When I say 'Tomorrow,' I really mean three days later.

June in Germany means festivals.

Lots of festivals.

Food festivals, art festivals, car festivals, junk festivals, pottery festivals.

It's wonderful.

Never a dull moment.

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Last Sunday we braved the ominous weather to go check out the International Festival in Sindelfingen.

We weren't really sure what to expect but I know none of us expected what we saw.

The fest was HUGE.... it took over the entire downtown portion of Sindelfingen.

This fest included all kinds of food (Greek, Portuguese, French, Swiss, African, Moroccan, etc.), international performances, cocktails, beer, music and dancing.

Even though it rained the first five minutes we were there, I'm so glad we stuck it out because the sun came out and it was a great day.

The Greek Suvlaki was awesome!

Jill and Chad decided to have a chugging contest. Chad had one swig left and Jill had almost a full beer so it wasn't really a fair competition.

I can't remember what Mediterranean country this fish dish came from... it was an impulse purchase but we ate it all (except the fish head... it had eyes) and it was tasty.

When I say 'we' I mean Jill and me. I gave Chad a bite of fish but he wasn't excited about it.

Here is the Portuguese troop getting ready to perform.

I just wasn't feeling the banana nutella thing that day so I went for the strawberry instead.

I also learned that crepes just aren't that photogenic.

We didn't really get our fill of fest food last weekend so this weekend we will be festing some more... in Tubingen.

One of my favorite cities.

Neckargemund... but with an umlaut over the 'u'

Since Friday was spent moping around, running errands and visiting friends... anything to keep me from thinking about my hairy little dog... Saturday we decided we needed to get away- break out of the typical weekend humdrum and do something. It just so happened that I had read about a French Festival in a little town called Neckargemund. Since I'm unusually drawn to anything French, this outing seemed ideal and being that it was only an hour and half drive... we were totally sold.

Nekargemund is a little town outside of Heidelberg. Its sits pleasantly on the Neckar River and has a thousand years worth of history. We didn't go there for a history lesson though... we went there to eat cheese, baguettes and macaroons. We may have had some French wine. Flammkuchen too... which isn't French but delicious so who really cares.

Anyways,

when they said French Festival... they weren't kidding. The vendors spoke French... maybe a little German but not much. I have no idea how they sell anything but apparently everyone manages. I speak more French than I do German so it worked out well for me. And in case you didn't know, food needs no translation. Point, nod, smile.

It never fails.

I will point out that Chad patiently stood with both baby and dog while I did my "french thing" and it was appreciated.

Doing my "french thing" made me happy.

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By the end of the afternoon, my feet were hurting and my belly was full.

J'ai Fini.

It was a multicultural, international kind of weekend I guess as today we went to the International Street Festival in Sindelfingen.

More on that tomorrow!

Sweet, little, collie girl Gnocchi...

When we took Gnocchi in two years ago we quickly learned that she was a Collie with serious issues.

In her first year of life, Gnocchi experienced severe abuse and neglect which resulted in a plethora of frustrating behaviors.

Even though we consulted Collie rescues in the states and googled oversea rescues hoping to find someone -or anyone- better qualified to care for a dog like her, before we knew it Gnocchi was an important member of our family.

Her sweet disposition and pink-spotted nose melted our hearts and with a lot of love and even more patience she became comfortable, confident and an overall great companion.

Gnocchi and Meatloaf became my constant companions in times when I was alone. sick. sad. alone. lonely. tired. alone.

I always had my dogs.

Their little feet shuffling through the house.

I love it.

Unfortunately, it is no surprise that our lifestyle isn't conducive for a dog with acclimation issues.

Moving every few years is hard enough on the human species... throw in a skittish, fearful Collie- it's a bad mix.

So, against our (my) will. We started looking for a more permanent-German-home for Gnocchi.

It was no surprise to us that a lovely couple...

looking to fill their home with everything dog (after losing their own dog in April)-

fell in love with our Gnocchi-girl and decided she was their missing piece.

And so, Thursday night I went to kiss the snout of our Collie one last time.

And I cried.

Like a baby.

I know that Gnocchi will have a wonderful life... which will include...

a diet (as she is a little overweight).

19 km walks.

Dog friends.

A 'grosse garten' (big yard).

And most importantly, a stable, loving environment.

Even though we know it's in Gnocchi's best interest...we still miss her like hell.

Dogs are miracles with paws. - Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy

Metzingen

The weather here in Germany hasn't really been favorable for outdoor activities. It's very sad. Like the rest of the world, (especially in Reno, NV according to my friend Anna - hi Anna!), summer has been delayed. However, I'm not really surprised in regards to Germany because the only season you can really count on here is winter. Thankfully, last Sunday we were able to take advantage of a few hours of sun and go to the Swabian Arts and Crafts Fair in Metzingen. Considering it was 'arts and crafts,' my husband wasn't really into it. He wanted food and a beer so we didn't last long at the festival but we made our rounds and when he was saturated with the sights of ceramic flowers and handblown glass... we walked through the downtown until we found a quaint Italian Bistro.

We had pizza and beer and called it a (sun) day.

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This was a local art project outside of the train station....

One head too many...

Chad blamed me for forgetting his sunglasses.

He improvised with Rhett's hat.

Metzingen may have vineyards, art fairs, and the outlets (oh yes) but we stay true to our Cafe Venezia ice cream in Echterdingen.

(On our way home we also drove by a large field with naked sunbathers... Chad brought up a good point when he said that he thought the sight could cause a car accident.. I couldn't have agreed more. Of course this is coming from a man who also screamed "I found where I belong" as we drove past. Hm.)

Sunday

Hope your Sunday was as peaceful as ours....

(minus the cranky baby and explosive diapers).

Have a good week!

Nostalgia

While down in Capitola, we of course made time to visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of the boardwalk (20 years worth!)... cousins, rides, corn dogs and Marianne's (which is technically down the street from the boardwalk but in my mind- they are synonymous.) Although Rhett couldn't ride on anything besides the carrousel- I enjoyed the ferris wheel, haunted castle, the giant dipper (x 4) and the wipe out. I loved being able to take my husband and Rhett someplace that really holds a dear place in my heart. Even though it looks a little different- the smells, tastes and sounds of the boardwalk always feel a little like 'home.'

Marianne's... oh how I love you.

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In addition to the boardwalk in Santa Cruz, we spent a lovely afternoon walking, shopping, and eating in Capitola. I will admit here that I am jealous that my brother gets to live in these parts. While I'm here shriveling up from Vitamin D deficiency... he's surfing and sunning and not feeling bad about it at all. Jerk.

He also lives a few hundred yards from Whole Foods.

Not.Fair.

Oh well, I guess it gives me something to look forward to for our next trip...

California (and Whole Foods)... until we meet again!