Can You Work On Sunday?

So far 7 straight days of working... and another 6 to go...

I'm not going to make it!  Why was it again I thought working Sunday 1am-9am was a good idea??? Oh yea... money.

I feel like a zombie, and can't find a reason as to why I'm still awake...

So... gute Nacht und bis Morgen!

Oh yea... Happy Halloween!!

Oktoberfest in September and Christmas in October?

Sooo guess what just came in the mail.  Food Network Magazine.... Thanksgiving edition!

Perrrrrfect... just what I needed!  I'll be scouring this issue for my Thanksgiving dinner.  Then, I'll be posting my Thanksgiving line-up (in case others are in need!).

Right about now in the bakery... I can tell we're about to get hit pretty hard.  It's only October and we've started Christmas products.  Already?!  I guess we were starting this early last year, but honestly... I don't remember.  I was a crazy mess this time last year because I spoke about 10% of the German I do now.  It's nice to be able to look back and see the difference... But what's the deal?  Oktoberfest is in September and Christmas starting in October?

The amount of Kekse we are and will be making is crazy...  At our bakery we make packages around Christmas time to give out as presents.  Check it out:

Looks great right?  You can image with how large we are... how many of those small cookies we have to make this time of year....  But they are delicious! And let's face it... I would love to get this as a gift, even if I do work in the bakery.

Thanksgiving in Germany

As a wonderful thanks to some of my coworkers at the bakery, I am hosting an All American Thanksgiving dinner.  None of them have ever had a traditional Thanksgiving... and I want to show them the right way!  Our Thanksgiving won't be on Thanksgiving day, in fact, it will be about a week earlier and on a Saturday... Don't judge me, we work during the week... and we don't get the Thrusday-Friday-long-weekend-deal that you all will be getting in America.

Also, since turkeys are not on high alert in Germany during this time of year... and there's no way I can get an enormous Butterball in Bremerhaven... I need to pre-order my turkey.  Problem? Yes. First-off where am I going to find one big enough for ten people?... second... the ovens tend to run a bit small in comparison to ours in the U.S.

Solution?  I'm not sure... 2 smaller turkeys?  But then that takes away the WOW effect... What to do in my turkey dilemma...?

Now for the side dishes and pies.  I need to have mashed potatoes... CHECK! And sweet potatoes... CHECK!  And stuffing... CHECK! Apple Pie... CHECK! I made that beauty last year...

But that's not going to be enough...

Here's what I'm saying... I'm looking for some all-star Thanksgiving recipes... Give me your best of the best!

Who are these people?

Today in Politik the teacher put a sheet of paper in front of us with the pictures of 16 of the members of the Federal Government in Germany...

While everyone started to eagerly fill-in the paper, I stared at it...

The teacher walked right over to me and asked me, "Do you know anyone on this paper?"

Of course not.
"Unfortunately not."

"Yes, you absolutely know at least one person on this paper."

No.
"Ummmmm"

"You have to know someone."

I don't.
"Maybe."

"Who is the first person?"

I know there is a Chancellor in Germany.  I know the Chancellor is a woman. But, that is the extent of what I know.  I figured number 1 had to be her... so I took a guess.
"Well I think it's the Kanzerlin?"

"And what is her name?"

Not a clue.
"Ummmm." Someone whispered the answer in my ear. "Angela Merkel."

"But you have, of course, heard the name before... right?"

Never. It honestly doesn't ring a bell.
"Yes."

"Okay good."

So today, I basically just confirmed to about all 25 of those in my class that one American stereotype is true.  I felt like an idiot.

It's Pumpkin Time!

This month is all about the pumpkin... or Kurbis in German.  Not only should pumpkins be found on every doorstep in America this month, but they should also be found in meals all over the world!

I'm not just talking about the fabulous pumpkin pie (even though it is a winner).  I'm talking about creative ways to incorporate pumpkins in your meals this month, and next.

Why not host a Halloween dinner party?  Or, why not surprise you family by whipping up a meal completely made up of pumpkin dishes?

Pumpkins are apart of our curriculum this week in school, and I have to say, I picked up on some good information.  We traveled yesterday to a farm to have a small lecture of pumpkin and all the different kinds of pumpkins.  We tasted them (yes raw... and I admit they're not bad raw)... and found out which ones are best for what.

May I make a suggestion??
Head to the nearest pumpkin farm, or farm that just sells pumpkins/ squash.  This way you can choose the right pumpkin for your purpose!  Want to make pumpkin pie?  Do not go for the large Halloween pumpkins.  Try the small "baking" pumpkins.  They have less water in them and more sugar... and therefor taste waaay better in pumpkin pie (I learned that the hard way).  Want to make soup or try-out spaghetti squash?  Just ask the people on the farm... chances are they will be able to steer you in the right direction, because not all pumpkins are for eating.

We all know about the typical pumpkin dishes...
-Pumpkin Pie
-Pumpkin Roll
-Pumpkin Soup

But what about trying something different and maybe more creative that will impress...
-Pumpkin-potato pancakes with a honey-cream cheese dip (we made this today!)
-Mini-Stuffed Pumpkins (you could go the dessert route or a appetizer route with this one by stuffing the pumpkin with you favorite ingredients and then baking it)
-Pumpkin Bread/ Rolls
-Pumpkin Ravioli (I've never made my own pasta before, so I don't know how difficult this is, but I have had pumpkin raviolis before and they are to die for!)

The list goes on... My suggestion?  Choose you or your family's favorite meal, then find a way to incorporate the pumpkin!





Wish my luck on my Pumpkin Pie presentation on Thursday!  (All in German!! Ahhhh!)

Torte in Kiel

Last weekend I took a last minute trip to Kiel to visit some friends.

To my delight I enjoyed a fabulous Nusstorte or nut cake.  It was delicious!  The best part?  Well, other than the nut cream with the sponge cake and chocolate... I would definitely have to choose the Marzipan. Oh how I loooove Marzipan!

Number 4: Kehlsteinhaus (Eagles Nest) and Hallstadt

My last post on my trip to the south includes the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagles Nest) and Hallstadt, Austia.  These were by far the best views of the entire trip!  Seriously breathtaking...

The Kehlsteinhaus, is better known to Americans as the Eagles Nest.  This house was built by Nazis to give to Hitler as a gift on his 50th birthday as a place to retreat.  The reason the house was never destroyed, is because it was turned into a restaurant... today, it still stands as a restaurant.

Hallstadt is a cute, by very small town right on a lake in Austria.  If you are nearby... don't skip this town! It's worth the trip!  They also mine salt in the side of one of the mountains that is in these pictures.

Number 3: Hohenwerfen Fortress and Salzburg

After Munich we rented cars and drove to Salzburg, Austria.  I think that Austia may be one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.  The scenery was breathtaking and the weather (thankfully) was even better!
Wait! Let's not forget all of the wonderful Konditorei in Salzburg.  Fantastic! and just about one of every corner...

Along the way, we made a stop of the Hohenwerfen Fortress in Werfen, Austria.

Then, on to Salzburg!

Enjoy!