Merry Christmas!

This year is coming to an end and with Christmas approaching I will not post much more in the coming days!
We have so much to be grateful for: A happy family, health, peace and prosperity have been with us this last year! We do not take it for granted!

To all of my lovely blog friends, may you all have a peaceful and relaxing holiday time! May the next year bring you what you need and hope for! May life be good!

Wishing you all the best!
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

XX
Victoria

* Winter * wonder * land

Places I often visit in my mind, 'my son's city' Berlin and Munich in subzero temperatures and a thick blanket of snow!

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Reichstag -The seat of the German Parliament.

A Train near Brocken mountain in eastern Germany.
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Typical street scene in Berlin.

Knut, the famous Polar bear from the Berlin Zoo! Happy at last!!!
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This travel blog photo's source is TravelPod page: Munching Our Way Through München

Munich, where my parents live and my sisters near by!


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The Christmas market at the main square in Munich! Foreground the beautiful city hall!

I am thinking of you all, my loves! My boys, parents, siblings, friends...far away in wintery Germany! I miss you all!

XX
Victoria


Pictures see sources!

What I am reading now

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Lately, with winter upon us I love to read more and hang out next to the fire place, after all the day's work is done.
I can hear my daughter singing upstairs, my son playing guitar and my husband still working next door on his computer. The dog cozies up next to me, expecting a neck rub and perhaps a treat and then I curl up on the couch and open my book! Heavenly moment! Well, until the familiar Maamaaa! call is heard from upstairs....

Last year I had read Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden and when The Distant Hours came out a couple of month ago I could not wait to find the right moment to begin with it! Kate Morton, a native Australian, lives in Brisbane with her family.
Her first book The House at Riverton is still on my list. I like to tease myself...Another long winter is ahead!


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So that's where I am now: An old English castle, family secrets and a young heroine, a wonderful recipe for a tale which has me in it's grip way later then my usual bedtime....
I found Kate Morton's website and check out this fabulous trailer to her new book!

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton from Pan Macmillan on Vimeo.

So if you are in with me for a mystery with all the trimmings, go ahead, find a reading nook, get comfortable and open the first page!


xx
Victoria

PS: Click on the book titles to go to Amazon to shop!


Pictures as indicated.

After the rain

Our young tree in front of our house glistened and sparkled this morning in the early sunlight after yesterday's rain.
Beauty on an ordinary Monday....
Wishing you a good week!

xx
Victoria




Picture by V.Zlotkowski

Sunday, outside - inside

Good morning!




Waking up to the hauling of a rainstorm, where our street turns into a river and the trees bend under the gusts of wind, we sit down for a cozy breakfast, with candle light and music...makes us even more appreciative of our nest!


May you stay warm and cozy wherever you are!

Happy Sunday!

xx
Victoria




All pictures by V.Zlotkowski

A week in December

This week has been everything from exhilarating to down right dull. It began well enough with a wonderful visit to the German School Christmas bazaar!
Gluehwein and cakes, cookies and sausages galore... Find recipe here.


We spent a lovely afternoon, met our German friends and marveled at all the decorations and handmade goodies at the market. I came home with inspirations and a few stocking stuffer.
But also with a sick child and a strange feeling myself...
We both ended up being truly under the weather and with a bronchitis! Now my son and I are taking antibiotics...Yikes!


And this not being enough, the 10 year old dishwasher broke on the same day as the as the 4 month old microwave, my stove gave up after 20 years (!) with two heating plates a day later. Oh, well! Now I have been looking for new appliances, had our brand new microwave oven exchanged (we had bought this one in August '10!!!) Did I tell you I have an older kitchen? It's gonna change now....
The delivery is set for January 2011! Can you believe it takes so long to get a new stove and dishwasher? Go figure.
At least I will really appreciate the arrival of my new appliances!
Here is was I bought!

GE Profile Built-In Tall Tub Dishwasher Energy Star in Stainless Steel

GE Profile
I am particularly excited about the amazing range. A double convection oven, with a ceramic stove top!!!
I can't wait.
All on the mend now....
Oh, what a week it has been!

xx Victoria

The first snow

Since this morning it's coming steady and softly down from the skies...
Perhaps there will be white Christmas after all!


We celebrate St.Nikolaus Day! Santa's helper brings good children candies and bad ones a black stick....
We were all good!

Snowy where you are???

xx Victoria


Picture by V.Zlotkowski

Winter garden

The garden in winter is quiet, yet I hear the rustling of a bird, looking for a morsel, or the squirrels, jumping from branch to branch. There is subtle movement under the bare rose bush, a chipmunk runs for cover.The air has the first icy grip and I hear the last leaves falling.


The small bird almost invisible...




Happy weekend!

xx
Victoria

Rainy day

Today is a stormy


Stay indoors


Kind of day.
Where sweaters


And hot tea


Should come your way!

Stay dry!
xx
Victoria


Pictures by V.Zlotkowski and and from here.