Whew!! 13 months here have really flown by and now it is time for the next chapter!! A review in photos of all the fun I have experienced living abroad here in Germany.
Tag Baden Württemberg
Steinbach
A Small, quaint town in the heart of the Black Forrest, Thomas and I stopped at the Guesthause Hirch for a wonderful german meal, the church bells rang, and the service was nice, the food superb. A town that one can easily relax in and fully enjoy!!! A place to get a breath of fresh air and enjoy the day. It is also easily accessible, not far from Baden Baden
St. Barbara Capella Ruins, Langensteinbach, Badische History
The St. Barbara Capella (church) was built in the beginning of the 1300s in the town edge
of Langensteinbach here in the Alb Valley.
A little history (compliments of the a German information website) tells the story beautifully here:
“The first documentary mention of the Barbara Chapel as “capella sanctae Barbarae” dates from 1432. The building itself dates back to the 14th century. Before the annexation of the chapel and the associated source to the Holy Barbara, a Celtic sanctuary was found there. Surely the dedication of the chapel is connected with it. Next to the church there was a graveyard for some time – wall remains can be seen on the square and foundations under the ground. Various legends surround the chapel and spring. For almost one and a half centuries, the chapel was a popular place of pilgrimage and the square before it was used for markets. A change took place in the second half of the 16th century with the rejection of the pilgrimage through the now reformed Wuerttemberg Duke. However, it would still be many years before the pilgrimage of the pilgrimage took place. In 1590, the church was still described as “a magnificent temple consecrated with artistic paintings on the Barbaraberg, sacred Barbara”. Twice a year in the presence of a large national market held before this temple. In the Langensteinbach camp book of 1605, however, the first records of the death of the church are described. The subsequent times of the Thirty Years’ War also made travel on land too dangerous, so that the pilgrimage finally fell into oblivion. The assignment of the church to the restituted monastery of Herrenalb did not change, as this was now impoverished. Only the market was continued on the Barbaraberg. In 1818 St. Barbara had completely ruined itself and remained exposed to the decay and plundering of the entire 19th century. In 1902 one remembered the ruin and began a restoration. Above all, the tower was to be used again as a lookout tower. During a new renovation, a massive spiral staircase was installed in the tower in 1966. The tower is open daily as a view tower and is located in the Waldpark St. Barbara in Karlsbad-Langensteinbach.”
Laufenburg and Leistal, Switzerland
What a wonderful adventure–driving through Freiburg, Germany (where we stopped for a Cappuccino), we continued on the #5 interstate, through border control/inspection, and into Switzerland!! We were able to change countries in a matter of about 2 1/2 hours, which to my American mind, is just outstanding and so surprising.
I, with passport in tow, felt giddy to be going to Switzerland and was anticipating a stamp in my passport. Alas, it would not be possible as the border control did not have a stamp and only did visual checks. Bummer, alas that is the rule. The inspector said that passport stamps are usually only available via the airport.
I gawked as we drove thru Basel, Switzerland, which is 2 kilometers from the border, inside Switzerland. Remembering, albeit too late, that Switzerland is neutral and not part of the European Union, I did not think to convert Euros to Swiss Francs but I was in luck.
Upon arriving in Laufenburg, already having crossed the Rhine (Rhein) River, we pulled off in the Aldstadt (historic) district, which in part borders the Rhine. Opening the car door, the scents of a Swiss Spring filled the air with beauty and grace and the air smelled of sweet things verses grilled sausages (which is often an occurrence in Germany.) The Videos tell the rest of the story and how I was in multiple places at once (and we went further into Switzerland and shopped in Leistal.)
I can attest, Swiss crafted cheese and chocolate are absolutely amazing!!!
Downtown Karlsruhe, Kronenplatz

Kronen Platz (Frisler Alley)

A chai latte at the Coffee Boxx–very tasty
One of many fountains in downtown Karlsruhe
Make an Impression
Make me an offer!!!

$700 or best offer, 20% of sale price benefits Humane Society of Boulder Valley, Colorado Click on image or link to purchase
Making a good impression …with beautiful, original art.
As seen in a January post I wrote, I dream of selling an art piece of my very own, an adventure in eBay sales for sure!!!
The price is currently at $700–but this is negotiable for sure, so make me an offer!!
Van Gogh inspired, original impressionistic oil painting of dreams and blooms during a raging storm. Original, signed 16×20 inch framed on stretched canvas, ready to hang. Oil painting, vivid brush strokes.
While this is a dream of mine to sell a piece of my artwork, 20% of the sale price also benefits the Human Society of Boulder Valley (located in beautiful, colorful Colorado)
Ettlingen Christmas Market

La Cubanita Stand-Stall–Chili con Carne in a bread bowl yummy

Glüwhein–the best winter drink in the world (in my opinion)

My favorite vendor–the Ettli Glüwhein stand

A large bag of chestnuts to roast–amazing.

A large, encased nativity scene
Riding the lines

The view of my tram

The ‘stop the tram’ button
Adventuring is so much fun, easy, and convenient while using the tram.
I rode the rails today to view the country side during this love autumn season and the changing of the leaves in the Black Forrest.
I stopped off in Bad Herrenalb and enjoyed a lovely breakfast at a Backerei–and warmed my hands with cup of coffee—
I hopped back on the tram and headed towards the Karlsruhe Hauptbanhof, where I could get other trams to other areas, while I waited for another tram, I enjoyed yet another coffee (Coffee Crema) at Dlounge on Kronenplatz–an easy walk to the tram platform where the s41 tram would arrive and transport me through wonderous landscapes.
I learned something new today–while the concept of ‘regions’ within the tram network system is not an unfamiliar concept, I discovered that the tram stops in smaller towns and villages have yellow signal boxes, often seen on posts in the cities to allow pedestrians to cross the street (pushing a button ‘alerts’ the system that people want to cross.)
Well, this same style yellow box, with a button, is required to get the tram to stop on such said platforms, an error that I made as I watched the tram blow right past me. So, my ignorance cost me a 35 minute wait—but I did get to see the sunset in the heart of the Black Forrest in Autumn—with my river below me and the sunset on the horizon…breathtaking.

My River, Near Kirschbaumwasen, Germany

Breakfast in Bad Herrenalb

Cafe Crema
Dinner Made Easy
Baking is vastly becoming one of my favorite methods of cooking–it does not require constant attention, stirring, and often, it does not even require multiple pots, pans, bakeware–which is super nice and easy peasy when it comes to cleaning up. Who really wants to spend extra time doing prep, maintence cooking and clean–up when there are adventures to be had and life to be lived!!!

Super Easy, one dish meal
Baked Chicken Meal:
Small-Medium Chicken (rinsed)
1 Large Sweet Potatoe (use fork to prick holes in the skin)
1 medium Zuchinni (halved or quartered to fit in the dish)
1 Medium White or Purple Onion, Halved
Directions:
Put all the items into a baking dish or roasting pan, sprinkle salt and pepper (or your favorite seasoning mix) on top, cover with aluminium foil (or lid if using a roasting pan)
Put entire baking dish (roasting pan) into the oven at 325 degrees Farenheit, bake for 90 minutes (or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked thru to the bone) and Serve.
I used what produce is in season at the moment, making the meal super inexpensive. Also, by purchasing the whole chicken on sale, the meal came out very cheap.
This recipe can be easily altered for a larger group, simple double, triple or adjust to your group size and needs—
A Royal Event with the Margravine Sibylla Agusta
Margravine Sibylla Augusta and the residents.

Our Lovely hosts
Okay, a bit of time has lapsed (but what is a few hundred years between ‘old’ friends?) since the Margravine has passed away…but coffee with friends is still a rare, noble gift in her home. You read that correctly, make no mistake…we enjoyed the royal treatment at the Margravine Sibylla Augusta residence, family portraits loving bestowing upon us as a string quartet hummed from the ball room...wait, what??
Well, we ‘know a guy’, whom invited Thomas and I for a special evening of coffee, music and so much more–make this rare, royal evening even possible (without breaking the law or any other mayhem), whom kindly served coffee and sweet delicacies to us…sharing time with friends whom just happen to be wonderful hosts in an incredible location.
Thomas and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening with our friends, talking about history, sharing the marvelous venues and art work–and though in the moment and enjoying it immensely, with the doors of the ball room open, one can feel the past come alive, ladies with large dresses dancing out on to the lawns, down the orangery, soft voices heard from above as the Margrave (her husband) transacting business and meetings above on the balcony….history living through time.
How did our host pull it off?? That is a secret I shall keep to Margravine Sibylla Augusta grave.

Margravine Sibylla Augusta and their residence.

Margravine Sibylla Augusta and their residence.
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