Flaming microwaves!

Tonight when I was using our microwave/grill oven to grill some (American!) hotdogs, it started smoking after only 30 seconds.  I opened it up, gave it a quick wipe down with a wet rag (even though it looked clean) and turned it back on.

This time I walked away for a minute or two.  When I came back, it was belching out smoke… and it was a little extra “bright” inside.  Well I opened it up immediately to stop the cycle.  Not only did thick smoke come pouring out (reminiscent of a burning tire), the top – near the heating element – was aflame.

The fire extinguisher is downstairs, so I decided to try to put it out by myself.  I instinctively knew better than using water (yes, I know, I’m patting myself on the back), so I did the next best thing… I tried to blow it out.

At first, I didn’t blow hard enough and only made it a bit bigger.  Good news, though, after a few seconds I had it out.  Now comes the funny part.

It turns out my girls tried microwaving an egg while the babysitter was here and - yup, you guessed it – it exploded.  She cleaned the surface, but it turns out that there were egg remains above the protective grate that reacted to the heat.  When they mentioned the egg after we got home the other night, I never thought about the possible ramifications…

Lotsa Snow!!!

We had a Texas-sized snowstorm today… with HUGE snowflakes! We probably got around 3” altogether. The kids all had a blast playing in the snow during recess and lunch. Ryan’s street hockey game was cancelled, but that didn’t bother him because they apparently had the mother of all snowball fights after school.

When we first moved down here, we were told that it doesn’t snow in the Black Forest anymore. Apparently nobody told Mother Nature ;-)

Black Forest Fog

 

This is another common scene this time of year.  The Black Forest mountains are famous for their winter fog.  It’s very thick and comes and goes as it pleases.  It makes for very beautiful scenery.  We love it here!

Weiberfastnacht

When I drove into town yesterday, this is what I saw… notice the underwear hanging from lines across the street. This is to celebrate Weiberfastnacht (or simply Fastnacht). It is the official last night of the Carnival season and the beginning of the Lenten season of “fasting.” It is also the night that, traditionally, the women take control. It is celebrated by a rule-free all-night party.

We are used to the entire Carnival season from our time in Bonn, but the underwear is a new twist for us… must be some sort of regional or local tradition. Either way, they had a major party last night in Basel… with incredible marching bands criss-crossing the city (and each other) and playing every musical style possible - and doing it VERY WELL!!! - culminating in all the lights in the city being turned off at 4:00am. Then you only hear the high flutes.

We accidentally ended up in Basel for the celebration last year while house hunting. It was amazingly fun to watch the bands… so much talent!

Snowflakes in France

We just went on a shopping trip to France today.  It sounds so romantic but we live just on the border of Germany with France and Switzerland within sight. 

I had so much fun because there was an actual "mall" there.  It wasn't comparable to American malls but a mall nonetheless.  We found some American items that we couldn't find in Germany.  (ex. Neutrogena face soap, Maybelline mascara, Pepperidge farm cookies, tube yogurt, Lay's chips, canned cokes)  We feel like we just hit the lottery! 

Anyway, it started to snow.  (It's about 25* here)  While we were in the parking lot waiting for our car to warm up, the snow would touch the windows and stick.  Emma was just so amazed at all the different shapes and how they were so perfect.  I couldn't remember the last time that I just took a moment to enjoy something so small. So, we just sat in the car in the parking lot for awhile... talking about snowflakes!  Of course Jon had an epiphany and started to write a sermon about how amazing God is that his creations are so amazingly different.

Oh yeah, on our way ...there was a wild boar in the middle of the road in the snow!  It was just sort of surreal.

Thanks Emma for the reminder of how wonderful snowflakes are!

Drunken realtor

Okay, so now you get to hear another hysterical "only in Germany" story...

Our current house is nice, but way too small for our family, so we've started looking for another one.  If you've followed this blog, you know of all the troubles in finding a house down here in the southern Black Forest.

We had an appointment with the realtor and homeowner of a house we're interested in yesterday.  We showed up at the appointed time (10:30am) and were met by the owner.  He explained that his realtor had called a few minutes earlier and said he had way too much to drink at a Christmas party the night before and still had a hangover, so he wouldn't be joining us... and it's not even the weekend!

It actually worked out great for us, since we had a long time to talk with the landlord by ourselves.  But it seemed extremely unprofessional to my American mind.  I am amazed at how comfortable this culture is with such things.

Anyway, there you have it... only in Germany!

 

(PS. We'll keep you updated on the house hunt.)

The Chicken Dance

And now for something pathetic!  Emma is giving a presentation for her 3rd grade class on Texas (most of them are Americans that have lived overseas for many years).  It's kind of funny because they were supposed to give a presentation on a country... Emma chose Texas!

Anyway, with Robin's encouragement, she asked if I would play the Chicken Dance song on the guitar for her class so she could teach them the dance.  I hate country music!  Robin may have to pay for this one... I'm not sure yet :-)

Anyway, it should be hysterical.  And I'm quite glad none of you are here to see it!  Did I mention that I hate country music???