The Cranach Hof

We got stood up today. We tried to go to a Stammtisch (a lovely German tradition--a social group or club that meets every week in the same restaurant at the same table), but we were the only ones there. It was OK, though, because there were three of us and we were happy to sit on the cozy sofa, drink pina colada tea and cinnamon hot chocolate, play with the games that were sitting so enticingly on the table next to us, and listen to everything from jazz to Willie Nelson. This is definitely going into the small but growing repertoire of "places to bring my guests." Hooray: when you come to visit me, we'll have somewhere to go!

And speaking of guests, I am now looking forward to three(!): Vreni is coming in February or March--we just need to find a weekend, Jasmin is coming before Easter (and then we are going to visit my favorite Lutheran monks again), and Elizabeth is coming in June for three whole blissful months--she got a scholarship to study The Man, Mr. Luther himself. Yay her! This may just look like a (short) list of names to you, but to me it is reason to come back after my vacation in the tropical wintery paradise of Minnesota, where I have friends and confidence. You are all most welcome to add yourselves to my list. I can show you a nice cafe...