Christmas time's starting

This year is the first year where I don't feel the pressure to squeeze all Christmas market visits into three days 😉 (but still missing the US... 😒).
First december marked the start of the advent calendar and we just had the first advent so it's not only time for some Christmas decorations in my apartment but also time for some cookie baking sessions and a hot mug of Glühwein at the Christmas market.
I was lucky to have had a workshop close to home so spent the weekend with my parents.
As the Hanover Christmas market is the first one to close before Christmas Eve, we decided to visit on Saturday after some hours of baking the first batches of cookies.
Here are some pics - also did some Michigan shaped ones but forgot to take a pic ... The chocolaty ones are made with cinnamon & cayenne pepper and are going to be put together in double cookies with Nutella inside.

After this, we deserved a nice snack and some wine at the Christmas market.
We started at the "normal" portion of the market, passed the first colorful decorations and the little Ferris wheel for the kids and arrived at the portion next to the impressive old church.

One of the favorite parts is always the medieval market which fits really well into the scenery with old cobbled stone streets and ancient houses.
First stop - we got some fresh baked bread with a creme fraiche spread and bacon - delicious.

Following the steady stream of visitors, we arrived at the Finnish market - a huge white tent dominated the market place, surrounded by small Finnish shops, Glögg (their traditional Glühwein) and food courts.
This year me & my Dad finally managed to grab a bite of the salmon roasted outside over wooden planks. It was so delicious! Served with some small potatoes, red cabbage and a herb spread it was a really tasty treat.

Closing time approaching, we made one last stop to get a Glühwein from a wine store - not too sweet and a really great red.

💔💖💖💖
At home, my advent calendar was waiting to be opened...
Can't wait for the holiday break...
Hope you all have a wonderful & happy season!

Sneak peak into my apartment

It's been some time already since I moved into my new apartment but I haven't had a chance yet to post some pics so you get an impression of where I live now (and might get inspired to visit 😉).
Overall, I really like my apartment - it's pretty huge & open, has a wonderful balcony with lots of sun and the prettiest bathroom I've ever had - but I have to admit I miss "my" lake and watching the squirrels and colorful birds from my couch.
Plus - I miss my Northville Starbucks! There are so little Starbucks here and none is close enough to stop by before work (which might be a good thing for my bank account...). I've just been to Berlin for a work event and decided to treat myself to a cup at the train station - and they already didn't had Pumpkin Spice anymore! I can't believe I totally missed that ... 😟
Anyway - back to my apartment. Here are some pics - I tried to incorporate a bunch of US & MI memories in my decoration...

It's fall time in Germany

When your life gets turned upside down - new country, new apartment, new job, ... - time seems to be flying by. Halloween already passed and I'm honestly quite in a "missing Michigan" phase - especially in the mornings when I can't stop by at the cute Northville Starbucks for a nice chat & some Pumpkin Spice Latte (yes, guilty of that one 😉) and especially when I look outside at the leaves changing color. I enjoyed the fall season in Michigan so much - those beautiful vibrant colors. Would love to be back and have a chance to catch the peak weekend up at Traverse City with a glass of wine...
Anyway - things are the way they are so here are some pictures from like a two minute walking distance from my new apartment. Lots of yellow but am clearly missing the strength of the color and the red leaves as a mix-in...