October 21, 2010

And Just like that, It was Autumn.

As I sit here, at my living room window, watching the beautiful Autumn leaves float almost weightlessly to the ground, I'm finding it hard to believe that it's Fall already. Has it really been that long?

The last eight months here in Germany have been an adventure. At times difficult; however, like all good adventures, rewarding. Neither me nor my husband were expecting some of the difficulties we encountered but the experience so far has undoubtedly made us stronger and more patient.

Our original plan was to purchase a home here in Germany. A process that soon became nightmarish. Not impossible, but dreadful none the less. After two months of visiting numerous banks and viewing multiple homes, we eventually found a house and a bank that was willing to finance it.

The home was exactly what we were looking for. We absolutely loved it. Maybe too much.

Two days before we were scheduled to sign the contract, the owner of the home sold it to someone else.

This was bad. Real bad!

We had spent three whole months focusing on and prepping for a home we believed would soon be ours. Add those to the two months we spent finding the home and we had been here almost half a year and were still living in a hotel. I was frustrated, angry and completely exhausted.

We were back to square one with the beautiful summer slipping thru our grasp. We decided to clear our heads and visited my home town, by the sea, for two wonderful weeks.

Upon our return to Germany, we let a little part of our German dream die, and decided to rent.

This process was also difficult, but with the help of a great immobelien (real estate agent) our perseverance soon paid off. We've been in our new apartment now for three weeks. We are just around the corner from being settled and it feels so good.

One of the things we were surprised to find when looking at apartments in Germany is that very few of them have fitted kitchens! In cases like these, it is the renters responsibility to install one. With the help of a few new German friends we managed to install an "emergency" kitchen while our new one is being made. The kitchen will arrive in November and I am so excited I could pop!

So, if it wasn't for some great people, good beer (though it has been a while), delicious sausages, amazing breads and an endless variety of tasty mustards, it would have been a very long and arduous journey thus far.

More about German culinary goodness in the next post!

For now though, I want to thank you all for sticking by me through this difficult transition. Your patience and support has meant a lot and I can't thank you enough.

Oh, and one last thing...I am currently working on a very special creation! It's been baking for almost seven months and will be ready sometime in January! I have a feeling it will be scrumptious! ;-)

More soon....

21 comments:

  1. Hi, good to see you are posting again. It takes a while but it will all take a rhythm.

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  2. Thanks Luis! It feels good to be back : )

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  3. I can't believe fall is here either! It came so fast. I do love the season. The colors, the feel in the air, still sunny. It's all very cozy. I just don't like what's coming next!

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  4. Hey! I would check your blog every few months to see what was shaking, but just silence. That's too bad about the house, but I am glad you are back.

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  5. HIYA JEN CANT WAIT FOR THE NEW RECIPE TO BE READY TO SHOW,!

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  6. So sorry to hear about the home-buying misfortune. Congrats soon-to-be mom! Enjoy your motherhood..well, thats what I have assumed when you meant a special creation.

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  7. I'm so sorry to hear about all of your troubles but SO happy that you're back to posting. You should have seen my smile when you appeared in my Google Reader.

    And congrats on your scrumptious little creation! i can't wait to meet her? him? it? :P

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  8. Hi Jennie,

    Good to hear you are getting settled. Can't wait for January for you! How have you been feeling? Would offer hand-me-downs but the postage would be more than the worth of the clothes. Sounds like you will have a lot to write about soon. Can't wait to read it all.
    Stacey (from 35 of course) ;)

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  9. Welcome Back Jenni!! I saw your comment on my blog, and thought, "HMMM, who is this?" And there you are, posting again. Sorry about your Home Buying adventure(nightmare)but now you found a place to call home, looking forward to future posts!
    MCB

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  10. oh sorry about your house troubles and wow your in Germany, its a cool country are you going to be there for good?

    will try and visit more often fellow Brit Rebecca

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  11. Jennie, I can totally relate to your feeling.
    I am really glad to know that you have finally settled down and back to the posting.
    Angie

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  12. Keep on Cookin' Looking forward to a Fall recipe and a January presentation! Good to see you posting again! Keep up the great photography!
    Kat Robertson

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  13. Your difficult adventure lets me admire it...
    However, it may be nourishment of the lives.
    I want to say congratulations to you.

    Yes. As for your cooking skill, it is matured.
    And it must advance more.

    I really looked forward to your fresh start!!
    It is my pleasure, too.

    Thank you.
    ruma

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  14. Sometimes the things we want aren't always the things we truly need. Your apartment sounds like it's going to be the perfect answer for you all right now. I can't wait to hear what you're cooking up!

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  15. How exciting! Glad to hear all is going pretty well...wish I could leave the country for a new adventure (seriously).

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  16. Moving is one of the hardest events in life! I'm glad that your family has decided to rent, it's so much easier when you start that way in a new location. I can't wait to hear about your German food adventures!

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  17. So glad to see you posting! Wow, sounds like buying a home in Germany isn't as smooth as you might expect here in the states, but I am glad you found something you are happy with. I am looking forward to seeing your wonderful new creation. Very exciting!

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  18. I've been checking your blog everyday since you left to see if you were back......so glad to see you again and so glad you are planning to keep blogging! Am eagerly looking forward to hearing more about your great adventure! And can't wait for more great recipes! Welcome back!

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  19. YOur back Yeah.. Your new baby in January will only bring more exciting posts. can't wait to see your life and adventures as your family grows.

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  20. Jennie it is so nice to see you back, and blogging. Wow for the troubles, I would never thought that it would be that hard to buy the place, it is always hard to sell I would think. Glad that work out for you. I been in Germany twice, and I really liked it, and never mind the food, sausages were the best. Anna :)

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  21. Thank you for sharing your expatriate experience! I too am living in a different country for at least one more year and faced similar hardships. All the best with your new adventures in your new kitchen!

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