Archive for November, 2007

Flipping the Switch in Leavenworth

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

Congratulations Leavenworth, WA on lighting up America! I was so excited when I found out that Good Morning America would be Flipping the Switch in your beautiful village. Leavenworth is a truly magical place at this time of year. Christmas lights adorn every building, and highlight each tree. During the daytime the setting is just as beautiful. snow has begun to blanket the village and surrounding hillsides. Day or night visiting Leavenworth during the Christmas Lighting Festival is like living in a Life-Sized Snow Globe!

Thank You, Leavenworth

Sunday, November 25th, 2007

Thanksgiving weekend is drawing to a close. There is so much to be thankful for. First and foremost I am grateful to be alive in the here and now. I am thankful for my family. My husband Scotte takes such good care of me. He was tremendous help on Thanksgiving Day. We hosted eleven family members and we couldn’t have done it without teamwork.

I’m thankful for my lovely little house. It’s warm and inviting. A pleasant place for my family and my friends.

I’m thankful for my church. Just like any family we have our relational challenges. But just like family, we’re working through the challenges to become closer.

All weekend I’ve been thinking of Leavenworth and what I’m thankful about in our little bavarian village. I am thankful that there is a place where we can be at home without the to do’s that are always present in our everyday home. I’m thankful for our last visit to Leavenworth. Short, but very sweet. Most of all, I’ve been thinking about Leavenworth’s past. I’m thankful for people such as Pauline and Owen Watson who were instrumental in forming Project Alpine, forerunner of Projekt Bayern. It was because of the vision of the Watsons and others that the Bavarianization of Leavenworth was begun. Project Alpine was an answer to the fading economics of the former booming lumber and railroad town. The little bavarian village in the Cascades that we’ve come to know and love is a result of years of planning. And it was accomplished with private money. Leavenworth is a wonderful example of a community pulling together to make a dream a reality. Thank you to all Leavenworthers, past and present!

You can read more about Leavenworth’s past.

See Leavenworth Today!

Saturday, November 17th, 2007

One of my favorite websites is www.leavenworth.org

It is the Leavenworth, WA Chamber of Commerce website. My favorite feature is the live webcam. It’s trained on Front Street looking west. In the background are the Cascade, Mountains. At the right time of day, in clear weather, you’ll see the peaks just beginning to show signs of snow! What a beautiful view.

What we love about Leavenworth, WA Part 1

Friday, November 16th, 2007

We love visiting familiar Leavenworth shops like, The Haus of Angels and Fudge Hut. There is always something new to see and old friends to visit. Haus of Angels has two locations. We visited with Marlyn at the 725 Front Street location and I found a lovely autumnal table runner. Last year one of my Christmas gifts, from Haus of Angels, was a beautiful Jim Shore musical angel entitled: And a Star Shall Guide Us. It has had a treasured place in my living room all year long. To see all of the angels you must visit both locations, this one and the one in the Motteler Village Shops, 9th and Front Streets. Each shop is unique. Different collections are at home in the two shops. Visit Haus of Angels to get a taste of what Marlyn has to offer.

UPDATE: Haus of Angels closed when Marlyn and her husband retired.

We always make a stop at The Fudge Hut, 933 Front Street. To our surprise, this visit we found the shop under new ownership. The new owners, are new to Leavenworth. Besides the same great fudge the new owners have big plans for the future. Soon locals and tourists will have another place to purchase more mouthwatering goodies to enjoy along with their espresso. This visit we again took advantage of the shop special: buy one pound of fudge, get one-half pound free. Scotte chose chocolate, Butterfinger and amaretto fudge. I chose rum-raisin, chocolate marshmallow and maple nut. Delicious! Don’t forget to tell them that you heard about them from The Accidental Bavarian!

Leavenworth Lights

Tuesday, November 13th, 2007

I knew you’d enjoy this photo I took of Front Street during a past Christmas Lighting Festival.