The skis were brought out

Beautiful, fluffy powder snow and sunshine, what could be better?

It is a joy to ski through such pristine snow.

And then it quickly looks like this...

The temperatures varied, ranging from -12 degrees Celsius to -3 degrees on other days. On the colder days, I wore my thick, felted knitted mittens, mainly because I wanted to take photos... my hands warmed up quickly with the mittens and skiing.

On warmer days I wore thinner mittens, which made it much easier to grip the sticks. I like wearing my hand-knitted mittens.

This is a genuine border stone from 1735 - I'm on the Meissen side - you know the Meissen porcelain with the blue crossed swords?

The evening sun sinks over the villages... it's time to go home.

I love this side of winter.

:-))) Winter fun :-)))

I hope some of you also enjoy it or cherish the fond memories of past snowy joys. 

To all my handwerk- and sewing friends... I took my quilt top to my longarm quilter, I couldn't take a nice photo and will take one when I pick up the quilt.

I'm happy. I wish you a wonderful time.

Viola

Pleasure and enjoyment

 It's a joy to see my amaryllis blooming so beautifully, but I actually wanted to tell you about the festive treats of the New Year's season. There have been inquiries about "Silesian Heaven" – it's a dish from my mother's and my childhood... we used to eat it at Christmas, and I've revived it and cooked it again for the holidays:

Kassler in root vegetables

Dried fruit sautéed with onions

Potato dumplings with a hollow for the sauce

Sauerkraut and plenty of the delicious sauce

What do you think? I think I shouldn't wait a whole year to cook this wonderful dish again :-))

This pot contains goose giblets and root vegetables, from which I prepare the sauce for the roast goose... that is also a delight in itself.

I prepare all sauces with plenty of wine, and as a cook, I also take a sip now and then – I assure you, I'm not a drinker – I'm... a bon vivant.

One potato dumpling is enough for me.

I forgot to take a picture fresh out of the oven.

 

this beautiful one

Stollen

a cozy time to drink coffee

and to read my new book "The Well at the World's End"

beautiful walks were taken

 

...when more snow comes, the skis can come out...

All my love from Viola

 2026

my New Year's Eve

I wish you all a happy new year! May happiness, health, and positive energy be with you.

I'm looking forward to another year of blogging with you. Hugs and best wishes from Viola

I wish all my blog friends 

a Merry Christmas

Traditionally, we'll put up the Christmas tree in the living room tomorrow morning, and the children will decorate it. Today I'm cooking "Schlesisches Himmelreich" for lunch tomorrow, with flat dumplings, and on Christmas Eve we'll have potato salad with various kinds of sausage. On Christmas morning, the goose goes in the oven—the highlight of the festivities.

I hope it snows a few flakes, because we'll definitely be going for a walk in the woods.

It's going to be a wonderful time.

A lots of love, Viola

Advent joys

The best thing about Advent is the lights and the cozy atmosphere... I folded lots of stars and, best of all, it snowed...

Baking and cooking is so wonderful.

Concerts with friends and family 

Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel

I love the stage and the theatre. It was a fantastic performance. I still have tickets for "The Snow Queen" and "Ronja the Robber's Daughter" and I'm really looking forward to it.

And a special treat during Advent are the Christmas markets, which are scattered throughout the city.

I wish you all a wonderful Advent season; 

may my photos put you in a joyful mood.

Hugs and warm greetings from Viola