Let the "Good-byes" Begin....

I am certainly glad that this little blog didn't exist when I moved BACK to Germany 5 years ago.  I had lived here when John and I were first married for 3 years and I was MORE than excited to move back with a toddler and a newborn - I thought, "Thank  goodness THAT'S over!"....and then 5 years ago we found out that Deutschland was luring John back with the promise of awesome army opportunities and 3 years of shopping and traveling for the kids and me.  Because of deployments and the shuffling of responsibilities - we have stayed a WHOPPING 5 years in Europe!  My kids have rooted themselves here and Germany is now more familiar than the United States - THAT is so strange but I completely "get it".  There are times that I just wonder (usually out loud!!) if we will look and act like big "weirdos" who have lived in Europe for way too long.  One thing I DO know - the little bitty town we are going to is not Germany - but I am sure they have just as much potential to become endured to us...just like Germany has.  I think the fact that I have lived WITH and practically on TOP of military families for so very long (8 years...3 at West Point and 5 here...) that I have forgotten what it is like to have privacy...to not be known by what unit you are in....to not have soldiers running by for Physical Training (PT) in the morning.....to not hear Revile being playing at 5pm every evening....the list could go on and on.  My mind feels like a swirling, angry sea of thoughts and emotions....

It's the unknown that creeps in constantly and crowds out any excitement.

However, I push right back and say, "Ummmm...excuse me!  The United States of America is the only reason I am here in Germany....I'm going back....happy....proud and ready to re-root!!!"  Well,I may not really say those words - but if I HAD to...I could....

SO...the "good-byes" have begun!  John and I LOVE to go to a castle and have dinner for our date nights and last night was.....well.......the LAST night.  I absolutely adore the drive up there and the view once we are seated.  Last night we watched a storm roll right towards us...so we ran inside and enjoyed our goodies in there.

Please....come with me and help me say "Auf Wiedersehen" to Strahlenburg Castle....overlooking the sweet city of Shriesheim.

Driving through Shriesheim...

The atmosphere in the outside garden...

And...the view inside the tiny "window view" dining room...

A thunderstorm came rolling in and we could actually SEE the sheet of rain!!

That's my date and sweet hubby...he was laughing at me because I was taking pictures constantly.  I wasn't a very attentive date until....

THE MEAL!

White Asparagus (called "spargel" in Germany) cream soup...It tastes like potato soup - with the perfect little mild crunch every once-in-a-while.  Gosh...makes my mouth water just writing about it!

Rumpsteak vom Grill mit Krauterbutter dazu gebackene Ofenkartoffel mit Sauerrahm

Our favorite!  Rumpsteak served hot with herbed butter, baked potatoes and sour cream

They don't have bit Idaho russett potatoes here....in fact, the baked potato is not as common to restaurants as they are in the States.  So...sometimes when we come here....we get 2 potatoes...but tonight...we got THREE!  I have to say, though, after 2 and that giant steak - I had to be rolled away...

Oh - but look what we ordered next - we obviously are like cows and have LOTS of stomachs and feel the need to keep eating until all of them are full!

We have serious issues!  This is fresh apple streudel with fruit, ice cream and whipped cream - and chocolate drizzle.  Honestly, this is the only German restaurant I've seen that serves it this way.

German coffee...I will miss thee.
Strong, hot and it would take a quart of milk to cut this stuff down - so I don't...and I'm quite sure it has lowed my voice and made me stronger....not TOTALLY sure but QUITE sure...

And....as we were walking back to the car...

You can't hear it... but my heart is sighing...

Behind those lit windows is the kitchen staff and when you walk beside it...you can hear them laughing and talking and clanking dishes.  When I took this picture I said, "Are you going to miss me?"...and they just kept talking and laughing and clanking.  Perfect...

Auf Wiedersehen Strahlenburg!

We will miss you so much...