We stopped by the village of Jesteburg on the way home from Lake Maaschen. This is the museum/library...

...

We stopped by this ancient windmill. It's been converted into a restaurant...

The house next door had a thatched roof with an eyebrow window...

Driving back from Lake Maaschen, I asked Dan to pull over so I could snap a pic. of this thatched-roof house...

We went out on a pier at Lake Maaschen. I like how the snow looked brushed against the old wood...

E. snapped this shot of her poppy...

E. by Lake Maaschen...

About half way round Lake Maaschen, we stopped for a picnic of cookies and hot punch...

This tree was growing down into the water at Lake Maaschen...

The path on Lake Maaschen...

Lake Maaschen...

THE SNOWY SNOWINESS OF SNOW

Illustration by Laura Wade
*
We fell asleep on the couch last night to "Frosty the Snowman" on the TV and awoke this morning to find snow on the ground outside! I love Christmastime!

THE VIEW FROM MY WINDOW!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

David finally got around to taking out the last piece of chocolate from his Advent Calendar. Yummy!

I stayed up so late wrapping gifts, so I was a little bleary-eyed this a.m. Luckily, I had a nice peppermint tea and a big bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar to wake me up.

If you haven't opened your gifts, ya' betta' get crackin'! (Forgive me; I couldn't resist the pun...ha ha.)

Merry Christmas, everybody!

Check out who was peeking out from my stocking when I awoke this morning!

the aftermath...

Ellen took this picture of me. She stuck the hat on me and snapped it before I knew what was happening. I think it looks totally funny!

Ellen and I decorated the supper table by raiding the tree.

CHRISTMAS EVE IN BUCHHOLZ

Dan's neighbors dressed their window for Christmas. Thought it would make a nice finish to these Christmas Eve pics.

One of the lit trees in town...

We took a LOOOONNNNNGGGG walk in the heide (fields of purple flowers - not blooming now). Lots of people from town drive out there for walks during the holidays, so we weren't alone. Then we drove home, ate a light supper and got ready for the night service at the village church. We entered to the sound of church bells. We sang German Carols, finishing the service with "Silent Night."

When got back home, Dan and Annette took a walk, leaving the kids and me to kick back on the couch. Ellen read (as you can see) while Dave and I drew pictures.

Dan and I stopped by this bakery for a cheese bread.

A view of the church we will attend at 11 p.m. - St Paulus - It's a state church (supported by tax money).

We met up with one of Dan's postal buddies. He spoke decent English, and made the joke that he was working the, "shopping mall route" because he covered the Walking Street district.

The door of that architecture firm...

Creative paint job, yes?

One of my favorite houses in town - an architecture firm. Look! More bikes! They really were everywhere I turned.

Music filled the air as we journeyed back down the Walking Street - these musicians accepted change, but they were also selling CD's.

The view across from the Walking Street...

We rode a train like this to Hamburg. It's a double-decker.

Typical residences in a Buchholz neighborhood.

Dan and I did some window shopping while walking around the village. Saint Nicks populated this antique shop's storefront display.

This still life decorated the front stoop of that antique shop. The green things are old Christmas tree stands.

Lots of the streets and sidewalks in Buchholz are brick or stone. These surfaced the sidewalk in front of that neat green house.

Ellen took me on a "date" to this cafe - her treat, for a birthday present. I totally embarrased her by almost taking out half their inventory of expensive Christmas ornaments in one swoop. Leave it to me and my overly demonstrative storytelling.

Thought this old house was interesting.

Buchholz...

This entrance marks one end of Buchholz's main walking street.

Bikes are everywhere in Buchholz.

I met Dan at the main bus station at noon today (when he got off work). I thought I'd be taking the bus from the house, but I caught a ride with the neighbors - 2 brothers. We had a nice conversation about Christmastime, and the similarities and differences between the US and Germany.

It's universal. Everybody craves peace, and not just at Christmastime. Dan's neighbor posts these anti-violence posters all over town.

This is one of the oldest buildings in Buchholz. It's used for a bookstore now. That's what the sign on the side means.

Buchholz...

CHRISTMAS EVE MORN

Dave and I played Legos this morning before breakfast. Finally finished the king's hall in his castle. He has SO MANY bricks! We could go on building forever. But we finally stopped for breakfast - fried eggs and toast. Later we went outside for some soccer and a walk. We played around with the camera, too. Then I left for a short tour of Buchholz with Daniel.

ALLES GUTE ZUM GEBURTSTAG, ELLEN!

*
Happy Birthday to You!
*
Happy Birthday to You!
*
Happy Birthday, Dear Ellen!
*
Happy Birthday to You!
*

Make a wish!

...

...

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR, FOLKS!

ZZZZZZZZZZ

Today was Ellen and David's last day of school. We are taking it easy today, wrapping gifts, playing video games, and watching videos. Since I won't upload any cool travel pics today, I thought you'd appreciate a video, too. To play it, just click on the screen above. If you haven't checked out YouTube, I highly recommend it! HO HO HO, everybody! Thanks again for all the birthday greetings!