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Advent

29 Nov 2008 by Andrea

ADVENT

Es brennt mit starkem hellen Glanz,
die erste Kerze auf dem Kranz,
sie ist der Glaube, wo er fehlt,
ist alles dunkel in der Welt,
oh öffnet Eure Herzen weit,
Advent ist da, die Weihnachtszeit.

Doch seht wie schön und licht sie brennt!
Die zweite Kerze im Advent,
sie ist die Hoffnung und sie spricht
hofft immerzu, verzaget nicht,
ich bau Euch Brücken still und sacht
im Leben und zur heiligen Nacht.

O, strahle, strahle ohne End
die dritte Kerze im Advent.
Du bist die Liebe wundermild,
die vieles Leid auf Erden stillt.
Du bringst uns Licht und Glück zugleich,
und auch ein Stückchen Himmelreich.

Zu Ende geht die Zeit Advent,
nun da der Freude Kerze brennt.
Die Flamme knistert leis und lind,
bald ist es da, das heilige Kind.
Und in des Lichtes Baumes Pracht,
ersteht für uns die heilige Nacht.

(Verfasser unbekannt)

Wishing everyone a reflective Advent season!

I would like to apologize if I haven’t visited all of your blogs lately, but I have been having some problems and not been able to type much. I have also been busy with our new garden forum (German language only, sorry to my American and Canadian readers) we created.Hope you understand. As soon as I can type more again, I will follow up on my favorite blogs.

Category: 2008, Advent 19 Comments

Passing beauty – Vergängliche Schönheit

11 Nov 2008 by Andrea

Spätherbst

Schon mischt sich Rot in der Blätter Grün,
Reseden und Astern sind im Verblühn,
Die Trauben geschnitten, der Hafer gemäht,
Der Herbst ist da, das Jahr wird spät.

Und doch (ob Herbst auch) die Sonne glüht, -
Weg drum mit der Schwermut aus deinem Gemüt!
Banne die Sorge, genieße, was frommt,
Eh’ Stille, Schnee und Winter kommt.

Theodor Fontane
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dieser Herbst, der nun zu Ende geht, zeigt uns seine geballte Schönheit dieses Jahr.

Es ist einfach eine Freude, die herrlichen Farben der letzten Blüten zu sehen, ob es nun ein Geranium ist oder die Beeren des Viburnums.

Die Rose Compassion möchte einfach nicht aufhören zu blühen und treibt mit aller Kraft nach oben.

Ich weiss nicht, wie es euch geht, aber ich kann kaum glauben, dass nächsten Monat schon Weihnachten sein soll.

Ich wünsch euch eine schöne Woche.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Late Autumn

Already the reds dot the leafy green,
the last mignonettes and asters are seen,
the grapes have been cut and the oats have been sold:
the fall has come, the year grows old.

And yet (though it’s fall) the sun will still glow -
so throw out your sadness before it can grow!
Banish all sorrow and savour your life,
ere calm and winter snows arrive.

Theodor Fontane

~~~~~~~~~~~~

This autumn, which is now coming to an end, is really is beautiful this year.

It is simply a joy to see the beautiful colors of the last blossoms whether it is a geranium or the berries of Viburnum.

The Rose Compassion does not want to stop. It continues to bloom and pushes with all its strength to the top.

I do not know how you feel, but I can hardly believe that we will have Christmas next month.

Have a wonderful a wonderful week.

My favorite November picture / Mein Favorit im November

Category: 2008, Autumn, Compassion, Fall, Geranium, Rosen, rose, roses 23 Comments

Time for Gardening or Time for …

05 Nov 2008 by Andrea

Politics?

It is definitely time for politics and Barack Obama in my blog today. This is one time where I will not translate my post in German as it is directed towards my friends and readers in the U.S.A.

Some of you who have known me personally may understand how dear to my heart this election has been to me. I have lived in the U.S. for many, many years and I encompass a special love for this country. My sons who carry a dual citizenship German-American, but having grown up in the USA, have been watching this election with growing excitement as well.

Not only my American born sons but people in Germany and all over Europe have been observing these past months with great anticipation. Last night the eyes of the world were watching America. I was up until 3 a.m. last night following the progress of the election counts.

One major German political magazine is carrying the headline “The reincarnation of the American dream” this morning. A dream it is and it is truly a sign for our children, my children, that times are changing and most of all that America wants change.

These past years I have been so disappointed watching from “across the ocean” of what was happening in the United States. I’ve always been telling friends who ask me where I prefer to live that I do not prefer one country to the other and that both countries are home to me. However, these past years I have had a difficult time justifying this position in light of the political happenings.

I don’t know what my feelings would have been had these elections turned out differently. It seems as though America has had enough and is ready for a great change. Any other result would have been a great disappointment to me.

It will be a long road ahead for this President and many obstacles in the way but if people give him a chance (and maybe two terms as President ) I am sure he will turn the country around again and help regain the respect it deserves in the world.

Good morning America – you’ve done the “right thing”! (at least in this German blogger’s humble opinion)

Category: 2008, Barack Obama, Politik, Presidential Election, politics 12 Comments

Last Roses – die letzten Rosen

26 Oct 2008 by Andrea

We are having an incredibly beautiful fall. The roses seem to enjoy the sunshine and are spoiling us with beautiful blossoms. Interesting how they differ in color from those we got to enjoy during the summer. Anyhow, I couldn’t care less – they ease the transition to the cold weather period which will come sooner than we like it.

Wishing you a beautiful week!

Our fall pictures from last week can be viewed here.

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Wir haben einen wirklich schönen Herbst dieses Jahr. Die Rosen geniessen auch den Sonnenschein und verwöhnen uns mit einer letzten Blüte. Es ist schon interessant, dass die Blütenfarbe etwas anders als im Sommer ist. Aber es soll mir gleich sein – so wird der Übergang in die kalte Wetterphase einfacher. Denn die kommt schneller als es uns lieb ist.

Wünsch euch eine schöne Woche!

Unsere Herbstbilder findet ihr hier.