Saturday, February 24, 2018

Sunshine Blogger Award

Bev from Confuzzledom tagged me in her Sunshine Award post, and since I haven't written much lately and find these posts really fun to read from other bloggers, I thought I'd go ahead and participate. Thanks for the tag, Bev!


The Sunshine Blogger award is given by bloggers to bloggers who inspire positivity and creativity in the blogging community. [Oh dear. I'm not always positive...] There are rules.

  1. Thank the blogger who nominated you in your post and link back to her/his blog.
  2. Answer 11 questions the blogger asked you.
  3. Nominate 11 new bloggers to receive the award and write 11 new questions.
  4. List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger award logo in your post.
Here we go with Bev's questions:

1. What is the best book you've read so far in 2018?

Bev is an avid reader, so I would expect book questions! The one I enjoyed the most was Diary of a Bookseller, by Shaun Bythell. He runs a bookshop in Wigtown, Scotland, and his book covered a year of his life, the strange things customers say, the quirky employees he's had, his runs around Scotland to pick up loads of books when someone asks if he'd like their (or their deceased grandfather's) collection of books, the stinky cat that lives in the book shop, and life in a small Scottish town. Apparently sending Shaun anonymous postcards is a thing, so I sent him one!
Bev, there's a book festival in Wigtown every year, and I think you and I should take a road trip there! 

2. If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?

OMG, no contest. A Steinkauz!! 

3. What food could you happily eat every day?

Again, no contest. Ziegenkäse im Speckmantel.

The salad's not really necessary, but
the dressing is delicious.

4. What is your favourite thing about the place you live?

I can get everywhere I need or want to go on public transportation, it's a small, quiet town, and it's in Swabia.

5. Where were you born?

On an Air Force base that no longer exists in Michigan, USA.

6. Are you eating or drinking anything right now?

Yes. (a glass of white wine)

7. What is one talent you wish you had?

That's easy for me - the ability to understand and speak the basics of every language. Beyond that, the ability to play the piano well. I wasted the chance my parents gave me - 11 years of piano lessons, and I couldn't be bothered to practice.

8. Do you have a favourite board game?

Anything trivia-related, so probably Trivial Pursuit - in German and in English. I love challenging myself and learning along the way.

9. What is your favourite thing about blogging?

Being able to write and share my thoughts. My American friends and family won't talk about politics or anything controversial or unpleasant, but I can write about anything I want to here and put it out into the universe. I equally enjoy connecting with other bloggers, especially those living in Germany (or Switzerland!) or Scotland.

10. What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten?

I think I tried octopus once, at Stefano's in Sheboygan. It was on an appetizer plate, so it was just a bite. I remember saying it wasn't awful.

11. If you won a large sum of money, what's the first thing you would do?

I would pay off my children's education loans (the silly twits studied in the US, where post-secondary education is affordable only for the very wealthy, rather than in Germany), and then I would give them each a chunk. I don't need much and have a husband who is working himself to death, providing us with a comfortable life. 

Oh dear, now to nominate other bloggers. Do I know 11 other bloggers?


Camila from Adventitious Violet


Meredith at Kaffee und Kuchen, but I don't know if she's still blogging!

Danielle from So Long, USA!

I think it would be a little silly to nominate more because these are the only bloggers I know who have read my blog, besides Heather and Dormouse, who were already nominated. I read others, but I doubt they've been here. If I'm wrong, let me know and I'll happily tag you!

Here are my 11 questions:

  1. What do you enjoy most about blogging?
  2. What drives you crazy about blogging (or what is sometimes not so nice)?
  3. What is or was your dream career?
  4. Which book have you been meaning to read, but just haven't got around to yet?
  5. Who or what is immediately to your left at the moment?
  6. Do you enjoy trivia contests/shows/games? Why or why not?
  7. Besides electronics, what are three things you always bring with you when you travel?
  8. Is there a place or country you can say you would never want to visit?
  9. What is something you have from one of your parents or parent figures (trait or object)?
  10. What are your favourite types of blog posts to read (what is the topic)?
  11. Would you rather travel to a new place with an organized group or alone?
  12. Bonus question: How old do you feel (not how old are you)?

Looking forward to reading your responses!



Sunday, February 11, 2018

a Valentine's Post

This question-answer list has been seen on Facebook, but I decided to do it on my blog instead, in part so any readers I still have know I'm alive. I've been ill and not up for blogging, but I'm climbing out of the fog.

M grudgingly agreed I could do this, so here I go!



1. How long have you been together?
    Friends for 27+ years, together for 13 years, married for 11+ years.

2. Who said "I love you" first?
    He did. 

3. Who is more sensitive?
    I at least appear to be.

4. Where do you eat out most as a couple?
    Straub's Krone!

5. Who's older?
    I am.

6. Where was your first date?
    We don't actually know. After so many years of friendship, there was no clear "first date."

7. Who is more social?
    I am, but he surprises me sometimes.

8. Who is the neat freak?
    Sadly, neither of us.

9. Who is more romantic?
    Both of us? Neither of us?

10. Who wakes earlier?
      Usually he does.

11. Who's funnier?
      He is, and here's the proof.

12. Who has the bigger family?
      I do, both immediate and extended.

13. How long did it take to get serious?
      14 years.
1991 - long before serious
14. Who picks where you go to eat?
      Either of us. 

15. Who is the first one to admit being wrong?
      He is. He says it saves time and avoids arguments.

16. Who wears the pants in the family?
      We both do. I hate skirts. Then again...


The answer to who is wearing pants is all the more interesting
here if you consider the British definition...
17. Who eats more sweets?
      I think I do.

18. Who spends more money?
      He probably does. He also works harder.

19. Who is more sarcastic?
      He is, but I've always given a valiant effort.

20. Who makes more messes?
      He does, but he also cleans up after himself.

21. Who hogs the remote?
      He does, but now and then I get to choose. Those evenings usually go like this...
        me: "Do you know what you're going to watch on TV tonight?"
        M:  "Oh no."

22. The better driver?
      Without question, he is. He also actually likes driving. I do not.

23. Who is smarter?
      Again, he is.

24. Did you go to the same school?
      For 5 months in 1986 I attended his school in Esslingen while I was on an exchange program.

25. Where is the furthest you two have traveled together?
      Wisconsin or Tennessee - whichever is farther from Stuttgart.

26. Who hogs the blanket? 
      Neither of us - in German double beds, each gets his/her own blanket and mattress.

even in hotels!
27. Who does the laundry?
      I do, but he does his own ironing and mending when needed.

28. Who's better with the computer?
      He is. It's his career.

29. Who reads more?
      No contest - I do.

30. Who's the better cook?
      Also no contest - he is, but I've learned a lot from him.
      He's cooking Rouladen for dinner as I sit here typing this...!

preparing Rouladen,
demonstrating mise en place



Now it's your turn! There's still time before Valentine's Day!