Christkindlmarkt

I had such a great time at the Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem yesterday. Rob and I got there without a hitch! It helps that we are pretty familiar with the area having gone to their Musikfest over the summer. We met up with my cousins and walked Bethlehem’s Main Street. Around 2:00 we headed over to the Live Christmas Pageant where we saw a reenactment of Jesus’s birth with live mules, sheep, horses and camels! I was in awe over the number of hunchbacks performing the roles of shephards and townspeople. “Is there some sort of widespread calcium deficit in their diets?” I wondered. Looking more closely, I realized that what I was seeing wasn’t humps but the hoods of their parkas hiding under their robes.

After the Christmas Pageant, we split into two groups. Rob and Jim went to the local pub and Eileen, Patty and I went to the Christkindlmarkt. I could hardly believe that you had to pay 6.00 admission just to see the vendors! Regardless, I paid up and enjoyed walking around and looking at all the crafts. I bought a bottle of Spiced Red Wine. The woman who sold it to me gave me a great tip. I always poured the wine into a saucepan and heated it up that way (or I would microwave it on a cup by cup basis). The Vintner told me to place the entire bottle, with the top off, into a crockpot or in a saucepan filled with water. She said this way I could serve it straight out of the bottle! What a great idea!

After wandering the Christkindlmarkt, we went to the pub where Jim and Rob sat and we had dinner. I had a pint of really different beer called, Rude Elf’s! It was kinda spiced and sweet. I liked it! After dinner, we said goodbye to my cousins and headed off. We walked down Main Street again, this time, with the sun down, we got to see it all lit up and twinkling. We went into an Irish Shop where Rob laughed at me because I got a little too worked up about finding mincemeat in a jar. He also said I am far too interested in Brown Betty teapots. The shop had a candy section and sitting on a shelf was one of my favorite candies! Bassett’s Licorice Allsorts! I told Rob they are favorites of mine but I haven’t allowed myself to eat any since I was in New Orleans back in 2000. He couldn’t understand why I would deny myself something that I love so much. I told him that the reason I don’t eat them is because I lose complete control and I shove them down my throat at lightening speed! Rob told me I was silly and bought the bag. Back at the farm he put them in a nice candy bowl. I tried so hard not to seem overly giddy at the prospect of eating the candies. Rob grabbed one and popped it in his mouth and as he chewed the candy he told me that it’s all about moderation and self-control. He then grabbed another one. And another one and another one. Next thing I know, the two of us are binging on the licorices! Self control, my ass! There is an addictive chemical in that candy!

Rob just got a call from the farmer. They are loading the cows into a truck and taking them to an indoor facility to spend the rest of the winter. The truck should be rolling up any minute. I’m gonna miss the cows.