Schimmel! Le Creuset! and Visitors!

First ...
Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends in the U.S.


And now,


Schimmel

I had never heard of Schimmel before coming to Germany. Our apartment manager, Frau F., mentioned in October that since the weather was cooling off we would need to start concerning ourselves with Schimmel. So, of course, we popped onto the computer and looked it up on Wiki. Sorry the link is in German, but if you scroll down you will get the idea.

This is not our apartment. This is just an example I found here on Flikr
Basically, it is mold or fungus.

So, now we know what Schimmel is, all we have to worry about it how to combat it! Since out 9 year old has asthma issues, we really don't want to mess with this stuff. Our industrious apartment manager gave a few simple directions on how to keep the fungus at bay.

Step one - Wipe down all the condensation from the windows in the morning and night. This also means you have to put the towels outside as soon as you are done or the moisture is still trapped in the apartment.

Condensation

Wipe, wipe, wipe

Step two - Open the windows and doors to bring in fresh, dry air for at least 20 minutes.

Step three - Repeat step two at least three times a day.

Of course, this would be no big deal if it wasn't 30 degrees outside.

This task would also be less intimidating if I was able to wash these wet, black streaked towels anytime I needed, rather than the once a week I am allotted to use the communal washers and dryers. Ok, I actually have two allotted times, but one is at 7a.m. I don't think it counts.

If we don't wipe up the condensation we end up with puddles of water on the floor. If we don't open the doors and windows we end up with stale, musty air.

Oh well, I do have other things to console me.

Le Creuset and Cousances
My friend who regifted her leftover kitchen ware to me really gave me a few treasures. She had several cast iron and enamled cast iron Le Creuset and Cousances pots and baking items that she was not interested in keeping.  Here are a few of my new treasures. Be jealous. The only question is, "How am I getting these back to the States since they weigh about 100 pounds?"

As I was packing them into my saddlebags and backpack I said, "I can't wait to bake something in these". My friend looked at me and said, "I have never said that about cooking anything".

I used the skillet today when I made breakfast burritos and it was a little piece of Heaven in my Kitchen.

Visitors
On Saturday we had a short visit with Paulina and her mother Ute. They were in town visiting family and came by to see us as well as bringing a few treats. They very graciously brought a spare CD player and CDs as well as many books to fill out our German book selection. Today we listened to Peter and the Wolf.

They also brought a few games including Ubongo. I had forgotten how fun this game is!

It is kind of like a competitive tetris game.

We all hung out at our apartment for a bit and then went down to the Saturday market where Ute bought the boys some candy. She is the next best thing to a Tante (Aunt) here.

A selection of Gummi candy from Holland

A Marshmallow Gummi Maus

A Licorice Frog

Ute and Paulina were also kind enough to bring more "Paton Marmalade", or Quince Jelly. Lucky for him since we had just finished the last jar they gave us. The Kellersmanns are so good to us. I gave them half the loaf of Banana bread I made with my new Le Creuset loaf pan.

Today is Thanksgiving and we are thankful for many things - especially our new friends here in Münster and all our old friends and Family back in the States. On Saturday we are having a Thanksgiving with a another American family but I am still a little bummed to not have it today.

On the bright side, the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Markets) are open!

Inheritance and the Joys of German Class

Inheritance

I don't know if I mentioned it before, but the family of one of Paton's classmates lived in our current apartment for 5 years. Last Spring they bought a house. In Germany, when you buy a house or condo, you have to furnish it completely. That means besides all the normal things like sofas, tables and chairs, , beds, curtains you also have to fit out the Kitchen. The WHOLE kitchen, such as countertops, fixtures and cabinets. EVERYTHING. Once their friends knew they were moving into their own home, they were gifted  leftover kitchen supplies to use in their completely empty kitchen. Last week our kids had a play date and she invited me to go through the extras she had put up in her attic.

**Small side note. I have always thought the German word "Gift" was interesting. In English, a Gift is a present. In German, if you hear "Gift" it means poison.**

As we were going through the three giant boxes, I saw a few treasures. One is this. 

My new Loaf Pan

It is a Le Creuset loaf pan, and let me tell you it must weigh at least 8 pounds. It is so heavy and I can't wait to bake something in it. Since it is so cold here right now, I will wait till Summer to make a terrine. I think banana bread is in my immediate future.

My cast iron spice grinder

Above is a Skeppshuult Spice Grinder - also cast iron. Too bad that after Preston tried to grind a carrot with it, he cleaned up his mess without drying it off completely and so it got a bit rusted.

Hmm, not sure about this one, but I can't wait to find out.

My Facebook friends suggested the items above could be for cutting out biscuits or scones - anyone have a favorite recipe?

My friend did not know what many of the items were, but once I explained what they were her she realized many of the items would be useful to her (so I missed out on a few real finds like a fabulous roasting pan). Oh well, I am very grateful for what I could bring home.

More German Class

My boys are also taking German as a second language classes. My nine year old has class during his regular school day while Our 12 year old has one in school as well as one after school. I usually have Russell help with the homework (Hausaufgabe) since he has a much better grasp of German. I am afraid I will teach them something wrong if I help. However, it is time for me to step up! I decided to take on the task. Paton was learning about comparatives. The cartoon below is the example at the top of his worksheet. The kids are having a fight about who is dumb, dumber or dumbest.

This would never fly in a classroom in the U.S.

This part of the exercise uses comparatives to talk about whose "Bild" or "picture" is ugly, uglier or ugliest. Could you imagine what would happen if a teacher in a U.S. classroom passed this worksheet around?

Again, I can't imagine any grammar teacher using this example.

None the less, I am so happy that both boys are gradually getting a better hold of their German. They can understand so much and are starting to speak it without having to be prompted. I can tell that they are both a little homesick though. Since we will be returning to the U.S. in July and back to their schools in Norfolk, I have been having them practice writing paragraphs in English to keep their writing skills up. Yesterday they had to write two paragraphs, one about what they like about Germany and one about the challenges they are having. Both commented on how hard it is to talk to friends and understand what is going on.

To combat potential sadness Russell and I have been trying to intersperse "treats" throughout the week. On Fridays we always get an ice cream. We make sure they have good treats to take to school for their Pausenbröt. We try to have enough for them to stay busy. None the less, there are days when they both need a little extra affection.

The Weather

BRRRRR - If you were in Bavaria, you would roll your "r"s when you say this. Below is the puddle of condensed water that has frozen over outside our window. Next week I will tell you about our rigorous de-humidifying routine. Apparently the the Schimmel is really awful here.

It has definitely changed to cold weather.