As we wind down our last few days in Germany,
I cajoled my husband into one last photo adventure with our children in a nearby field.
In authentic German clothes of course.
Two years ago, when a dear friend of mine was moving, I brought flowers and a pineapple to her hotel room.
Flowers seem to be shared as often as handshakes here in Europe, and I wanted her last few days here in Germany to still feel like she was here. Part of a culture as old as written history. Castles and walled cities, corner cafes and gelato ice cream, fresh flowers from the market, and wine made from ancient vines.
The Pineapple was from a story she once told me about living in the deep south and touring the historic plantations. She had shared that ‘back in the day’ when it was normal for guests came to stay for a few days or weeks, a pineapple left at their door and or served for breakfast was an understood subtle suggestion that it was time to leave. Ahem.
Which is why I brought her a pineapple. It made her both laugh and cry.
Today as I sit at my borrowed table and chairs in an echoing empty house, I am filled with a mixture of excitement and sadness. During our 4 and a half years in Germany, Seth has been deployed for 24 months and in between we had another baby. Still, we’ve had the wonderful opportunity to see medieval castles, live in a foreign country, experience a different culture first hand, and walk on roads built by the romans. It has been a wonderful adventure. But it is time for us to go. The pineapple is at the door, and El Paso is calling our name.
We will be turning off our internet quite soon, so this will be my last blog post until we are settled in Pennsylvania at Mum mum’s house. We are also hoping to visit some extended family and go on our first family vacation to the Upper Penninsula of Michigan. I will check in now and then on facebook, twitter, and (after purchasing a new phone!) via instagram as well.
So – while we’re on vacation, I would love to hear from all of you – my dear readers.
What are your earliest and favorite memories of your childhood home?
Also – please share feel free to share what brought you to my blog, why you enjoy reading it, and what you are looking forward to hearing about next – vacation with family, driving to texas, finding a house, oh yeah – and UNPACKING!
Thank you all for your support and encouragement as I share our adventures with all of you!
May 21, 2012 at 12:04 pm
this gets me soooo choked up….i’m gonna miss you and it makes me proud to know you and my ’2nd’ set of babies….this isn’t farewell..this is “I’ll be seeing you again my friend’
xo
May 21, 2012 at 12:05 pm
I absolutely love the pictures of your children! So precious to look back on. And what a view! We’ve only been in Germany a few weeks, and I’m still awed by the beautiful rolling green hills!
Emma recently posted..Wurzburg, Germany
May 21, 2012 at 12:05 pm
As my Navy spouse friends say: Fair winds and following seas, until we meet again.
Enjoy the first chapter of your new adventure
May 21, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Oh Ann! It’s not called the Upper Peninsula
It’s the UP 
Of course, that is just what us true Michiganders say! We are going to be in Michigan May 29th, if you guys happen to drive by Grand Rapids… you are required to get a hold of me and stop by!!! Hugs to you and your family and safe travels!!!
May 21, 2012 at 12:34 pm
I want to go back to the UP so bad! It’s so gorgeous up there. Not as pretty as some of Germany though. Enjoy your trip back to the states, vacation, and house hunting. Unpacking – hmmm I wish I could hire someone to do that for me every time!
Kristin Caddick recently posted..Time for a Change
May 21, 2012 at 12:37 pm
I have, in my hand, a copy of a “Practical Military Protocol” Handbook…that has a pineapple on it’s cover.
On the inside it says “Pineapples and protocol”
“The tropical pineapple enjoys an interesting history of American hospitality. It dates from Colonial seafaring days when sailing ships returned from South Seas voyages with the savory fruit as cargo. Placing the treasured pineapple on the captain’s gatepost was a sign that he was safely home and welcomed the visits of friends and neighbors.
We think hospitality is teh gatepost of social life wherever we are, so we’ve put our pineapple out – right up front.”
Now, reading the explanation given to you by your friend, I’m laughing quite a bit over here.
“Here is a booklet on hospitality and protocol. Now go away.”
I guess the pineapple means different things in different parts of the country!
Whatever it means, I think it’s tasty.
May 21, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Happy (and safe) travels!
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May 21, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Our travels back to the US after 4 years in Germany were so emotional. When we got to TN we felt like we were in a dream state for a few days. Everything is different but it can be exciting too. I hope you have a great flight back to the US!
Julie recently posted..Down by the fishing stream
May 21, 2012 at 1:51 pm
My favorite memories of my childhood home……..were of which ever home we were living in, where ever the Army sent my dad!
I know the bittersweet feeling leaving Germany.
Have a safe trip and enjoy family.
May 21, 2012 at 1:57 pm
I will definitely miss your posts from Germany. I have a great love for Germany and I’ve loved reading your posts and seeing your pictures. I came across your blog from a friend. I was instantly intrigued as I was new to the military life and I loved your perspective on it.
May 21, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Good Luck to you on your move and SAFE travels for you and yor family. I love reading your posts and can’t wait to read about the adventures of your trip home and your moving adventures!
Morhia recently posted..BCT Letters and Little Notes
May 21, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Please email me when you get to Fort Bliss… it is a WONDERFUL post with incredible people. These goodbyes make me teary, but I know God has good plans for your family and this adventure… ARMY WIFE LIFE is good indeed. Have fun on your enroute vacation! Shawn (ilovemychaplain@gmail.com)
May 21, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Just want you to know that I absolutely love your blog. We are in Oklahoma right now and will be PCS’ing to Okinawa, Japan in the beginning of 2013. Although Germany & Japan vary greatly, it’s refreshing to read about your overseas experience. We are so so SO excited to live in Japan, I just want to take in all it offers.
Safe travels!
Oh! And I absolutely LOVE the pineapple and flower tradition!
Kacey recently posted..Grits, Tomatoes, Spinach and a Poached Egg
May 22, 2012 at 4:20 am
Kacey – I live in Okinawa right now but we’ll be PCS’ing out before your 2013 arrival. I’ve lived in Germany as well – I’m sure you’ll love it here. You’ll see a lot of interesting similarities too. It’s amazing here!
May 21, 2012 at 3:28 pm
Going to miss your Germany posts!! I hope you have much fun on vacation.
I look forward to posts on the new homefront!
Tara
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May 21, 2012 at 4:23 pm
I’m already sad thinking our days in Europe are probably numbered. My earliest childhood memories are at Oma and Opa’s house in Germany. I have a painting of the house prominently displayed, and sometimes, I catch myself in mid stride, stopping to look at it…such great memories! It makes PCSing back to Germany that much more exciting!
I’ve never been to Michigan, so make sure you write and take photos!
Life Lessons of a Military Wife recently posted..Ask VMW: Living Vicariously Through You
May 21, 2012 at 5:48 pm
I just love the photos of your kids in their traditional German outfits! Good luck and safe travels over the next few days–one thing I’ll suggest (once you get yourself a new phone–and I recommend Verizon for El Paso as some of my friends have had major issues with AT&T) is buying the Roadside America app. It made the five-day drive from Virginia to Texas a bit more bearable–nothing like taking a pit-stop to visit a giant pink elephant in Tennessee to break up the monotony of driving! If there’s anything I can do to help out from this end, let me know–my email is eltothethird at gmail dot com.
Laura recently posted..Things I’m afraid to tell you
May 22, 2012 at 4:22 am
You’ve got me in tears thinking of my 3 departures from Germany as a kid. We’re heading into DEROS time in a couple months… bittersweet, of course. Hoping you have smooth travels, wonderful visits en route, and get settled quickly at Bliss. I have a friend there who I passed your blog along to. Maybe someday you’ll stumble across each other.
Happy trails to you all!
Melonie K. recently posted..Welcome
May 22, 2012 at 8:45 am
I was born and raised in Germany until 5 years old. I miss the place where we used to live and the photos you posted brought back memories!
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May 22, 2012 at 2:23 pm
Your kids are darling! What beautiful pictures!
I have truly enjoyed reading about your time in Germany & look forward to hearing how your trip back to the states went. Good luck with the move! Have a safe flight!
Cheers,
Kristina
May 22, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Hey Anne Marie, take extra care of yourself. I’m no specialist but I think that you might have a period of mourning for all that has happened to you in the past 4 years in addition to leaving the beautiful place where it all happened (while you’re in transition no less) and your support group there. Military spouses are a special breed, don’t forget it’s OK to talk about ‘stuff’ with someone.
May 22, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Safe travels! Have a great vacation and I can’t wait to read about all the fun y’all will soon be having here in Texas!
katie recently posted..Travel Re-Vamp Day 2
May 23, 2012 at 8:44 am
Great travel at Germany is really fun, I do love to spent my vacation with this beautiful place for several times…
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May 24, 2012 at 3:09 am
Safe and smooth travels! Enjoy the UP; it is gorgeous up there
May 24, 2012 at 7:07 am
Germany is a nice place to travel with and actually, I have never been there and a lot of friends are telling me to do so.. Maybe I should give this a try too..
Karylle recently posted..Healthy Dinner with Crock Pot Guide
May 24, 2012 at 10:07 pm
Germany is one of the place on my list, mostly the Germans I really love to meet them and spend sometime in this lovely country.
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May 25, 2012 at 12:38 am
I’m a little late in seeing this post (but I did see your PA photo via my FB feed.) Welcome home!!! Hope you all have a wonderful vacation. (PS> El Paso?! Really? That’s just down the road from Albuquerque!)
Stephanie recently posted..Solar Eclipse from the Land of Enchantment
May 26, 2012 at 3:15 am
I hope you can update your blog and for sure, we will be happy to read it. Thanks that you shared.I love this link up; it’s always so much interesting, so thanks for hosting!
Cheska F. Rodolf recently posted..Maxiderm
May 26, 2012 at 7:58 am
I found you through Amanda. I always love your photos and stories. A shared love of Nutella.
My earliest memory is sitting on the dock feeding ducks out our back door. You walked maybe 10 feet and you were at the water. loved that little cottage.
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May 29, 2012 at 11:19 am
I think this is actually one of the most greatest post I have shared and I think a lot of people would agree with me.. I just love the photos so much too!
Karyle recently posted..Language Learning
May 30, 2012 at 9:33 am
Germany is a nice place for visit. I want to visit there.These photographs are very nice to look.Also i have a memorable story of my favorite fruit Pineapple. Thanks for this nice post.
Duane Josh recently posted..Celebs Taped
May 30, 2012 at 12:04 pm
My earliest memory is sitting on the dock feeding ducks out our back door. You walked maybe 10 feet and you were at the water. loved that little cottage.
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June 1, 2012 at 7:27 am
It is really terrific to take a vacation in Germany. There are a lot of things to discover and explore on the place. Germany is rich of beautiful and exotic flowers. The pineapples taste really good. Indeed, pineapple is my favorite fruit.
Daniela Foster recently posted..Alta White
June 3, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Just checking in with you – I hope your PCS is going well!
Conni recently posted..Apple Kuchen | #Sunday Supper – Celebrating our Heritage
June 7, 2012 at 2:23 am
We are actually missing you here and I hope you can get back soon and post an update for us here regarding your break.. Bless you always!
June 20, 2012 at 1:37 pm
I love seeing fresh flowers or various kinds of flowers. How I wish I live in a vast place where there are many flowers. Pineapple is a nutritious fruit and I love to eat pineapples. You really have fun time in Germany.
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