Blackout shades

If there is one item I wish I could import from Germany to the United States, this would be it for sure!!! These are blackout shades that are on the outside of the windows here. In the summertime, it's light outside until about 10:30 p.m. so they are a necessity. The days are getting shorter fast here though. Fall is definitely in the air.

Thomas injured his shoulder last Friday night playing soccer. We just got back from the dr. and she assured us the injury will heal on its own with a little physical therapy. We are thankful he doesn't need surgery. I thought all this time the shoulder was dislocated, but it is NOT in fact. Medical terms such as "Schultergelenksprengung" are hard to translate! After about 6 weeks, he should be feeling lots better! Guess this soccer season, he's out..... but I doubt he retires for good. I have advised him to stick with golf. Whether or not he listens, is yet to be determined!!

Happy Birthday Jackson!!!

Today is my nephew's birthday. Wish we were there to celebrate with you Jackson! Check for a little mail this week! We love and miss you!

Beasts!

My mother-in-law likes to call these "kleine Bestie", or little beasts. She keeps a little tiny knife in her vegetable garden as her weapon of choice. I don't blame her.... I wouldn't want these 5-inch long, slimy slugs anywhere near my cukes and beans either!!! This one we found alongside a field. I have never seen one this size in the U.S..... thank goodness!

Fields of Flowers

In summertime here, people grow enormous fields of flowers so that people can go and pick their own. The cost is minimal and the flowers are amazing! This post is for my good friend Donna! Maybe one day she can have her own beautiful cutting garden in Proctor!!! I would be her first customer!

Bremen ist sehr schoen!

We have been to Bremen several times for day trips since we've been here. It is only about 45 minutes from here, and is the closest city to us. The shops and restaurants have a lot to offer.

BUCKEYE IS MY DADDY!

The tag on this cow listed the daddy's name as BUCKEYE!!! So... this post is for all of our dear friends still in Ohio! We miss you all!!!

Kuhe

Thomas' brother is a dairy farmer and we recently snuck over to see the cows again. Every summer when we come to Germany, we drink the milk and visit the cows. We especially like meeting the new calves. If you put your hand up to their mouths, they will suck on your entire hand.

Sunday afternoon in Celle

What a beautiful town! We did some window shopping and had some yummy ice cream. I want to go back during the Christmas Market! There were so many "Fachwerkhauser", or timbered houses... very pretty!

Anne and Margot Frank Memorial

Anne Frank memorial. I am reading the book "Meine Zeit mit Anne Frank" by Miep Gies right now. She and her husband hid the Frank family during the war.

Bergen Belsen

Last weekend we drove about an hour to Bergen, Germany to visit the site of the concentration camp Bergen Belsen. It was an eerie feeling being in the exact same location where so many people suffered such horrible and unthinkable acts. Thomas pointed out while we were there that all of this happened just a little over 20 years before the year he was born... and just 60 miles from where he grew up. The memorial itself was full of information, but after about 30 minutes of reading the original documents on display and seeing photos, artifacts and video clips of both survivors and those who perished, I had had enough. It took a bit for the lump in my throat to go away... and I still have the images in my head.

Leslie B!

We were so excited when Leslie called us this week and said she wanted to pop over for a visit. She made it here safe and sound. We took her on a bike ride to Thomas' childhood home yesterday, then she napped out on the patio. We had a glass or two of "Federweisser" after that and she's still sleeping like a baby!

BRATS!

These bratwurst are one meter long!!! Can you say Yum!!!???

Brokser Heiratsmarkt

We recently went to a fair here with the Goerlers... Here are some of the highlights!

Goerlers

Meet our new neighbors and friends.... The sweet Goerler family! I am a firm believer that God puts people in your life for a reason and I know He gave us the Goerlers. They are so fun and have been so helpful to us. The kids all get along well and Sarah and Hannah are in hog heaven when they can just play outside with the Goerler kiddos.

Spargel

If you have never had the tender, white asparagus that is grown here in Germany, then you are missing out!!! This is a field of asparagus. We won't be enjoying this until May.

This if for my hay-loving friends. (You know who you are!)

People constructed out of hay signaling the upcoming "Erntedankfest".... translation.... Thanksgiving.

Schwarzberren

Last week, Thomas pointed out some wild blackberries along the road, so we went back today with a container and picked the ones we could reach. Should have brought gloves and worn long pants and boots though! You cannot believe how sweet they are.... not at all like the ones you buy at the store. Cobbler is already in the oven......

This is the church where Thomas was confirmed at age 13. It's over 1,000 years old.

Thomas and I just returned from a bike ride and took some pictures of some things in our area along the way..... It is so peaceful here.... especially when riding a bike through the fields with a cool breeze blowing in your face and the sunshine and blue sky as a backdrop.

Hannah at school

Hannah is really enjoying 3rd grade here in Germany. After a parent open house this week, her teachers assured me Hannah is keeping up and doing very well. She has made some really sweet friends here and says that PE is her favorite subject. She rides her bike every morning to school with her friend Benny and is done my 12:15 every day.

It's supposed to be the hottest day of the summer here in Germany today, therefore... riding lessons are canceled and we will be hitting the "Naturfreibad", or the man-made lake/beach here. Last weekend, the girls earned their silver badge after swimming 4oo meters and accomplishing other various swimming "aufgabe" or tasks as given by the "Bademeister." I am already thinking about going to bed tonight without any AC!

Our first eight weeks in Germany

Last spring before school year's end, my supervisor suggested I blog our year abroad in Germany. I am totally new to this, but thought it might be interesting to document our year here. Finding a starting point is the hardest part.... I hope!
My husband, Thomas, who is almost fully "Americanized" after living in the States for over 10 years, grew up about 4 kilometers from our rental house. It has helped our situation immensely since we already knew a handful of people who still abide here. He too is adjusting to being a German in Germany!
So..... after being here about 8 weeks now, we have become accustomed to life here and are enjoying the simple things in life. We are learning how to live like the folks here in our small village of Eystrup, Germany. Our town has about 3,500 Einwohner, or residents. The cows, pigs, sheep, horses and roosters outnumber those of us with 2 legs!
Before our arrival, many Eystrupers were well aware that we were on our way. For instance, when I visited the bookstore here for the first time, they knew my name and where we were living.... oh and my brother-in-law chose one of them to be his queen at the Schuetzen festival in 1970 something.... Wow!! We also have a Munich license plate which is also easily recognizable here, so I have heard the phrase, "Oh, you are the ones that have the Munich "Kennzeichnen".... ja, das ist uns.... the Americans. I also get a few funny looks when I open my mouth to speak German with a hint of Southern twang (okay, a lot of Southern twang!). They understand me though and are afraid to ask too many questions. Germans don't tend to pry, so I just smile and say Tschuss!!! (bye bye!)
Since we have been here, we purchased our daughters new German style bikes with fancy headlights, baskets for carrying things and bells that signal pedestrians to move off the bike path. These two bikes cost about as much as my very first car... and that is NO joke! It is a biker's dream here. The paths lead you through the fields and wind through the tiny towns and along the Weser River.
I will end tonight with one funny memory from an afternoon at the pool in a neighboring town. We have learned that our German friends aren't quite as modest as we Americans. Girls 5 or 6 and under often swim topless, and boys and girls alike lay out on their beach towels in their birthday suits. Oh, and the bigger boys also pull their swimtrunks down to reveal their little hineys before going down the large, curvy slide... this so they slip and slide better. I have to remind Hannah often that it's not polite to stare.
So..... Sarah says to Hannah, "Hey, let's go over and play in the sand."
Hannah: "But those "necked" kids are playing over there."
Sarah: "So what. Let's go!"
I think it's safe to say that at least one of our children is getting Germanized!
More to come......