Wir sind Feuer und Flamme

Hamburg and Berlin are going head-to-head for the German bid for the 2024 Olympic games. There's a big rally of sorts in Hamburg tonight at the lake which will be complete with fireworks -- of course.

It will be a fun race to watch.

http://www.wir-sind-feuer-und-flamme.com/

Measles Outbreak Coverage

I came across this article the other day, Why Is Germany So Calm About Its Measles Outbreak?, in an American channel, and was surprised because I hadn't even heard about this in the German news. Perhaps, I just missed it (?), but I think this is more or less what the article is talking about. 

Despite having a relatively larger outbreak, it just wasn't over-sensitized by the media. I find this happens a lot. The Germans care about hard-hitting news and actual news. They don't like to use scare-tactics and create panic. Yes, it's an issue, but relatively speaking they didn't let it get out of hand.

Grünkohl

I finally checked another northern German cuisine off my listf-- Grünkohl. My colleagues have been eating it like crazy lately and today when they discovered I hadn't actually tried it, and didn't know what to each for lunch, they made me try it. And I loved it! I had always just assumed it was green cabbage, but after looking it up today just to be sure, the word is the same for green cabbage and kale. So, now I'm uncertain. But it is delicious.

It's currently in season. You can't have it until after the first frost. And it's packed with vitamin C, so it's perfect for the winter months.

I was able to get this at the deli counter at the grocery store. They packed two large scoops into a plastic container (the same as the salad bar container) plus three sausages. Apparently we had a more-complicated-than-usual ordering experience today as the sausages are packages in fours but my colleague knew I couldn't eat four (she was right!). I got the three, and a little package of Senf (mustard) for 10¢, and was set. All for a total of 3,50€.*

I placed it in a bowl and put it in the microwave for four minutes. Yum, yum, yum. I did have a bit of the cabbage/kale left over, so I'll eat that tomorrow.

**Tip: If you go to Edeka, get it at the deli counter and not where the pre-packaged lunches are. You get more food for less unless you really want the potatoes which are only ok.

Canned Pumpkin Inventory (post season)

Canned pumpkin (Libby's!) is a hot commodity in Germany. It's not something you can normally buy in this country and you will get strange looks if you ask*. You can tell there's a new American in town when this question comes up. The American veterans do a little, "Oh, honey, <eyeroll>" type of reaction when someone wants to know where to buy it. The Ami vets also probably have their own stock at home in the pantry. I am one of those -- thanks to my sister. And the non-American (or really seasoned Americans will come at you with a whole lot of "it's so easy to just make your own. Buy a pumpkin, remove seeds, steam or boil it, and puree it"

Unfortunately, after a routine kitchen inventory stock take, I discovered that I have three cans -- one expiring in March and two in April. Part of the problem is that I did not have my annual pumpkin party last fall (Fall 2014 really consumed me).

Thankfully, one of my dear friends, who writes a pretty awesome blog, came to the rescue without even knowing it. She posted a recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip bread. Even better, I made a recent discovery that you can actually buy chocolate chips in Germany now. They are so very not the Nestle ones Americans know and love, but they work.

I was really happy with how the bread turned out and it's getting rave reviews -- mostly from me but I did also share a bit with neighbors and colleagues. I was nervous because it was my first foray with my new oven and I also tried a new loaf pan after struggling with a different pan for banana bread.

I froze the rest of the pumpkin and a bit of the batter (can you do this??) for a rainy day. Now I just need to find some more pumpkin recipes for the other two batches. Or I could try selling it* ;)

If you are in Hamburg, there is a rumor that you buy cans of Libby's at American Heritage or Kardstadt or Kaufhof Galeria.

*Make sure you don't buy picked pumpkin or something equally weird or gross ;)

**I won't actually be selling it but people totally do. Especially in the fall. So, if you ever plan a fall trip to Germany you know what to pack and sell on the black market...

Finally, my Sessel.

I was on a secret hunt for a reading chair the last year. I felt that by 30 I should own a comfortable chair to cuddle up in for hours on end. However, since I'm living in a rented, furnished flat (yes, it's just easier to say flat) I wasn't really prepared to splurge had I been living in a more permanent life situation. Regardless, I was very much a brunette Goldie Locks and my search continued for nearly a year.

You know how life works in mysterious ways? I happened to mention to a friend that I was searching and within a week she had notified me of a used chair on our GGI Classifieds page. I was the only one who expressed interest. I set up a meeting to go check out the chair and went for an hour bus ride (two different buses) after yoga one night in December. I loved it. I knew it was for me. And I even convinced the seller to join our Book Club. I only had to transport it. Down from the fourth floor, across town, and up to the fourth floor again. No elevators.

Some people lovingly refer to me as One Load Lynn because I will do whatever it takes to get everything in the house, up the stairs, or in the car in one trip. No matter how it goes down. However, I quickly realized my limitations and knew there was just no way I could do this on my own. Or with public transportation.

Again, thank you universe. A dear friend recently got a new car with big cargo space and didn't live far from the pickup. Faced with the holidays, it took about six weeks to nail down a pick up date that worked for all three of us.

It took an hour door-to-door, but we did it. My biceps are a little bit sore but I kept playing the "PIVOT" scene from Friends in my head and it kept my spirits high. I still haven't found the chair's final resting spot, but just having it in my possession has made me very happy.

Here I am post-yoga with my new book club book in hand. Bonus: the cover comes off for easy washing and the second color is a reddish-orange. And wheels!

Please ignore my open wardrobe and large scarf collection.

Orkan "Felix"

2015 has started off with a (so-far) 7 day hurricane/winter storm/winter gale -- Orkan Felix. It's been rough and right up there with the frigid temperature the Midwest has been facing back at home. It's mostly heavy winds and lots of rain. Today it snowed briefly -- as in huge beautiful flakes for about 3 minutes. Last Thursday there was even a little bit of thunder and lightning which, for as much rain as we get in Hamburg, completely unusual. And for as much rain there is, you can't use an umbrella because it's too windy.

There's been flooding and public transportation displays, but for me it's mostly meant staying inside, burning candles, drinking tea, reading, and watching Ellen and Jimmy Fallon videos. Could be worse. I really only go outside for work or yoga.

However, I did score a great deal on oranges -- 3kg for €1,87 -- and I have a ginormus ham in the fridge. So it's been manageable. Aside from the fact that my awesome RegenRadar (Rain Radar) app is no longer free. Which is fine, but I didn't realize this and couldn't figure out why the weather was exactly the same ALL of the time, even though it really was basically the same the last week. I suppose it's worth the upgrade.

Here's to 2015 coming in like a lion!