A taste of Germany in South Texas

Weather isn’t ideal for boating so we are off to check out sights and tastes in New Braunfels and Gruene.  Local’s recommended Krause’s Café (and Beer Garden) so we had to give it a try.  Me, bratwurst with kraut and spicy mustard, slaw, all accompanied by an Austin eastcider dry hard cider.  Kent, Vienna Schnitzel served with red cabbage plus some vegan lentil soup…the smell of cumin wafted my way reminding me of the delicious smells at the kid’s apartment.  All was delicious.  We saved dessert for the self-proclaimed “Oldest Continuously Operating Bakery in Texas”, Naegelin’s.  The pastries were pretty good.

On to Gruene to wander the historic district and check out some of the many antique and what not shops.  They lay claim to the oldest dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall circa 1878.  Locals talk big about this Saturday’s band “one of the best around, if you are into Texas Country”.  We will probably pass but it sounds like it could be fun and probably pretty loud.  The old mercantile is a great building too and filled with fun antique toys, housewares and about everything else.  Spend a few hours strolling through town.  There are lots of restaurants and you are bound to find something you just have to have.  We found 34oz of real vanilla extract from Mexico for $6.95.  Just to round out the day, we had ice cream! are

On the road again

Today we are settling in at Cranes Mills Campground on Canyon Lake just north of San Antonio.  Check out these weird geese that met us at our site.  It is an exotic species referred to as an Egyptian Goose that people brought here for on their ponds.  The sound of Canada Geese honking pales to the racket these guys make.  No wonder people set them free!  If the weather holds tomorrow is a lake day.       

“Home” to Houston

One more travel leg for Brian, Johnna, Kent and I as we head back to Houston.  The flight is uneventful and all is well at our respective homes.  We will hang out here a few more days and find a couple excuses to get together with the kids before we set out on our 2019 travels.   

Amtrak to Lancaster/York for everyone

One more celebration.  Thanks a million for family that lets us crash with them.  All the kids and Willa at Carol’s and Kent and I with Bob and Lou Ann.  We eat well as always.  Food ranges from vegan enchiladas and mushroom polenta to chili and traditional pork and kraut.  Molly hosts as we try a Yankee Swap for the gift exchange this year.  We have several interpretations of how it is exactly supposed to work; but, in the end it is fun for all.  There is a surprise announcement, the family will be one larger next year.  I leave that for the Mom-to-be to reveal to the public.  The whole family is together at Bob and Lou Ann’s to toast in the New Year.  That is my very favorite kind of New Years party!      

Back into Manhattan-in the pouring rain

A bit more City history.  We join a Shop Life tour at the Tenement Museum.  It is an engaging way to learn about the lives of early immigrants and the communities that formed, morphed and reformed through the years.  We start in a German Saloon; how the business was run, what life was like for the owners, and the role this saloon played in the community.  Other businesses include a kosher butcher shop, a lingerie shop and a wholesale business.  We spend 1 ½ hours but could have spent a lot more time there.  The only disappointment, we found out after we got there that they would not allow Willa into the museum.  There is no real reason but they would not budge so she and Tracy had to cool their heels (at BIVE a Vegan ice cream parlor) the whole time.  

Of course, we couldn’t leave BIVE without trying something.  The flavors have odd names (it is the Lower east Side) but the dark chocolate peppermint one Kent and I share (Digestion) is creamy and delicious.  I could have done without the chia seeds though.  A berry version (Antioxidant) gets raves as well.   Tracy tried a couple others while she waited but the rest of us passed on Calm, Recovery, Energy Boost, and Immune Booster.  Next, Thai for supper.  We are all very happy with our choices.  The kids head out for a Manhattan nightcap while Nana, Grandpa, and Willa call it a night.  It is an uneventful subway ride home where we hang out ‘til her folks get home.  It was a perfect ending to the day for us.   

What a thrill

As part of our Holiday Celebration the whole clan went to the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular in Radio City Music Hall.  Everyone enjoyed the show, for me the most precious part was watching Willa (nearly7 months old) enjoy the show.  With good planning by Mom and Dad, she was able to view the entire show with wonder and amazement.  She sat in Nana’s lap and watched and danced and swung her arms to the beat of the music.  She was particularly engaged with the overhead light displays.  Possibly “overstimulated” she was attentive to the whole production and grinning ear to ear throughout.  And as always is the case, she made fans of the surrounding adults with her winning smile.

            Afterward the evening continued as we braved the crowds and took in the iconic NYC attractions; the Rockefeller Tree, ice rink, and decorated storefronts.  Willa joined in for the tree viewing then retreated with Mom and Dad for a much needed nap.  We caught up with them at the restaurant, Hurley’s, and enjoyed a delicious dinner and great company. 

Merry Christmas


We start the day with a waffle breakfast then circle around to open stocking gifts.  Baby’s first Christmas, Willa enjoys the wrapping paper and packaging about as much as gifts.  Fun stuff appears for all.  Most precious?  Some gawdy purple socks, but what’s that on them? 

It is Willa’s face on those socks!  Wonderful.  Thank you, Mike and Tracy.  The ornaments I made for the kids, including Willa’s first one, came out cute.                     

Ornaments based on July Smokie Mountain Activities

We close out Christmas day with Willa’s Pop-pop and Grandmama.  Baby’s first Christmas, what’s not to love.  q

Brian and Johnna join us

Mike and Tracy are graciously hosting the Sayre family Christmas in NYC this year.  Brian and Johnna finish up school then head our way just in time to get in on some cookie decorating and join in celebrating Kent’s birthday.  We all got to enjoy fantastic company and the delicious food that filled the day.  Homemade cinnamon buns for breakfast and vegan lasagna for dinner.  Birthday “cake” was key lime pie.  We find time for the final tree decorating touch.  Willa (with a little help) adds the star on top. 

NYC bound Dec 17

Kent and I are heading for the city.  We are fortunate to have use of an apartment in Mike and Tracy’s building so we are going early to hang out, baby sit, shop, take in some NY holiday sites, bake cookies, and do stuff.  I am excited!

Cookie baking: we go for all vegan recipes and are pretty pleased with ourselves as all are wonderfully tasty—-gingerbread cookies, painted sugar cookies, peanut blossoms, almond cookies, almond butter candy, and black no-bakes.

Decorating: we make our way to the local tree lot just down the block.  They have a huge selection and the guy running it tells a great story promoting the best trees he has.  Kent and Mike head home carrying a beautiful six footer.  Soon it is up and the apartment filled with the wonderful holiday smell.  Out come the lights and decorations—it is almost perfect.  Willa will put on the tree topper tomorrow when everyone is here

Christmas sites in the boroughs: The Dyker Heights neighborhood has a long-standing reputation for magnificent/some might say garish displays.  That sounds about right!  It is pretty cold and it is quite a trek via subway and then by foot but the journey is worth it.  Giant santas.  Huge blow up reindeer.  Carousels.  Armies of nutcrackers.  Thousands of lights on miles of garland.  We end the evening a little cold and tired but I am thrilled with the images dancing around in my head.

Strolls through Astoria residential neighborhoods show off some lovely decorating too.

Willa takes regular Nana and Grandpa breaks up at our place…wonderful for us!

We squeeze in a rainy day stroll through Union Square Holiday Market to work on our shopping.