During Advent, Germans mark the four Sundays before Christmas by lighting candles on an Advent Wreath. Find out about the custom and its older alternative, the Paradeisl or Klausenbaum.
Advent Wreaths are a German tradition that starts the Adventszeit, the time before Christmas. Find out here how to make an advent wreath.
It’s almost December 1st. Did you get your advent calendar yet? Are you buying or making one for your kid, your friend, your spouse? Here are some ideas and facts about advent calendars.
Nowadays it is easier than ever to watch TV shows from other countries and in different languages. Netflix in the US has a large selection of German language TV shows and movies. You can watch them in German with English subtitles, if you want, but some of them have also been dubbed. Here are 5 […]
Buß- und Bettag is the Wednesday before the last Sunday in the liturgical year. In English, it’s called Day of Prayer and Repentance.
After looking at the history of the pretzel in Europe and the US, it is time to try making pretzels myself. The recipe I like best uses caustic soda that gives the Laugenbrezel its distinct taste.
After looking at the origin and history of the pretzel in Europe, we take a look at the pretzel in the US from Philadelphia in Pennsylvania to Freeport in Illinois.
Here are two recipes: one for Martins- or Zuckerbrezeln, and one for Stutenkerle or Weckmänner. They are German recipes that I translated into English with American measurements. Links to the original are in the post.
In the fall, children all over Germany take part in lantern parades, they sing songs, and in some regions they receive a sweet dough man. Especially in the West, this happens on St. Martin’s Day which is November 11th.
When I studied in Hanover, Germany I lived in a district called Stöcken. I passed the Stöcken Friedhof (Stöcken cemetery) every day on my way to school, the library, or the grocery store. My friend and I would actually go for a walk there since the cemetery is really more of a park with graves. […]
