12 Secrets from this Small Town Life of Ours
01. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I make these chocolate chip cookies.
02. Whenever Martin feels overwhelmed, he works on airplanes.
03. Those probably aren’t the best forms of stress relief in Germany where (1) there are no chocolate chips and (2) we have no access to airplanes.
04. What? You thought I’d say it’s bad stress relief because then we EAT the cookies? Okay, that’s true, too.
05. I owe you a tour of our house.
(stay tuned next week)
06. There have been a lot of cookie making and airplane working hours late at night around here. The good news is that 95% of the cookies go straight to the airport.
07. Martin was on the phone with a client who had to go all of a sudden. For 20 years, this man has been taking care of this abandoned bear that would never have survived as a cub in the wild. Wanna know why the man had to go so fast?
The bear got a bloody nose.

08. I visited this old fashion candy shop where they make their own taffy (above), carmel, chocolate, fudge… oh my gosh. You just reference this town, and everyone assumes you’re talking about the candy shop.
09. And it’s totally acceptable (and expected) that the kid in your heart will totally take over in this town – no matter who you are and how much your bike can grumble. These Harley motorcyclists probably have about a pound of candy each in their lime green bags….

10. Two bluebirds have made a nest in front of our house. We love to watch them and throw them the spiders we catch with jars in the house.
11. We do not throw them the last of our taffy.
12. Here are two quotations from It’s a Wonderful Life that you might love thinking about:
“You know George, I feel that in a small way we are all doing something important, satisfying a fundamental urge.”
“Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
Thanks to those of you joining me + Gadanke on Facebook. Tomorrow prepare for a little decluttering assignment!








July 8th, 2010 at 11:48 am
WHAT? no chocolate chips in Germany?? OMG, how can you handle it?
July 8th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Jill – I just cut up chocolate bars. The quality of chocolate in Germany is AMAZING… just takes a little more patience in this case! In fact, it’s kind of weird *having* chocolate chips now.
Katie
July 8th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
i never tire of it’s a wonderful life!
July 9th, 2010 at 2:16 am
i really miss raspberry flavored chocolate chips. there’s something to add to my list of things to bring back from america when we go to visit in the fall. i am going to need three extra suitcases i think. heh.
July 9th, 2010 at 9:11 am
I want to see a picture of that bear! AND I want to go to that candy shop with you!
July 10th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
OK! I’m staying with my daughter, son-in-law and new baby grandson and noticed they had a couple of gift cards on their desk. After reading this yesterday, I spoke up about the gift cards. So we all went to the mall this (hot and muggy) afternoon and bought jeans for my son-in-law, a new work outfit for my daughter and three cute outfits for grandson! Gift cards are gone! And everybody is happy with their new clothes. Thank you for that suggestion.