Years ago, German girls were introduced to the all-important (and not always loved) concept of Handarbeit with a Strickliesel. (Handarbeit literally means handwork or handicraft, but in this instance, it means needlework/sewing or embroidery). What is a Strickliesel? These sweetly painted spool looms taught the basics of knitting by turning a simple piece of yarn into a knitted cord. Luckily, these…
Category: German Products I Love
Products that remind me of “home”
Make Salt Dough Crafts- Create Your own Ornaments with Saltzteig
Since the time of the Ancient Egyptians, Salt Dough or Salzteig, has been used for decorations, and many other cultures have used this simple technique. In Germany you will see Salzteig creations everywhere, made by both children and adults. From the very simple cookie cutter cut out ornaments, to elaborate wreaths made with layers of leaves and fruits. These art…
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.…
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…
How to play the Stadt Land Fluss Game
When I was a child, we would often play the Stadt Land Fluss Game (City Country River). Saturday Morning German School meant a half-hour drive in each direction. Luckily, we would carpool with other kids, so we kept busy playing the “Stadt Land Fluss” game. All we needed was a few sheets of paper from our composition books and a…
Kinder Chocolate Made for Kids! Where to Buy Kinder Chocolate
Kinder Schokolade came into the world the same year I did… 1967. You could say we grew up together, which must explain why I love it so much. This wonderful chocolate confection is almost too sweet… but… it’s delightful for a child with a sweet tooth. (And even now when I want a bomb of sweetness). My Opa used…
Where to buy German Maggi Seasoning Liquid
Most every household in Germany has a bottle of Maggi Seasoning liquid in their kitchen cabinet or on the counter. I have two… For the few of you who aren’t familiar with Maggi… official named Maggi-Würze, think of it as German Soy Sauce (although it’s NOT soy sauce). In fact, it’s official description is “a dark, soy sauce-type hydrolysed vegetable…
Memories of my Oma’s Keller – The Wonders of the German Basement
You could blindfold me, spin me in a circle three times, and drop me through time and space into Oma’s Keller, and I would still instantly know where I was, just by the smell and feel of the air; cold, with a hint of damp, the smell of earth and laundry soap, and maybe a little oil? The door…
Spaghetti Eis Recipe- How to Make This German Ice Cream Dessert
I know it’s for kids, but whenever I’m in Germany, I have to eat Spaghetti Eis at least once a visit! Honestly, Eis in Germany is the best!! The Spaghetti Eis Recipe (Ice Cream) for those of you who have never had it is not actually spaghetti. It’s delicious vanilla ice cream pushed through a press to look like pasta.…