After a very mild winter, some snow in mid-December, and a green Christmas, we finally had our first snow of the year 2012 just yesterday.
Snow in Oberursel/Germany
This path leads up to our home. Some of these trees are protected by German law, because they provide nesting sites for wild birds.
Any kind of traffic in this area is foot traffic and therefore the snow usually stays white (except for the occasional yellow discoloration). Germans love their dogs, too.
Now the weather news tell us there is a Siberian cold front moving into Eastern Europe and it might move on to Germany. I just love the photo web. de provided. We can expect temperatures as low as – 25°C (- 13 F) in the next few days.
If you are a regular reader, you might already know I love winter and snow.
But if you are new and wondering about my sanity, in regards to my affinity for winter, then rest reassured. As a German, I just love the frische Luft in winter time.
On Facebook, we get to see photos of early Christmas decorations, such as lights strung in the windows. Granted, it is a bit early in my opinion, but only because we put up our deco and lights in late November. We wait till the plates with turkey have been cleared first.
However, when I got this flyer three weeks ago, announcing the first Faschingsparty of the season, I was more than astonished.
Don’t Germans usually wait with Fasching till after New Year’s Day? Even though Fasching season officially begins each year on 11-11 at 11:11 a.m., I think we should put away the St. Martin lanterns first, enjoy Christmas markets, and dig up the champagne glasses for New Year’s Eve.
Most Christmas markets start on the First Advent, 27 November 2011.
The big town markets run for four weeks all the way up to Christmas Eve, whereas the small towns usually have it for a few days only (Thu – Sun) only. Our local town of Oberursel/Taunus has its market running from 24 – 27 November 2011.
A free morning ahead of me – what bliss. During this free time, I usually get a lot done. Unless I while it away reading my friends’ facebook updates.
Earlier this morning, 6:15 to be precise, I took my morning coffee out onto the balcony.
This is my routine – I love to start each morning with frische Luft (fresh air: a very German trade, by the way). The coffee’s steam soon evaporated, I could feel the frost in the air, and heard windshields being scraped from all kinds of directions.
Foggy morning in Germany
Around 9 a.m., the fog moved in and it seems it’s here to stay. It is dense enough to halt most traffic in our area.
On a different note, there are a few things I have learnt recently.
One, raw chestnuts are not only edible, but also delicious. Source: A nine-year-old Korean boy told me.
Two, the idea of youth hostels started in Germany. Founded by Richard Schirrmann in 1912, Burg Altena opened the doors to its first youth hostel guests in 1914. The oldest youth hostel in the world sits right here in Germany. Source: German study book PING PONG 2
Three, an Irish friend let me borrow Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Amazon.de) The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society (Amazon.com) from her shelf. Since then, I have learnt that the Nazis also occupied the channel islands during WW II, got the recipe for making a potato peel pie, and realized once more what an impact letter writing can have. What a delightful book! It also reminded me of my own intention of sending a handwritten note to one of my off-line friends once a week…
As of now, the fog is lifting. The sky is pulling up its veil again. Oh well, it was very pretty while it lasted.
(Amazon.de) 
(Amazon.com) from her shelf. Since then, I have learnt that the Nazis also occupied the channel islands during WW II, got the recipe for making a potato peel pie, and realized once more what an impact letter writing can have. What a delightful book! It also reminded me of my own intention of sending a handwritten note to one of my off-line friends once a week…
