bumble bees and krapfen

Bienenstich, Erdeer-, Schokolade- und Eierlikörkrapfen

In the dead of winter, there is a very exciting holiday coming round in Germany  called Fasching. The rest of the world knows this as Fat Tuesday or Carnival. I first got to experience the liveliness of the day in New Orleans in the French Quarter back in 1995 or so. Wow, I will never forget that! I was only there once, but the memories will last a lifetime. I did manage to bring home a whole bag of beads. (You usually have to exchange a kiss for a strand.) And, I had one very special strand that hung down just about to the floor with huge two inch beads on it. I won't tell you what I did for that one. :)

And I experienced Fastnacht in Basel, Switzerland in 1999 in the very wee hours in the morning. Unforgettable! The costumes were so elaborate!! I still can't believe I took a bus at midnight to watch the parade at 2 am!

Here in Schwaben, schwäbisch-alemannische Fastnacht or Fasching is celebrated with parades of witches usually men and women belonging to an organized group who dress up like witches complete with wooden-carved masks - some that have been in the families for generations. It is definitely something to be seen. Parades of witches (Narren) will walk by and usually play some type of prank on you. Since the masks can be grüeslig, my kids prefer not to go to these types. And then there are those phrases - Hexe, Hexa, Hexa....more, more more...in dialect. A little bit of candy is "thrown" to the spectators, but not a lot.

Kinderfasching in Leipheim 2014

Then, there are the parades close to Frankfurt which are a little more entertaining with floats and funny characters not just something to scare you. These are much more entertaining for the kids. Here, lots and lots of candy is thrown from the floats just like a traditional American "parade." And of course, there is always plenty of alcohol involved! Little bottles of spirits, wine and beer are handed out to spectators. Don't forget, there is a large amount of consumption from the participants as well. I think the younger participants use it as an excuse to drink since they are allowed to drink alcohol openly starting 16. I am not a fan of the entire "Faschingsitzungen", but I do like a few things about it. It is nice to let your hair down and have some fun. =)

We celebrate Kinderfasching this week in our town. The kids will dress themselves in a costume of their choice, this year a soldier and a harem dancer. I will dress myself too; I have a few costumes stored away. There will be lots of music, food, candy and laughter.

Kinderfasching in Hüttisheim 2015

 What I especially think of at this time of year, are Krapfen. These are doughnuts filled with spiced eggnog, chocolate, Carmel, honey-creme, strawberry, etc. As an American, you can probably get this any time of the year. Living in Germany, you appreciate and savor this TREAT! The only time you can get them is between Jan. 1 and Fat Tuesday. I cannot resist these treats. I LOVE my Eierlikörkrapfen!! 

Eierlikörkrapfen und tanzende Bienchen

This delicacy is entering our home almost on a daily basis right now! I have to stop buying them, but I cannot resist. When we lived in Baden-Würrtemburg, you couldn't find them anywhere, the Eierlikör at least. You have to drive over the border to Bavaria!! Now, I live in Bavaria, so I can find them at the local bakery and patisserie. I swear, I ate my last one on Friday. I will not buy anymore!

And more appropriate to show you Krapfen as this beautiful bumble bee mug rug I am working on for a swap at fortworthfabricstudio - my swarm of bees. You can find the free template at Badskirt in the shape of a hexagon.

I like this one so much, I am not sure I am going to part with it. It doesn't really look "springy" though does it? When I think of spring, I think of fresh colors such as Easter eggs, not black, white and gray. I might redo the idea, I might not. I still have time to decide. =)

What did I learn last week? I like to embroider, I hate to hand quilt!

Thanks for dropping by.