Schwabing Weinachtsmarkt

One of the most artsy, dare I say, progressive Christmasmarkts is the one in Schwabing, a fun Munich neighborhood known for its great restaurants and swanky living. This year didn't disappoint.

 

While we unfortunately didn't make it back for a second visit to shop the stalls of independent artists, we at least partook of the fabulous Gluhwein, sampled some new Bavarian food, sung along with the live band singing German and American Christmas carols, and got to hang out with our fun friends Alex, Conny, and Tim.

The Zabel Family

Tim, Conny, and Alex
It was fun being pregnant with Conny in the states while they were expats in Palo Alto, and now it's fun being haus fraus together while I'm an expat in Munich!

MIttelaltermarkt

The Mittelaltermarkt was a favorite among our extended family who visited last year, and it's still a great favorite of the Zabel 3 this year as well. The Middle Ages Christmas Market is located at Wittelsbacherplatz near Odeonsplatz in the heart of Munich. We love the medieval-y atmosphere, medieval-y food, and all the beverages served in chalices.

One weekday evening Will and I met Dad after work for dinner and (surprise!) gluhwein. It had been snowing all weekend and all day, so we braved the cold to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

My boys each finding their own warm, happy place.

Will's: In manly, toddler tights, then jeans, then a fuzzy snowsuit, then a cuddly stroller muff.

Jeff's: A feuerzangenbowle

As if gluhwein couldn't get any better . . . it has.

Enter the feuerzangenbowle.

1. Take an alcohol-soaked sugar cube and place it in its specially-designed ledge of the chalice.

2. Light it on fire.

3. Let the syrupy, alcoholic goodness drip into the larger cavity containing the already-alcoholic gluhwein.

4. Prost!

5. Feel the cold melt away . . .

A view of the platz looking toward Odeonsplatz

Strolling down festively-lit Briennerstrasse toward the Hofgarten on our way home.

Overall, feuerzangenbowles taste best when drunk from Medieval chalices, plus the Flammkuchen (flatbread pizzas) are to die for! We never buy any wares at the Mittelaltermakt, but we plan to eat dinner here at least once a week!

Fraueninsel Weinachtsmarkt

This weekend was our first devoted to day-trips attending Weinachtsmarkts in the towns surrounding Munich. Christmas 2010 or bust!!!

Our first stop? The Fraueninsel Weinachtsmarkt, held only the first two weekends in December.

Fraueninsel is an island on Chiemsee, located a short boat ride away from one of King Ludwig's castles. The snow-dusted mountains and a pristine lake surrounding us only added to our already Christmasy mood. We were on a mission to shop, sample gluhwein, and stay warm . . . not necessarily in that order.

Will and I perusing booths. There's that gorgeous lake in the background.

My cute boys

A festive sled display outside a booth

Sing along with me: Gluhwein roasting over an open-fire . . .

* For the record -- Fraueninsel had THE BEST gluhwein this season. It was a bummer we had to drive, otherwise we would have had more!

More booths.

Cueing to the take the ferry back to mainland.

We learned why the market is only held the first two weekends in December: the lake freezes!

Overall, Fraueninsel had the best gluhwein, a picturesque location, but the wares weren't anything too special. Onto our next destination!

Haidhausen Weihnachsmarkt

It is officially that time of year again! That's right, Christmas. No wait you say, you can't have Christmas before Thanksgiving, that is as bad as the stores putting up Christmas decorations right after Halloween. Well, in Munich, with no real Thanksgiving there is nothing better.

In fact, in Munich, Thanksgiving happened to be the official opening of the Weihnachtsmarkts (Christmas markets). So instead of a Turkey dinner, we celebrated by going to our Haidhausen neighborhood Weihnachtsmarkt.

Seriously guys, I don't know if I can take another year of these things watching you drink Glühwein while I just try to stay warm in my stroller!

If you can't have turkey, the next best thing for Thanksgiving dinner is a giant bratwurst and some pommes frites. This is a good way to put on our winter "coats" for the long winter.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and happy holiday season. This season marks a first for us as it is the first of many lasts. We have reached the point in our life in Munich where we realize this will be the last Weihnachtsmarkts we can visit while living here. As a result, we decided to go on a Christmas market's barrage. Until we leave for Colorado for Christmas, we plan to visit as many markets as possible all throughout Germany. Stay tuned as our posts will become quite festive for the month of December.

Munich Walking Tour

After 18 months of living in Munich and hosting numerous friends and family, we've realized we know nothing noteworthy about Munich as we guide our visitors around our temporary stomping ground.

Munich visitor: "What's that?"
Sarah or Jeff: "Uh, a church?"
William: "Da!"

We realized we needed to do something about this! Enter one sunny fall day . . . Jeff, Will, and I decided to become tourists in our town. We downloaded a Munich City Walking tour, packed a picnic, placed our trademark white headphones in our ears and got strolling. It will come as no surprise that we learned quite a bit! We now have the walking tour for any and all who come to stay in our humble abode, so you too, can become worthy of the trivial knowledge of this fun, foreign city.

Will and I in front of one of the old entrance gates to the city (when the city was walled) at Karlsplatz. And I just thought it was a fancy entrance to my favorite shopping street!

The Frauenkirche towers

A Munich sewer plate

Marienplatz
I still get goosebumps everytime I come up out of the U-bahn to see the Altes Rathaus looming above me. I can't believe I live here!

Will eating his lunch in the Hofgarten

St. Martin's Day

Last year when walking home from work, I saw this parade through the busy streets of Munich. There was a horse leading the parade and 100's of kids with their parents holding lanterns in the parade.

This year I learned this is yet another annual tradition in Munich for St Martin's day. It was tough to learn exactly why this saint had a parade:

Jeff: "Hey Sarah, did you know tomorrow is a holiday?"

Sarah: "Another one?  Do you get it off work?"

Jeff: "No, it is St. Martin's Day.  Do you remember me telling you about the lanterns last year?"

Sarah: "No.  What is this holiday for?"

Jeff: "I have no idea, let me ask a coworker."

Coworker: "Yes, I know St. Martin's Day, it is when kids carry lanterns through the streets in a Parade."

Jeff: "But why? What does it signify?"

Coworker: "St. Martin I guess, I don't know."

But we really liked the idea.  Munich is really a fun city that celebrates all kinds of things.  It really helps to constantly have something to look forward to, and St. Martin's Day is just that day on November 11th.

This year Sarah, Will and I joined the parade. Technically we were just going to observe, but we saw our friends and neighbors the Demmlers in the parade and joined in.

The pictures don't begin to do it justice. The hand made lanterns held by the kids were really cool and the sense of community was great!

Tough to see, but here is Sarah and Will with the Demmlers.  Thilo made Louis a lantern that contained a real candle.  Cool stuff!

The horse leading the torch bearing kids of Haidhausen down the neighborhood street.

Just in case you were interested why this occurs, it seems it is a feasting celebration.  How the lanterns fit in is really anyone's guess, but what a fun tradition.  

Thanksgiving

It is true, they do not celebrate Thanksgiving in Munich . . . unless you know Mark, Maren and the Schambecks!  After time in the Palo Alto Technology Office, they now celebrate Thanksgiving every year in Munich to continue the tradition.  So, on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, we went to eat some turkey and hang out again with some great friends (this was the second annual). 

Here is Will making sure Mark stuffed the Turkey okay.  As everyone knows, Will LOVES helping out in the kitchen.

Will, playing with Silvia as she tries to keep him out of trouble.  See that bookshelf behind her?  Very interesting . . . as was the TV, the stereo, the plant (with dirt in it), etc.  You get the idea.


Hanging out with mom and getting ready to eat some turkey.

The table, ready for the turkey.

And, das Vogel (the bird).  

Once again, we had an amazing meal with some really great friends.  We feel so lucky to be a part of their tradition and will remember it I'm sure during our future Thanksgivings next time we are in Colorado, Oklahoma, California, or ???  And of course, we can't wait for the day when our German friends can come out and celebrate Thanksgiving with us again in the US.  Consider it a standing invitation.

Weekly Playdate

Many of our favorite Gymboree groupies no longer attend Gymboree on a weekly basis anymore, but we sure missed our camaraderie, connections, and fun times together, so we decided to create our own good times by hosting rotating weekly playdates.
Every Monday afternoon someone's place is host to anywhere from 3-10 kiddos, plus moms. It's fun to catch up, share funny and frustrating parenting stories, and just watch this little guys sprout up before our eyes.
One blistery Monday in December it was privilege to host!


Will sharing his playmat with two lovely ladies: Elle and Holly

Busy, busy!

Thanks Will, for taking time out of hosting to pose for this pic!

Luke, I am your father . . .

We were driving home the other night and I was playing with Will in the car. He has always loved lights and I think although the rest of us are not thrilled for the short days and long nights, he doesn't really mind. After all, that is when all the lights come on.


This is one of his favorites that Grandma and Papa brought him. It is a light up glow stick. This pic is funny because he looks like a Jedi with his light saver. May the force be with you!

Aaannnnnddd . . . ACTION!

Random videos of Mr. Animation.

Spoon and a bowl exploration.

Your stock tip of the day: Buy Kleenex.
Our sincerest of apologies to Motel One of Berlin. Some parents will do ANYTHING for two minutes of uninterrupted packing!

If it's not bolted to the floor, he'll use it as a walker.

This one's my latest favorite.
Will is so receptive to new words and tricks when reading books or in the tub, so of course this educator mommy seizes the opportunity as much as possible.
Tonight's lesson: Blowing kisses
William loves us, but can't stand giving us kisses even though we repeatedly try everyday. Perhaps he would be more receptive to giving affection if it was blown and not cheek to cheek? Ummmm . . . you be the judge.
Turn up your volume otherwise you'll miss how Will morphs his any semblance of blowing a kiss into the youngest Darth Vader impression ever.