Cozy fire, sparkling wine, fire crackers... warm, tasty, loud.
Thursday, 10 January 2013
a Christmas market... Colmar,France
In love
Those eyes, my heart melts
What I miss when I'm away
Papa and Mama
Chris and Jeannette
Sweet Pretzels
Sisters, always
European Christmas... fairy tales are made here
Salty Pretzels, everywhere
Gingerbread, Christmas tradition
Shopping
Hundreds of years in the making
Adding one to the other
family ties
Dear husband flew back early
Won't be the same
We'll miss him, surely
Happy days, here in a frame.
Strengthened family ties
Some here, some over there
So hard these good-byes
One life we still share.
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
a village named Schallbach
I'm truly not sure how as a child I didn't fully comprehend the beauty of growing up in this landscape, tucked away by rolling hills, inhabited by around 700 friendly villagers. To imagine I once woke up to this view, played in its nature, soaked up its country smells.
Never mind the beautiful April-like Winters.
Every village, town and city is built around a traditional church, beautiful Church bells ringing in long standing culture.
No need for the use of sidewalks, as we stroll down the hill, back to the house.
My childhood home. Visiting home in Schallbach feels more like home than just about anywhere else.
castles and supermodels
History (Wikipedia)
The castle has probably existed since the beginning of the 11th century. In the year 1102 is the first documented mention of a lord of Rötteln, one Dietrich von Rötteln, the bailiff of St. Albans near Basel. This year is also considered the date of the founding of the city of Lörrach. In 1204 Dietrich III of Rötteln died, having amassed a large holding in the Wiese valley. His sons held high offices; Walter I was the Kapitular (a priest who is authorized to say the mass in a cathedral and perform other duties of a bishop) of Konstanz and Basel, Luithold I was the bishop of Basel, Konrad I was the founder of the city of Schopfheim, which was important to the later formation of theMarkgräflerland. The first documented mention of the castle itself is from the year 1259.
Luithold II von Rötteln, the last male of his line, gave the lordship of Rötteln to the Margrave Rudolf I of Hachberg-Sausenberg and his heiress Agnes von Rötteln in the year 1311. As a result, the Margrave of Hachberg-Sausenberg, based in Emmendingen at Hochburg Castle, also became lord of the former domain of Rötteln. The Margrave then moved from Sausenburg to Rötteln Castle to more easily administer his new domain and appointed a bailiff to oversee Sausenburg
Luithold II von Rötteln died on May 19, 1316, and the passing of Rötteln to Hachberg-Sausenburg was an important step in the eventual formation of the Markgräflerland. In 1332 the castle was besieged by the people of Basel because the Margrave Rudolf II stabbed the mayor of Basel during an argument. The conflict was resolved at the last moment through an agreement to settle the argument.Arrowheads, crossbow bolts, and other finds near the castle attest to this siege.
The Basel earthquake of 1356 destroyed large portions of the city, and the castle suffered severe damage.
In 1444 the domain of Badenweiler passed from the last Count Johann von Freiburg to the son of Margrave Wilhelm, Rudolf IV von Hachberg-Sausenberg. The combination of the three dominions, Rötteln, Sausenburg, and Badenweiler formed the foundation of the Markgräflerland.
In 1503 the castle came into the possession of the Margrave of Baden. In 1525 revolting farmers briefly took possession of the castle.
From 1618 to 1648 during the Thirty Years War the castle was occupied by both Swedish and Imperial forces.
During the Franco-Dutch War, on June 29, 1678, the castles of Rötteln, Sausenburg, and Badenweiler were destroyed by the army of the French Marshall Crecque. Due to the extreme poverty after the war, the castle ruins were thereafter used as a source of building stone.
The Black Forest Society of Baden(Schwarzwaldverein) began to survey the ruins in 1884 in order to preserve it. Since 1925 this has been the concern of the Röttelnbund e.V. club based in Lörrach-Haagen. Today the ruins have been restored to approximately their condition after their destruction in 1678.
Spring weather. Three generations. Really old ruins. Perfect day!
They've still got it. Whatever it is!
Big castle = lively history lesson.
And to answer many a question as to why the Black Forest is called just that. It has a black look, it's a forest. Look closely, and notice the Swiss Alps in the background.
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
a moment to catch up
Greetings from Europe!
After a rather trying 32 hour trip to my home land, beautiful Germany, which will forever have half my heart, we have finally arrived and are well settled into life as vacationers. Spring like weather reminds me of the winters I long for during those long Canadian weeks/ months of ice and snow.
The trip started out fine, despite an early 3am rise - amazing what excitement can do! I was probably just as thrilled as the kids to settle into my seat with a personal TV, first flight for me with one of these, too. 7 hours literally flew by (pun very much intended).
... then we arrived in London, England. Where we figured we'd eat a big, hearty dinner once we settled. We forgot how spoiled we are in North America where nothing ever closes. 9pm, London Heathrow - ghost town. It was to be a long 12 hours before we jumped on our 1 hour flight to Switzerland. Did I say 12 hour lay over? Yup.
It wasn't fun. Not even the excitement of vacationing in Europe cured that one.
Here we are at the beginning of the 12 hours. Where we still had some smiles left. There are no photos to document the remaining. It was ugly.
Oh, and they lost out luggage.
But later found it after much varied info as to where it might be - Toronto, London, possibly Switzerland - and arrived at our doorstep the next day.
Our first few days were spent with cousins, who have grown an amazing amount since we saw them last 6 years ago.
Family is special, what can I say. I am so happy we all belong together!
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