Market Discovery

I've discovered my new favorite sinful treat...Cardamon & Date Cream Cheese.

Last week at the Friday market in Friedberger Park I decided to try something new and very glad that I did indeed.  Usually I pick up hummus and olives - we've been trying all the different olive combinations lately.  Lemon & parsley olives, Parmesan olives, garlic & coriander olives - all are very delicious by themselves and mixed in salads.  This week I might just have to try a new flavorful cream cheese, but will certainly be picking up more cardamon & date.

Since signing up for the organic produce delivery I've encountered produce that I've never seen before, which is always exciting.  Most recently, we received bärlauch which translates to ramson in English.  The dark green wild garlic/leek leaves paired well with Chanterelle mushrooms in a pasta sauce.  I wonder what we will be surprised with next....thank goodness for Internet!

Welcome Baby Girl

On March 14, we welcomed our little Nugget, a baby girl into the world and what a miracle.  She is perfect, precious, and the sweetest thing.  Now my days are consumed with eating & sleeping - for her and me.

My Mom, a very ecstatic Grandma, made her first trip over seas to come meet her first grandchild and lets just say she didn't want to leave.  I am so grateful that she made the journey and appreciative of her help.  Now that she has gone, eating, sleeping, and getting things done around the house are bit more interesting.

We are adjusting to life quite well and really enjoy our afternoon naps together.  There have been some great diaper changing moments for both my husband and myself.  We watch her facial expressions like a great movie and listen to her grunts and various noises like they are our favorite musicians.  Bath time is always interesting and dinner time is a juggling act since it is, of course, her most wide awake time.  I am looking forward to this journey and teaching our little Nugget about the world.

People can tell you that having a child is a miracle, but you never know what they mean until you experience it for yourself.

Nugget's Nest Complete

I've taken procrastination to a whole new level....Finally, I finished the mobile for Nugget's room.

The paper mâché creation was a drawn out process that I most likely could have completed in a couple weeks - however I took the path of a couple months instead - perfection takes time.  We hung the creation last night, only days before we are expecting our little bundle of joy.  I really enjoyed making the mobile and am now conjuring up new ideas, new creations, new reasons for making phenomenal messes!

6 DAYS!!!

Only six days left before our little love Nugget arrives...time is flying!  At every doctors visit in the last trimester they have done a routine fetal heart rate monitor and it is the most amazing half hour of listening to the heartbeat and the sounds of movement.  Also, learned some interesting facts while being pregnant.....

-Average human adult heart beats 90 times per minute and while in the womb the heart beats on average 150 times per minute.
-A pregnant woman has about a 40% increase in blood during pregnancy.
-One drop of breast milk contains approximately one million white blood cells.

The female human body is incredibly amazing!  I won't bore you with any more facts, but there is so much to learn and experience.

Even though I like the German health care system so far, there seems to be one universal rule no matter where you are in the world....you must be your own advocate, you must educate yourself and make sure that you are getting the care you want and deserve.  As much as I like my OB doctor here, I've had to remind her about two important standard tests done during pregnancy, which I would not have known if it were not for all the reading and research that I've done so far. Mind the old cliche knowledge is power.

Munch in Frankfurt

Postcards & ticket stub
Clockwise from top left:
"Vampir im wald"
"Galoppierendes Pferd"
"Die Sonne"

Last week I saw the Edvard Munch exhibit at the Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt.  I highly recommend seeing this exhibition of work, which originally opened in Paris and will be in Frankfurt until May 2012.

Before hand, like many, I knew of Munch because of his famous painting "The Scream" - however, I didn't know there were five versions of this popular painting.  Since this is not an art blog - I will keep it short - it was very fascinating how photography and film influenced Munch's work.  Often walking through the exhibit I was reminded of one of my closest friends who loves experimenting with photography.  This exhibit solicited many feelings, emotions, and memories for me.  The energy and motion of the selected works are amazing and revolutionary for his time.

So, if you are in Frankfurt before May, include a visit to the Schrin if time allows.

Fasching, German Carnival

Fasching, the German version of Carnival, is celebrated most exuberantly in Cologne, Mainz, and other cities especially in the south western portion of the country.  At first (as Americans) we noticed Halloween costumes for sale in stores all over.  Then after an educational brunch with some German friends we learned about Fasching.

Fasching preparations and planning officially begin on November 11 at 11:11am.  Fasching parties begin in the beginning of January, but the real celebration, festivities, parades and events begin the Thursday before Ash Wednesday.  Events are held for all ages with children's activities and parades, adult parties, and of course the parades.

Last Sunday we attended the parade in Frankfurt and immersed ourselves in our new surroundings, including the yelling of "Hello!" at the parade participants who yelled back.  A very new experience with lots of interesting costumes and traditions.  There were people everywhere.  Great people watching and picture taking!

      

Organic (Bio) Produce Delivery

All the farmers markets in Frankfurt are great, but as my belly grows and near the arrival of the baby I've been searching for ways to make life a little easier especially for the first couple of months after we are home and adjusting.  Grocery shopping is a daily chore here for me and the burden of the chore increases as my energy plummets.

Life saver found!  Paradieschen is an organic (bio) food delivery service in the Frankfurt area and a blessing.  Last week was our first trial delivery and I must say I am thus far pleased with the service.  I even had to Google a couple of the items we received: puntarelle, Roman salad green delicacy and Black Root, which is native to North America and unfortunately not safe for pregnant women to consume.  There was a decent amount of produce and only a couple apples and a few carrots remain.  The weekly delivery "Familie Klein" (small family 2-3 people) will cost around 16 euros.  The invoice comes with recipes printed on the back and an overview of what will arrive the following week.

On top of the standard produce delivery they also have an online market full of organic (bio) products from meat, bread, and cheese to wine, prepared foods, noodles, and body care products.  I have yet to order anything extra, but as I await today's delivery and look through the available products I anticipate that my orders will increase in the future.