A Giant Ground Sloth at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. They could reach up to 20 feet in length although this one is *only* 13 feet tall. Museum Monday is an every other week series about museum news, objects, and reviews.
One souvenir that you'll see commonly at German Christmas Markets are these little ceramic, clay, or porcelain houses. (Although now you'll see all types of buildings including churches to castles.) Mine are from Kastel Keramik Haus (or they are also known as Lichthauser) and I purchased it at my first Christmas Market in Frankfurt. It was the last night of their market, and so I got some of these little houses for 50% off. They either have a hole in a the back, or separate into two pieces so you can place a candle within it. You'll see the light flickering
The stalls at German Christmas Markets are so beautiful. This one had antique ornaments hanging from the ceiling with mangers in the background. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.
In my family we have a tradition of having spiral sliced ham and these cheesy potatoes for Christmas day. Its also one of my favorite pot-luck things to make in a crock pot. You can easily make this either as a casserole or in a crock pot, and the preparation is essentially the same. Here is what you'll need: 32 oz frozen hash browns (thawed if making in a crock pot & you plan on eating quickly) 2 cups sour cream 2 cans cream of chicken soup 1/2 stick butter, melted 1 tablespoon of salt 1 1/2 cup onions, diced
Visiting Italy in the off season had its benefits. Venice wasn't crowded on that New Years Eve. There weren't annoying pidgins accosting anyone. And since it wasn't hot, the lagoon water didn't smell. But, I did find it odd that these weird tables were stacked all around the city. I wondered if it was for some New Years tradition that I wasn't aware of. But in the off season you have to deal with poor weather. I certainly got my money's worth out of my new rain boots and jacket. Here you can see St. Mark's Square! Except...the rain and
My mother's Christmas tree from last year. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.
I love taking photos of doors and windows. Here are some of my favorite from the little island of Burano, near Venice, Italy. I had the chance to wander around the deserted streets of Burano on New Years Day a few years ago and to peek into the windows and see the families celebrating together. I also enjoyed the chance to see the beautifully decorated doors amongst the multi-colored houses. Every other week Travel Thursday brings you travel tips and information on the amazing sights and activities the world has to offer.
When I was little I dreamed of being an archeologist, a paleontologist, a museum curator, or a librarian. I loved learning about old things and collecting them. While I ended up on a different career path, museums still fascinate me. I've been lucky to be a member of my local Natural History museum, and they've had a few behind the scenes nights to see their collection storage area. But check out these photos from the Smithsonian museums in DC! Its amazing as these are just a small portion of the collection! Entomology Collection Anthropological Collection
I've seen ancient pyramids in Egypt, Guatemala, & Mexico. But while traveling in Germany I frequently saw larger than life Christmas Pyramids at the Christmas Markets. A glowing Pyramid in Munich Christmas Pyramids originated in Erzgebirge aka Ore Mountains of Germany (like the Nutcracker) and is rumored to be a predecessor to the Christmas Tree. It is designed more like a tiered carousel which often depicted Christian scenes like angles or mangers, while others might feature forests or everyday life. The spinning motion at the top was often achieved by candles whose rising heat would help spin the propeller.
A department store in Munich had an amazing store window, with tons of Steiff stuffed animals, some that were moving, to create this beautiful world. Children pressed against the glass to catch a better look at this wonderland. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.