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!