Heimweh Letters
River Cruise, Cologne & Currywurst
The best seat on a Rhine cruise is also the least survivable, but nobody up there seemed to mind.
River Cruise, Cologne & Currywurst
The best seat on a Rhine cruise is also the least survivable, but nobody up there seemed to mind.
Ludwigsbahn & Potato Pancakes
The train past my son's nursery runs five past the hour, which means we're late on schedule.
Ludwigsbahn & Potato Pancakes
The train past my son's nursery runs five past the hour, which means we're late on schedule.
"Special" chicken nuggets & Beer Mustard Sauce
Smuggling German food past a toddler, one relabelled dish at a time. Schnitzel was the trial run.
"Special" chicken nuggets & Beer Mustard Sauce
Smuggling German food past a toddler, one relabelled dish at a time. Schnitzel was the trial run.
Hesse & Bienenstich
Fourteen days in a tin of sardines on wheels. Frankfurt, roasted almonds, and a social battery flashing red.
Hesse & Bienenstich
Fourteen days in a tin of sardines on wheels. Frankfurt, roasted almonds, and a social battery flashing red.
My Accent & Obatzda
My culture slipped away while I wasn't looking. The one thing I held onto on purpose? A cheese spread.
My Accent & Obatzda
My culture slipped away while I wasn't looking. The one thing I held onto on purpose? A cheese spread.
Rhubarb and the Cake it Makes
A rhubarb plant that refuses to die, and a cake three generations old. If one thing gets handed down, let it be cake.
Rhubarb and the Cake it Makes
A rhubarb plant that refuses to die, and a cake three generations old. If one thing gets handed down, let it be cake.
Passing Down German Heritage
Six inches of missing trim I walk past every day, and what it taught me about passing down German heritage.
Passing Down German Heritage
Six inches of missing trim I walk past every day, and what it taught me about passing down German heritage.
German Cultural Identity
My son defends his own name like a castle. A name comes by itself, though. German heritage does not.
German Cultural Identity
My son defends his own name like a castle. A name comes by itself, though. German heritage does not.
German Flour vs American Flour
Why your Oma's recipe comes out as its evil twin, and the dull ingredient that's actually to blame.
German Flour vs American Flour
Why your Oma's recipe comes out as its evil twin, and the dull ingredient that's actually to blame.
Muttertag & Vatertag
Four countries, four arguments about when Mother's and Father's Day actually are. And the truth about Vatertag.
Muttertag & Vatertag
Four countries, four arguments about when Mother's and Father's Day actually are. And the truth about Vatertag.
Coloring Through Germany
My toddler asked "What's Germany?" and the answer needed crayons. Also, all castles are now yellow, apparently.
Coloring Through Germany
My toddler asked "What's Germany?" and the answer needed crayons. Also, all castles are now yellow, apparently.
Before It's Gone: Heritage Guide
The week I made a heritage guide, survived a bouncy castle, and worked out how fast two generations disappear.
Before It's Gone: Heritage Guide
The week I made a heritage guide, survived a bouncy castle, and worked out how fast two generations disappear.
After all this time
One word for longing after a home that may not exist the way you remember. The story behind the name.
After all this time
One word for longing after a home that may not exist the way you remember. The story behind the name.
Confidence and Schnitzel
I may not know Paw Patrol like my toddler, but at least I can give him a comprehensive answer to what a schnitzel is.
Confidence and Schnitzel
I may not know Paw Patrol like my toddler, but at least I can give him a comprehensive answer to what a schnitzel is.
The Marzipan of Lübeck and Hazelnut Torte
While I glare at a judgmental salad, the marzipan of Lübeck and Hazelnut Torte make a far stronger case.
The Marzipan of Lübeck and Hazelnut Torte
While I glare at a judgmental salad, the marzipan of Lübeck and Hazelnut Torte make a far stronger case.
Good News for March 2026
Giving up social media for Lent didn’t fix my soul, but it did make Germany’s quieter bits of good news easier to notice.
Good News for March 2026
Giving up social media for Lent didn’t fix my soul, but it did make Germany’s quieter bits of good news easier to notice.
The Mosel Valley and Munich
Munich brings the energy, Cochem brings the exhale, and I’m apparently loyal to anywhere not ending in a gift shop.
The Mosel Valley and Munich
Munich brings the energy, Cochem brings the exhale, and I’m apparently loyal to anywhere not ending in a gift shop.
Cologne and Flatladen
Some things deserve patience, but for everything else, there’s Cologne and Flatladen, which skips the waiting quite nicely.
Cologne and Flatladen
Some things deserve patience, but for everything else, there’s Cologne and Flatladen, which skips the waiting quite nicely.
Spring Road Trips and Easter Lamb Cake
Spring doesn’t have to mean full renewal, sometimes cleaning one appliance and ordering an Osterlamm mold counts as growth.
Spring Road Trips and Easter Lamb Cake
Spring doesn’t have to mean full renewal, sometimes cleaning one appliance and ordering an Osterlamm mold counts as growth.
Sommertagszug and Reisfleisch
Spring may still look doubtful, but burning a snowman and eating Reisfleisch feels like a reasonable response.
Sommertagszug and Reisfleisch
Spring may still look doubtful, but burning a snowman and eating Reisfleisch feels like a reasonable response.