! Find those…
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).…