Move Over Nutella...

I think I may have found the one thing that tops Nutella on my list of indulgences.  This is saying a lot because Nutella has topped the list for as old as Sina is, as it was a mainstay in my snacking regimen during my postpartum convalescent leave (all 60 days of it).  But really...this is good.

It's bazaar time here at Patch Barracks again.  Same vendors from last year and some new ones.  This year, the weather has been completely cooperative.  Last year, it was cold, rainy and miserable.    This time, it's been sunny and in the high 60s--ideal for shopping!  I've been twice already (yesterday and today; thank God for 3-day weekends).  The second time I went to grab some more of this stuff.

Anyway, have you ever eaten the Biscoff cookies while in flight?  I think Delta Airlines serves them.  It's where I first tried them.  They're like ginger snaps, but better.  I mean, tons better; as in, I always ask for extra on the plane.  I could never find the cookies in stores in the States, but they are sold in our Commissary.  I love Europe!

Anyway, a Belgian vendor at the bazaar sells this creamy Biscoff spread...

Not sure how I missed this last year because I remember this particular vendor.  It's a creamy spread, made with the yummy Biscoff cookies.  It has the same consistency as peanut butter and comes in crunch and creamy too.  I tried a sample at the kiosk and I instantly fell in love.  I have three jars.  I'm considering going back tomorrow (the last day of the bazaar) to buy three more.  Seriously.  This stuff is amazing--especially on a bagel. 

At any rate, Sina and I have been enjoying our time together.  We've been spending a lot of it outdoors, thanks to Mother Nature.  As a matter of fact, we spent our lovely Saturday morning at the farmer's market in downtown Vaihingen (right outside the gate).

Malu will be home next Sunday.  Although he'll be turning right around and going on another business trip, we're looking forward to wrapping our arms around him in one big hug.  We've missed him so much!

Well, it's time for me to cuddle up and watch a movie.  I'll try to post again tomorrow!

Gettin' Crafty!

One of the great things about being stationed at Stuttgart is that the post always has tons of events to keep Soldiers and family members occupied--whether it involves sports, travel, or in this case....crafts!  Patch Barracks has an award-winning Arts & Crafts center. I've never seen anything like it.

It's like a mini-Michael's!  Check it out!

All the scrapbooking supplies you will ever need, although you can't tell in this picture.  Behind these stands is a coffee bar.

You can paint ceramics and have little parties.

They have enough fabric for you to get your sew on!

And they have a framing shop.

They hold a number of classes for quilting, sewing, fused glass and so much more.  My friend, Zinda, and I decided to take a mosaics class!  Oh, it was so much fun...and relaxing.

Gluing on the tiles was the hardest and most time-consuming part.  I wanted to do something simple and went with a flower.  Here it is before grouting. 

Not sure why I didn't get a picture of the finished product, but I did snag a picture of Zinda and another person from the class with our pre-grouted tiles.



Using the grout was the fun part (I mean, who doesn't like to have a reason to get dirty, right?) and everyone's tiles came out looking great.  You really can't go wrong with mosaics.  Mine is sitting on our kitchen counter as a trivet.  Love it!

And I'm sure our husbands are just thrilled about us finding something new to blow our money on!

I'm planning on taking an intro to sewing class soon! I'll let you know when I do.

I'm also starting to get back into the kitchen again.  Last night I whipped up a really good porkloin recipe.  Check out my recipes blog!

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Spring Bazaar!

There is a Spring Bazaar on Patch Barracks every year.  I'm all about bazaars!  Vendors from all over come to post and sell their finest wares. I just love being amongst the chaos.  I really don't know what it is.  But it's fun to look around, buy stuff, eat and watch other people doing the same thing.

The bazaar had everything you could imagine from all over (Germany, Italy, etc.)--wine, beer, textiles, woodworks, furniture, rugs, Italian leather...you name it--it was there.  I took a few pictures.  I've found that vendors and shop owners here can be really sensitive about people taking pictures of their merchandise.  So I tried to be as respectful as possible.

Table Runners and Wall Decorations

Not sure if it's beer or wine.  Whatever, it's alcohol.  They had lots of it.  I bought a few bottles of Italian wine myself :)

Matryoshka Dolls from Russia.  My parents had a few sets of this in the house when we were growing up. 

Cheese!  Yum!

Polish Pottery galore.  My friend told me that this vendor, Andy, is one of the best.  They're all individually painted and gorgeous.  They even had a line of lady bug printed items.  Cute!  I wanted to buy some, but the line was sooooooooooooo long.  I'll probably just go to Andy's on a trip to Poland (USO does tours).  It'll be cheaper there anyway.

Other knick knacks.  The prettiest hooks and doorknobs I've seen.

I really liked these hand-painted drawer boxes.  I used to see these in World Market and Pier 1 all the time.

I was pretty proud of myself.  I didn't spend as much as I thought I was going to, what, with all the temptation I endured.  I walked away with some wine, some Cinnabon cinnamon rolls that were being sold at a food tent, and a this really cool carrier basket by Reisenthel.

They're really popular around here.  You can carry it like a bag (it has a strap) and hook it to your shopping cart. They even sell covers for it.

Amid the chaos, I lost my wallet and didn't even realize it until after I'd stood in a food line for about 25 minutes and was about to pay the bill.  I'd left it at the wine vendor where I'd made my last purchase and luckily, they hung onto it for me.  There are still some good, honest people out there.  And...how horribly typical of me.

Anyway, I've been relaxing at home for a few hours and it's just great.  The weather has taken a turn for the worse over the last few days and it was a cold day for shopping (there were several tents and buildings, but you had to walk to each one; and they weren't heated).

I hope the weather is not like this in France tomorrow, although I reckon it will be.  Hope everyone who has a training holiday like we do here today is enjoying it.  Happy Friday!