I'll be home....

I'll be home........oopsie,

We'll be home for Christmas...:-D

Even our bags say out loud that they will be home for CHRISTMAS.

I was so tempted to add a twig or two of pine leaves along with that red twine...

But then, apart from the stares from my fellow passengers, I didn't want to be explaining myself to the Indian authorities in the wee hours of Monday morning as to why was I bringing the little bit of German flora and fauna along with me..lol!!!!!

While I will be on a bloggy break for a while, I thought I will take the opportunity to wish you all my dear friends in advance

FROHE WEIHNACHTEN und

FROHES NEUES JAHR 2012!!!!

P.S: How do you mark your baggage while traveling? This was a piece of advice given by my dear MIL to tie them with ribbons so that they would be easily recognizable when they come out on the conveyor belt!! It should make our work much simpler, especially when we have not 1, not 2, not 3....but 8 bags rolling out!!!!

T-lights..

What is the best part about winter that you like? Apart from snow?

Well, I love lighting up our home with candles and t-lights. The soft glow from the lit candles not only give a cosy feel to the home, but also much needed warmth.

Christmas markets are one such place to find awesome t-light holders, like the one above. It's a small glass bowl with a hand painting of a typical winter's night in Germany. When it's lit, to me it looks real.  It feels as though there is somebody inside those buildings with a crackling fire inside...

Tuesdays around the world.

All that my house smells of is raisin and rum!!!

Back home in India, rich plum cakes were what we gifted to our near and dear ones. I have no idea as to how this tradition originated, but what I do remember is waiting eagerly with excitement to visit everybody with the beautifully wrapped cake in our hands. And yes, the cakes were specially baked by the bakers exclusively for Christmas as ovens were rarely found in homes for people to bake.

I toyed with the idea of gifting the Indian way to our friends of two years. It turned out that we had made quite a few...:-), hence I ended up baking round the clock!!!
For those interested in the recipe, head on over here.

Sundays in my City

I hope everybody has had a lovely week. We have been experiencing the warmest Advent season and I have never been so happy. In exactly a weeks time we should be touching down in India. Yes, I will be home for Christmas!!! There are no words to describe the excitement we are going through and not to forget the countdown the kids are having. 

The kids have been busy with their christmas preparations in school. They know that I love everything hand made and when it is made with their own hands, I go giddy with joy and excitement. They love giving me little hints as to what they are making and when the day finally arrives, they bring their treasured pieces home. And like any mommy, I proudly display their work of art for all to see. 

P.S: The above nativity scene was hand sculpted by my daughter at school. Apparently Joseph was mixed up with another girl's and there was no way she could find the one she made. Once home, she begged me not to display cause this figurine looked funny to her. I had to convince her that they all looked great and that I was not willing to trade this for any other nativity scene. 

Sankt Nikolaus Tag

Today, Sankt Nikolaus visits all the children in Germany. The kids are supposed to leave a clean shoe/boot outside the door. Depending on how well they have behaved the entire year, either candy(if good) or tree branches(if not) are left in their boot. 

Well, my kids got both...:D 

Lots of candy and lovely Weihnachtsplätzchen(christmas cookies) hanging from tree branches.

Thank you once again Karl and Rosemarie..:)

If you are an expat, have you embraced any of your host country's customs and traditions?

Has a friend or a neighbor helped you learn or understand any of them?
Want to know more about this day, head on over here.

Wanna know what am I feeling right now?? Terribly sleepy...I so want to crash into bed, but then, wanted to let you guys know what's been happening in my part of the world.

So, I am done with my German course. I had exams to answer, both written and verbal. I did spend a lot of time(though last minute) to prepare for the big day and I think I did pretty good. 

Today was my first day being home and the result.....a terribly exhausted woman. I think I packed in too many chores all at once, to add it to it, this season does call in for extra work..ain't I right??

Coming to the season, I think this has got to be the wettest Advent ever!!! Can you believe it has been raining cats and dogs over here. Imagine walking around Christmas markets with umbrellas in hand?? So not appealing!!!

What does appeal though is the aroma of the yummy lebkuchen and hot gluhwein wafting through the air!!!!  

So now, its's time my lovelies to bade you good night!! Bis morgen, which means "until tomorrow!!"

P.S: Pictures taken at the Würzburg Weihnachtsmarkt.