The Mushroom Foray

At Mama's birthday we decided to go into the forest the following sunday to go on a mushroom foray. My Papa was an ardent mushroom picker but we never dared to go till now. 

It was a cold but nice sunday afternoon and we found quite a lot of mushrooms without even having to venture far off our car. It is really interesting to see how the forest can turn you into that child again that accompanied Papa on some of his forays. And Mama and Timo also seemed no less excited when they found a new specimen ("Look what I have found!")!

Our excitement was a little diminished when we had to throw some of our booty away in the end because we were not certain about the species. But we found some very nice boletes and we prepared a delicious meal with them (Couscous, aubergines, courgettes, onions, soy cream)!

And by the way: Yes, we're still alive!

The forest, its smells and the whole atmosphere - I really only realized how much I had longed to re-experience all this when I was there again. A lot of memories came back to me - real experiences mixed with what my own childish perception has turned them into - of enchanted forests, a blond little girl jumping with a cry of joy on what she referred to as "Puff-Puff Mushrooms"*, forest cabins - some creepy, some inviting - and Papa asking in a whisper "Shall we try whether the huntsman's at home?" or his explanation after our knock remained unanswered that surely, he's out hunting - "Maybe next time we're lucky!".

We certainly won't let 11 years pass until the forest will have us again!

Against my husband's bold claim, I was the lucky finder of this storybook-mushroom!

* The inside of a certain kind of mushroom eventually turns into dust and stepping on them lets them "explode" in a funny *puff* noise. It turns out that the name I made up as a child was not far from the truth - or at any rate not far from the english name for it: "Puffball".

A Visit to the Emerald Isle

At the shore near Spiddal

My husband and I finally went to visit my sisters in Ireland. As usual, it was over much too soon. This time our visit was split into the visit at Marina's place in Barna (a charming little chalet filled with paintings, books, and colors) and Anke and Adrian's place in the countryside (a newly built house which naturally still needs a little furnishing but which already has a very beautiful kitchen).

Family evening in Anke and Adrian's kitchen

Slowly but surely Ireland turns into my second home. At least I had a slight "coming home feeling" when we reached Galway this time. Of course this also has to do with the fact that my two sisters live there but it really seems to be more than just that. 

Little gate in Marina's neighbourhood

Fuchsias - the blossoms that always remind me of Marina; found near her place

At a ranch where I joined a horse trekking tour Anke and I fell in love with this "little" fella and her brother. Irish Wolfhounds are such lovable creatures. I'd love to get one as a companion some day but unfortunately they don't grow very old!

The pain of leaving Galway was eased when were collected at the airport by my parents-in-law and when we returned to my Mama's house to find all three (Mama, Emma, and Leo) well and happy to see us again!

Birthday

I turned 28 at the end of August. I can't remember when I stopped to like my birthday. Fact is: Even though I certainly don't think that I am old, I am a bit worried because I still don't have a plan for my life. That's why my birthday freaks me out! In some ways I feel like a child who has just found out that all the adults have been lying to it presenting themselves as wise and flawless when  really they are as clueless as before.

However, my birthday wasn't too bad in the end. Timo woke me up by singing "Happy Birthday", Emma and Leo were there, a small birthday table as well (a table with candles and my presents) and we all had breakfast together. A short rather unpleasant intermezzo ensued when I found out that two of my skirts in my wardrobe were moulding (no - I didn't see the striking parallel then). Then we went to Mama where yet another birthday table was waiting for me and in the afternoon we had cake (my favourite birthday cake: Schokokusstorte = Chocolate Kiss Cake*1) and and a few friends and family came to visit me.

Birthday card by Marina showing a monkey (not Chester*2)

The fragrant presents from Anke and Adrian - Leo is interested!

A photo of the chocolate kiss cake my Mama made for my wedding (the dark thing in the middle is a "Schokokuss").

*1: A chocolate kiss cake is a biscuit cake with a topping made of quark, cream and chocolate kisses (website in German) - a kind of German treat consisting of a dry waffle base topped with white "foam" (sugar and egg white) coated with chocolate.
*2: I will introduce Chester in one of my future posts.

London Calling

Two years ago during our honeymoon, my husband and I fell in love with London. I am actually a country girl in many ways but still there are some big cities that I really could picture myself living in - and London's one of them (or rather on top of the list). 
Consequently,  we went to London again last year. And this year.

One thing I like about London is the tube - it's so easy to travel even for tourists and you feel soooo cosmopolitan when you pass the ticket barrier with your oyster card and a "I don't give a fuck" attitude or when you roll your eyes because somebody stands on the left at the escalators (no offence, Marina *g*).

Another thing is its multiculturality.
And that the city is vibrant with activity. 
And its interesting history.
And Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
And ... I really could go on like this forever!

So here are some of the things we did this year:

We stayed at a very nice hotel called "The Royal Horseguard" - it had a TV in the shower. I watched Scooby-Doo on it. However, the bedroom was somehow more comfortable for watching TV. But then again, I am just a commoner.

We visited Dr. Johnson's House - a real gem and definitely recommendable! Johnson's ideas about the imagination were part of my master thesis - I really think that he was a genius.

This year we finally went INSIDE the Tower of London. The last times we didn't because of the extremely high price for the tickets. I still think they are expensive but you really get something for your money. You can easily spend several hours there.

We went to the theatre to see "Ladykillers" - very funny though the second act wasn't as hilarious as the first one.
 

We also met Marina and Matt in London. Their hotel even featured gadgets that our hotel didn't: a bottle opener!

We attended the Even Song in Westminster Abbey - to hear the choir in this gothic cathedral really was a sublime experience!

After we joined the Jack the Ripper tour near the Tower on our last evening we had dinner at the Dicken's Inn at the St. Katharine Docks. A nice ending to a nice holiday. Next year we're planning to visit Edinborough - but then again I heard London's nice, too. Who knows?

Leaving One's Beaten Track

Yesterday I went running again. As I have been staying at my Mama's house for some time I was happy to be back on my usual running track. But life can be quite ironic sometimes and I was confronted with a traffic sign telling me the street was closed due to construction work ahead. So I was forced to leave my beaten track and took an unknown one, a small track leading into the forest. I wasn't too happy at first: I tend to feel quite insecure when I'm on an unknown way. There are too many questions in my mind which usually keep me from enjoying the run. Where does the track lead to? Will this track be too long or too short for me? Will it suddenly end and force me to turn around (I can't stand this when I'm running)? Will the track lead me to a degenerated, incestious, cannibalistic tribe deep in the woods? (The usual questions, you see.)
However, this time I was able to enjoy the new way nevertheless! It offered a splendid view over the river loop and provided a surrealistic fairy tale atmosphere which made me even forget that I was running. Plus: it was neither too long nor too short and led me back on my usual track in the end but with the advantage of having had the opportunity to receive new perspectives and to learn that the unknown is not necessarily hostile or insecure.
It is nice to have one's beaten track, to be sure, but it turns out that it is also very advisable to leave it from time to time!
Have fun, good luck, take care!
Sibylle

Not part of the running track (neither the usual nor the new one) but a new track we found during a nice summer evening stroll.

Red June

A wonderful evening in June surrounded by the color red in an Italian restaurant

Even though we're already heading towards the end of July I just have to share my June impressions with you! Curiously, the color red seemed to be a recurring theme during that month: e.g. the dinner in the Italian restaurant with a very red and very delicious rosè wine, the iconic red roses, the red tablecloth and the red peppers in my spaghetti aglio e olio (without the aglio and parmesan to make it stomach and vegan-friendly - not on the photo); the red poppy near the street on my way to work - so beautiful against the luscious complentary green of the meadows; and a lot of red food in general (tomatoes - dryed, in paste form and fresh, peppers, and berries).

July has faded the luscious colors of June a little - suddenly summer is THERE: Saturday is expected to hit the 40ºC limit. Still I try to enjoy the hot temperatures - I complained too much about the cold and long winter. And the hot temperatures in combination with our family fest revived some nice childhood memories which were epitomized when my sister Marina and I ran through the water jets of the lawn sprinkler. As the red was the dominant color of June, July was probably light blue - the color of the mainly unclouded sky (or when it was clouded the clouds were of a light blue color as well).

I wonder what color will be dominant in August. Maybe the faded yellow of the corn,  oats, and wheat fields near my Mama's house where I'm staying at the moment (my apartment is again too hot for poor fluffy Leopold)? We'll see. I'll let you know!

Have fun, good luck, take care!
Sibylle

Gone

Last Wednesday my sister and her husband have moved to Ireland. It is still something I can't really grasp - as they weren't living nearby I am used to not seeing them every day. But naturally, Ireland is further afar and so I must become reconciled to the fact that I will see them less often.

The plus is that they own a big house and having two sisters living in Ireland will certainly result in me going to Ireland much more often - yay!

Anyway, the last weekend (or rather Saturday, Sunday, Monday, AND Tuesday) was under the motto "Saying Good-bye to Anke and Adrian". And it was awesome!

Saturday:
The Saturday evening farewell party was made a little complicated by severe weather in our hometown. Timo and I were just driving to my Mama's place (the location of the party) when it started to hail. We took refuge in one of the underground carparks in the town where we were forced to stay one and a half hours because it was bucketing down all the time. When we left the carpark we saw that the thunder storm had left extensive damage and it took us ages to arrive at the party. But in the end we finally all had a nice evening with even nicer food (kidding - both great)!

The odyssey to the farewell party.

Sunday:
We made a trip to Miltenberg - a lovely town near the river Main with a lot of timber-framed houses and a castle with a beautiful view over the city, the river and the surrounding landscape.
I wanted to go to Miltenberg with Adrian and Anke because I knew she would especially love one spot there: At one point you are still in the town of Miltenberg, walk through an old gate in the town wall and you suddenly find yourself in an enchanted forest (or that's what it looks like). A really dream-like experience!

Not the gate I am referring to in the text but also picturesque!

Monday:
Anke, Adrian, and Mama visited Timo and me in the evening and I cooked vegan Pancakes and made vegan Icecream (at the moment I am doing the so-called 30-days vegan challenge from the German vegan chef Attila Hildmann). I don't want to blow my own trumpet but the food was great! We really had a nice time together and Anke and Adrian were able to say farewell to Emma and Leo, too!

Tuesday:
After work, Timo and I went to my Mama's place again and Mama made potatoe salad and Klopse (some sort of little flat meat balls - I had a vegan alternative of course) and Anke prepared apple crumble and even a small vegan wholemeal apple crumble for me - yummy! Different to most of the other people who know about my vegan challenge plan Anke is very understanding and interested and she even encouraged me to try it out. And I know that it is not self-evident that others prepare a special meal for me. @ Anke: Thank you, Spatzl!

Later that evening it was time to say good-bye and at one point I was close to bursting into tears. However, I was able to keep my composure because I knew it would have made their going so much more difficult. 

Anke and Adrian - stepping into a bright future!

Speaking of the devil...right now, I received a text message from her! Luckily, today distances do not have the same meaning they used to have in the past. 

Gone...yes, but still so close!

Lots of love to my two Hiberno-Sisters Marina and Anke!