13 Thursday Jun 2013
Posted in Family, Throw Back Thursday
07 Friday Jun 2013
Tags
Airplane, expat, Flying, Home, Plane, plane food, travel, wedding dress
Underwear. Socks. Bikinis. Jeans. Tank tops. Jewelry. Shoes. I’m missing something….ah yes! My sundresses!
For the most part I’m packed and surprisingly I have a LOT of room left in my suitcase….more room to bring things home! I can’t even begin to describe my excitement at the fact that I am going home tomorrow. And then of course there is the ultimate sadness that its only for 2 weeks and I have to return to Germany where I’m homesick and missing my American life. You would think that after over 2 years I would just love it here but it’s honestly and truly a daily effort to get me out of bed and TRY to think positive thoughts. Nothing is or ever will be as good as home.
More than anything…I can’t stop getting excited for PLANE FOOD!!!! Nothing better than watching a movie and having a cute little meal to chow on! I think it takes my mind off of the time for a bit so it helps with the long flight. Anyone else get excited about that?? Or is it just me?!
On the plan for the trip is of course LOTS of wedding planning. Our wedding is over a year a way but I won’t be home to really get things together so I have to do as much as possible. I will DEFINITELY be trying on some wedding dresses which I’m out of my skin about! I can’t wait to do that!! I think that’s the greatest part!
Then Toblerone and I will be going to, as usual, Cape Cod for a few days. Beginning that trip with a Rolling Stones concert and ending it with a Dave Matthews Band concert. Heaven.On.Earth.
My brother, sister-in-law, and favorite (and only!) nephew will be driving up from Maryland to see us which is incredible since we wont have time to make it down their way. And my baby sister is home from college so all the chicks will be in their nest at home with mom. This is going to be REALLY special and I really hope to squeeze in some time with everyone! Lots to do and jet lag WILL NOT get the best of me!
Since this is possibly our only trip to the states this year (there goes my sanity!), I will need to collect items for our fourth of July party and yet another German Thanksgiving!
![IMG_5596[1]](http://thediaryofsugarandspice.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/img_55961.jpg)
Off to finish it all up, get my hair did, and snuggle up this sweet little Harley Jones Noddle ButtButt before he goes on vacation at his Omi and Opi’s house. I’ll have LOTS to show you and blog about…maybe even a sneak peak of wedding dress try ons! 
There She Goes……..
Until next time, Readers!!!! xoxoxoxoxo
06 Thursday Jun 2013
Posted in America, Family, Life, Love, Relationships, Romance, Throw Back Thursday, Travel
Tags
#tbt, 2009, America, beach, Cape Cod, husband, Love, oldschool, Photo, Throwback Thursday, thursday, travel, USA, Vacation, wife
It’s Throwback Thursday again!! And in two days I will be off to America…PRAISE THE LORD!!!!
This weeks throwback is a happy happy joy joy one! This is the hubs and I when we first started dating, circa 2009. We went to Cape Cod for my 25th birthday, which I almost didn’t make it out alive! This was his first time going and its exactly what started the tradition that we go there to vacation every year now! In fact, in the short two weeks that we will be home in the US, we will be there for a few days which is A-MAZ-ING. Seriously necessary!
Anywho, this is us at our favorite beach in Chatham, MA. Happy Throwback Thursday, ya’ll!
Until next time, Readers!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo
04 Tuesday Jun 2013
Back again with more delicious treats of the place I live in! If you missed the other three parts find them here:
And now…on with the show!
I Live In A Place That……..
….When you enter a restaurant or office you say hello or good afternoon. And when you leave…the same. I learned this the hard way. Walked into my doctors office waiting room filled with people and said nothing. I got a few glares and just tried to avoid looking at anyone. Then a lady came in, said good morning, and all responded in chorus. Whoops…don’t mind the unfriendly American!
….Tells you where the radars are on the radio. There are radar stands that replace the need of police but if you are even one notch over the limit these radars will snap your picture and blind you with a bright red light. There are many that are set up temporarily to surprise you from the ones that you know are always there. And these temp ones are called in to the radio and every 15 mins they give you an update on where they are. Isn’t that illegal in some way??! Isn’t the point that you want to catch people??!
….Calls rap/hip hop “Black Music”. I did a post on this before but you can be the judge….
….At lunch time you say “Mahlzeit” and before you eat a meal with other you say, “Guten Appetit.” Which is basically “Good Appetite” or as we say in the US “Enjoy.” 
….They do NOT believe in Air conditioning. In fact, most Germans tell me this is what causes sickness, says the people who wear fashionable scarves all year round and even to bed sometimes! It gets hot here, sometimes. And with no air conditioning..its bad. And we all know, the Europeans don’t have a good reputation for being the best smelling….if you get my drift. Being in trains or small enclosed areas in the summer is a serious NO for me. I’m going to start handing out deodorant! Of course this isn’t ALL the Europeans but a good percentage. Mainly men…true story. 
Until next time, Readers!!!! xoxoxoxo
31 Friday May 2013
I should be on a ten hour bus ride to Berlin right now buttttt we kind of missed the bus. However, I can’t pretend I’m not relieved! From the beginning I had a bad feeling about this little get away and it’s for the better. It’s pouring this weekend anyways so better to just stay in by the fire! Not time to be a tourist! Besides, we are going to the US next weekend and Id rather stay home and get ourselves organized for that! Berlin…you’ll just have to wait!
I have some WÜNDERBAR news!! I wrote a short story (1000 words max is hard to do!) for CausePub which is an inspiring organization that publishes books in order to fund a specific cause. This particular project is going to provide clean water to those in need and what a cool thing that is! I share a crazy story about how I’m not a couch potato and bam! People are drinking clean water!!!Well, almost…
To see more about this particular cause watch this, its empowering:
Yesterday I got the news that my story passed the first step and was approved for the voting process! Now I need your help! The more votes, the higher the possibility that my story makes it into the book. Then a few things will happen:
1. I get to say I’m a published writer!!! Eeeeeek! Dream come true!!
2. I will be able to sleep at night knowing that because of my story (and many other awesome stories) there are people drinking clean water. For every book sold, three families in Africa will drink clean water for a year. How incredible is that?!?!?
3. I can see who votes for me (so you bet I’ll be adding you either to the naughty or nice list…) which means…I will put the names of everyone who voted into a drawing to win some pretty cool German stuff!! This may include a typical German beer stein and other fun things!
Here is how you vote!
Go to this link: Cause Pub Story – Click Here!
Once there…read the story…laugh at the mental image of me going through that strange ordeal.
Then…at the top of the page where there is a big orange button (this should show the number of votes so far). Click the orange button or click on the “thumbs up” orange button right below!
You can verify your vote through Facebook or twitter and then Bam!!! You just helped save a life….or helped to provide clean water but either way, you did a good thing!! Thank you for giving me a fighting chance to also chase my dream a bit!
Until next time, Readers!!!! xoxoxoxoxox
30 Thursday May 2013
Posted in Life, Love, Throw Back Thursday, Writing
Tags
#tbt, 80's, neon, throw back thursday, tie dye, tie dye suit
Decided to do something regular with this blog since up until now I’ve been random and sporadic. So, Every Thursday is throwback Thursday where I share a picture and a blurb of a memory! I mean…everyone is doing it! #tbt…right?
Ahhh…yes….throw back Thursday starting off to a great start! I’m taking you back to the 1980′s. I believe I was at Rehoboth Beach on a trip with the neighbors and my family (help me out mom!). Totally banging outfit. The tie dyed suit REALLY brings out my eyes don’t you think? Awesomesauce…thats all I can say!
Until next time, Readers!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo
27 Monday May 2013
Tags
bayern munich, Champions, championsleague finale, FC Bayern Munchen, Fussball, Munich Germany, Soccer, sports, super bowl, wardrobe malfunctions
This past weekend was the Superbowl of soccer here in Europe. The Champions League Final. I’ve probably learned more than I ever thought I would about soccer since meeting my husband over four years ago but it’s been interesting to see this side of the sport world. The Germans ask me all the time what I really think about soccer here in Germany and I always tell them that it is, without a doubt, better than American football. (Sorry for the football fans but what a waste of time that game is!) The Superbowl in general is (and correct me if I’m wrong) more of a reason for us to drink and eat fatty foods while waiting for the greatest commercial to come on and wardrobe malfunctions to happen. Am I right? Or am I right? The biggest difference is the “entertainment” factor. Here, soccer is all about the sport. There are no half time concerts and no billion dollar 30 second commercials. In the US I feel like football is all about the entertainment and the “show” much like politics are, but what do I know!
This past weekend we had a Champions League Final party. Toblerone’s FAVORITE team, FC Bayern Munich, was playing against Dortmund which is the German rival. Amazingly enough, all the teams in Europe had to fight for the top two positions and somehow two German teams made it. For Germany, this was HUGE. We organized two kegs of the best beer shipped in directly from Munich (3 hours away), we had white wurst with sweet brown mustard and pretzels (typical food from Munich), and salads galore! Toblerone organized a beamer and projector screen to show the game as large as possible right in the middle of our living room. (The things I allow him to do…) It was an event not to miss and my LORD am I thankful FC Bayern won. Otherwise, I think I would have to put my husband into therapy. They take losses so personally here so it was the best for all! Here’s a little glimpse into the weekend! Next time, you are all invited!!
Until next time, Readers!!!!! xoxoxoxoxo
20 Monday May 2013
Once again I’m happy to announce I was chosen for another blogger-to-blogger award called the Sunshine Award! Stoked! Do I think I’m a sunshiny person? I have my moments I suppose but I’m all about this because for the moment in Germany there is ZERO sunshine so this was just what I needed! Thanks so much to a fellow American married to a German over at Germerican Denglish. Thank you so much for the nomination! Such an incredible feeling to be loved!!! You like me, you really really like me!
Just like the last award there are rules to follow and those are:
-Link back to the person who nominated you (http://germericandenglish.com/)
-Post the award image to your page
-Tell seven facts about yourself
- Nominate 5-10 other blogs and let them know they are nominated
Here are my seven facts about myself (a lot harder than you think!)
1. I can cook lavish things with pages of complicated directions but when it comes to the simple things like rice, potatoes, and eggs. I can not for the life of me get it right! What is that?!?!
2. I always get nervous before a flight because I’m afraid I’m going to miss the plane (a few incidents of that happening causes a problem!) but once I’m on the plane I relax and the excitement begins. Excitement not for the flight but for the MEAL! I love plane food! I get SO excited!
3. I’m almost 29 years old and still not 100% sure what I want to do with my life as far as a career goes. I’m just a kind of girl that doesn’t like to be solidified to one skill. I have a thirst for knowledge!
4. Whenever I go out to dinner I make sure I have leftovers to take home because nothing is better than leftovers for breakfast!! YUM!
5. My dream for retirement is to live in a little cape on cape cod in MA. I would be the happiest girl in the world. Toblerone and I go every year to cape cod. It’s the greatest place in the world!
6. I think a lot about my engagement and it really was the most perfect moment in the most perfect place on the earth. If you missed it, see it here.
7. I wish I would have stayed in ballet. I did it when I was a little girl but not for very long. I always loved ballet and how beautiful the ballerinas looked with their giant tutus! Maybe I’ll get back into that?
And now my nominations for the Sunshine Award are:
1. Eat, Travel, Photograph
2. ifs ands & butts
3. The Beauty Along The Road
4. Sweet & Spicy Life
5. The Girl With No Filter
Until next time, Readers!!!! xoxoxoxo
15 Wednesday May 2013
Ok, I thought maybe this would only be a two part thing….and now I’m on part three. And I hate to say it but I have enough for part four!!!! Is that possible?! Sorry! Well, wait, no I’m not sorry! It’s my blog…I do what I want, dammit! To read the others of this little mini series please click the links for Part One or Part Two.
I Live In A Place That…
….. 90% of Taxis and cargo trucks are Mercedes. Aren’t those supposed to be cars that only the wealthy can afford? 
…..Shoes don’t come in half sizes. For those who know me, my passion in my life was clothes but shoes were always my thing. I couldn’t turn down a cute pair of stilettos. Its sad because I haven’t bought any shoes since I’ve lived here. Ladies, that’s over two years. My 7.5 size is something I’ll never find! But why don’t they have that?!?! Clearly Europeans have exact measurements! What the heck! I mean it can’t be possibe! Can it?! 
……Doesn’t offer dessert after dinner. Never have I ever been in a restaurant and dessert is offered or suggested. Unlike in the US where you’re always asked, “Did you save room for dessert?!” by an overly excited waitress. I think this is also a part of the European Diet. Don’t offer what isn’t necessary. 
…Sunday is absolutely a day of rest. I’ve been told several times that its not ok that I want to clean on a Sunday. This holy day is strictly for relaxing and doing nothing that even remotely resembles a chore. I haven’t really gotten into the swing of that yet! Guess I’m a sinner!!!
…..Every day from noon to one is quiet time. No lawn mowers, no machinery of any kind going. It’s lunch time and quiet time. It’s like a law…seriously. Some neighbors would feel inclined to call the police and have them deal with it! Say no to lunch time noise! 
Thats it for this one! Part four will be coming up shortly!!
Until next time, Readers!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo
13 Monday May 2013
I have this secret and I might as well bring it out of the closet and confess to all of you. I like to look for mushrooms. Yes, that’s right. It excites me. I get that child-like excitement when I walk into the woods and search for them. There. I said it.
Me with a giant mushroom. Indeed, I love them!
How big of a dork do you think I am now? Pretty big right? But hear me out…You go to the grocery store and look for Morel Mushrooms. Usually you can only find them dried. And for maybe a few dried pieces, 150 grams to 200 grams is a good $10-$15!! I’ve seen them priced at $50 a pound! And for me, I feel like I’m stealing! It’s exhilarating.
This time of year in Germany the Morel Mushrooms start popping up in the damp, mossy parts of the forests. Theres a special place that Toblerone takes me and I get out my special mushroom smelling nose and I search. And search hard. These babies are NOT easy to see and most of the time blend in with the pine cones around you.
So, I found 4 large ones and decided it was time to make something yummy with them. There are some great places in the US where you can find these and if you have kids, its actually something really fun to do with them.
Here’s a little recipe for the morel mushrooms:
What You Need:
1/3 cup diced onion
4 Tbsp butter
6 Fresh large Morels, sliced in half vertically, then slice horizontally to get smaller pieces.
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 freshly ground pepper
1 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp Soy sauce
1/3 cup left over noodle water
Spaghetti or angel hair pasta
How To Make It:
Cook pasta according to package instructions
In a large sauté pan sauté onions in 2Tbsp butter for 2 minutes until clear and slightly browned.
Make a roux out of the remaining butter and flour. Then add the soy sauce, salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir constantly until the consistency of peanut butter.
Turn heat to low – add morel mushrooms and let cook for a a minute or two.
Once noodles are finished add a little leftover noodle water a little at a time to the roux. Stir carefully. You don’t want the sauce to be to watery so allow the roux to work with the water to thicken.
Cover and cook 10 minutes.
Drain noodles then pour noodles into the saute pan and mix until noodles are covered in the mushroom sauce. Serve warm.
I hope you all are able to find an area where you can search for them on your own! Be sure you don’t pull the mushrooms out of the ground. You must cut them from their stalk so that they grow next year! Guten Appetit!
Until next time, Readers!!! xoxoxoxoxo
