Germany 1938 Christmas
I, Ilona, was eleven years old, my sister, Friedl was thirteen years old and my brother, Wolfgang was seventeen years old. As it turned out, it was our last Christmas all together since my brother came home from School in Sonthofen, located south in the Alpine Mountains. A big University where he also learned to fly Gliders.
At that time, we were not aware that our lives would dramatically change with our new leadership of Adolf Hitler.
This will be a wonderful Advent season, since we had quite a bit of snow already. What we looked forward to was that our Mrs. Kramer had her younger sister, Marga, coming to visit her for the Christmas Holidays.
She was a lovely lady, just like our Mrs. Kramer. She will be here until December 27th when she takes the train home to Baden Baden in the Black Forest.
Mama and Mrs. Kramer had wonderful plans made for the Christmas days, December 24th, 25th and 26th. Of course my father agreed with their plan.
Today, the work in our kitchen was going full speed, since we are having our Christmas dinner, also we are celebrating Marga’s arrival. She is coming by train and our papa will take Mrs. Kramer to pick up her sister to come here. Our mama, Friedl and I will pick up a Herren Torte at Mr. Espenschied’s Patisserie. This glorious confection will be the centerpiece on our Christmas dessert table. It is four layers of Genois cake, in between layers of coffee crème and on the top all around the outer edge, little swans of Pâte à choux dough, filled with coffee crème.
It is stunning to look at and delicious to eat. The dinner will be Goose, crispy outside, well done and moist inside with a very delicious paté filling. A wonderful flavored sauce, white asparagus and a casserole of potatoe/apples à gratin on the side. Our papa will bring from his wine cellar the appropriate wine. Every body is looking forward and hungry for this great dinner tonight.
Tomorrow morning we will be packing up the cars, ours and Mrs. Kramer’s with the Christmas gifts, enough warm clothing , boots, skis for papa, Marga and my brother. Our destination is in the Taunus Mountains, a most beautiful ski resort, a wonderful Hotel, we will stay in for December24, 25th and 26th. My papa, Wolfgang and Marga will go skiing, while mama, Mrs. Kramer, Friedl and I will be spoiled in the Hotel Spa and after, we will sit by a big fireplace with music in the back ground and being served “Gluehwein.” (A heated wine with orange slices, cloves and cinnamon sticks.) Friedl and I will enjoy hot chocolate of course. YUM.
The snow coming down outside as it is getting dark. Wonderful conversation, laughter and love. Later, in the evening we will all enjoy the Christmas Concert of the Messiah in the Cathedral down in the city. A glorious Christmas, good food for stomach, soul and senses, and family with lots of love. A Christmas we all will remember for many years to come.
Good and kind that we can not anticipate what Christmas 1939 has in store for our family.
Ilona’s family, and especially her mother and Mrs. Kramer, certainly knew how to celebrate Christmas with style! The Herren Torte alone has my mouth watering, let alone the fabulous dinner. Then driving to the mountains for skiing or a visit to the spa, and food for the soul in the music of the Messiah. Truly a beautiful Christmas to remember, with the whole family.