Trip to Texas

I took a 10 day trip to Texas, which was soo very nice and relaxing. The weather truly displayed its entire repertoire. Sun, rain, wind, thunder, lightning, fog, heat... And one beautiful sunset.

As usual the wildlife wasn't far off and besides the many deer- I saw a snake, tree frog, monarch catterpillar and heard a screech owl. My mom and I set off for Austin a few times and had a really nice time not racing around for the wedding preparations. :-)

The summer drought was still ongoing, but at least a 12-inch rain had turned all the pastures green again and provided an nice reprieve before the winter chills will turn everything brown and barren.

Here some nice snapshots of beautiful Texas:

2. day sunset- wow!

passion vine-love this one!


Texas sky on a windy day!

coral vine

Back in Munich!

We've returned from our trip to the U.S. and are recovering from the brutal 9 hr time difference...

Pics and accounts of our trips to come soon...:-)

(It was a fabulous time with lots of sun, friends and great food.)

It's time again for Oktoberfest!!!

Last night was our first visit to the "Wiesn" in 2009!!!

Carlo's brother Luciano and his wife Anna were in town for one night and enjoyed a great night of fun on their way to St. Petersburg. Carlo's boss Yiannis had invited us to join him and his wife along with some friends in the wine tent. It was great!

Carlo, Luciano & Anna

In front of the "Kuchenzelt" (Serving only coffee and cakes...mmmm)

Large pan of "Kaiserschmarrn" (almost like pancakes, but fluffier and served with raisins, almonds and apple sauce) VERY GOOD!!!

The rides...

The band was pretty good. Funny to see a guy in Lederhosen wear a cowboy hat!

The grillplatter was gigantic! Served with gravy, sauerkraut, red cabbage and dumplings.
So very traditional!

Party time!


Yiannis and his wife, Nina, who is unfortunately covered by Carlo's Weissbier...
And a little while later, the desert tray arrived !!! YUM!!


Susie and Tilo (friends of Yiannis and Nina)


Roses for the ladies at the end of the night...:-)

Up and down the river!

This weekend I visited my girlfriends in Frankfurt. We planned a river cruise up the Rhine. Quite touristy, but the weather was great and we enjoyed the sundeck. Inga brought "Moritz" her little three month old boy along.... very cute.

All in all a really nice weekend!!! Wish I could do it more often...

Ina and Gunnar

Inga and Moritz


Janna and Stefan

We embarked in the town of "St. Goar" where we made a pit stop for some cake, wine and local eats.

Ferderweisser! Oh jee... we felt it all the way home... sweet but good. (It is the first of this year's wine, still fermenting, and sold in open containers, as it would burst the glass if closed. It is quite sparkly...

Here some of the sights along the way: There are many castles and vinyards to admire..

We were all pretty beat from the sun and the wine...Moritz was the only one sleeping though!

Busy little town, flooded with passengers from the boats!

Our boat!

Full bloom!

The weather has been fantastic and our balcony is in full bloom. Seriously, if the plants get any bigger we will have to expand our space...:)

I raised all the plants in this planter from last summer's seeds.


This one looked like it would die any day all winter, but once I placed it back outside, it started blooming and has not stopped.


Home grown chillies too! They pack a punch...super spicy!!!!!!!