Tuesday to the Old Family Home

It is Wednesday morning, for there was insufficient battery power at 1130 last night, Tuesday, to write a bog. I was also tired after returning from visiting the old family home in Remscheid, talking about it and many other things, including politics, over wine.

The day began with sun and a fresh air and clouds and Anja's fresh and homemade muesli with coffee. I enjoyed lingering over the breakfast and coffee. 

Both had appointments in the morning, and Naila and I remained home. I had time to research 2023 Rick Steves tours in Eastern Europe. I found three which interest me.

At home, Herbert fixed his usual Brötchen with cheese and meat. He also gave Naila a few pieces of blood sausage having trained her you wait before taking it from his hand. Herbert then did what he enjoys: baking.  He made a chocolate and vanilla cake with layers of chocolate powder. He followed a recipe on his tablet, and he was precise with each step. 

I went with Anja to their above ground vegetable patch to pick Swiss chard for the quiche for supper. She also picked some onions and checked on the zucchini and strawberries. She watered the veggies and also the flowers in pots around their home. She stated she waters mornings or early afternoons to prevent the pots from being wet in the evening and night, for the latter attracts snails. She soaked the chard whole we went on our daily walk with Naila.

Today's walk was in a woods called Hohenhausenn, high above and still part of Remscheid. The views of Remscheid and Wuppertal were beautiful and clear. Naila enjoyed exploring a new woods, looking especially for little creatures. 

At home I helped Anja cut the chard and let it drain. She made the crust, rolled it out and placed it into the baking form

There were many steps.  I am impressed by her timing of each step. When the quiche went into the oven she and I went to the Wermelskirchen garden store to purchase bouquets for the two families who now live in the old family home as a thank you for allowing me to visit. The garden store woman was very friendly and held an active conversation with Anja and me as she put together two lovely bouquets.

The cheese on the quiche was melting and was ready to eat a few minutes later. It was colorful and delicious.

By 7 PM we were at the old family home. We were warmly welcomed by the adults and children, two boys ages 5 and 7 and a toddler sisters age 2. The boy and their dogs ran back and forth over the now long back yard, covered with grass. I can see this home has been passed from one generation to the next, and each generation respects and cares for and values the historic while adapting and modernizing portions. This house now deserves children who can run and play on the large backyard. The large trees are still there and now clearly visible.  The terrace is extended. A new wing has been added. Steps lead from the upper level living area to the ground level. All sorts of new windows, shades, lighting, and modern conveniences are indoors. Most windows are large and present a fabulous view of the countryside around. Above the ground floor and first floor living areas for the two families is the second floor which is still under renovation. Office and guest living spaces will be there. The winding stairwell is still there and in grey over the green of former years. It was a positive and happy experience for me. Anja and Herbert have a very friendly relationship with the two families. The new owners were particularly interested in showing me the care and respect while they preserved what they could in order to renovate the spaces for two young and active families. I was deeply moved. Anja will send photos. I took none.

At home we drank wine and talked and shared our awareness that now a fourth generation lives in the old home. They were the third generation.  Anja now states she prefers living in Wermelskirchen to Remscheid.

It was a happy ending to a very happy day.

Alles Gute, Susan


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