A little touch of Christmas...

My little metal tree that I decorate for the center of the table.   I knitted the knitted ornaments.  I have a couple (at least) of polish pottery birds (you can see the back of one's tail feathers on the top left) that I bought in Poland on the last trip there- not knowing it would be my last shopping trip there before I moved to Italy.  The little wooden ornaments were purchase in Germany.   The Christmas Markets almost always has someone selling wooden ornaments featuring special buildings or churches of the city/town where the market is being held.  The clear glass ball is hand painted on the inside.  The hand crafted flying cat glass ornament was purchased at one of the Christmas Markets in Germany.  I have way, way more ornaments than I need... but, it is difficult to not purchase unusual, unique, hand crafted ornaments when I come across them.   They will also always remind me of my travels and living overseas.

Today, at 3:10pm, started my first evening of Winter Holiday...  I went to the main base to do errands, get euro out of the bank, get a Christmas gift from the post-office, and then a quick stop to my house to change into clothes for my physical therapy session.  When that was over, I stopped quickly at my favorite Italian big grocery store and picked up a few things.  I have company coming this weekend-- and I have to clean house tomorrow and do some errands.  

Things seen while walking around where the Italian Christmas Market was held....

While walking along the streets of Bolzano... I saw this poster advertising a musical group.

This cute little 'toddler' sized sweater was in a store window. 

In most places in Europe... you can't just eat lunch whenever you want.  There is a specific time for meals.  12:00 to usually around 1:30.   I found everything closed-- except for this one place.   A Turkish place that had the food already made.   This entire meal, including my drink (which is usually about 2 or 3 euro each- or about $2.30 to $3.40 each) was only 5 euro.. or about $6.00?   They had 2 different types of rice and I asked the guy to give me 'just a little of both types' so I could try them both-- and look at how much he gave me!   The green stuff is a potato spinach dish-- yummy.   I also had some Turkish bread (looks very much like a tortilla- but, freshly made.)

"Singing in the Rain"... ore = hours (8:30pm)  I remember that when I first moved overseas- I was most worried about having to 'figure out' how to tell time using: MILITARY TIME.  

I will start my winter break this Friday (yes, TOMORROW!!) at 3:10pm or 15:10.  ;D  Two whole weeks of not having to walk up/down as many stairs as I do each day (my knee will be happy) and a chance to do some things in my house that never get done-- since, I am just trying to make it through each day with my hurting knee.

I'm going to meet friends driving down from Germany at the Christmas Market at Innsbruck, Austria.  I'll take the train and meet them.  We'll spend the night in Innsbruck and then drive on down to my house in Italy where we will stop at the Christmas Market in Bolzano.    Yeah!   Both markets were enjoyable enough to visit them again.   There were a few things that I wanted to get at both markets- that I didn't get (needed more Euro) when I went the first time.   My friends are looking forward to shopping there too.


I'll have more free time to update my blog on a more regular basis during break.   I am ready for break.   I know that the children are always excited for break-- but, what they don't realize is that the teachers are just as excited as they are!

I haven't even had a chance to watch one Christmas movie yet.  I always have certain ones that I watch and I did order a set of Christmas movies from Amazon that I haven't even opened up yet.   So, there is that to look forward to also.

Trains of Italy.. I took a few photos on my trip last weekend.

Most trains have a little pull down table (far, far, far more room than what you'd find on an airplane- look at how long that little table is.  If you look you can see my coat and the edges of my green scarf and my knees.  That should give you an idea of the space that you have.)   On some trains, you'll also have a few sets of seats (4 -- two will be facing the direction of the train travel and the other two will face the opposite direction- and there is a large sized table between all 4 seats.)  This particular train also had the aisle walking area dropped down lower than the seats.   If you look towards the floor, in the photo, you can see what I'm referring to.   Yes, I did start knitting a pair of socks.  :D

You can see the table in the 'up position' on the left side of this photo.   They do have a mixture of seats facing in different directions- in case one likes to sit in the direction of travel?'   If I'm going to a new place- I do like to sit by the window facing the direction of travel- just so that I can read the station (town/city) names on the train platforms.    The armrest between the seats does raise up and goes between the seats and the racks are far enough from the ceiling that you can stuff some pretty big stuff up there- including suitcases.

This was along the side-- only one set of chairs and facing each other... no little pull down table.   There is also a 'trash can' (where that red button is located) that pulls out and holds quite a bit of trash.   I'm sitting in the seat and you can see that there is a lot of room- (yes, that's my backpack on the opposite seat.  I have used it for years-- it is more of a 'large messenger bag' style... and will fit across your front and along the opposite shoulders for security.   Lots of pockets all around and on the inside AND... a couple of on the ends (where the buckles on the strap is located) one has a velcro flap (I put a water bottle in it) and the other one has a zipper closing for security.   There is also a big open flap on the back side the width of the bag-- I put my umbrella in it (inside a plastic bag so that I always have a place to stash a wet umbrella from rain or snow) and books/magazines/etc.   Things that I need for easy access.   I've used this bag for years.   The little see through zipper pocket in the front has:   a tiny vial of Tylenol, some Pepto Bismol tablets, and my inhaler.

Pretty huh?  Bolzano, Italy 

Another view in a different direction-- right in the mountains!  The Dolomite Mountains- or the Italian Alps.

This is another train station in the area.  I love how the sun was playing on the various areas of the mountain.

On my return trip, I was on a train that had compartments like this.  It consisted of 6 seats, a rack to stash your belongings, and you could adjust the headrest, etc.   It was comfy for sure.  You could shut the door that you see to the left.  I was the only one in the compartment.  This type has the aisle on the far side instead of being in the middle of the seats as you saw on the other train.   I always think that these look like the trains that you see in the old movies.  They always look so spacious and the trains like this in Italy are very spacious.

Do you see that oval looking thing along the wall of the train?   It's a pull down seat (you can see another one under the other window) and I've been on these trains when they are so crowded that people are sitting in every one of these seats- I've had to sit in this type of seat before.  

Venezia.. or Venice   (my train-- because, I live only about an hour from Venice)

It was COLD and the fog was rolling in.   I'm glad that I had my alpaca wool socks on, my wool sweater over a long sleeve t-shirt, my thin cotton long johns (really they are thin pj's that shrunk too much in length- but, they are perfect to wear under clothing in the winter), my wool long coat, my 2 pairs of wool gloves (fingerless and regular that I wear together if it is needed and it was damp and cold- so, it was needed), and my wool hat/big shawl/scarf.  I was dressed for the weather in layers-- the day of the market it was cold-- but, no snow... but, that night... once it got dark and after 7pm... it turned damp and COLD.  I was glad for everything that I had on-- I had to wait on the open platform for 40 minutes.

Bozano, Italy Christmas Market

Yesterday, I went on the train to the mountains north of here to an 'artist's Christmas Market'... the name of the town is:  Bozano    *This also happens to be where the 'ice man' was found in the area and he is on display in a museum there.  I didn't have time to see the mummy- but, I want to go back in the future because this area was quite interesting and really pretty.  It was much colder than where I live in Italy.  No snow on the ground and very little in the mountains. Across the street from the train station as you walk towards the market area.  You can see how close the mountains are in this photo.   I just noticed that shop says that it is a jewelry store.  I really want to stop in one sometime and see what is for sale that might 'be unique' to Italy.   I always forget because I'm not living in a large town that would have a jewelry store nor do I tend to stop in jewelry stores on a regular basis anyway (it's been years- honestly) so, I guess that it doesn't even register for me when I do see a jewelry store. See the bread shop on the left?  Panifico (that means:  bakery/bread shop/etc.)  I stopped in to see what they had that I might eat for breakfast.  *I had gotten on the train at 6:16am and it is now 9:30am. This is what I bought.  It was full of almonds, dried fruits (apricots/etc.) and seeds on top and a few mixed in the dough batter.  It was also made out of whole grains (my favorite type of bread- I'd rather have it than just white bread any day).  It was delicious.   Soft, flavorful, and just wonderful.  I'd never seen this type of roll in any of the bakeries that I've gone to- of course, I have to remember that the bakeries that I have visited in Italy are on a much smaller scale too.   While walking onward ... I noticed this shop out of the corner of my eye.   I thought that the name choice was a 'bit' unusual?   The clothing looked nice and quite stylish though.   Not things that would be 'out of season' and dated looking too quickly. I didn't have enough time to 'just walk around' in this place.  However, there were some very nice buildings just right where the market was being held.  The upper floors are apartments or homes of the owners of the shops on the ground level. This building had some wonderful paintings on it.  I took a photo of the building and I zoomed a close-up of each of the images.   I'll share the rest at another time.  I loved the 'artist' one... especially, since I am sometimes an 'art teacher' and I like to do many artsy/crafts-y things.   I met some wonderful artists selling their hand-crafted items.  I talked to a few in depth and there were 2 or 3 that had we been living in the same area... I'm sure that we would have become close friends.   You can just tell when there is a 'genuine' connection... not someone being nice because they are trying to sell something.   This was a wonderful Christmas Market.  It was small- but, unique because everything was 'hand-crafted'... I did buy a few items for myself and also some items for specific people and I will save those for the 'future' since I have already mailed my Christmas gifts out for this year.

There were jewelry makers... out of glass, semi-precious stones and metal, or other various mediums.   A few people did sell items made out of wool... either woven or knitted.  I didn't look at them- since, I can knit almost anything that I decide to knit.   I didn't have a lot of time and I didn't want to get distracted by 'knitted items'...  I bought some items for myself and a few things for 'future gifts' for specific people-- since, I had already mailed out my Christmas gifts for this year........ I'll save these items for the future.  I have a place where I store my 'future gifts' so that they don't get lost while waiting to be 'gifted' in the future.

More photos from the Innsbruck, Austria Christmas Market 2013 in the Old Town area.

I got this at the Innsbruck, Austria Christmas Market.   This was the 'dessert' version.   It has a berry filling inside-- (it's a red berry found/grown in Germany/Austria and maybe in other locations-- but, it's sort of tart and the berries are tiny in size).   I really did like these berries when I'd get served them with a meal in Germany.  They also sold another type with a hunk of sauerkraut served in the middle.  

And, yes... I often take photos of the water cover lids in foreign lands.  This one has a tiny crown.  At least, I see a 'Crown' but maybe others see a stylized "W"????

I don't smoke (never have) but, it is interesting to see the different brands being sold--  notice the Chesterfield?   Do they still sell that in the states?  I have a DVD of some old TV shows and some of them have OLD COMMERCIALS on them... and I remembered the Chesterfield commercials.   It seemed so odd now that it has been YEARS since smoking ads have been allowed on American TV.  Notice the huge warning sticker/labels?   The one on Philip Morris with the gold top says:  Smokers die earlier.   Most of these are American brands.  There are some other interesting brand names sometimes.

This store sold all sorts of light globes with unique designs on them.

I tend to take photos of bikes that I find in my travels.  

Handmade wooden combs.

You still can't see the huge mountain due to the overcast sky and cloud cover.  However, this is the river that was next to the Christmas market that you had to cross the street to get to that was in yesterday's photos.

Looking towards the area that had the Christmas Market-- it would be at the bottom left of the photo.  Unseen in this photo, of course.  :D

Last Weekend... I finally DID SOMETHING FUN!!!

I went to the Christmas Market (on base military bus trip) in Innsbruck, Austria.  I got there early so I could snag a seat- so, I could sit w/ my right knee in the aisle.   It was a 4 hour bus ride with one brief stop.  The market was very small compared to all the wonderful Christmas Markets in Germany.  I did ask a couple of times... 'if the market' continued/etc.   In case, I had missed it by a couple of streets or something.  I hadn't.   It was in the old part of the city.   Some of the buildings had dates of the 1400's on them.   We were right at the base of the Alps.  Snow was everywhere... but, not in the actual 'walking around in the market area'... that had been melted by all the people walking around at the market/etc.   In case Innsbruck sounds 'slightly familiar' to you... it was where the FIRST WINTER OLYMPICS was held!   They still have/use the ski jump.  It was lit up when we left about 4:30-5:00pm that day. There were some beautiful buildings in the Old Town area of Innsbruck. This building is called the:  GOLDEN ROOF (I'll show another photo of it - from further down the street so that you can see the golden roof.)   There was a Swarovski 'showroom' factory and a couple of shops selling the crystal.  I did not look inside.  On somethings, I figure that it's best to 'NOT even know about it'... then, you don't want something that you:  don't need and certainly can't afford.   I do have quite a few of the 'loose swarovski' beads from when I used to make beaded jewelry. Isn't this a nice street scene?  It was very overcast the day we were there for part of the day-- so you can't see how tall the mountains are behind these buildings.  What you see is just the lower level of the mountains.  We are right at the base of them. This is the bell tower for the church.   See how the tower top looks like a 'crown?'  You'll see that sometimes in Italy too.  You can tell that it is 'sunnier' in this photo. This is another market area and you had to cross the street to get to it.   There is a river here too.   I'll have to add those photos in another blog posting.   However, in this market is where I bought some amazing 100% wool alpaca socks (from Germany).   The old town area is a very condensed area - so, the Christmas market was spread out in different areas. Santa was here too!  I have seen this 'Santa' in another market in Germany.  I recognized him.   See that thing on the cart?  It's an organ and he plays songs... like an organ grinder with a monkey would have.   That's where I've seen him before... with a MONKEY!!!    (No, I really have... ) This area of the market was near an old theater... do you see the figure on the roof? They had several of these all around in this area.   Some I did recognize as 'fairy tale' stories- but, some I wasn't familiar with them.   This is a food area of the market.   They had some wonderful things that I'd gotten before at other markets in Germany/etc.   Lots of the older buildings have original metal hanging signs from the 1200's-1600's.   Some of the signs don't even have words on them-- but, they would let you know what the original business was from the images in the signs.  You still see signs like this in Austria and Germany especially.  It's from the days... when NOT EVERYONE knew how to read! Here is how street signs are done in the old parts of the town.   You look for ceramic numbers on the building corners in Italy too.  A lot of businesses put out lots of nice holiday displays in front of their shops (not always with items that they sell inside too.)  I've seen this in many places in Europe.   This place was a 'glass blowing' business.  I loved the Santas.   Alas, I did not go inside and check on the prices either.  I do see some ornaments hanging in the window that I do wish I had gone inside to see what the prices were.   Darn. Here's one of the old signs... no name of the business... just the number of the building.   Isn't the metal work beautiful?  I'm so glad that no one decided to 'modernize' things and get rid of these amazing old signs that you still see around.   If you look up.. you will see them anyway. See the "GOLDEN ROOF" now?   That's the center piazza area.  (not sure what it is called in Austria... but, piazza is what it is called in Italy.)   The market area can be seen w/ the green roof stalls that you can barely see to the left.   Speck=  Ham   Which would mean that this was a 'butcher's shop' at one time.  BY the way, it still was selling SPECK.  *However, look at the other old sign (for the shop next door).. what do you think that business was at one time?   Another beautiful building.  This is all painted on the building. This is the building across the street from the GOLDEN DOOR.   Sure looks official, doesn't it?

This southern gal did NOT get to have Sweet Potatoes with toasted marshmallows on top for Thanksgiving...

Think that they might be a might 'over cooked?'  

So, the other night... I decided to whip up a small batch that I could eat on for a few meals with the 'roasted chicken' that I got at the nearby Italian grocery store.   I decided to use the little toaster oven that I'd purchased in the states this summer- to make up for the other one that I had used for years, that the movers in Germany didn't pack up and I had to give away.   I discovered that I had really missed using it in the 6 months that I had been in this house. In case you didn't guess... I had left it on 'toast' instead of changing the dial to:  BAKE    So at least I know that the 'toaster' part of the oven does work and apparently really well.  :D