What we have been upto!!!

What started to be a minor move has turned out to be quite a big thing!!! Since we moved into our home last year, we bought the basics required in a home and adjusted ourselves. Over the months, it started to feel a bit cramped and we began to run out of space especially the kids. So hubby came up with an idea of us switching rooms with the children. It seemed a better idea than moving houses all together. Or so I thought....

    We began 3 days ago, took us the entire day to dismantle, move and assemble our respective beds. Yesterday we were the entire day at Ikea, buying us more furniture. And as of today, our house looks as though a tornado has just swooped in and left with boxes strewn around, assembling happening simultaneously. Tomorrow is New Year's eve and I so want my house to be back in shape, all pretty and cosy. Heaven help me!!! For now, a picture of my pretty hand painted candle holder which I received from a dear friend for Christmas.

P.S: I am already dreading our return to India in 2012!!!!

A Quiet Christmas.

We have had a wonderful white christmas. The entire months preparation of baking goodies, putting up the tree and decking the house finally paid off to a beautiful christmas. 

      We spent the day enjoying good food, wine, unwrapping presents and singing carols in the glow of candle light. Not to forget the long calls we made to our loved ones back home in India. At the end of it, I was one happy woman.

The next few days, my better half and the kids are home. Hopefully, we should be able to get out of the house and have small adventures, once again depending on the weather. 

A peek into how white our Christmas was....

It felt as though I was learning to walk again!!! Wobbly steps on snow.....:)

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!

And so this is Christmas;

And what have we done?

Another year over; A new one just begun;

And so Happy Christmas;

I hope you have fun;

The near and the dear ones;

The old and the young.

Here's the surprise..

Remember, I mentioned I was up to something last week. Here it is...

When Sharon, a good old friend who blogs at The Key Bunch wanted me to do a tutorial for her blog, I was taken by surprise as I was no interior decorator. Appreciating my creativity, she convinced me to do one and the above potted deco was the result. To see the entire tutorial head on over to  The Key Bunch and tell me what do you think?? 

I know, I have said this before, but once again, a million thanks dear Sharon..:)

Sundays in my City

Two weeks ago, we visited what is said to be one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Northern Bavaria!! Miltenberg is a small town, roughly an hours drive from home. The weather being crappy was outweighed by the fact that it was a very beautiful market. There were lovely ornaments, yummy crepes, aromatic apple cinnamon schnapps and not to forget, roasted chestnuts which we had for the first time!!!

We have not been having the best of weather for the past few days!!! I am hopeful, it will get better towards Christmas. A happy week to you all...:) Do not forget to pop in at Unknown Mami and see what's happening around the world!!!

A snowstorm.

The kids finally had an unexpected holiday!!! Thanks to a snow storm...:D Coming from India where we are used to having unexpected holidays quite frequently, I thought I would never see such a day here in Germany!!!!

It snowed quite a lot. I have never seen so much snow in our little village.

Overnight it was transformed from a dull look to sheets of white all around.

These benches give you an idea as to how much it snowed. Doesn't look too much to me!!! Not reason enough to shut down school!!! :D

Anyway, the kids were too glad to be at home. They fixed up a play date with their friends to build igloos and sleigh. This gave me a reason to get out of the house and capture these lovely shots!!

How has it been your side of the world?? White like ours or different?

Oh Christmas tree!!!

I know I have been away!!! It has been a crazy week.... and I love craziness...:) The tree is up, house is lit, the oven must be fed up with all the baking, played the violin for a little concert at our christmas market in our village, had a cousin visiting from home(I wanted him to stay longer...:(..) and still have a lot packed up the next 10 days ... And not to forget, have been upto something interesting too.!!!! Hopefully, I should be able to post soon.....

Till then,
With Love from Lohr.....

Tuesdays around the world...

When I first heard about Nikolaus last year, I was a confused woman. Who on earth was Nikolaus and why was he getting candy to the children so early. Wanting to clear a few doubts, I went hunting for some information and here's what I found.
     Nikolaus is not to be confused with Santa Claus. Each year on December 6, Germans remember the death of Nicholas of Myra, who died on that day in 346. He was a Greek bishop known for miracles and giving gifts secretly, and is now the patron saint of little children.
On the night of Dec 5, every child leaves outside a clean polished boot( polished to show that they have been good) for Nicholas to leave the candy. The custom began because St. Nicholas had a reputation of leaving secret gifts such as coins in people's shoes overnight. 
   
P.S. Looks like I am gonna continue this custom even on return to India. I kind of like it and it is indeed a very nice way to remember the holy saint. My kids are having a ball what with the candy from Nikolaus and gifts from Santa on Christmas Eve..:D

Sundays in my City..

We finally went to a Christmas market. It was magical. And why was it magical?? It was a market deep in the forest, surrounded by pine trees in snow, candle lit paths to show us the way, illuminated trees, the strong aroma of gluhwein and the warmth of fire....... magical indeed.

It was an experience to walk deep in snow and look around all the illuminated trees.

The handmade crafts make you go crazy. Pictured below is the stall of my tutor who taught me glass art. Isn't her work beautiful??

After walking around, taking in the sights, sipping on schnapps, we went into the warmth of this lodge where we could dig into some Bratwurst and Gluhwein...:) And Frau, I did remember you a lot as I sipped into my gluhwein.

Countdown to Christmas..

Do you have a countdown to Christmas in your home??

We are having one, with the Advent calendar.

It is filled with chocolates and candy...:) 

Hobby class and more Advent ideas....

I have completed my hobby classes(Tiffany course). I enjoyed every minute of it. After the first session, I honestly thought I would not be able make beautiful stained glass art. I must say, over time I have gotten confident and with practice I should get better. 

The above is a t-light holder. For now, I do not intend to light t-light's in it. Found this idea in Good Housekeeping. Place pinecones in t-light holders to make miniature trees and line them on a runner on your dining table. Since my table is way too small, I have placed a single pine cone tree on my centre table.

The angel below was made during the last session and as you can see, there is a definite improvement in my work. I hung it on my pine branches which run around the house. The sun reflects through it and she looks pretty indeed. I keep going back to her, to admire her :D

I love the season of Advent. Keeps me occupied and gives me reason enough to try something new. The Adventkranz below can be made easily at home. You can decide on what kind of base you like, round or rectangular. I purchased a rectangular metal base( I think wood or glass plates should work well too). Place 4 candles in whatever fashion you like. Scatter around pine leaves, cinnamon sticks, dried orange, pinecones and some glitter. Gold and red ribbons too give a festive look.

 Now back to my window sills. The one below, is the window outside our apartment. I made these candle holders with bottles to give the christmasy glow at night.

Linking this post with good friend Sharon's Christmas Carnival. 

Let it snow, let it snow......

It snowed.......

and snowed......

and snowed....

Winter has set in with a bang!!! Earlier than expected. Lohr am Main is covered in snow and we are loving it...:)

Sundays in my city..

Today marks the first week of Advent. During advent, an 'Advent Kranz' or Advent wreath is kept on the table. It is round or rectangular, made with pine twigs, cones and four candles. Every Sunday upto Christmas, as you gather around the table for a meal, a candle is lit.

That's hubby, enjoying a glass of german beer in the background as we share stories along with our meal..:) 

First snowfall and Tannenbaums

Look what I spotted this morning?  Snow capped mountains of Lohr!!  Does anybody get excited at the first sight of snow or is it just me??

The first shot gave me enough reason to drag myself out of the house with the cam and go for a walk through the market place. For the past week, I have been pretty much feeling like hibernating..:)

I thought I could get a better shot of the mountains, but this was the best I could get. So, I headed back to the town to take shots of the "Tannenbaums" which are the fir or X'mas trees. These trees have been decorated by the kindergarten children from all the surrounding villages of Lohr.

The decorations are handmade, created by the little ones using paper, nuts, wood, pinecones, everything natural.

Every tree has a note describing which Kindergarten decorated the respective tree. 

I got to witness a group of excited children decorating the below tree. It brought a huge smile to my face.

We should be getting home our Tannenbaum in two weeks. We cannot wait to get one and begin decorating  it.  Isn't it strange, whatever your age, at Christmas, you still feel childlike??

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