It’s a common question this time of year… What is Lebkuchen? Is it like Gingerbread? The answer is yes… sort of. You shouldn’t expect a snappy gingerbread man when someone offers you a Lebkuchen cookie. Lebkuchen is not crispy or crunchy and tends to be round or rectangular (seldom person-shaped). It’s a rich, soft, spicy, sweet, and filling cookie (or…
Category: German Holidays and Festivals
Countdown to Christmas With a Playmobil Advent Calendar
When my kids were young, their Oma gave them a Playmobil Advent Calendar. This had to be the exciting HIT of the Season. Imagine, every day, a box containing a little Playmobil part would be opened (they took turns… ) and the piece would be added to the scene that was developing on the side table in the family…
Start a Family Tradition- Ravensburger Christmas Puzzles
Every year we bring out a new Ravensburger Christmas Puzzle to work on during the days and nights leading up to Christmas. A table is set up, and the pieces are sorted (edge verses middle)… and off we go. Ravensburger …the German company based in Ravensburg… makes high quality puzzles with beautiful Christmas images. They hold up well to lots…
All About Oktoberfest-Oktoberfest History,Traditions, Food & More
When summer draws to an end, it’s time to think about Fall Festivals in Germany. And the BIGGEST Fall Festival is, Oktoberfest. People from all over the world descend on Munich to celebrate this crazy fun event! And… these days, Oktoberfest celebrations are popping up all over the world. Rather than have people searching for any information they need about…
Soft German Pretzel Recipe (without Lye)
While I’ve always known that German pretzels exist, I had them at Fairs or Karneval and such; it wasn’t until I went to Munich that I discovered just how central soft German pretzels are in daily life in Bavaria. They aren’t just Oktoberfest Food. Soft Pretzels are found in the Bread Basket beside the Brötchen and Roggenbrot! BAM! That was…
When is the Oktoberfest in Munich? It’s in September!!
Germans are notoriously precise with their speech, after all, this is the language that gave us words like Schwangerschaftverhütungsmittel (Pregnancy Preventing Remedy) and Dudelsack (A bag that makes a doodling sound, aka Bagpipes), so it’s incredibly confusing to so many people OUTSIDE Germany that Oktoberfest does not start in October. So, when is the Oktoberfest in Munich? It’s in September!…
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…
What is a Charivari? Learn more about these Lederhosen Chains
When you are at a German Festival, and see people in Bavarian Tracht, you may notice that some men wear what looks like a chain of charms on their Lederhosen. What is that Lederhosen chain called? And what does it symbolize? As I’m curious by nature, I did some digging. The chain of trinkets or charms is called a Charivari…
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…
German Kinder Eggs- Delicious Chocolate Eggs with a Toy Inside
Seldom has a simple candy caused so much joy and so much frustration at the same time. German Kinder Eggs were such a HUGE part of my childhood. We loved getting those fabulous eggs made from smooth and sweet Kinder Chocolate, and as a bonus, there was a capsule inside containing a cute little toy that we could put together!…