Christmas Season 2010

Maria helped me make gingerbread cookies to decorate the windows.

Ansley 4, Colin 5 months, Evan 3

This picture captures the essence of what happens when we try to organize three children under the age of five to take a picture. 

Grandpa Ed and Colin

Evan sledding

Our village covered in snow

Let me preface by saying I am enamored with the manner in which the Germans celebrate Christmas. Gone are the days of the commercialized Santa Claus. I was debunked to find out Santa and Saint Nick are two separate characters.   Christmas is a magical time in Germany with snow laden hills, roasted chestnuts, wood burning stove fires, and Christmas markets.  Germans use the word advent to refer to the preparation season for the coming of the Christ child.  Traditional advent wreaths are placed as center stage in the home with four candles, one per week, marking the time till Christmas.  Maria, our nanny, constructed one for our home out of fresh pine and ribbon.  Upholding tradition, the X-mas markets begin the first week of advent.  

Our first market experience was a double header.  We traveled to Landua, a city famous for its wine for the day, and then followed with Deidesheim for the eve.  Both markets fit the prototype perfectly.  At Deidesheim there was a towering Farris wheel whereby Ansley and Evan had their first very kalt (cold) Ferris wheel ride.  

A person could be blindfolded at a Christmas market in Germany and still know exactly where they are.  Olfactory rules.  Gluhwein or warmed spice wine is served in festive mugs personalized for each market.  The olfactory is further saturated with the smell of mulling spices.  Next, one can almost taste the meat as the scent travels from the open fire grills.  Patrons can have their pick of Bratwurst, Knochwurst, or Currywurst.  

As we continue our journey next we encounter the Pflannkuchen booth.  Thick pancakes are served with applesauce.  Meanwhile, we have not heard a word from the children yet.  To silence a toddler is a rare occasion.   Collectively all of our senses are swimming.  In addition, thousands of Germans are silenced by the atmosphere of the lights and the log cabin looking booths, adorned with fresh greenery, nuts, and bows.  Each booth is personalized by the craftsman selling his or her wares.  One booth offers hand made wicker baskets in every size.  Another sells leather purses advertised with a touch of "wild".   The booth that wins the gold ribbon is the chocolate booth.  It is decorated impeccably with gold bows, spray painted nuts and gunny sac material all mixed with fresh pine.  I have never in my life witnessed such a display of confections with fruit dipped in chocolate on sticks available in milk or dark chocolate.  Wild cherry and nuts are bonded together in a puddle of chocolate. Chocolate dipped pretzels, bon bons, and dried dates and nuts add to the display.  We made a unanimous decision to try the chocolate dipped fruit on a stick and were not disappointed.  

Grandpa Ed and Ansley

The goose and meal Neil prepared for Christmas

Grandma Rodgers was woken up by the elves.

To capture the heart of Christmas season, one must understand the concept of family.  With a clean house, toasty fire, and home made baked German goodies compliments of Maria's assistance, I was now ready to embark on the Rodgers' family European Christmas extravaganza.  Five months ago, my parents made a commitment to come to Germany and England to visit my sister and I.  Nothing would ever convince my mother to travel outside the US. except for her children.  Being the last two people to be likely world travelers my parents have visited two continents and three countries to visit their children.  Last winter they made a trip to visit my brother who is studying to be a priest in Peru.  

The last preparation I made was to purchase a fresh pine arrangement for our entry way containing a large red candle.  The Germans are second to none in their ability to create arrangements with pine and capture the spirit of the season.  Finally, my parents arrived on the 23rd of December.  Neil procured my parents from the airport.  My father made a comment that insinuated that Neil was driving fast on the Autobahn, maybe 90-100 miles an hour.  What a thrill to take your in-laws for a joy rid on the autobahn.  Neil covered his tracks saying a Porshe passed him going approximately 130 mph.  Remember speed is always relative.

So this part is MEGA embarrassing.  Evan greeted my parents with his classic show off duck waddle and his favorite slogan "three, four and a butt score" and then proceeded to show off his manhood.  We all gasped and then pretended not to notice.  I must have turned five shades of red.  Please welcome the Grandparents.  

Wasting no time, we took my parents straight to the Christmas market in the local town of Kaiserslaturn. My parents seemed to catch onto to our culinary antics right away.  First stop was for sausage, then crepes, then Hack steak on a bun, and lastly warm candied walnuts.  Luckily we walked around and were able to burn off some meat by swaying to the music of a cover band singing George Michael's "Last Christmas I Gave You my Heart."  

The next day was Christmas Eve and we celebrated by taking the usual half hour to bundle up the tribe and head out to the local sled hill.  The Germans had the same idea and us rookies joined them with our plastic saucers with handles.  Most of the other people on the hill had official looking wooden sleds.  One couple was particularly serious with an over sized sled covered with an animal pelt.  The sled looked just as sexy as a Harley Davidson.  At the end of the day we had to cajole Grandpa to go home.   

The next day we attended the local German mass in Weilerbach.  The service included traditional German Hymnals, an organ, and dangerously well behaved toddlers.   Neil spent the day cooking a feast fit for European royalty.  We smelled the goose stuffed with fresh herbs and lemons.  The Christmas goose tradition began in England under the reign of Queen Elizabeth.  The queen was feasting on Ganza when the English defeated the Spanish Armata.  The goose was made a national dish.  I am still thanking Queen Elizabeth because our goose was delectable.  Additions to the meal included fried shredded potato cakes served with applesauce and cream, mini pancakes with smoked salmon, herbed cheese and caviar, brussel sprouts, and cranberries.  Did I mention I married the right man? 

Aunt Julie and Jennifer, sisters

The next day my sister and her friend Mapi (both are Fraternas/consecrated lay persons/ translation about 95% nuns) arrived. Mapi is from Peru and it is a privilege to know her.  Both her and my sister specialize in the art of children charming.  The pair played all the right imagination games including slaying dragons and making the toddlers knights.  The aunties shared cookies, wrestled, and maintained their general magical mystique.  To be wonderful in the eyes of a child is the ultimate compliment.  Ansley still prays to God every night to see if he wants her to be a nun.  She wants to be one because she loves Jesus and wants to wear a cross.  Evan proclaims he will be a priest. I think to myself I better have more children or I am going to end up with no grandchildren. 

Mapi and Julie, the children charmers

The last adventure for the Rodgers/Jones family was the "Freedom Volkswagen (folkzvagon or something like that) Heilderburger Tour"  With all of my idealism I wanted my guests to receive an authentic taste of Germany.  We had to travel or shall I say tote the masses.  Picture in your mind a small bus or shant I say a large van.  The gentle giant, the running ostrich, the oil leaking, diesel smelling, gas guzzling piece of German machinery.  We set out in the van FULLY loaded, toddler gear, winter clothes, and sausage sandwiches.  I had to convince Grandpa not to bring the dog and a few stray cats.  Grandpa was the co-pilot/trusted coach/cheerleader.  He directed my backing out of the driveway.  Led by the GPS we made our way to Heidelburg.   We had to roll down the windows to vent the diesel and keep the windows fog free.  The wipers squeaked and the windows were covered with the salt and grime from the road.  

The caravan continued and the next problem encountered was parking the van.  Spots for buses in Europe are as rare as white buffalo.  Finally we wound up the road to the castle as I cursed the four S's:  snow, steep, slick, and stone.  Finally we were able to park the metal hunk at the top of the hill. We toured the castle, the fine edifice it is.  

Then I convinced my parents to walk into the Aldstadt (old town) to visit the world famous Heidelburger Zuckerlander- a gummy bear shop.  My mother whispered sweet nothings under her breath as I drug everyone down the icy cobble stone hillside.  Needless to say Heidelberg Sugarland was worth the trek.  Adventure always yields large dividends.  Home made gummies with real fruit juice, a whole wall of gummy rats, bears , strings, fruit pieces.. you name it.  A German Frau manned the wall with a scoop.  We requested a mixed bag.  The man running the cash register was as unique as the store itself.  He looked like a combination between Willy Wonka, Johnny Depp style, and the Mad Hatter.  He had a long, slender pointed goatee and died blond hair.  He raised his eyebrows and asked the price of the bag.  I said funf Euros.  He replied "Oh you want to learn German Funfffffffff Euros."  He than produced an over sized hat, further confirming the Mad Hatter theme, and play a legalized version of gambling with dice with gummies as the spoils.  

Let us just say the ride home included gummies, darkness, snow, low visibility, a screaming baby, a 20 minute bathroom detour, white knuckles, and our friend the Vanigan.  Upon our arrival our German home never looked so nice.  In unison we canceled our impending travel plans for the next day.  Never mind the wasted extra day of bus rental.  you can't put a price on sanity or piece of mind.  

The family visit was a definite success. Thank you to all my family who made sacrifices to come here.  We would love to have more visitors. . hint, hint .  . .