Lychee - A New Fruit For Us

We found this interesting fruit today.  The all knowing Internet claims it is from Asia. Don't let that scaly shell fool you.  There is a tasty eyeball inside.

http://www.bijlmakers.com/fruits/lychee.htm

Spaceship Swimming

We went swimming today.  A great place to spend an afternoon.  Speedos required.  We had fun and with the speedos there was plenty of eye candy for the spousal unit.  Everyone loved the slides.

http://www.lesthermes.net/de/main/default.html

The First Winter Dusting

A small amount of snow started falling last night.  It is not cold enough for it to stick around, but there will be plenty more to come I am sure.

Christmas Traditions Continued

Buche de Noel

Belgian Chocolate

We are trying to enjoy the unique traditions locally.  Gluhwein (aka warm spiced wine), Buche de Noel (Christmas Cake) and some Belgian Chocolate are all some of the great things that they have to offer. 

An Early Christmas Present For The Kids

Santa came a little early here in Luxembourg.  We have acquired our first family rodent.  Lacey is what Carolyn named her.  So far she is very timid and quiet. Hopefully she will not escape the cage.

Holidays in Luxembourg

This holiday season is full of exciting discoveries for us.  December the 6th is the day when St. Nikolaus comes to visit kids.  For the first 5 days, before he comes with toys, St. Nik leaves the kids sweets in their slippers.  As we are learning about all these traditions, kids are having a blast with all these sweet surprises.

Another tradition is to bake a Boxenmachen (Man is the Pants). It is a sweet bread made in the shape of the man.  You can add chocolate chips, raisins, cover with glaze, powdered sugar or any other awesomeness.  I did not try to bake, but boxenmachen from the bakery were delicious.

Metz France

So we went to Metz France today.  It is about 40 minutes away.  The Christmas market is a bit bigger than the one in Luxembourg. We have tried some sweets.  There are several artizans that sell chocolate covered fruit (to die for!!!!). Carolyn and Ian rode on the carousel.  For the first time we have tried roasted chesnuts.  There is that song that someone sings about chesnuts....., so we tried.

We have also visited St. Etinne Cathedral (Cathedral of St. Steven).  The architecture is amazing.