Snapshots of Landstuhl

This weekend has been a blur to say the least.  The girls had their friends come visit for the weekend.  Their family divides their time between France and Germany so they had all sorts of fascinating things to share – like great places to get groceries and clothing. You can fumble around for months, or you can ask someone who lives here.  Or be me and try both approaches. : )  

Anyway, it was a frigid walk in downtown Landstuhl and those four girls picked up some speed.  I didn't think I had really gotten any pictures since I was trying to keep up, but turns out I was wrong. 

You see I did not get pictures of any girls shopping however.  Major fail. 

Landstuhl-retro-2-web

 

Landstuhl-retro-web

Landstuhl-windows-web

Landstuhl-smoke-web
Landstuhl-bistro
Landstuhl-chapel

Landstuhl-walk-alley

patience and faith

K-puzzle-web

"It takes patience to build a puzzle, along with the faith that the right pieces are in the box."

John Clark

This line has been floating around my head all week, and daily I have had a new and different thought about its application to life.  This is my theme this week.  The right pieces are in the box. Be patient piecing them together.  Eventually they fit.

His entire article musing on lessons learned at 40 is well worth reading.

Corners of my (vacation) home

I always enjoy seeing other people's homes and thought it would be especially fun to share some peeks inside the German home we rented over the holidays.  Step inside why don't we? Follow me…

Garmisch-door
Like so many older German homes this one opened into a long hallway with stairs and doors leading into various rooms.  I do so love the pressed, bubbled, and often amber colored glass of the interior doors here. 

Garmisch-kitchen

The kitchen was tiny but cozy. I found myself reading and sipping tea at that table in front of the radiator under the blue curtains whenever we were in the house. 

That is the refrigerator where the double cabinetry is.  Like many European homes, the appliance is faced with the same cabinet front as the rest of the kitchen.  I love that too. Appliances are rarely beautiful even when exorbitantly expensive.  Extending the cabinetry visually unifies the small space. 

Garmisch-armoire-web

I am still thinking about this armoire.  But I have sworn off white slipcovers.  Not gonna happen with this crowd. They make a very nice picture however. 

Garmisch-bench

You know I've never met a piece of redwork I didn't like and this was no exception.  Coincidentally – we had a very similar piece – same quote – hanging in our home growing up.  Our area was settled by many German and Scandanavian immigrants and I suppose that is how it got there.  I think ours was blue however.

Garmisch-steps-web

The stairs – looking down – with the wonderful vintage ski posters.  They wanted to go home with me but I explained it would be very wrong of me them so here they stay.  Next to the very nice half little cabinet under the eaves.  Sigh. 

Garmisch-stairs

And the stairs, twisting and turning, going up. 

Garmsich-rental
Here is an exterior shot of the house visible from the window because if you look out there you can see it was FAR too chilly to stand outside lol.  

There you have it.  The simplicity and sturdiness.  The iconic Bavarian touches.  I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. 

 

“I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage with my books, my family and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give.”

Thomas Jefferson

 

7 Quick Takes

(visit conversiondiary.com for more!) 

1. Insanity

Not the type you might expect from me. ; D  Asher and Alannah started the Insanity Workout 60 day program last night.  I watched. <g>  I considered joining. Still on the fence although I am back on the working out wagon after getting off track with the sicknesses last month. From what I can see this is super high impact and I am not sure it won't spell insanity for an autoimmune arthritic.  (wow, doesn't that sound decrepit? Someone grab my lap robe please….)  So will watch and see.  Will say the diet looks superb. Sort of a South Beach kind of thing. 

2. Da Bears

Overheard the funniest exchange at the Exchange this week.  A man in uniform was walking in as a man in a Bears coat was walking out.  The officer, recognizes the man,  gasps audibly, and says "Sgt So and So??"

"Hi, Sir!" says the Sgt.  

"Sgt., you're a Bears fan? I can't believe it!" he exclaims in shock and dismay.

"Yessir!" he replies. 

"Why, Sgt, I was born and raised in Wisconsin!" as if this explains his utter inability to comprehend what he sees before him.  (Coming from Wisconsin myself, I can tell you it does.)

"Well," says the Sgt ever so softly and sincerely, " I knew something was wrong with you, Sir."

I snorted and scooted on past. ; )   You might need to live in IL or WI to really appreciate this however.

3. Caddyshack

Just as the big snowfalls hit last month we noticed a little mound of dirt by the stoop.  We figured out it was a molehill and I made a mental note to learn something about moles before spring.  Well I learned something.  Snow does not phase moles.  The snow has melted and in its place are over a dozen molehills. Eeks.  

It seems it is forbidden to kill them because they are "part of nature". (like the GRASS I say in retort but whatever…)   So our job now is to "discourage" them from inhabiting our yard.  I thought two small dogs and a group of extra loud kids would do the trick.  After all, that combo discourages a lot of other things. You know, like company. ; o    But not so far.  Open to any and all suggestions.  Fire away!

4. Movie Nite

We watched Freedom Writers the other night.  First good movie I have watched in I don't know how long.  I am generally offended or freaked completely out within a half hour.  I made it through this whole film however and was really impressed.  It reminded me of Marva Collins' Story. The power of a determined teacher is an awe inspiring thing.  

5.  Do your ears hang low? 

His used to.  These are the ears I promised you last week.  Gizmo's paperwork says Papillon but we did not believe it since he was a long haired droopy eared doggie when we met him.  But he was a matted up mess a the time too.  When his mats were shorn his ears popped up erect like that scene in Dumbo when he stands and stretches and whhhhaaaapppp they flap out, prompting the other mama elephants to chortle and shake their heads.  Yeah.  It was like that. Who knew what was under all that hair?  Who knew their vertical potential?  

In all honestly I was horrfied initially.  But he is such a sweet animal and I am starting to get used to his Beverly Hills Chihuahua look.  He even sports a black I Heart You rhinestone collar.  I decided to celebrate his appendages for this week's Fence Friday.  I give you The Ear As Artform lol:

Gizmo-ears-tex-web

6.

this week's lovely links:

My friend Barbara is talking laundry and I am listening, as I do when Barbara talks.  She has been a lifesaver helping me get up to speed with our mutual school program this year.  She is doing a little series on how best to care for our clothes.  This is a topic I am newly interested in. We had well water for years and a septic system so our clothes took a bit of a beating without bleach and the all the minerals.  I am now revisiting my laundry care and choice of detergents etc.  Looking fwd to hearing more.

Humble Pie is a new fave blog of mine.  Love this house.  Love her writing.  

7. A kiss from me to you, says Abbie Rose.  This is for Daddy…

Mwah
fuzzy but funny (and honey I did take down the Christmas decorations after this was taken I promise!) 

Mwah!  Have a fabulous weekend. : ) 

sweet

 

Happy-bday-web

Our sweet Moira had a birthday this week.  We have actually celebrated twice since we had a bigger party on  Brendan's birthday while their Dad was home.  Still we cannot let the day pass without more cake, now can we?  I don't think so. 

Happy-bday-cake-web

It was a simple affair since we spent the afternoon at the dance studio.  Alannah and I had seen a coconut covered chocolate cake on the cover of this month's Family Circle magazine and decided that would be quick work and quite pretty.  She made the layers before we left and frosted when we returned home. I took pictures of it. We all know our jobs. ; D  

Abigéal would like you to know it had very nice 'cannels'. 

A snap of the birthday kids at the first party:

M-and-B-bdays-copy-web