New Zealand Here We Come!

Today the new Steinbach Clan is off for a well-deserved and slightly delayed honeymoon. We'll be in New Zealand for four weeks, so enjoy your month, we'll enjoy ours, and keep your eyes open for updates here.

In the meantime, enjoy a little story about one of the longest marriages in the world. And learn some of their suggestions for a happy, long marriage as well as their recent Tweets answering specific marriage questions (read from bottom to top) from readers.



xo

The Mrs' Birthday Party

Although my birthday is actually in Scorpio time, I just finally got around to celebrating it with my girlfriends here in D-land. As my 29th present, my mom sponsored a pizza and movie party for me. We ate lots of snacks and pizza; watched Bridget Jones and The Wedding Singer (girl party classics!); and enjoyed red wine and liquorice flavored vodka.

The girls:

The pizza:

Thanks mom!

xo

Congrats Well Deserved

I'm late on the boat, I know, but my congrats are heart-felt.

Way to go Canada. You gave great game and did an overall great job hosting The Games.

xo

Scotland Report: The Reader's Digest Version

The Mrs. just got back from a weekend trip to Scotland. The Reader's Digest version is: super cold with clear, blue skies; open, welcoming people happy for a short chat over a decent beer; and incredible walks with views you just don't get anywhere else.

The long version will be my first novel - or the next blog.

Proof point for the super cold; clear, blue skies with unique views, in front of the Edinburgh castle.

Check out the guy on the right, who's just loving my style.

Proof point for the open, welcoming people.

Mr. Wallace was so keen on my goofiness that he mooned me right after. He's got a great tatoo on his butt cheek. How much more welcoming can you get? 

Discuss.

xo

Valentine's Weekend

The Mr. and I had a great Valentine's weekend. On Friday Mr. surprised me with beautiful flowers and a fabulous bottle of wine, Bordeaux, my favorite. Together we cooked dinner and then enjoyed fun conversation. An excellent couple night.
 

Then on Saturday we went to Tübingen to visit a PostSecret auf Deutsch exhibit in the local museum. The exhibit was part of a larger one that brought together different collections - figures from Lords of the Rings, feathers, Elvis stuff - and it was inspiring to see what others collect. There was also a person who collected everything turtle who was much worse off than Little One.

We also took some time to wander through the little village, which has numerous very old, well-kept houses; a sprawling castle upon a large hill; and lovely people. One person was so kind that she took a break in her weekend errands to walk us through the twisting streets to the museum.*

The view from the castle hill, towards the village center.

Inside the village center.

 

Next to the castle is one very happy couple.

xo

*That will be paid forward more times that imaginable!

Competition Continues

Who's the cutest?

Contestant A:

Contestant B:

Come on - the answer is soooo easy.

xo

Whoosh; Whoosh; Plop

While the East Coast of the United States has been getting pummeled with snow and Vancouver is trucking and flight lifting snow in to host the winter Olympics - here in southern Germany we have had just the right amount. It stays on the ground, making everything look a little bit more magical and the roads just slippy enough to divide the thoughtless from the thoughtful drivers.
From one of windows, it looks like this:

No need to let the snow go to waste so last week Mr. and a few friends decided to go skiing on a little mountain only a few hours from where we live. A very dear friend (also known as the Mrs' sanity from 2002-2004) was visiting her homeland from Russia and she was able to come along.


The slopes aren’t that great there but good for us slower folk. The two better-than-beginners spent a good amount of time with:
Whoosh. (carve)
Whoosh. (carve)
Plop. (sit/fall/break)

It took us a little while to get down the mountains, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy the views and be a little goofy, especially since the weather was very, very good to us:

Meanwhile (back at the ranch), the Mr. and his crew were whipping the mountain into shape. I’m pretty sure it took them more time to ride up the mountain than to ski/snowboard down it! I had to steal these pictures* of the Mr. and the entire crew from a friend; our camera doesn’t take pictures that fast and those professionals are like natural rockets with no fear and no breaks.

Still, the Mr. found some time to practice his “Germany’s Next Top Model winter pose”:

Which I had to naturally counter with my “America’s Next Top Model winter pose”:

Who won?

xo
*want excellent pictures? Go to http://www.alinelange.de