Archives for 2011

Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2011 filed under: friends, holidays

My Christmas wish for you, my friend
Is not a simple one
For I wish you hope and joy and peace
Days filled with warmth and sun

I wish you love and friendship too
Throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
To fill your world with cheer

May you count your blessings, one by one
And when totaled by the lot
May you find all you’ve been given
To be more than what you sought

May your journeys be short, your burdens light
May your spirit never grow old
May all your clouds have silver linings
And your rainbows pots of gold

I wish this all and so much more
May all your dreams come true
May you have a Merry Christmas, friend
And a happy New Year, too.

{found on the WWW, author unknown}.

Travel Day

December 20, 2011 filed under: Germany, travel

{source: my flickr}

When you read this, I’ll probably be somewhere over the clouds on my way to Germany. I am so excited!

We spent the last few days at J’s parents’ house in SoCal and we had a wonderful time. It was a great start to my vacation. Part of me is sad to leave J and not spend Christmas with him and his family. The other part of me though is very excited to be back home in Germany with my family and friends, who – besides my parents – I haven’t seen for a whole year. It’s tough to try to make up for all the time we couldn’t be together and cram a whole year into a 2-week visit. I know, it’s going to be crazy-stressful, because it always is!, but it will also be wonderful and very, very special.

I’ll see you on the flipside!

Summer Tales – Apple Hill and Folsom Lake

December 18, 2011 filed under: California, family, photography, summer tales, travel, USA

I am recapping the three weeks of fun that I had with my family this summer.
See all related posts under the category: summer tales.

On Thursday ( 8/11) our road trip was coming to an end and we made our way back to Sacramento. For the next few days we had planned to see a little more of the Sacramento vicinity. We used Thursday and Friday for some relaxing and shopping. We also took Basti out for some pizza at “Chicago Fire”.

Saturday (8/13) we made a trip up into the Sierra Foothills to “Apple Hill” – with its many apple orchards and wineries. We were a little early for the apple harvest, which happens in the fall, but we were still able to buy some fruit at the “Boa Vista Orchards”.

Then we went wine tasting at Madroña Vineyards.

Even I tried some wine (and I am not really a wine drinker – and apparently also not the daughter of my parents as they both like “dry wine”, whereas I prefer “sweet wine”, if I drink any at all.)

On our way back to Sacramento, we stopped at Folsom Lake. I have to admit, after all the years I have lived in Sacramento, I had not been at Folsom Lake before. It’s a shame, really, because it’s a beautiful lake, even though it’s a reservoir and artificially formed by Folsom Dam, which controls the American River.

The dam and lake are a multipurpose project that provides flood control, hydroelectricity, drinking water and water for irrigation. It also provides many recreational opportunities for hiking, swimming, biking, running, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, water-skiing and boating.

We found a nice shady place under a tree and enjoyed the beautiful day and a beautiful view.

Back in Sacramento, we decided to have Mexican food for dinner. Basti is a big fan and had been wanting to eat Mexican for almost the entire trip. We were all so stoked about the food that there are, sadly, no pictures. Just imagine plates of delicious burritos, rice, beans and guacamole!

… stay tuned.

Summer Tales – Sonoma and Napa Valley

December 17, 2011 filed under: family, fun!, photography, summer tales, travel, USA

I am recapping the three weeks of fun that I had with my family this summer.
See all related posts under the category: summer tales.

After a good night’s rest, we got up early today (8/10) to explore the Wine Country. Being a geologist, I had to – of course – take my family to the Old Faithful Geyser in Calistoga. We first stopped at the Petrified Forest National Park with a remarkable collection of petrified trees. The petrification process started over 3 million years ago, when a volcano erupted in the northeast, which knocked down everything in its path, covering it all with pale, yellow ash. Giant redwood trees lay buried under the ash, slowly turning into stone.

Just in time for an eruption, we arrived at the Old Faithful Geyser of California in Calistoga. The geyser is one of three geysers in the world with the designation “old faithful.” These are the geysers that perform at regular intervals. About every 30 minutes, there is an eruption of steam and scalding water spraying 60 to 100 feet in the air. The eruptions are recorded and monitored. A change in the eruption pattern usually foreshadows an earthquake within a 500-mile radius.
The eruptions last about 5 minutes and it’s a really fun thing to watch.

After witnessing the eruptions twice, we got hungry and decided to drive to St. Helena and get some lunch at “Dean & Deluca”, an exquisite delicatessen grocery store. We bought some baguette, cheeses and deli meats and had a picnic in the shade of a tree.

In the afternoon, we went wine tasting at the Beringer Winery, the oldest winery with German roots in Napa Valley. The Beringer grounds and gardens were beautiful.

We made it back to our hotel just in time to take a quick dip into the pool and then headed out to dinner at “Cricklewood” Steak House.

… stay tuned.

Friday Link Love

December 16, 2011 filed under: link love

Free printable gift wrap + tags by Kelly Medivitz by Ez (Creature Comforts Blog). This is really cute wrapping paper.

Which “Love Language” suits you? And your partner? by Gretchen (The Happiness Project). Ever wondered about that?

‘Tis the holiday season by Hannah (Hannah just breathe). Very true stuff.

What lens should I choose? by Amanda (Kevin and Amanda). Love Amanda’s way to “teach” a little bit about photography!

Squares Watercolor Pattern by Jo (August Empress). Nice patterns!

Are there any blog posts that you’d like to recommend to me this week?
Happy Friday, peeps!

On who I am right now

December 15, 2011 filed under: about me, Who I am

{via}

I am…

… good. Really good.

… currently a little bit obsessed with “Gingerbread coffee”. I blame Ashley. I bought at least 4 cans of Gingerbread coffee to give away for Christmas. I love it that much.

… stoked about my last work day of the year. It feels a bit surreal, but can’t wait to have three weeks off!

… very excited to be able to say that I’ll be hitting the German Christmas Markets in Cologne in exactly a week. Glühwein, hot chocolate, Reibekuchen, crêpes,… here I come.

… a little full from the Holiday Party we just attended. Too much food.

… giddy about seeing my niece and nephew in less than a week. They both have grown so much since I last saw them and I can’t wait to spend some quality time with them.

… relieved to report that all my Christmas preparations are pretty much completed and I am not scrambling to get everything done last minute. It’s kind of nice to know that I can simply enjoy the crap out of the next few days with J before getting on a plane.

… looking forward to spending some time on the beach this weekend.

… a little bit anxious about all the plans I am making for my visit home, because once again it seems like I’ll be trying to see too many people in too little time. It makes me sad that my time is always so limited.

… enjoying the beautifully decorated and lit houses in our neighborhood. I love to see Christmas lights everywhere. It makes everything feel so festive.

…. giddy about an early Christmas present that I received this week. Guess, I’ll be learning how to sew in the new year! Weeeeee!

… currently watching #HIMYM on Netflix. (Nothing new here.)

… a crocheting machine :)

… a little worried about yet another looming Government Shutdown. They did this how many times this year?

Oh, how Pinteresting! – The Christmas Wrapping Edition

December 14, 2011 filed under: love, photography, Pinterest

It’s Pinterest-time again – and fitting for the time of year, I am going to share some Christmas wrapping inspiration. I, for one, like it simple and elegant when it comes to wrapping gifts – that’s why those wrapping ideas with packing paper really appeal to me.

Check them out!

Source: blogs.babble.com via San on Pinterest

So pretty!

Source: bugsandfishes.blogspot.com via San on Pinterest

Cute!

Source: bugsandfishes.blogspot.com via San on Pinterest

Maps and music sheets – brilliant idea!

Source: myblessedlife.net via San on Pinterest

Wrapped with yarn!

Source: etsy.com via San on Pinterest

Stamped!

Source: google.com via San on Pinterest

Snowflakes!

Source: ourlittlebox.com via San on Pinterest

With heart!

Do you want to join in, but need a Pinterest account?
Let me know and I’ll send you an invite!

Are you participating in Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesdays?
Make sure you link up on our host’s Michelle’s blog.

Happy Wednesday and happy pinning!

On a holiday-kind-of-weekend

December 13, 2011 filed under: holidays, home, my so-called life, weekend

{source: my flickr}

This last weekend, while busy, was a weekend after my own heart. It was the last weekend that J and I would be spending at our cozy apartment this year, since we will be leaving for SoCal next weekend, and it was just wonderful. I had a lot of things that I needed to get done, but it was satisfying to cross things of my list; I had a full schedule, but it was still relaxing; it was stressful, but very christmassy.

I love having (most) Fridays off, because I was able to get the rest of my Christmas shopping done without hitting stores on the weekend when everybody and their brother is out Christmas shopping. I had a list of stores to go to and specific gifts to pick up. No last minute browsing. Well, unless you count the browsing for myself.

So here’s a question: how is it that when you’re supposed to shop for other people, you always end up finding something for yourself? I swear, I don’t do this on purpose, but when I am supposed to be not looking for myself, all the things I have been looking for like forever magically pop up in front of me (like the boots that I mentioned in my wishlist and a cable knit sweater dress, which was marked down to $17 at Target, thankyouverymuch). I am a big believer in seizing the opportunity, so I did. Nothing wrong with getting oneself a little something for Christmas, am I right?

The rest of the weekend was spent cozily at home. I had Christmas cards to write (and many of that!) and actually ended up making a few more since I was running out of handmade cards and damn it, I was not going to send 5 ~~or 12~~ store-bought cards after all the work I had put into my handmade stack. All the cards (that were going to be mailed) were done by Sunday night and went in the mail yesterday.

Check.

The rest of the time, I was busy finishing up some of my handmade gifts, while consuming Christmas cookies and copious amounts of coffee and tea. Oh, and as you might have seen me mention on Twitter, I have a new TV series to watch, yo.

I started “How I met your mother” this weekend (thanks to Netflix’ online streaming) and I’m really starting to like it. Truth be told, the reason why I am so late to the party is that I wasn’t really into “Barney”, who – while not being the main character of the show – is always part of every commercial and I found him kind of annoying (though, hold your horses, he’s growing on me in his own weird way). I am much more a fan of Ted (who I think is kind of cute) and Lily and Marshall.

So don’t mind me over here, catching up on a series that originally premiered in, oh like, 2005. I know it’s kind of a repeating pattern for me to get into series way after everybody else does (what with my latest obsession with “Friends”), but at least it allows me to watch episodes at my own pace and whenever I feel like it. So, there.

Other good things this weekend:

Gingerbread coffee (holy goodness! Go try it. No, really!) ♥ blankets ♥ candles ♥ fuzzy socks ♥ oven-baked chicken wings ♥ skype-date with one of my favorite people ♥ sleeping in ♥ crocheting, crocheting, oh and did I mention, crocheting? ♥ basically just getting sh*t done ♥

How was your weekend, peeps?

My Christmas Wish List

December 12, 2011 filed under: holidays, lists!

I saw some lovely blog friends share their Christmas Wishlist and I thought it would be fun to share mine (even though my biggest wish is already coming true!).

Enzo Angiolini “Saylem” Riding Boots. I’ve been looking for some boots for quite a while (and you need to know, I am pretty picky when it comes to shoes) and those were love at first sight. Actually I have to confess that I bought them for myself last week. For Christmas.
Ahem, who buys Christmas presents for themselves? I do, apparently.

Season 1 of Friends. Well, actually, I am hoping to own all the seasons at some point, but you gotta start at the beginning, right?

New skis. Since I will be going skiing again with my family for the first time in like, oh, maybe 6 years, I realized that I don’t own skis anymore. That is something I can hardly fathom, because I’ve owned my own skis (and snowboard) since I was 4 years old. Skis were not something I could easily take to California, so they were left behind at my parents’ house. The ones I had last are so out of date now that I really need to consider getting some new ones sometime. This is basically a hypothetical wish – I know I definitely won’t get new skis this Christmas.

Bumble & Bumble Thickening Shampoo, Conditioner and Spray. I was first introduced to this hair care line at my hair salon and I just love it. It really helps manage my fine hair and adds some volume. If it wasn’t so darn expensive.

Gift cards. You know, I am not opposed to giftcards. Or not as much as I used to think I was. Amazon, Michaels, Kohl’s, Sephora, L’Occitane, Target, Ikea, Trader Joe’s, Panera, Starbucks. All GREAT. Actually, gift cards are pretty nice. I take a gift card to one of my favorite shops over a thoughtlessly picked out gift (that shows that the person doesn’t know me at all) any day. Plus, they’re easy to ship!

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. The subtitle reads “Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are”. That seems like pretty good advice to me and I am really intrigued by this book.

Fisheye, Macro, Wide Angle & Telephoto Phone Lenses for my iPhone. Not much explanation needed here, right?

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon DSRL. After getting the 50mm lens for my birthday, I’d really love to expand my lens collection and get something with a bit more zoom!

Hope in a Jar. I heard really good things about this moisturizer. Unfortunately, it’s pretty pricey and I haven’t been able to justify spending the money. But, come on, it’s HOPE in a jar. Maybe it’s worth it?!

Willow Tree Nativity Set. I really adore all of the Willow Tree figurines (I own three and have given several as gifts!) and the simplicity of this nativity set is really lovely.

A money tree. Yeah, wouldn’t we all like one of those? What I honestly wish for is for me (and everyone!) to have enough money to pay bills and to not worry about every penny that we spent. I think being able to have this peace of mind is worth more than anything.

Time with family and friends. This is truly my biggest wish every year and I am so stoked that I will be able to make this wish come true and see my family and friends in Germany in a little more than a week. It’ll be hard to be away from J, but we’ll make up for it before I leave and in the new year!

Summer Tales – Highway 1 to Albion

December 10, 2011 filed under: family, fun!, good times, photography, summer tales, travel, USA

I am recapping the three weeks of fun that I had with my family this summer.
See all related posts under the category: summer tales.

We left the Bodega Bay Inn in the morning and our route today (8/9) took us further up Highway 1 along the beautiful northern Californian coast.

The view was just amazing. This is such a beautiful stretch of the Pacific coastline.

We visited Fort Ross Historic State Park and learned about the Russian history of this particular part of the coast.

The park is really fascinating. The old fort is still intact, even though most of the Fort’s buildings are reproductions. Fort Ross was the hub of the southernmost Russian settlements in North America between 1812 to 1841.

When we arrived, this part of the coast was overcast and foggy, but it was a perfect setting to feel like we had done a little bit of time travel to the past.

Originally we had planned to drive further up the coast to Mendocino or even Eureka, but since we obviously were trying to cram too much stuff into too little time, we decided to keep the pressure of and cut our trip a little bit short. We got a room at the Bestern Western Wine Country Inn & Suites in Santa Rosa (Sonoma Valley) and decided to spend a couple of relaxing days in Wine Country!

By special request (Basti’s), we went to “Sizzlers” for dinner. For most of you guys it’s probably not a restaurant to write home about, but since we don’t have restaurants like this in Germany, it has a strange fascination for German visitors. And hey, the food is plentiful and good. Who would complain about that? I personally love their salad bar, just FYI.