Monthly Archives: November 2024

November 30 … & Thanksgiving!

Posted on by
Reply

We woke to a windy and cold day: it’s 0° if you are here. (32° if you are in the states.) That’s cold, but the sky is clear so no snow will be seen.

Dan immediately got to work on his super Brussels sprouts. The bread that he made yesterday (and didn’t finish until rather late) looks wonderful. His sweet potatoes went back in the oven. Greg headed out in the freezing cold to pick up breakfast.

More prep work occurred, and eventually Greg and I walked across the street to get some coffee. It was easier than trying to work around all the food prep. Then we sat down for breakfast.

See this photo I’m thinking I sure do need to learn to sit up straight. Hah!

Then it was more food prep. Jan was starting her turkey. Out of vegetables. SO cute! Greg worked on his dressing. Dan finished his Brussels sprouts. And I figured out what I would bring for our next, somewhat short trip tomorrow. (Stay tuned for the destination!)

Oh … and Dan started some laundry. That’s one of the any advantages of staying with family!

No matter how much one plans, the made rush at the end is always there. So it was with this. But it’s not like a concert, right? No one will fire us if we arrive a bit on the late side with all the food!

But, really, we weren’t “late-late” as I might put it, and no matter if we were: we were the first to arrive.

What fun to see Vanessa, Avni, Levin, Maya, and Hannah … and how the kids have grown since we last saw them in the summer of ‘23. Levin gave me a tour of the house, which was so darn sweet, and proudly showed me his English vocabulary books. Hooray for Levin!



After Lydia and Peter arrived we went to see Hannah’s kindergarten’s Christmas tree, then enjoyed gluhwein at their Christmas market, and headed to the Schwetzingen Palace to walk around the grounds. We were last here in 2013 in the heat of summer, so this was quite different!

Then back to the house we went, and let the food prep begin. When Anna, Hendrik, and Lillith arrived we had a toast and started with some tasty bites.

Finally on to so many different selections of food I didn’t even get to them all. The turkey had ended its cooking time on the grill and it was just perfect. Everything from start to finish was amazingly delicious. And I now feel like a stuffed turkey.

Back home I packed up for our next excursion: we catch the streetcar at 8:15 AM or so and I want to be ready!

We ended with a glass of port before bed. Quite the fine day!

Side note: as of today I’ve worn every bit of clothing (not counting my rain jacket since we’ve not hit significant rain yet) I’ve brought, and some I’ve worn quite a bit. I’ve also worn both pair of shoes. It always makes me happy to know nothing should have been left at home..



The Rest of the Story (November 29)

Posted on by
Reply

So … I had napped. And then, apparently, I spaced out enough to not write here. (FYI, I start writing earlier in the day and as I have time I add more.)

When I came out of our room only Dan was here. I knew Greg had left earlier to do some things, and Dan told me Jan was out getting something for lunch. Soon after she returned and we enjoyed some yummy food.

We hung out a bit. Greg came back. And I will be honest here and say now I’m sort of going semi-blank and can’t put down exactly what we did and in what order! But I know I tried to fix my soup to make it better. Didn’t really succeed. I’m not sure what is wrong, but it’s just not right! So it goes.

I know Dan worked on the bread and Greg worked on a few things. Jan prepped for her mashed potatoes. But some of this probably happened at this point and some happened after our excursions out. Maybe. I think.

We hung out more. Jan eventually went out on a walk. After she left I realized I really should do the same or I was going to go stir crazy. Greg opted for a short bike ride, and Dan said he’d meet up with me in a bit.

I headed out in the opposite direction as our normal route. It was nothing tremendously exciting, but I do like seeing the houses here, and I went up a street that took me to a somewhat nice view.

I then headed back down and to the main street to get back to our place, but saw Dan on the corner so we continued walking down the street, past where we usually turn, and rambled a bit.

Eventually we ended up at a sweet coffee shop we had peered into at other times. Dan had an espresso while I had secco, and we shared a treat.

While there I texted Greg and suggested we order pizzas (no way was I thinking anyone should cook more after we spent so much time working on various things we are bringing to our Thanksgiving feast!).

And then home we went. Greg picked up pizzas. We ate. We yakked.

And we headed to bed. And no, I didn’t sleep well. Go figure.

November 29 & A Lazy Day

Posted on by
Reply

Well, well, well … I finally only woke once last night (well, literally it was morning, around 5:00 AM) and was up for maybe an hour. So hooray for that.

Today was our food prep day which, for Dan, meant stay here and manage the bread. I worked on my soup, Greg worked on a dish, and Jan kept up with the checklist so we didn’t forget anything (we hope!).

Oh … and Jan brought the turkey out of the cooler and said it was still frozen. So what to do? How about put water in the tub and place it there? Yep, that’ll do. And guess what that IS?!

Are you ready?

Can you handle a pattyjoke?

Sure?

Okay ….

It’s a Turkish bath! (And please don’t tell me I need to explain that joke to you. Hah!)


I did wake with a headache that I thought was due to the limoncello we were served (gratis) after dinner last night, but eventually I decided it was actually just one of my (thankfully rare) migraines. Ibuprofen and sleep are the best remedies, so after our breakfast, food prep work (help, my soup is boring!), and a bit of iPad goofing off I went to take a rest.

… the time Patty forgot to add the rest of the day … will add more when I get up! It’s 3:53 AM and I need to try and sleep more.

Happy Thanksgiving … For Some Of You

Posted on by
Reply

We began our morning with coffee and breads. I’m so thankful that we are able to do our travels, and extremely grateful that Jan and Greg are willing to house us … and, yes, feed us. For us, though, Thanksgiving will be on Saturday since the Germany gang doesn’t get today off.

We discussed all our tasks for meal preparation. I am making carrot ginger soup and glazed carrots (yes, I know they are both using carrots but they will have different things to sway them in different directions). Dan is doing bread, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes. Greg is doing the turkey, cranberry relish, red cabbage, gravy, and I’m guessing he will also choose the wine. Jan is doing mashed potatoes and making sure we all get things done! (She’s the list keeper for this and I’m glad she’s put that together. It’s a lot of things to keep track of.) Some things are already prepared, some are in process, and some will get done tomorrow or Saturday morning.

After a while Dan suggested we go back to Mannheim since we really didn’t see much of it so while Greg got ready to take what turned out to be a long bike ride Jan, Dan, and I went to catch a street car. The number 5 goes to Mannheim. Um … sort of. It worked the first time we took it. This time it took the longest route possible, it seems. But we did finally get there, and I got to nap a bit (I still am not sleeping well … last night I was up between about 2 and 4 and then again from 5 to 6).

Arriving in Mannheim right near the water tower we went right there and checked out the Christmas market there. We bought our flammenkuchen (terrifically healthy stuff! HAH!) and then had glühwein We wandered by all the stands but, honestly, I wasn’t really interested in all the stuff people sell, and I wondered if people really buy some of the things … but what do I know?! (Don’t answer. Heh.)

After that it was back to the street car and deliberately read the destinations and, sure enough, we were choosing the number 5 to go back to Heidelberg. But … well … wait! At one stop the number changed to a different one and suddenly it veered incorrectly and we weren’t going to get home! So we had to get out and walk to another spot and grab a street car that would actually get us home. I guess I will never understand them … but Greg, when we arrived home, suggested we should have taken the train which would have been faster. Go figure!

Once we got home I decided to make the glazed carrots. The more we make ahead of time the better, I do believe. So after that and after a bit of glühwein we decoded we’d take everyone out to dinner (who wants to make dinner when preparing dinner for another day … RIGHT?!).

Dinner was at an Italian restaurant called Salerno’s, just down the street. And we all ate a lot and it was great fun.

Home meant a bit of cremont and some that incredibly expensive fruit & nut Alsacian treat that I foolishly bought. Okay … maybe not so foolishly since we all really like it! We are thinking it might be baerewecke. Sure fits the description!

Tomorrow is a big cooking day. I’m really hoping I sleep better tonight, but I’m not counting on it, considering the huge meal we ate at Salerno’s!

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends in the not so United States. Enjoy your day!

November 27

Posted on by
Reply

Today was a rather slow day. We woke and after coffee went to the local market (the outdoor sort) to purchase things for Thanksgiving which, for us, will take place Saturday.

We also picked up a few sweet things for breakfast.

After eating breakfast we went to get some flour so Dan can make bread for Saturday, and Jan picked up the flowers Greg had ordered for the house. (He always has flowers in the house and I just love it!)

After getting back home I eventually started to make my ginger carrot soup, with Jan helping (thanks, Jan!). I got it partially done and now it will sit until closer to our feast day.

I worked on some other things via my iPad and for some reason that caused me to get a headache so it was rest time for me. Greg was out doing errands, and Dan was on a walk. Jan was here at the house doing whatever she was doing and putting up with tired old me!

Upon Greg’s return we all walked down to the Christmas markets.

We had kartoffelpuffer (potato pancake) with applesauce for Dan and me and garlic sauce for Jan and Greg, so we aren’t talking to them any more. (KIDDING!) Oh, and we also had gluhwein. All was yummy.


Walking home … and yes, there are lots of cyclists here, even at night.

Finally back home we went (dropping in to some places for various things on the way). Bread, gluhwein ingredients … important stuff!

For dinner we had cheese, bread, salami, and some wine from our neck ‘o the woods that we had brought here. Then it was dessert. I did a rather stupid thing and bought an Alsacian treat that included nut and fruits but I have no idea what it’s called. I DO know it costs a monumental amount and I foolishly didn’t ask before buying. But so it goes … it’ll last a very long time on this trip, I’m sure. In any case, we had some of that, some jellies, and chocolates we purchased as well.


How much weight will I gain, I wonder?!

And then we all sat in the living room having lovely conversation. Or … um … maybe we were a bit tired for that! Hah! (It’s a crazy wide angle shot, I know, but it’s how I could get the dynamic three in the photo.)



November 26 & a Birthday

Posted on by
Reply

Today was departure day. But before that … time to go to the bakery with Greg and pick up some yummy breakfast treats. We also walked around Riquewihr, because I had yet to see it in the daylight.



Today is also Jan’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Jan!

After we ate and packed up we drove back to the village (Ribeavillé) where we bought wine yesterday, because Greg was picking up a few more bottles of wine. Of course we had to sample the wine he was buying, too.


Then we drove to another village: Orschwiller. I mean … why not, right? Greg and Jan buy wine from a place there, so we did a good amount of tasting there as well, and Dan and I purchased three bottles to enjoy while we are here (we don’t want to bring anything home since we are hoping for carryon only going back), and Greg will have his bottles shipped since our car was plenty full already!

Also on the way home we stopped in Karlsruhe, saw some of the Christmas market, and ate at a place indoors since it was a bit cool for eating outside and the Christmas market didn’t have any indoor seating until later.

Finally it was time to get to Heidelberg. Greg prepared dinner (fondue). Dan and I had the lovely task of setting up fraud alerts because we received emails yesterday that our social security numbers have make it to places we don’t want them to be. Fun.

Then it was a great dinner and celebrating Jan’s birthday.

Travels for Today

Posted on by
Reply

After our breakfast we all got in the car and went to yet another little town. Ribeauvillé is “one of the oldest medieval towns” in Alsace. It was pretty quiet there when we arrived, and we slowly ambled up (or was it down? Or across? I haven’t a clue!) the main street.

As you see in one of these photos, I did finally get a teddy bear photo. Still, I haven’t gotten one that shows a multitude of teddy bears for some reason. I haven’t a clue why they are a “thing” here in Alsace, but every town we drove through has them. They are hanging outside, they are inside in the windows, and sometimes they are piled up. It’s a big thing, for sure.

Our wandering finally took us to a winery Greg and Jan like. We sampled six wines. You don’t have to pay for tastings here. Go figure. We bought three bottles to share. Greg and Jan bought more — but they have a place to store them. We weren’t up for checking luggage in order to bring some home. I wish I’d taken photos inside, but all I have is the building exterior.

We ate lunch at a place on the main drag, and then Greg went to get to car so he could pick up the wine, and Jan, Dan, and I went to get some other things so we could have a dinner in our little home for one more night.

From there we took a long route home. It was lovely. Until I got restless legs. From then on I was pretty miserable and just had to hang on until we could get home. I’ve not had RLS for a while. But so it goes. I survived. Got back. Took a hot bath, and I was feeling better, albeit a bit queasy from the stress of it all. A short rest seemed to take care of that issue. I think I have to be careful not to eat too much if I have a long sit following a meal, especially if it’s rather rich. (This is one reason the lie flat seats are better for me: if I got this on the plane and was in a different section I’d be toast. If I get RLS on the plane the solution is simply to go to sleep.)

Next up … a simple dinner with the wine we purchased from Domaine Jean Sipp, bread from the same town, cheese from yesterday’s adventures, and sausages of various sorts. It’s our final evening here … and I do hope that we someday return to Alsace, but you just never know.

Tomorrow it’s time to pack up and head back to Heidelberg. Perhaps some adventures between the two places: time will tell. (But when do we not have adventures?!)

Food Photos

Posted on by
Reply

I’m not going to write more at the moment about our fabulous experience, but enjoy the photos if you’d like. If you ever go to Riquewihr be sure and get a reservation for La Tabla du Gourmet! The service was great, the food amazing, and it was a memorable experience that I know I’ll never forget.

And of course the reason we enjoyed this meal: Jan & Greg!

Sunday, November 24

Posted on by
1

We woke at a fairly decent time today, and Greg had already walked to pick up some croissants. When he returned we sat down to a nice little breakfast.

A bit after that we all got into the car and went on a little drive, eventually getting to the town of Eguisheim. What a fascinating place, designed in circles. We wanted a good amount, enjoying lots of Christmas decorations. The Christmas markets aren’t open yet, but that doesn’t stop them from putting up tons of decorations. We sampled some sort of very heavy, probably fruit based bread with nuts. It was quite delicious. I’m not exactly sure what’s in it, but I am sure I paid an arm and a leg! Who knew? I need to ask before I buy.

I thought of my brother Timothy at one point …

Being as it is Sunday not as much was open, so finding lunch wasn’t as easy as it might have been, but we did eventually find something that worked. Because we have our very fancy, Michelin star reservation tonight (!) we knew we needed something but not too much. I merely had a simple bowl of soup. That was quite sufficient.

From Eguisheim we went to Kaysersberg. Another sweet town, and more decorations. We noticed at both Eguisheim and Kayserberg that bears seem to be a popular subject for decorations — they were sitting on windows sills above us, featured in store windows, and very rarely was there a place where we didn’t see any. I guess I might look that up and see if there’s a story behind the bears. And, typical me, I neglected to take photos of the bears. Oops!

As we continued walking we went past cheese, meat, and bread places and we enjoyed more samples. And of course we had to get a selfie.

We walked to the end of the cute part of town and when coming back purchased a few things. How can one resist excellent cheese and chocolates, after all? Both towns were just charming!

Then it was back to the house to rest, relax, say goodbye to the light, and eventually dress for dinner.

Now dinner … well … it was pretty darn amazing. We arrived at La Table du Gourmet at 7:15. We left at close to 11:00. And we were the only four in the entire place! We did the 9 course meal, which means more than 9 courses. And I did take photos. Photos and more will have to wait, though, as I do need to get to bed. Just know it was an incredible time and something one does maybe a once or twice in a lifetime. Or … okay … maybe more for some folks, since I think this was Greg and Jan’s third or fourth time. But for us? I suspect that’s the only time we will have the opportunity to go to this particular restaurant. (Good thing, since we really can’t afford to do more!)

For now, though, I say goodnight!

A Bit of a Move

Posted on by
Reply

After waking this morning, doing some packing, and going with Greg to the area outdoor market, we packed up the car and headed out of Heidelberg. France, here we come!

First, though, we went to Henrik, Anna, and Lillith’s house. It was the first time we met my grand niece Lillith and the first time we saw the house as well. It was a lovely time. Did I think to take photos? Well, um, sadly no. But I can tell you that the house is quite nice, and Lillith is adorable and definitely enjoyed Jan’s company!

Then off to our destination we went … and hello Riquewahr! The house we are staying in is quite adorable, as are the owners, who are living beneath us in the first floor. The four of us enjoyed the complimentary sparking wine and treats, and just relaxed a bit.



Eventually we headed out. We first looked at a dinner spot we wanted: they weren’t yet open, but we saw they opened at 6:00 and determined to get back as soon as the doors were open. Then we did a few errands — Jan bought milk for our coffee and I bought an Alsace Pinot Noir (I think … I need to look at the bottle again to verify!) wine for later. Then Jan and Dan went back to the restaurant (while Greg and I went to buy a corkscrew, not knowing if our rental had one), and we were fortunate enough to get in to a very nice place for some quite tasty food. La Grappe D’Or was really great, and I’m so glad we could get in! Greg and Jan said they’ve tried before, but hadn’t ever found an opening. This time Jan and Dan got there right as they opened and they said as long as we were seated immediately we could dine there. DONE! (I had duck which was delicious.)

Then back “home” we went, and enjoyed the bottle of wine I purchased. Now it’s time to attempt to sleep. So far I’ve not done well on that, but maybe tonight is the night …?!