Independence Day Fun 2016

Normally we don't do much if anything at the Fourth of July. If we are lucky to be close to a fireworks display, we will go outside and watch, but that's pretty much it. Exciting people aren't we? Hehehe

This year though we joined in on all the Reindeer Games - wait wrong holiday.

Anyways, last week we joined my husband's coworkers and the spouses at the MP Booth during all the festivities on base. It was a pretty good time socializing and helping raise money to host events and socials for all our military police.

 Our little patriotic tutu uniforms. I will totally be wearing mine again. Grocery shopping? Let me get my tutu. Can't stop laughing even for a split second for a picture.

Our fantastic taco stand. Next year though, let's not be by the yummy smelling BBQ booth. They were making it really hard not to be a traitor and go eat some ribs and pulled pork sandwiches.

The wonderful Mindy, tutu designer, booth coordinator, and chef of all the excellent food

Next year this is where we should be. Right next to the margarita and daiquiri tent. 

The best part of the day - night - though was watching the fireworks from the steps of our apartment. They put on a fantastic show. Hopefully, our trips around the state to see other firework shows can compare.

I hope each of y'all had a fantastic time celebrating our great nation and it's freedom. 

240 years young!!!

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Last weekend we made the short journey to the storybook town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. That's a mouth full isn't it? This little Bavarian gem embodies charm and romance. I do say this frequently but this really is our favorite town in all of Germany.

A compact town, encased within it's original medieval walls made it perfect for an afternoon stroll. This little town is utterly charming. The buildings had a life of their own, with their vibrant colors and preserved medieval charm. Rothenburg is a perfect afternoon break from daily life. Just wander the streets, take in the history and beautiful vistas, and of course peruse the little shops filled with so much character.

Stunning isn't it? Looks like it should be in a period movie.

This is someone's home!!! Can I move in?

One of the adorable store fronts.

One of the many unique stores in the town.

Found it!!! I always see this street corner on Pinterest. Famous streets of Germany.

Aren't they cute!? I think they need to come home with me.

 

Because our travels and excursions would not be complete without stuffing ourselves full of food.

We FINALLY had one of these made. I am totally in love with it. The wonderful owner does all the wood carving in the back and at the front desk she does all the hand painting and burning.

Rothenburg is a great town for shopping. So many unique stores, filled with hand made treasures. We got a serious head start on Christmas shopping because of all the items we couldn't pass on for family back home.

Adorable, charming, picturesque, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, we will be back many times over for you.

Five on Friday: Home and Travel Wanderings

Counting the hours till James is off for the weekend. We have so many fun things planned over the next couple of days; it is what has been getting me through this week. I've mentioned it before that Germans seem to celebrate everything and just when I thought there was going to be no festivals or events the cultural section of the paper proved me wrong.

What does one celebrate in July here in Germany? Food of course!!! Every Friday night, Stuttgart is setting up a food festival promoting new restaurants, up and coming chefs, and the new wonders of food truck cuisine. Plus there will be live music and a craft fair going on. Just a few more hours now till all the fun downtown - this girl and her husband are itching with excitement.

Plus there's the other fun, fun things we are doing: Geierlay, - Germany's longest suspension bridge at 360 meters (1,180 ft) long and 100 meters (330 ft) high - returning to the wonderful town of Heidelberg, where we had our first German excursion to for their annual Castle Illumination and Fireworks Show, and if the weather holds up a beach day at Lake Constance. 

HURRY UP WEEKEND!!!

Now on to my Five on Friday post:

 

I got the first post about our trip to Paris up this week. I already did not want to leave when it was time to go home, and now going through the pictures and writing the posts I'm having vacation blues. It's a thing right? Audrey Hepburn said it best, "Paris is always a good idea." Oh Paris when can I see you again?  

Paris Part One

On Tuesday you can read all about Day Two or as I was calling it Eiffel Tower Day.

I have been looking for ways to organize all of our DVDs - we have hundreds - since our current system is running out of space and a pain to adjust when we buy new DVDs. After looking around Pinterest and home magazines I finally settled on one of these two ideas:

  

The first one seems the most fitting for us and I can sort movies from TV shows. However I really like the rating organization for when I am having company in the form of little ones. It would make it super easy to find something parent approved. Either way I am picking one this weekend and beginning what will hopefully be out final reorganization of the DVD Collection.

Last Friday we saw the precious Bavarian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This town looked so much like a storybook village. The adorable medieval dwellings, are so well preserved within the town walls. It really felt like we had stepped back in time. In between all our weekend fun I'll be sure to have this up. A well spent afternoon in Germany.

Isn't this just fairy tale perfect?

Again looking through Pinterest for home ideas I came across a few of these wall galleries for our travel photos. I have slowly started ours but I am looking to expand it and include many more photos, plus the paintings and neat things we have picked up along the way. We have a huge empty wall in our living room that I may use to marry these ideas together.

       

       

 Lastly, may everyone please send prayers to those officers and their families in Dallas. Such an awful thing for them to be attacked in such a manner. I hope and pray for a better America soon, one not ruled by hate and fear.

Thanks for stopping by today,

 

A Little Bit of Everything

A. Liz Adventures

Cup of Tea

The Farmer's Wife

Life in Leggings

Meet at the Barre 

Bebenhausen Abbey

After initially planning a rainy day movie marathon, the weather in true Stuttgart form, changed at the last second. With a beautiful day now upon us and the morning gone, we decided to do some backyard exploration.

When we went to Ludwigsburg, I purchased the Schloss Card. Basically it gives me free entry into about 45 historic sights with in the Baden - Württemberrg state. A serious bargain at only 24 euros. Anyways I pulled out the map to see what would be near by that we could see and thus we were off for Tübingen to see Kloster Bebenhausen.