It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas

Hot Chocolate!!!!! I managed to make the most epic hot chocolate ever last week when D and I decided to decorate the house. Melt some milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips in milk. Whisk until fully combined. Pour into respective festive holiday mugs. Then add a shot apiece of Kahlua and Smirnoff Toasted Marshmallow Vodka. YUMMMMMMMM. It will warm you right up. See? Hot chocolate isn't just for kids!

After Thanksgiving it was time to decorate for Christmas here at the Wollschlager's. What is super fun about this year is that we actually have a house to decorate. We have furniture and a tree and lights. Last year all we had was a bunch of boxes and no couch and zero counter space in the kitchen. My One Year Anniversary in Germany was on December 1st. It was amazing to think about everything that has happened in the past year while being overseas. I definitely could not have done it without all of the people in my life. I remember last year after I arrived, Jen Wall had celebrated her one year Germany anniversary and I was in awe. I read her blog post, and couldn't imagine what it would be like after living here for a whole year. Now after actually being there, it's pretty magical. So without further ado, here's our decked out house.

I saw this idea on pinterest, and with my newly covered pillows and the AWESOME ribbon I found in our "Christmas In A Box" box, I was able to make it happen! I love how festive it makes the living room feel!

Last year we bought our tree the day after Christmas to save money (half off!!!). So I am really excited to have a tree up for a whole month prior to Christmas! Granted, last year we left the tree up until almost April (oh man, don't say it) because we didn't have any lamps to light the living room. The tree helps light the area tremendous.

The christmas ball above was given to us by the Ndjerareou's this year and is our newest ornament! It's also one of my favorites because it says Merry Christmas in German. The picture ornament was given to us by Mama & Papa W last year with our November wedding picture inside.

The "W" was given to us by Mama & Papa W last Christmas. I was/still am so excited to embrace my new last initial. The glittery red felt snowflake was given to us by the Ndjerareou's last year and sparked the theme for a red and white tree.

The Wallace silver bell was given to us last year by my father. This is a Tudor family tradition I so hoped to carry to my own family someday. My parents bought a silver Wallace Christmas bell every year since I can remember. They were married for twenty-nine years which means that we have at least twenty-nine bells. The Polar Express was one of my favorite Christmas stories growing up. When we would decorate the tree, I would ring the Wallace bells and think of the Bell Santa gave to the boy. When I hear the magical chime of the bell, it means that the Christmas season has officially started... and as the book said, it's the most beautiful sound in the whole world. One of my favorite memories was when the bells would get tarnished and my mother and I would sit there with silver polish and rags and make the bells shine again while telling stories to each other.

Last year we found a box amongst our own belongings. It was labeled "Christmas in a Box". I was shocked and overjoyed to find that Mama W had sent us a huge plastic tote of Christmas decorations from her own home. Some of the ornaments that adorn our tree Dana has had all his life. She included everything you could possibly want or need... ornaments, ribbon, holiday napkins, paper plates, Christmas cards, figurines, a nut cracker & bowl, etc. It was one of the few moments in life where I felt more gratitude than I knew what to do with. It was something my mother would have done if she were still here. So thanks Joan... you truly made our Christmas special... forever.

This quilt is one of my most prized possessions. It's not very big, just a lap quilt... but it was made and hand quilted by my mother. The reason it's so special is that she quilted it during the winter of 2006 during her most vicious round of chemotherapy. If you look closely you can tell when she wasn't feeling well as her stitches get a little shaky. But I treasure this blanket because she sewed a piece of her heart inside. I love you my Sash... thanks for making me a piece of you to carry with me every Christmas.

The Christmas Cards are being made and sent out kids! So get excited to get yours in the mail! I'm doing them ten at a time, so don't get cranky if yours doesn't arrive at the same time as someone else's. I was so thrilled to put them together this year, as they are the first Christmas Cards D and I have sent out since we've been married. The advent calender above on the right is from Mama W. It's a huge blessing because it reminds me of my childhood. My mother always bought an advent calender at Christmas, the kind with chocolates inside. I could hardly wait to find the numbers and peel them back to get a treat everyday! You had better believe I was seriously bummed when I found out that I had to share with my baby brother....

The bakery down the road has started making and selling German Christmas cookies again! I am beyond excited here.... they are all so yummy and not so sweet... which basically means you can eat this entire plate full and not feel like you're going into a sugar coma. Fan-freaking-tastic if you as me!!! This year I decided to do a styled shoot with the cookies as I have learned a lot about food photography throughout the past year (Thanks Jess!!!). Dana found my note to Santa later in the day and proceeded to ask me if I was trying to hint at something.... I just laughed and showed him the photos. But, hey... it couldn't hurt *wink wink*

This past Monday I headed to Otterberg for Samantha's 2nd Birthday. I made "Pretty-In-Pink" Strawberry Cupcakes for her special day. I got to witness all kinds of special birthday traditions such as fairy-bread (toast with birthday sprinkles), colored eggs, and balloon-o-rama. It is such fun to see a mom treat her kids to a special birthday. Bravo Jess... I tip my hat to you. J also did an awesome photoshoot with her daughter titled "Two going on Sixteen". On Monday, I was able to get so me cute shots of J with her girls. So here's some snapshots of our adventures that day.

While at Jess's that day it was day TWO of SNOW!!!!!! I was so excited!!! Particularly when J looked out the window to exclaim "SNOW GLOBE SNOW!!!!". I looked at her like she was nuts and then laughed because she was totally right. It looked like a German winter snow globe outside. So of course while she put the girls down to nap, I went out into the freezing cold, sans-jacket to take photos. EEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

Friday is D's office Christmas Party and Saturday is the Jess's Ugly Sweater Party! Talk about holiday festivities!!! I love this time of year! I'm also hoping to try some holiday baking things and get to work on Leah's branding for her new company! So much stuff... oh and finish my holiday shopping... yikes. Hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday season!!! Lots of love to you all!!!!

Bernkastel-Kues Winefest Adventure

It's my most favoritest time of the year!!!! Which of course means time to break out the pumpkin mug. I did end up making pumpkin spice syrup this past weekend and not only did it turn out FANTASTIC, but it made our house smell amazing!!!! Yankee Candles for the fall? Nu-uh... just make some handy-dandy PSL syrup before guests come over...It seems this season I'm in the "spirit" more than usual. Perhaps it's because I'm not at home, I'm in Germany, at MY home. So many of my memories of this time of year are linked to being in Garland, or being in Lubbock at Tech. Because this was her favorite season, several of my favorite memories are also tied to my mother. She had the other matching mug to this one and I would always bring it home so we could have coffee to together in our matching pumpkin mugs. So at long last, it's time to make new memories. I couldn't as for a better place to exploit this opportunity. With all of the wine-fests, pumpkin-fests, apple picking etc I shouldn't have any trouble coming up with ideas.

Then fall kicked into full swing on Saturday morning when I made the Pumpkin Brown Butter cupcakes for Crystal's babyshower.... I made the rookie mistake of forgetting to charge my battery on Camie, so all I have are shots of the cupcakes. I was really happy at how they turned out! Most importantly Crystal loved them and I watched her eat more than one! Sarah did a great job of putting the shower together. We painted one-zies and played creative games. And Paula's and my mustache pacifiers were a huge hit! Congratulations Crystal and we'll soon be welcoming baby Bach in to the world!

Last weekend Jen & Tony had invited D & I to go with them to the winefest in Stuttgart. We were all excited to take the train until we got there, figured out that the cheap tickets don't include the ice train, and what would have been a two hour train ride, was now a four hour train ride. We were crushed... and trying to decide if it was worth it. Then Jen remembered that a friend of hers told her that there was a winefest going on in Bernkastel-Kues, which was only about an hour away if we drove. After not much deliberation, we decided this was our best option. I am SO in love with this charming village on the Mosel river. We got there early enough so that it was hardly busy at all and the town was just starting to wake up. My favorite part was that we took a chance and parked on a street that said "No Parking" and after eight hours at the festival, we didn't get a ticket! This is one of the best days in Germany to date. I could hardly put my camera down... which definitely works to my reader's benefit. It's almost impossible to give you any more information without showing pictures.... so here we go...

We got there so early, it was really nice to walk around without the onslaught of a huge crowd. Plus, I loved the amount of older folks that attended this festival. Just goes to show, the Germans live it up, no matter what age they are!

First stop, breakfast of champions: Bratwurst mit Brot und wein!

This cheese booth was freaking amazing!!! I believe the cheeses were made in Holland. They are flavored and covered in bright colored wax to attract a younger generation. We got the sample plate shown below and tasted the pesto cheese (green), walnut cheese, & garlic cheese. OMG. Delicious! We ended up buying two wheels later before we left. One wheel of cayenne pepper & one of pesto cheese.

Looking at the town while standing on the bridge. Amazing. I love the vineyards up the side of the hill.

There were quite a few bikers here at the festival. I just love the shorts!

Oh, right. Did I mention there was a parade the day that we were there??? So much fun!!!!

The castle on the other side of the river. I still can't get over how every town has one of these. Brit- I will make a point to take you to as many castles as I can while you're here.

Fresh bread from a vendor. Can't beat that.....

I LOVED all the bowls full of nuts and dried berries. So very fall!

Tony was looking for mead, a honey based wine, and we found it! I had never tried it before, so I can now check that off the bucket list. It's pretty good, tastes like alcoholic honey with a very sweet after taste.

Tiny little glass figurines! They remind me of Fernando!!!! These were no bigger than my thumbnail.

Brit- I looked for some really soft yarn for knitting, but it was all pretty coarse....bummer!

Funky random keychains. I thought this was hysterical....They could all be Jack & Sally's children.

They had so many wood carvings there. I wanted to get one, but they were mega expensive. So again, we took pictures instead.

This dog was my fav. I wanted to take him home so bad!

One of the bottles of wine we bought and drank. Yummay!!!

Parade!!!!! This lasted for SO long! I wish I knew enough German to read the floats.... It was one of the coolest things I've seen since I've been here.

Ruler Caesar Grape. or Dionysus. Either one works for me!

King Grape. I don't know if that's his name, but that's what Tony named him.

I so very badly want to know what these instruments are! It's something right out of who-ville by Dr. Seuss! They even sound cool!

Miss Grape. I don't know if they did this for every vinyard there? but there were a lot of Queen Grapes. And some of these girls don't look older than 10 or 12 with a glass of wine in their hand!

Viking wine boat. Dad, this one's for you!

I loved that the parade was over the bridge. How fun!

These ladies were SO great! I want to do this when I'm pushing 45.

Favorite float. Period. Check out all that detail!!!

This is how I think of Jen. Wine, Cotton Candy, & a Camera at all times.

The lost sole. tee hee.

Chocolate covered strawberries & my favorite, the balloon guy!!!!

I'm so excited that I know what the German word for cotton candy is: Zuckerwatte!

Tony's mead and Jen's hooter backpack! So cute!!!! He was stuffed SO full of items by the end of the day we could barely close him!

These guys on stage are definitely doing the dance from "Thriller". Very entertaining to watch.

My brother was with me at the festival!!! I miss you Patrick!!!!!!

Ice cream!!!!!

This one is my favorite of Tony and Jen. Look how happy they are!!!!

Fresh sauteed mushrooms. YUM.

I love that the later it got in the day, the more wine bottles accumulated on the side of the bridge.

D & Tony being boys and spitting over the side of the bridge to excite the fish below.

And of course as we had been drinking wine most of the day, things got a little crazy. Everyone wanted to ride the airplane.....

The watch the Ndjerareou's gave to D for the wedding. I am such a huge fan.

So here's the story. Two little girls are riding on the airplane. This little dude comes up and is clearly telling them to get off because he wants to ride. I cracked up at his stance. And what do you know, not five seconds later they get off and little boy cranky pants gets to ride.... lol

This is my favorite photo, but I hate that I framed the dumpster. Way to go, k.

Yeah Tony! Way to double fist on the airplane....

I'm obsessed with this door. I want it. Pronto.

Hooter! and a "k". Totally meant to be.

These guns were so interesting! I had never seen anything like them! These guys were also in the parade, but I couldn't get a good shot of the guns close up.

We took a picture of Jen here, because she is standing next to a certified "Jen Size" door.

I love me some patterned cobblestone!!

The sky as we were leaving.... so sad to go... but so tired!!! I had to have D rub my feet when we got home because they hurt so bad I couldn't sleep!

Seriously amazing trip. I have spent so long on this post today I have nothing left to say, except I hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!!! Happy Fall.

**These photos were edited using Lovely Action by orangetopatos & Willette Autumn action set**