Friday 9 December 2016

Visit to Germany as Advent began.




 Back home after my trip to Germany and what a lovely way to start Advent. 
The mini hats, that I knitted quite some years ago, made another appearance along with the fabric boots which are only a couple of years old.

My daughter started off her decorations with this swag of greenery, lights and bows, up the staircase.
We ventured out on a very cold and frosty Sunday morning (-5C) to visit the local animal park for the children to join in a Christmas event.
First the children chopped fruit and vegetables (with really sharp knives) which would never have been allowed in England with all our "health and safety" attitude. No fingers were cut even though some of the children were only 3 years old. Great experience!
They then ground seeds before mixing into the bowls of veg and fruit.


Burning logs in a brazier warmed us and smelled amazing.

We all visited the animals so the children could feed them the food they had prepared.
I really loved this white alpaca and he looked like he was wearing a bad toupee.
I had so much fun with the German half of my family but he is going to be my 
Friday Smile for Annie.... who reckons that this fellow is a "Trump" lookalike!!!
Join in for a bit of fun or just pop over to see some more of Annie's weekly happy post.
The only one we had to beware of was this fine buck
Back into the barn and time for making some decorations from straw, wire and beads.....


 then we sat around the tree, decorated with the children's rustic baubles and stars, for hot chocolate and carols.
It was a wonderful visit and it only cost 1 euro each! Simple fun for all and what a memory for all the little ones. 





10 comments:

Annie said...

How lovely Jo. Your German family are all grown up already. How quickly these things happen. It's so lovely to see your specially captured memories. Thanks so much for sharing....esp your Trump looky like 😂😂😂
Hugs,
Annie x

tilly said...

what wonderful memories for all of you, it looked like a fantastic day, pleased you got home home safely, wishing you both a very happy festive season
Tilly x

sam21ski said...

Fabulous post Jo xx
Hope you're doing okay xx
Sam xx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Great photographs of a wonderful family experience. I have to agree the alpaca does look a bit like Mr Trump though actually that's being a bit unfair to the Alpaca Lol! Have a great weekend, Angela x

Mystic Quilter said...

What an amazing day out for the children! So good to see the Christmas festivities kicking off in the cold European climate.

Lisca said...

What a wonderful family outing. So cheap too! I looks like great fun.
Yes, on the continent the whole health and safety exsageration hasn't arrived yet. They are careful enough but not so over-the-top as in the UK.
Your decorations look lovely. I wonder how you fix the garland to the stair banner. Blue Tack?
Thank you for sharing your lovely smiles today and thank you for your kind comment on mine.
Hugs,
Lisca

Helen said...

what a wonderful trip - great fun for all, knives and all! it would have cost loads more here, I think!! Love the alpaca!!

Neet said...

What a lovely day out, they certainly know how to do it over there in Europe.
I must have got it wrong, I thought the German family were coming to you for Christmas - trust me!
Hugs, Neet xx

Elizabeth said...

Lovely post, Jo. The photos of the girls preparing the food for the animals are just wonderful. Love the Trump lookalike too :) Sorry I'm so late getting here - it's a busy time of the year for us all - but I was determined to comment before tomorrow :) Hugs, Elizabeth xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Loved seeing those lovely decorations! What a treat for the the children and good value too! I'm a firm believer in letting children handle sharp knives - they know the dangers - blunt knives are far more likely to end up with accidents!! Hugs, Chrisx