Oolong to Earl Grey...to Riesling

Tuesday, 17 February 2015

Fasching Fun, Wiesbaden, Germany 2015

One of the joys in this expat life is embracing the new cultures and traditions

of the places we are lucky enough to call home for a while.

If we were in China this week we would be stocking up on fireworks, putting out the lanterns

and gearing up for Chinese New Year on Thursday.

In England or Australia we would be making pancakes for breakfast/lunch/dinner for
Shrove/Pancake Tuesday.

Today we are in Germany and it is Fasching,

time to live it up and let off steam before the fasting of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

Fasching loosely translates as "last alcoholic drink before fasting".

We went to the Fasching Parade in Wiesbaden on Sunday.

The parade started with colour and fun.

Music filled the air.

Excited children lined the streets.

Calls of "Helau' came from the passing floats.

Lollies toys and books were thrown into the waiting hands of the children.

It is like Halloween on Steroids, costumes, music, treats being stuffed in bags.

Marching bands galore.

Dancing to the beat of the drum.

Minions taking selfies!

Greetings from those in the parade.

Happy faces of children on the floats, brightening the day even more.

I remember this girl from last year's parade!

Was a bit much for some!

This lady was in last years parade too, our second year and I recognise the people!

A fun filled day with music, entertainment and laughter.....

....and lollies...lots of lollies!

Stay tuned for the 'Character's of Fasching 2015' tomorrow!

Disclaimer

We may have already decorated and bought fireworks for Chinese New Year and planned a Chinese feast....though we have discovered that we cannot legally use the fireworks in Germany except on 31 December. Oh well...we are all set for 31 December 2015!
We may partake in some pancakes for "Pancake Tuesday"!

Sunday, 15 February 2015

My Photo a Day, February 2015, Week Seven

My Photo a Day Challenge February Week Seven

The prompt of the day is in red, the photo and description

are my take on the prompt!

9 February

Energy

Today's energy about one horsepower... or more like one pony power between two adults and

two teenagers all with the flu.

10 February

Her

My girls, they are beautiful, resilient, adventurous and kind. They inspire me to be a

better person, a good role model.

11 February

On the Wall

Ready to saddle up and ride in the forest.

12 February

Pointy

Been a busy day, on the go since 0630am. This pointy utensil will be put to use

at dinner tonight I feel.

13 February

Temptation

The temptation to jump on this train and wake up in Paris on Valentine's Day.

sadly my husband was home sick though my girls, who I was with would have jumped at the chance!

14 February

Love

If someone told me in 2006, a chance encounter would have me meeting up with my long lost love,

he would marry me and promise my girls to look after them always. We would all go and live in China, England and now Germany I would have laughed my head off.

We have a love story that fairy tales are made of. Happy Valentine's Day.

15 February

Spot
Some spotty cows at the Fasching parade in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Friday, 13 February 2015

Forty Winks Friday. Numerous Nappers

What is better than a napper...

numerous nappers!

Nap time for the construction workers.

Sunday, 8 February 2015

My Photo a Day, February 2015, Week Six

My take on Week Six of the Photo a Day Challenge.

The prompt of the day is in red, the photo and description is my take on the prompt.

2 February

Mail

Must get to the postbox and mail these surprises home to friends.
I love buying little treats or cards and posting them home, beats finding a bill in your mailbox!

3 February

Water
Beautiful Lapad Bay in Dubrovnic, Croatia, August 2014.

4 February

Reward
After a busy and stressful few days, what better reward than a pot luck lunch with girl friends.
Good food, great conversation, a few wines...and Pavlova!

5 February

Something Blue

Nice to see some blue sky today, makes the -1C temperature a little easier to bear!

6 February

Makes me Smile

Ralphy makes me smile, he is such a character and part of our family.

He comes on our adventures, he loved being on the gondola in Venice with his humans!

7 February

Stripes

Prayer ribbons forming stripes at the Zhenru Temple in Shanghai

8 February

In my Bag
Along with a few other items, including my camera....
I always have my keys, a red lipstick, a ball for Ralph
and a tube of Lucas paw Paw ointment!

Ralph wants his ball back!

Saturday, 7 February 2015

Sunshine and snow in the forest

The forest is spectacular all of the time, but when you have snow and a clear blue sky

it is just magical, sunlight makes the snow glisten like diamonds.

The contrast of blue skies, white snow and black branches is stunningly beautiful.

The sun, still low in the sky, casts shadows creating pathways which draw you in.

You feel like you are in a mythical world, stepping into a land like Narnia.

Enjoy a glimpse into my forest in the snow, magic on my doorstep!

Thursday, 5 February 2015

Aussie Icon...the Pavlova!

One of the joys of this expat life is making friends with people from across the globe,

learning about different cultures, traditions and foods.

It is wonderful to go on adventures, discover the history and surroundings of your

'host country' together. Walk new neighbourhoods, take in the ambiance of

art galleries and museums, though sometimes it is great to just 'hang out' together.

Yesterday I gathered a few friends and we did just that. Everyone 'bought a plate' to share.

We had a fabulous afternoon full of laughter, a wine or two and discovered a

few nuances in the English language between the Brits, Aussies, Kiwis and Americans.

The American's amongst us were happy to discover the Pavlova from

Down Under for the first time and asked

'if you would be willing to share your fabulous recipe?'

Here it is, my fail safe version of the good Aussie Pav!

Crunchy on the outside, soft and marshmallowy on the inside, healthy fruit on top!

Ingredients

Meringue
6 large eggs, separated, you only need the whites
1 1/4 cups (270g) caster sugar
2 teaspoons cornflour
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping
250ml thickened cream
1 tablespoon sifted icing sugar
1 banana
2 kiwifruit
Handful of chopped strawberries, blackberries or whatever seasonal berries you have.
Pulp of 2 passion fruit or passion fruit syrup.

Method

Preheat oven to 120C (250F). Line a tray with baking paper.
Use an electric mixer to whisk the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl until soft peaks form.
Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time until all sugar is dissolved and mixture is thick and glossy. Feel a little between your fingers, if it feels gritty, mix a little longer until sugar dissolves.
Add cornfour, vinegar and vanilla until just combined.
Spoon meringue onto the baking paper into a circle approximately 25cm in diameter. Smooth the sides and top, then use a spoon or spatula to make little peaks on the top.
Bake in oven for 1 hour 30 minutes or until pavlova is dry to the touch. Turn off oven. Leave pavlova in oven with door ajar to cool completely. When cold, transfer to serving plate or place in airtight container until needed.
Use an electric mixer to whisk the cream and icing sugar in a bowl until peaks form. Spoon onto the top of the pavlova.
Top the pavlova with your assorted fruits and passion fruit pulp/syrup and serve.
Enjoy!

You can make the pavlova into a ring, to serve as a wreath for Christmas or make mini pavlovas, just adjust the cooking times accordingly. Use whatever fresh fruits you have. If you use banana and don't serve immediately, toss the slices in a little lime or lemon juice to stop browning. You don't have to add icing sugar to the cream, it is quite sweet enough without it!

Try it..it is easy and very delicious!