Monday, December 31, 2012

Retired in Ann Arbor: Happy 2013!


"Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve.  Middle age is when you're forced to."  Bill Vaughn
Talk to you next year!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Retired in Ann Arbor: Christmas is coming!

I have just returned from a Christmas wonderland:  Germany-- so am a little behind on my normal Christmas preparations (and blogging!)

So far December has been pretty exciting-- check out the Wall Street Journal coverage of Ann Arbor and Retired in Ann Arbor!  Nice!

Ann Arbor has such a strong German heritage (just count the Lutheran churches), that it is pretty easy to see the influence that Germany has on our Christmas celebrations and decorations.

Lovely and authentic German decorations at the Caravan in Nichols Arcade
Unfortunately, we missed Kindlefest this year-- (which is one of our favorite Ann Arbor festivities)-- but we visited many Christmas markets in southern Germany.  Check out some photos from the German Christmas markets here.



Tired of bookstore t-shirts?  VanBoven has the classiest Michigan gear in the world.

Babo market: a great place to pick up lunch and food gifts

Caroling in Kerrytown

Checking out the toys at Mud Puddles
Handmade St. Nicolas at Farmer's Market

Ho ho ho!

The dill pickle ornament:  the German tradition that no Germans seem to have heard of.  :)