I feel like I’ve just woken up from a three-week sleep!
Last time we chatted, we said farewell to Dominik, Lutz’s son in the USA. We had a wonderful dinner with my family at our favorite restaurant, The Blue Water. As soon as we put him on the plane, I collapsed! It got me, and it got me good. I was in bed for the last five days in the USA. I made it out to our last supper with my family at the Pot Pie restaurant, but I forgot to take pictures. I think it was good.
This is the worst flu I can remember. Seriously. How Lutz got me, our luggage, and the rental car to the drop-off, made it to our flight, and caught the train to Baden-Baden, I will never know. It was in Baden-Baden that our dear friend Michael picked us up, so we didn’t have to change trains with 5 suitcases and me dragging behind! I look like death warmed over, as my mom would say.
We arrived home on January 5th to a beautiful snow-covered balcony!
Which called for a fire as I lay on the sofa trying to figure out what day and time it was!
After being in bed with bone broth and sleeping sitting up for 8 days, due to the horrible cough, Lutz took me to the doctor, and I apparently had pneumonia! Give me drugs, please. Six days of Azythromycin, and I was almost back to living. Time to get out of bed and dump the trash. Apparently, it had been snowing, and temperatures had been dropping. Dressing to dump the garbage and bottles was like preparing to hike the Himalayas.
Lutz took it easy on me, and after he started up his daily exercise regimen, he would encourage me to walk in the fresh air.
It was so beautiful in our little town, and the Christmas lights were still up and shining on the River Kinzig.
Slowly, I began to feel myself, and with Lutz’s persistence, I could walk farther each day. Then come home and collapse. The scene at the mountain’s summit was beautiful, and I was so grateful to be alive to enjoy it.
One day, we drove to an area where we could walk and view the whole Black Forest.
By mid-January, I was back to my exercise routine, walking. The best view of our quaint town is from Panorama Way.
The best day ever was when the sun was out, we drove to a nearby mountain, walked through the woods, and then sat on a bench to soak up the sun!
Now that I was up and at it, I was ready for friends and some delicious food! We enjoyed a wonderful evening with our dear friends, George and Fraya, at the Hecht in our little village.
I’m so glad I have a great group of International friends nearby who check up on me now and then. Julie planned a super evening at a 3-star restaurant for us. That was an experience. We were in the alacart section so that we could afford it. The main restaurant was not open that night, thank goodness; the 50 euros for one scoop of passion fruit ice cream was a little out of our price range.
One evening, we attended a Lions meeting, and I was so pleased to have met some new folks. One of the latest members is the principal of the schools in a neighboring town. I loved picking her brain. The meal was a hit as well.
The weather stayed cold, and shopping for things we don’t need became a weekly activity. These chairs are unreal and way beyond our means, but dreaming is allowed! The back reclines, and the leg rest comes out also—all leather and so comfy awwwwww.
We also celebrated Lutz’s 74th birthday with a meal of German Rouladens and his friend George! Thank you all for the kind wishes. Yes, the hair dryer is for him! We mounted it on his wall. A day does not go by without his favorite Black Forest ham and a bit of chocolate for his soul.
The family is doing fine; they caught a few days of the flu, but nothing like what I experienced, thank goodness. I was so proud to hear that Eva won her first Jiu-Jitsu competition, and Grandpa and Grandma Lopez were there to cheer her on. Actually, the entire Lopez family was there rooting for her!
Things are returning to normal, the snow is melting, and the sheep are heading back up the hills. You’ve got to enlarge the picture below. Even traffic stops for them to get where they need to go.
We are now planning our next local event, Fastnacht! This is one of the most significant historical events in the Black Forest. Costumes from the 1700s were passed down in the family from generation to generation. They take chasing out the winter here seriously! I’ll keep you posted on this event next month, so for now, check out my resource and new recipe. It’s time for soup!
New Fave Recipe: Curried Seafood Soup
Perfect for the chilly days ahead. Easy, delicious, and ready in 30 minutes. Use your favorite seafood and milk choice to make this savory dish for the whole family.
New Fave Resource: America’s New Dietary Guidelines…
Lots of changes are happening in the world. Here is an interesting article for an overview of what’s changing in the dietary world.
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.