My dearest friend delivered a beautiful baby boy, Eli ‘Peanut’ C. has arrived!! Mommy and baby are doing well.
I am a new Auntie today!! What a blessing!!!
When I received the news, I shrieked with joy and the street musicians kindly played a special lullaby for the new baby.
Amazing day!! The chapel is not normally open to tourists-visitors but today, with special perimissin, Thomas and I not only got a tour of the private chapel on estate grounds but I also was given the opprotunity to cross something off my bucket list–our guide ENCOURAGED me, with full permission (without me even asking) to ring the bell in the chapel–all after an amazing, personal tour of the estate–including the private chambers of the Margravine Franziska Sibylla Augusta of Sachsen-Lauenburg.
A week after touring the estate, Thomas and I were invited to attend a classical concert at the estate–an amazing evening where the musicians dressed in period correct costumes. Champagne and delights were served during intermission and oh, what fun!!!
History Courtesy Wik.
Schloss Favorite is a castle on the outskirts of Rastatt-Förch in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Built by Johann Michael Ludwig Rohrer between 1710 and 1730, it was a pleasure and hunting palace (French: Maison de plaisance) used by Margravine Franziska Sibylla Augusta of Sachsen-Lauenburg, widow of Louis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden (‘Türkenlouis’). It is the oldest of the German so-called ‘Porcelain Palaces’ and the only to survive intact to this day. The castle was only used for several weeks a year as a summer residence.
The castle houses a large collection of Chinese porcelain, black lacquerwork and Schwartz Porcelain.
Address: Am Schloß Favorite 5, 76437 Rastatt, Germany
Home Made Breakfast
An easy breakfast to dish up–takes under 12 minutes from start to finish.
2 Cups of Old Fashioned Oatmeal
3 cups of cold tap water
a pinch of salt
1/2 Cup of Dried Raisins ( I like to use the purple-dark raisins)
1 TSP of ground Cinnamon
Mix everything together in a pot–cook on medium low heat for 7-9 minutes, if the mix is too thick for you, add a bit more water.
Divide up into bowls, topping with a swirl-drizzle of honey. It is so good and easily made with very common ingredients–can easily be double or tripled or quadrupled for large groups and holiday guests.
I served it with a half slice of toast and half banana this morning for a little extra ‘boost’
A long history of letters…and we wrote.
So, as our story continues on, Thomas and I have continued to write, sharing our lives and friendship through letters..and now we have been very dear, good sweet friends for almost 20 years. We continued to write when one day….
Thomas asked me to come to Germany, not for a vacation, but for something more, something special. Thomas wrote:
I hope you will come to Germany and stay for a long while. I would like to opportunity to date you, make a future with you, and get to know you even better than I already do. Please, come and stay. ‘ (small excerpt).
Upon receiving, reading and re reading the letter, I discussed this with my sister and Acacia, asking their advice and thoughts on it–for the power of girlfriends and sisters is something very unique (but that is a discussion for another day). They both hooped and hollered with joy, with the confidence and hope for all good things.
I wrote to Thomas asking him when he would like me to go, a very big decision for me..and we continued to write letters.
So, now comes the point, that I know I am moving to Germany, at least for a while, as Thomas wrote back and said when I can and am ready, that he wants to welcome me in his home when I am ready…now for preparations.
As we discuss what the future for us holds….we continue to write letters.
