Amberg Germany photos ~ just glancing back

This is one of the gates into the city centre or Altstadt. It's like a storybook or fairytale.


A view of my garden & a bit of the Moat Walk around the wall of the city. As the name implies, the walkway is now where the moat encircled the village years ago. There are several small gardens, a park, & pond along the Moat Walk. Though not visible in this picture, just a bit to the left of my backyard is a goldfish pond. Water views in front & back!











This is the view of the Vils river from the front - about 1/2 block down from my house. I could see it clearly from the 2nd floor of my home. Lovely, eh? Quite the water view. The church tower is where the markplatz or village square sits. Check out this webcam of the markplatz: http://www.amberg-live.de/single.php3?liste=2&kamera=1







Heinz & Lisa, my God-gift neighbors

Glancing back...Moving forward

Ok I'm looking back a little this morning - it is 1:30 AM. I went to bed early & woke up refreshed after a couple of hours. Hmmmm- probably should be doing something productive - Phonetics, language samples, billing, laundry, tax stuff (I know, I know - it's the 14th) - all that other "should do/could do stuff".

Joined Weight Watchers this week. Time to get heart healthy. My 1st full day under my belt. Pretty good except for that lil Frescata sandwich from Wendy's that looked so fresh & tasty & healthy - a bit of ham, cheese on a ciabata looking bun. I think I was taken by the name - Blackforest Ham & Swiss... Sounds yummy,eh? Rule #1 - check out the points before you order it!!! 10 whopping points for good sandwich but not 10 points good. Yeow - good thing I had the points available but what a price. Better planning next time. Ok, friends, my journal is fair game. Keep me accountable; ask to see my WW journal. :o) Ask nicely please.

Looking through some photos sent by my Amberg neighbors - Heinz & Lisa - really like my adopted parents while in Germany. I'm posting a few of my favorites. I had the most beautiful rose bush in all the city right in front of my house. No modesty here, it was the loveliest by far. Lavender graced the base of the bush so the fragrance was soothing; nearly intoxicating to the passerby. My garden...Those who know me well, know that I asked God for 7 things in a home before I even went to Amberg including:

1. garden or space to plant one
2. good neighbors
3. water view - lake, river, pond, whatever - just some water to look at
4. lots of windows & sunlight
5. the privacy of my own home but the security of being connected to another house
6. access to good walking path/trail
7. hard wood floors

Well, I got them all - minor exception, the floors only looked hardwood but was some kind of other flooring. I was happy! God gave me everything I asked for and then some. He's a good God & He gives good gifts to His children. I thank God every day for the home He's preparing for Grace & me. Not the HEAVENLY home, please...but our home while we serve here. Needless to say, I'm thanking God for some specific things in my next home. In the meantime, I'm sharing some of my favorite photos of life in Amberg, Germany. Enjoy~

Easter bonnets, baskets, & bunnies

Springtime is here! In celebration, Grace & I went on an Easter egg hunt yesterday. Despite the cold, it was quite fun. The missy has got the gist of it now. "Run. Eggs. Hug bunny. Mine." That's how she recounts the story anyway. After a word from the Homewood-Flossmoor park people to share out of your abundance with any neighbor who has no eggs...we ran to fill our little Easter basket/purse. What a delight to see those rosy cheeked tots squat down to pick up colored eggs. While kids were content to check out thr 1st egg, moms & dads (me included) were cheering them on to gather more treasures.

The Easter bunny made an appearance after the race for eggs. Grace gave a friendly wave from afar, too shy to get close then insisted "Hug bunny, " as we walked away. She finally gathered her courage, offering the bunny one of her eggs. He took the egg & after a silent but thankful nod, he offered the egg to another kid. "Oooh," Gracie said "Mine." Ok, if you're not going to keep it, Mr. Bunny, give it back.:o) Too cute!

I'm thinking today about traditions - those treasured in past & new ones I'm making in my own family. I love Easter. I love dyeing eggs & making cutie little baskets with that annoying plastic grass. Some of my favorite memories were waking up on Easter morning to a lovely basket of goodies & hunting for eggs after Sunday school. Those eggs would play hide/seek a dozen times before we exhausted the egg-hider. It was delightful becoming the egg hider for my neices & nephew. My mom was thoughtful with the chocolate bunnies and the Easter cake with brightly colored coconut. Across the country or the ocean, mom made sure I had a little bit of home in a chocolate bunny & Hallmark sentiment. What a delight to find an Easter bag-FULL of goodies today from my favorite PC. Heartfelt thanks, Chris, for remembering me & Gracie this Easter - just like mom. We love you~

Now lest I offend the serious & righteous reader among us, I daily celebrate Christ's death & resurrection. This sacrifice securing my access to salvation & healing. We are alive in Christ to the extent we have taken up our Cross to follow Him. As we live a life of worship, His resurrection we celebrate every day.
Happy Easter to you & yours!

PS: Milestones this week~

• Discovered her shadow - cool for a bit then "Stop it, girl"
• Singing phrases to songs: Hokey Pokey (Shake it 'bout), Happy Birthday (Bir'day to you) & Wheels On The Bus (Round 'n Round)
• Expanding social circle - going to familiar folks w/or w/out fruit snacks - thanks Holly
• Says "No Way!" - thanks so much Marge - if she starts saying "Hurry up, mama" - you are in big trouble, girl!