Stateside Adventures, Hunt Style

I know that I have been back a few times since we have been living in Germany, but it all doesn't add up to too much. I miss them, especially now. I would like to give my whole family a huge hug. I love and miss you all! Won't be too long now before I can start harassing you a lot more, once we are back in the states. So, until then, I thought I would post a family portrait. Dad is behind the camera as usual, but are we not a very dignified looking family?

Well much to my mother's dismay we do not have any kids yet. But we do have a very cute kitty. Well he isn't much a kitty anymore, but we love him just the same. I went to take a shower and this is what I found in our bathroom sink.
He is too cute. And even now as I am posting this, he is the sink, curled up, fast asleep.
Vaako even enjoyed getting into the holiday spirit. He walked around the house for a good hour playing with his pretty bow. After the hour it was in pieces all over the house...maybe he didn't like getting into the holiday spirit.

Baking Extraordinare!
I don't claim to be a culinary genious, like my little sis, but I am proud of my Grasshopper cake.

The mint shavings on top took forever and if I touched them with my hand they would melt instantly. I am just that hot! Okay...no.

Christmas time in Germany is wonderful. All the little towns decorate their streets and Christmas markets spring up everywhere. This year we just went to the one in Trier. It was packed.
It was cold, too! But we toughened ourselves up by having some Gluhwein, hot wine. I don't favor the red, but the white was really tasty. I just sipped some from Matt's cup.
My favorite attraction at the market was the mushroom stand. OHHH, the sauteed mushrooms in cream sauce with potatoes is sooooo good.

This year we tried the dampfnudel. Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of it, but it was absolutely delicious. It's a steamed dumpling with a creamy center topped with something sweet. I got one with nutella on top and yeah, mmm mmm good.
One of the souvenirs I want to leave Germany with is a Weihnachts Pyramid or Christmas pyramid. This one here is a tad bit too big, but something along those lines. They remind me of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Each little outdoor store went all out in their decorations. I love this bell.

Simply, its a perfect way to spend time before Christmas comes. A bit cold and crowded, but a wonderful time.