This morning I stepped outside to feed the cats and opened the door to the old barn to let the bunnies roam freely for the day. While walking over to the stables building I’ve got a glimpse at the wooden front gate, when at that moment the morning dew was rising as mist from the fence slats hit by the first sun beams of the day …
It’s those little moments that make me pause and appreciate all the abundance that surrounds me. I’m currently staying at an Airbnb in Northern Germany and am considering myself extremely lucky to being able to spend the next couple months on my hosts land and their farm.
I have a whole apartment in the living quarters of that old farm house for myself. Lots of space to roam freely and to spend my days cooking, baking, eating, tasting local specialities and artisan made products.
I’m very grateful that my hosts are sharing their harvest with me. Behind the courtyard with its farm buildings, stables and barns is a gigantic garden to benefit from. I’ve already harvested pumpkins (of the Hokkaido variety as we call them in Germany), parsnips, colored beets, pears and munched some fresh raspberries off of the bushes.
But it’s not just the fruits and veggies from that garden that excite me and that remind me of the abundance of nature that is all around us, not just in the fall. It’s also the fact that I can spend my day in anticipation of my next meal - do you ever have that?
Right now while writing these lines I’m already excited about the Cappuccino that I’m gonna make for my cake and coffee (it’s a thing in Germany) later today, probably around 3pm, and the freshly made pumpkin bread (using the pumpkin from the garden) that I’ll have with that.
I again find myself very lucky that the kitchen here is very well equipped with everything that a true epicurean like me could ever ask for. I’ve even got a milk frother on top of the moka pot. The most easy tools for making a decent Cappuccino without the need for a professional espresso machine. Hit me up for more information on that!
Making and sipping on a Cappuccino, indulging in that pumpkin bread, although it didn’t quite turn out as I anticipated - but it’s still yummy -, is what true abundance looks like for me.
Every time I’m exploring a new area, region, town or place I’m also looking for local specialities, craft food and beverage products. It’s not different here.
I can’t wait to open one of the locally made craft beer bottles that I purchased at a store yesterday, or visit the local organic bakery in the village nearby. It’s so small I need to pre-order the bread I want to buy. Which I actually find very sustainable. In that way the baker-lady only makes the bread that is actually being sold. No food waste ever.
Being here alone also sparks my curiosity and my creativity, when it comes to food and beverages. Obviously. The rustic wooden table in the dining room is my favorite place to be, not just for my meals, and will be used for my food photography sessions in the next couple weeks. The light is perfect for photos.
Visiting a part of Germany that I’ve never been to makes me wanna explore, too. On my walk exploring the area yesterday I foraged a bunch of fresh rose hip fruits from an abundant bush that crossed my path.
I’ve never picked them before, but felt motivated to do so yesterday. A friend of mine suggested an easy recipe to preserve the Vitamin C that’s hidden in those small bright red fruits, a syrup that is not gonna be cooked, but instead I’ll layer halved fruits with sugar in a jar and let that rest for 2-3 days in a cool dry place. I’ll keep you posted about the outcome.
Although I miss Vermont dearly almost every day, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be right now. Exploring yet another place on this earth, have my curiosity, my creativity, my joy around food and beverages sparked by new connections, a new community and their amazing products. Plus it helps me staying present, in the moment and not wish myself back to Vermont all the time.
When have you last explored a new place, met new people, and tried products different to the ones you’re used to? I can highly recommend it!
Yours truly
Mel