Creative Mess

Ukrainian Love

How is that for a title!  

When we leave Germany I have the option of having this web diary printed into a book.  And I plan on doing that for me and each of the kids so they have something to remember their time in Europe.  We have a lot of activities coming up this summer so my goal is to be on target with photo opportunities that involve the whole family!

But the kids will still love this post because they really like these strange men that dad bring home!  haha-- not really strange but different.  They loved Auri our Lithuanian friend we sponsored at Fort Lee.  I remember on several occasions we had other countries (other soldier's sponsoree's) hanging out with us also.  Keith has always been very active in inviting new people over or taking them to different places.  One of the highlights of my life was putting Auri and the kids on their first roller coaster ride together.  It was soooo fun.

Anyhow... Keith has the opportunity at this Army post to interact with many different countries that come here to train.  Sometimes he hits it off with them, sometimes he doesn't.  This time I think he hit the jackpot because Pasha seemed to be Keith's siamese twin.  We sure did enjoy his company of several occasions.

 We took the opportunity to invite several other friends over to bask in the Ukrainian Love. (too bad every single one of these people are leaving Germany in the next week to go on vacation!  I will miss them!!)

See their faces glowing! Keith looks 10 years younger.  (I'm teasing!)

 Pasha and many others gave Keith some little gifts over the last couple of weeks.  I was told by my friend above that it is customary to have trinkets on you to give to 'hosts' who treat you.  So these guys came prepared.

 

National flags, calendar, bottle of liquor, uniform patches, magnets, etc.

  I got the 2 little figurines that represent the traditional dress.  Keith also got a coin from the General with instructions to keep doing whatever it is he is doing.  

But Keith's favorite thing is this man purse!  He loves it!  We have toyed with the idea of buying Keith a man purse for a couple of months now because I hate being the family mule.

Well, I don't know if this will fit the bill- it is actually a Map Bag and Russian in origin.  Keith said he thought it was about 40 years old.

I got a full explanation of what this little tool is, but I don't remember now.  Keith even showed me all the markings on the bag that tells its whereabouts.  AGain, don't remember all those details- but he is very proud of it.   

After 3 weeks, Keith put them all on a bus and said 'good-bye'!  I am not convinced that there wasn't a tear or two shed.

 

Weekend Fun

Where the weather was mostly cooperative and we fit more in then most!

Saturday was antique shopping to go visit some of our favorite vendors shops from the Munich Antique Market.  Though we have decided that we like the markets better then the shops, it is still fun to check in with the shop owners every once in a while and see what they are not hauling to the shows with them.

Kimmey got her dress form!  Yaaa!

These crack me up!

Erika's number one goal was to locate a tray to bring food from her kitchen to her back porch.

An entire attic full of chairs - notice there is no insulation and you can see the tile roof.

See that yellow jug on the top shelf?  Well I know own it!  It reminds me on olive oil jug though the shop owner couldn't remember the origin of it.

The crock with the wooden lid was very interesting.  It is a sour kraut jug.

Anyone need a trunk?

How about a chippy painted chair?

I bought this baby!  A new sofa table!!!  The top piece came off a barn or something!  The legs are new.  It is super heavy and super awesome!

It is one of my best European purchases yet!!

Saturday night was World Cup watching at home with some friends--- USA vs England-- interesting and fun.

Sunday was the Renaissance fair at Parsburg Castle and admiring beautiful flowers on the walk there.

These flowers are so big and brilliant that they look fake.

   Germans have great gardens but I have never liked their curtains

 

The Germans also don't put up 6 foot fences either-- the tallest fence I have seen has been a shrub.

  This if from the top of the castle ruins looking over my city- isn't it beautiful?

Another View

Some of our many friends we have made thus far since being here.

Some characters of the Renaissance Fair

Ok- so he is not a Renaissance character-  but he does fly helicopters which is pretty cool!

This is going to be my future fire pit--- isn't is cute?

And I thought these rock hangers were kinda cool--  only thing is- I don't have a covered porch here and would be useless to own them now.  But I think I would like 3 of them.

And that was my fabulous weekend!             

              

Millions of Projects

My ADD has taken on a whole new dimension this week.  I have started tons of projects but haven't finished hardly any of them. That is just the way I roll!

 I can't even stop long enough to take a picture that isn't blurry these days!

But I did pump out a new table runner made with antique french linen!

 

I created a new 36 inch square frame for my living room- It just lacks the picture I want to mount.

 

I went flea market shopping and besides purchasing a few grain sacks- I scored a chippy, yellow dress form from England.  I borrowed the second one from a friend because I see some great future picture potential.

 

My new command center----  too big of a hurry to take a good pic!

 

My new kitchen chalkboard that helps me keep the kids on track (which is essentially a piece of contact paper on the front of the broom closet).  They need lists of chores and a way to mark it off.  Then I get to spot check to ensure it was done sufficiently.  When the kids are finally home for the summer (June 17th) the extra help to keep the house tidy is definitely a plus.

 

And though it is a crazy mess right now- this will be the future guest bedroom.  Just got a new mattress, ordered sheets, duvet, bedskirt and pillows online.  Pick up fabric for the curtains- going antique shopping for end tables, painting an old hope chest and lamp to brighten it all up and lastly will figure out what will go on the walls---- What you don't see is the bombay chest and 42 inch TV on the opposite wall that isn't slanted, though I can't imagine anyone spending a lot of time watching Armed Forces Network while visiting Germany.  Can't wait to take pictures of the finished project.