We had 2 sad departures this week–the Irvings and the Conlins. We are trying to keep smiles on our faces as they leave us.
Lunch at IKEA with friends. Every Monday a group walks over to Hornbach’s food truck or IKEA for lunch. Occasionally we join them.
Friends passing through Frankfurt–all of us served with the BYU Alumni Association at one time.
Farewell to the Conlins:
This evening a large group of missionaries went together to the Ringing of the Bells Frankfurt, then to the Christmas Market there. The Walls, our Activity leaders helped to organize the event for anyone who wanted to go.
We rode together from the train stop by our apartments.
This year when we got to the Römerberg (square) we didn’t stay put the whole time to hear the bells. Instead we wandered between some of the churches and enjoyed the market stalls. I got a hot scone with cinnamon and sugar. John held out for a Brat later in the evening. We enjoyed it, but the crowds were body to body in most of the market areas, which gets a little crazy. Mostly I enjoyed taking photos of all the different kinds of things found in a Christmas market. Come take a look!
I love these “Zwetschgenmännla” – Traditional handcrafted figures made with dried plums, nuts, and figs. These delightful characters, like bakers and farmers, bring good luck and represent the festive spirit and creativity of each region.
John got some of these potato patties served with applesauce.
We walked over to the river to enjoy the sun setting over Frankfurt.
We visited some of the churches as the bells rang out over the city.
Here’s the scone maker:
I just love German Christmas decorations.
You can even find tools in these markets!
So many things smell and look so good!
In one church we found a deaf choir signing Christmas carols. There were singers off to the side providing the music.
Chocolate also comes in every shape and size. Even in the shape of tools!
Most Christmas markets bring in a large Christmas tree. This is one of the tallest in the German markets.
After spending time in the square and the crush of the market, we walked through the Zeil, or shopping boulevard. It was also full of people and shoppers and very festive.
At the end of the evening we made our way back home.
Rüdesheim is the town we went to a few months ago to ride the gondola up over the vineyards to a memorial up above the Rhine River. It’s a wine-growing town. The description of the market sounded fun and it was.
The shops –maybe about 100 of them on the town map– were spread down the main street, then down to the riverfront, then back into the main square by the church. It’s a small town. We spent a couple of hours just wandering through the streets and shops and booths. There were lots of visitors and locals out, enjoying the festive market stalls.
John got some of the deep fried potato patties (Püffer)–you get 3 large patties served with applesauce. I had a couple of bites. He also got a waffle covered in Nutella. I had a bun with ham and cheese baked inside. Later we saw Raclette, but we’d had enough.
There was plenty of Gluhwein and beer served. For most, the markets are all about the food. I am always looking for something hand-crafted or unique. I bought one ornament–a hand carved moon with a face. And we found a stall with wood carvings and got a small (African) frog and cricket to add to our collection. There was a smaller Katie Wolfahrt store here. Those are so fun to walk through (but not for John).
I love it in the small local markets when school classes decorate the trees decorating the streets. I especially loved these angel faces:
Flamm Lachs is smoked salmon, grilled over a fire, served on a bun. It’s delicious.
Sauteed mushrooms:
Tools for sale:
Drizzling chocolate on fresh dipped strawberries:
A bunch of mistletoe for sale:
On our way out of town, we drove to a Kloster and church about 10 min up in the hills. We’d heard about it. We found an old church and some old buildings near, quiet and no one in sight. The church had a modern huge open-air seating area behind it. Looks like they do conventions here. There was also a large hotel near by. There was nothing else in the area. It was a nice place to end our morning.
This week we had some good times with our friends. I scheduled a special baptismal session at the temple and invited some friends to join us there. Afterwards we all had dinner at Cafe Klatsch where we celebrated Chris Feinauer’s 70th birthday
We also spent an evening enjoying a BYU BB game, cheering from afar.
And we sadly enjoyed our last lunch with the Irvings. We’ve had lunch together almost every day since we arrived here. We will really miss them.
Every year Sis Enger takes a group of us caroling in her neighborhood. We start with our little German class, and we add our spouses, other missionaries and friends.
This evening we met at Erika’s home to practice singing a few carols in German, then we went out to spread some Christmas spirit.
Treats were waiting for us after our return.
The night was cold, but we felt warm and happy as we went from house to house, singing to Erika’s neighbors and friends. Erika delivered the gifts we made earlier this week in our German class to each family.
While singing to people in Erika’s neighborhood, we were invited into the home of a kind gentleman, now in his 90s. His wife died since we sang here last year. He stood in tears, as he listened to our carols, then invited us in to his apartment. It was like stepping into a cozy German cottage in the woods. He had the most interesting German decorations filled with memories of his loved ones. This invitation to step into his world was his gift to us.
Stepping into his apartment was like stepping into a German cottage in the woods. It was lovely. He clearly loved and missed his wife, especially at this time of the year. We could see her influence in the beautiful old-world decorations.
I noticed this tray of walnuts on his dining table. Immediately I thought of my Grandma Elsa, who always had a try of walnuts to shell on her lap during the winter months. We had a couple dozen walnut trees on our farm. She kept her hands busy this way in the evenings. Our friend here said he shells the nuts to feed the birds. What a kindness!
At another home, we were invited to have some hot wassail and homemade cinnamon cookies, a German traditions.
Then after caroling, we went back to Erika’s to warm ourselves with a hot drink made from Spanish orange tea and Erika’s plum juice. It was delicious!
This evening we felt the true meaning of Christmas. Being here is such a gift.
We just love visiting Erika Enger, our German teacher. Our classes are like an oasis in our week of office hours and long days. Today we learned more about Christmas in Germany and we made some little treat favors to take to friends and neighbors when we go caroling with Erika in a few days.
Making little Christmas candles.
And little cottage houses, all edible.
We are all excited to be here in Germany for Christmas this year. (Did you notice I’m wearing an apron made by my dear friend, Bernice in Accra?)
Our Frankfurt Germany Mission 