Frohe Weihnachten!

I apologize for the late post.  Christmas obligations, family togetherness, etc.  I thought I’d share some various ways to give holiday greetings auf Deutsch that I have lately learned.

• Merry Christmas  Frohe Weihnacten!
• Christmas Greetings  Weihnnactsgrüße!
• Happy holidays  Frohe Festtage!

Christmas in Deutschland

Here are just a few German Christmas Traditions:

1. Adventskranz. This is an Advent wreath with four candles.  Each Sunday of the Advent, we light a candle, so that on the fourth Sunday, the final candle is lit.
2. Tannenbaum.  The Christmas tree!  This is exactly the same in Germany as it is in the U.S.
3. Weihnachtsgebäck.  These are cookies that are made especially for Christmas.  You won’t see them at any other time of the year.  My grandmother-in-law and mother-in-law have both made a ton, in typical Hausfrau fashion.

Can’t Wrap This

7 days until Christmas!

The parachute pants add a special touch.  Hilarious:

Happy Holidays!

-S.

13 Book Recommendations

8 days until Christmas!

So, here are book recommendations.  If you liked X then you might like X–of course, this is just my opinion.  Let’s begin, shall we?

If you liked…

1. Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto…

…then you  might like Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières.

Writing inspiration: too much advice

9 days until Christmas!

Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Have you ever been so overwhelmed by all the experts, by all the blogs meant to help us, or by all the workshops with different (and perhaps contradictory) approaches to writing that you sit paralyzed at your keyboard?  You’re certain that your WIP has committed every fatal sin listed by the experts, or you’re terrified that whatever does come from you fingertips can never meet up to all these expectations.

Some Book Statistics

Reading remains too far behind the TV.

10 days to Christmas.

I’m just gonna go ahead and apologize in advance for what I know will be a few weeks of sparse posting.  Holidays, holidays with the husband’s family, holidays with the husband’s family who don’t speak English…  You get the idea.  It doesn’t help that the Muse and I seem to be at odds at the moment.  She wants me to sleep, eat cookies, and watch the snow, while I want to finish this book I’m writing.  Alas.

Number of Books Published (in 2005):

Goal-setting

14 days to Christmas!

Yesterday, I was considering the  importance of setting goals.  I usually thumb my nose at goal-setters and motivational stuff, but I realized lately that I shouldn’t because I am an obsessive goal-setter, I just never noticed it before.

For example:

• While jogging: I’ll just go two more blocks, and then I’ll be through… or Oh, I’ve almost beat my best time!  Let’s try to get there in under 30 minutes.

13 Best Dr. Seuss Quotes

Last night, the husband and I watched “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”–the original cartoon version, of course.  Twas fantastic and inspired today’s thirteen.

German home remedies

So, I’m sick–just a cold.  No swine flu here.  Nonetheless, it’s kicking my booty, and I long for the days of clear breath and empty chest.  Last night was, by far, the worst.

You know when you try to sleep, but you can’t lay down because all the snot will drip down the back of your throat?  Well, that was me.  I tried to sleep at an incline of 45 degrees; it wasn’t enough.  I raised the incline to 75, but twas still not enough.  I moved to 90 degrees, so a fully sitting position, and still the nasal drip plagued me!

Irish Setter health issues part 2

Asimov with my Mom. He's 6 months old now.

Today is a continuation of an earlier topic: Irish Setter health.

Asimov recently had some problems with his rear leg, and a trip to the vet cleared it right up.  It seems one of his legs was growing slower than the others, and after a few weeks with daily Omega 3 tablets, his limp cleared right up.  Apparently Omega 3 helps prevent inflammation as well as keeping the skin, hair, and brain fine-tuned.