The sun is working hard to come out, the family is working hard to stay healthy, the world is working hard to keep turning, and we are working hard to take life one day at a time. Sometimes, you must slow down to realize how hard you work for material things, only to be disappointed after discovering that the achievement wasn’t worth all the hard work. So, this month we made our lives simpler by hanging out at home, enjoying our friends, and heading to the countryside. Maybe smell the flowers once in a while!
Hanging out at home was the easiest. Truly, I loved trying new recipes. These potato rolls are a keeper, and hopefully, I will have the recipe posted next week.
I also made the best Sticky Asain Pork Belly, which was so simple and is now one of our favorite meals.
Using gluten-free bread crumbs and my air fryer, we enjoyed a homemade Schnitzel!
Doris, Lutz’s sister, bought me the coolest birthday gift. She bought it from our local Weltladen (World Market). I featured it in this month’s newsletter below. It was a real hit and so delicious. It is a vegan/vegetarian recipe. The combination of sauerkraut, sweet potatoes, and curry seemed odd initially, but one bite, and woo! We liked it so much that the following evening, we added shrimp. Thank you, Doris, for helping me with the directions and staying to sample!
Of course, my birthday dinner was pizza. I love making homemade pizza any day, and since it was my birthday, I made Lutz participate!
We cook it on a stone on the grill!
It always comes out perfect and has a crunchy bottom and a soft, chewy inside!
Staying home has its advantages. We made it a point to keep our lives simple by enjoying our beautiful patio. Yes, the sun made an appearance!
Slowing down to read, taking naps, and resting!
Even our dear friends Michael and Angelika came over to hang out by the fire and take a dip in the pool
Our little town has a lot happening for this corner of the world. Easter is one of those wonderful times we get to put on the ritz! The Easter Market has handmade gifts, and we are proud to erect the largest easter egg in the Black Forest!
Taking rides into the Black Forest with Fritz, my 1994 Mazda Miata has become a weekly adventure.
This area has so much to see! This bed is huge and was the little town’s welcome sign!
My favorite are the homes that dot the countryside; many have been here for over one hundred years.
One sunny day’s drive took us to the second-tallest mountain in the Black Forest. At the top, these people leap off to float in the air over the valley below!
On the way home, we visited a couple of monasteries.
The church in St Peter was so beautiful!
One day, we cruised with Fritz and landed at the Junghans Watch Museum in Schramberg.
Look at the layout of the building. It was the original factory. You take the elevator up the outside track to the top and then work your way back to the entrance by stairs.
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It was a cool museum, and Junghans produced the first stopwatch for the Olympics!
We exercise four to five days a week at home in our gym. We both have a routine and are very faithful, but sometimes you need a change of scenery. Bike rides are always welcome. One day, we made a round trip of 40 km to Schramberg and back to hang out and see the cute town.
I visited Kate while I was there; she is one of my new friends from Eurika, California, living just up the hill.
We got to know each other at our Clothes Exchange this month! Yes, I was good. I gave away more than I took! But the sweater in the left corner was a prize. It is wool and will be super for our trip next month when we head to Norway.
We also took our bikes to Kehl on the Rhine River, across from Strasbourg. Our mission: to ride along the Rhine River, hunting for Bärlauch, or wild garlic! It makes the best pesto!
One of the highlights last month was the Wolfach Lions Club’s well-planned trip to Strasbourg, France. Our tour guide was the Lions President’s aunt.
She had been to school there and knew all the right places to visit.
We visited the university’s library, and I couldn’t resist taking this picture of the stairs.
Our tour ended with an elegant dinner and with new friends!
I hope you are learning to work hard at the simple things in life. They are so much more rewarding. I hope your holiday was peaceful and filled with loved ones. Here’s wishing you the best May ever! Let’s work hard to make simple memories that last longer than material items. Working hard to enjoy the simple things of life brings great surprises! Can you see it?
Fave Recipe: Curried Sauerkraut & Sweet Potato
In our little town of Wolfach, we have Weltladen, a small World Market. They have the coolest gifts and handicrafts from around the world. Often, they provide a recipe with all the fixings, and the funds are donated to organizations worldwide. This delicious combination will make your tongue dance! Click here for the recipe.
Fave Resource: What the Kale! It’s Kale Season
The problem I run into is when it is laid out at the grocery store, with water spraying every 15 minutes, it looks amazing. But when I buy it in a sack, or it’s been lying around a couple of days, it is gray and dull-looking. Even the fresh batch I got this week at the outdoor market looked light gray. Well, bring that baby back to life! Easy Peezy. Click here for the trick!
I'm Melinda Stevens and living the life of a beach bum was inevitable since my father was a lifeguard for the city of Los Angeles. My memories of growing up on John Street in Manhattan Beach, California were filled with joy, excitement and adventures; until my world, as I knew it, fell apart when we moved to Del Mar, California. My father was offered the position as Captain of the lifeguards and we started the slow migration to the small deserted stretch of beach in 1963. At twelve years old, this seemed like the end of my life. Remember, I’m writing with clear hindsight now, ok somewhat clearer… Little did I know this would be the beginning of a new journey and give a bit more clarity to many of the events that led me to this new cooking adventure.
great report and you are always cooking us good dinners
love you
So glad I have you to see the world and most importantly eat my cooking. Lol. Love you.
Love reading your blogs! Wish there were exciting things close enough to explore like you do. Love you, and a belated birthday wish!
Yes I’m so grateful that I have so many opportunities near us. Visiting France, Italy or Austria are within a days reach. Thank for following along Aunt Sue! Miss you.
Great report and nice pictures from your activities in April – therefore the title „Mai“ is a little irritating
Thanks for keeping in touch! It was a relaxing month. I try to send out my post the 1st of every month. Therefore they reflect what I’ve been doing Can’t predict May but hoping it’s as super as April. Lots to look forward to though. Chat with yo June 1 for a review of May! Hugs.