That Time We Got Lost and Found a Castle

It's been quite a while since I've posted! I'm working on a few other posts, but here's a quick one... 

"The Time We Got Lost & Found a Castle."

This is why I am thoroughly enjoying living in Europe. Prior to the Christmas break, I wanted to check out the last day of the Christmas Market in Lörrach. Sadly, it was a little disappointing. Nothing compared to the Basel market. Only a handful of stalls.

Although this little treat was fun. Thought it was fries topped with pork & cheese. Nope! Cheese curds topped with sauerkraut. Still quite delicious.

On our way home from the market we got a little lost... As we were in Germany and my cell phone doesn't work and Matt's was acting up, we were starting to get a little frustrated as we couldn't seem to get back to the roads we knew.

And then I spotted it. Up on a huge hill, "overlooking the city". A castle! Well, if we were lost, we might as well check it out. In trying to navigate our way there without any directions, we definitely ended up on some roads we were certain would be dead ends, drove through some private property and hillside farms. Finally, we came up to the actual road leading up to the castle!

Burgruine Rötteln - this site is in German

Basically, the castle is believed to date back to the 11th century and is the 3rd largest castle ruin in all of Baden (the southwest German state).

We popped in for a little coffee & snack at the biergarten and some touring. While the weather wasn't great. It was warm by the fires and the skies made for some great panoramic photos.

I have a feeling we have quite a few more castles in our future...

Haus Hunt Finale

Well, I know you've all been waiting on pins & needles for the conclusion of the Haus Hunt!

Unfortunately, it didn't go exactly as I'd planned. We didn't get the beautiful building that I fell in love with (even with the stairs & laundry issue).

Then I found this other place that definitely was lacking on the older charming details, but made up for in space, space, space! There were closets in every single room! A gigantic win! Plus, it was under budget. But alas... we lost that one as well! Grr...

Finally, Denise (our great welcome lady) found us a place through a friend that we were able to take a look at before it even went on the market. While the bedrooms are a tad on the tiny side (actually if they had closets and didn't require us to add wardrobes into the space the size would work just great), the kitchen is quite large (for apartments) and has both a living area and dining room. There are fabulous floor to ceiling windows throughout AND it's under budget. So even thought it's smaller than we were hoping, we will still have a guest room ready & welcome for visitors!

Here are a couple pics of our new home!

Matt is crossing his fingers we get to keep the face chair.

And I'm officially a crazy person and have already put an alert out to see if the 1 bedroom next to our 3 bedroom comes available and maybe we could have a whole guest suite & office for Matt! Fingers crossed! :P

Accepting visitors beginning Feb 15, 2015! Who wants to call dibs on the kiddy truck room?

Christmas Came Early!

and by that I mean, my mom came to visit us in Basel! The best Christmas gift a girl could ask for. Being with family is my favorite part of the holidays.

She arrived on Sunday and even though the weather was the pits & I was feeling under the weather myself, my mom of course was up for anything & everything! We still managed to get out & explore the Christmas celebrations in Basel.

While the Herbstmesse brought a unique spirit to Basel, I find Christmas here to be truly special. The city comes alive!

Of course, we spent quite a bit of time roaming around the city and checking out the Christmas market.

Signing the "Basel Wish Book"

For the nineteenth time, the traditional Basel Wish Book is accessible in the inner courtyard of the Town Hall for all members of the public – both local residents and visitors from around the world – to add their Advent wishes. Over the entire Christmas period and into the new year visitors can fill the book with their private thoughts, wish-lists for Santa Claus and hopes for peace, love and good health.

One of her 1st nights here, Matt took over baby duties again and we headed out on the town so I could show her the city all lit up! (She actually took most of these photos. Certainly a better photographer than I!)

Does this setting look familiar?

Famous ornament shop of Johann Wanner

We also had our 1st fondue!! at a famous little "traditional" place in the city center. It was delicious, but also the most expensive fondue one could imagine. As is the Swiss way!

  

We also took my first trip down to the "old town" which is where all the traditional Basel families live. (Meaning those families who have lived in Basel for centuries). Also, where the Basel Paper Museum is located. This was a fun treat to visit. If you have kids aged 5 - 12 it would be even better as there are lots of fun activities, i.e. actual paper making, stamping, printing making, etc. Although incredibly interesting for big kids as well.

 

We also partook in a Basel holiday tradition of eating these little guys on Dec 6th.

"St. Nicholas Day on December 6th: On the 6th of December the swiss tradition is to eat Grättimaa and drink hot chocolate! Grättimaa, as it is called in the area of Basel, originally came from the German-speaking central plain, the Basel and Neuchatel area. Some say “Gritti” refers to the figure’s legs being apart, others think that it means "old".

Another tradition I read is that if kids are good, St Nicholas comes to their homes on Dec 6th delivering the Grättimaa treats.

No matter the tradition, they were delicious!

 Now, most importantly, we all know why she really made the trip over...

We had a great time playing in the parks and around town.

Thanks for our 1st advent calendar great-grandmother!

Someone had so much fun, he tried to sneak home with Kar Kar!

soon we'll be celebrating the holidays back in the states! We are all incredibly excited. :)