Christmas Market 2016

Goschenhoppen Historians Christmas Market 2016

Hope you don't mind a long post. I want to share everything in one. :-) Last Saturday, actually 2 Saturdays now, Xyra and I went down to Green Lane and the Goschenhoppen Historians Christmas Market. Nana Kestrel was working it the entire weekend. We arrived shortly after noon and a friend told us they were almost out of cookies! We went to the bake sale first. I'll show you our prize cookies at the end.

Second Floor - Dry Goods

I wanted to check out the bookseller. 

They had loads of books on the region's history and culture and specific trades or skills.

Then we saw the soap lady. Everything smelled WONDERFUL there. Picked up a gift for someone.

Throughout the hall are theme decorated trees. The first we saw had a small loom under it and socks on the branches. 

There were other yarn style decorations too. Turns out the theme was wool and flax!

Here you can see some of the decorations.

This one was Nana Kestrel's. How did I know? Well, first, I recognized the animals from her living room. 

The theme celebrates the National Park system.

Plus she showed us how she was making the ornaments from postcards and twigs. Pretty cool!

A small yellow and white house drew my attention. Isn't it cute? The minis would love it!

It's a diorama showing wool gathering and the related skills - spinning and weaving.

Here's the description card.

This diorama made us laugh! It was designed by Nana Kestrel! I'm sorry we didn't get the full scene; only the underground or indoor scene. This shows "Phil" with his friend "Squeak" snug and ready for Christmas.

Above ground is Mr. Beaver cutting down a tree. You can see the roots of that tree coming through the ceiling of Phil's room. Here's the description card.

Just outside the door on the first landing is a huge Nativity scene. 

Third Floor - Museum

We climbed the next flight of stairs up to the museum. I was most interested in the kitchen displays. In the hearth kitchen I found homemade noodles.

I love this little tree.

The modern (giggles) kitchen featured pies.

And Christmas treats.

Street Level - General Store

We went back down stairs and out to the General Store. The shop keeper was giving out oranges. Don't they look tasty?

This pretty doll looks like she is waiting for a home, but this is her home.

I wonder who designed the egg crate?

No mail for me. (giggles)

Basement - Luncheonette

After visiting the store we headed to the lower level and picked out lunch. A ham sandwich, red beet egg, and ham and bean soup.

During lunch we chatted with Emily, Grace, [another one ;-)] and their mom. Very nice people, so friendly and fun!

Home

These are the cookies we wanted. Springerle cookies. 

The recipe is ancient and there is a special rolling pin just for making them. If you google springerle you'll get a ton of recipes. We suggest you stay away from Martha Stewart's version. She makes it sound extremely complicated. This blog seemed better.

Gramma Enne would not like these they are an egg white based cookie flavored with anise. 

We also picked up some potato candy.

It wasn't quite as good as the batches made during festival in August.

If you are in our area, Christmas Market is the first weekend of December. It's a lot of fun!

What was your favorite photo from my trip?

À bientôt!


#GoschenhoppenHistorians

December 2016 First Week

Looking at Calendars

Hi! How is you December going? Seems to be flying away here. I actually started this on Monday!

Advent Calendar

We took a vote and will reveal fives this year. What are fives? Five days of builds.

Day one gave us Emma and day five Naomi. In between we have a skate stand, mail box, and decorative candle.

Here you can see them better.

Desk Calendar - Part 1

Our holiday house shifts from Thanksgiving to Christmas. How many changes do you think were made? You can see a few even without seeing the entire house.

Here's the full view. I think it's great.

Since we aren't doing the Advent Village this year we thought we'd put an Advent wreath in the holiday house and "light" one candle each week. See it here. 

I wish we had a pink piece to match the purple ones. Oh well, must be creative. The first two candles are lit. One represents hope, the other love.

Desk Calendar - Part 2

Awesome! Since Kaya didn't get to post her piece Monday, I can add to it!

See Xyra was down at the Lego store Monday night picking out a gift for Toys for Tots and was drawn to the big pick a brick bin. While sifting through she found the pink piece we needed! Check it out!

So now our candles match! 

The two unlit candles represent peace and joy.

What do you think? Do you have an Advent wreath or calendar? 

Thank you very much for joining us today!
Come again soon! Have a great day!

December 1, 2016

The Season of Preparation

Hi! Advent has begun! Officially it started last Sunday; and we've already seen so many great photos of Christmas decorations...we tend to lag behind just a bit. But we have a few different things in the works to celebrate the season of Advent.

Friendly Build

Lanie, Lea, both

So this is the Lego Advent calendar?

Yeah, isn't it great!? We weren't going to get one this year, but then saw one picture that made us think of Gramma Enne. Looking forward to that build. Can you figure out which one?
Ooo, I see it. I wonder if she'll see what it is. (giggles)
Well, open door number one.

Cool!
[opens door]
Hey, it's a person.

Emma!

She's great! I love the green sweater.
I'm going to tuck her back in her little room. 

We don't want any paws to find her. (laughing)

2016 Advent Plan

Last year our daily post was the build from our Lego Advent calendar. We're not going to do that this year, but will definitely share the builds with you. We also like to share opening the Advent Village doors with you, but we want to change that up a bit too. There are many Advent traditions and we have something in the works. Hope you come back to see what we are up to.

Do you like Lego friends? What about the elves? Or maybe the Mega Bloks sets?

Tchau! See you again soon!