Monthly Archives: December 2017

Family Rituals, Traditions and Education

Posted on December 29, 2017 by maryannniemczura

Nurtured in us at an early age was the love of God, family and the importance of education. We were also gifted piano lessons and practice was a given.  We never questioned any of it but simply did as we … Continue reading →

Posted in education, education in Germany & the US, foreign languages, Fulbright Teacher Exchange, rituals | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

The Beauty of December

Posted on December 22, 2017 by maryannniemczura

Softly, quietly, gently falling snowflakes clothe the earth in beauty. Catching them in our gloved hands to gaze at their shapes is part of the fun. Kids lean their heads back with open mouths to catch the snowflakes. Building snowmen … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Christmas choir, music, worship, Music Ministry, singing, Christmas Peace, Christmas Traditions, faith | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Kösingen, Germany: Oscar Mayer’s Village

Posted on December 15, 2017 by maryannniemczura

During our first Fulbright year, our son’s first grade class made several class field trips  in picturesque Kösingen, Germany, home to Oscar Mayer before he came to the U.S. It was not unusual for them to walk one mile or … Continue reading →

Posted in animal tracks, Christmas, customs in Germany, home of Oscar Mayer, Koesingen, tracks in the snow | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

Stroll Along my Musical Journey!

Posted on December 8, 2017 by maryannniemczura

Singing in church choirs and private voice lessons led me down the path to my latest musical adventures: Syracuse Chorale and the Pops Chorus. My musical tastes now satisfied, I study and sing both classical and light Pops. This year … Continue reading →

Posted in Berkshire Choral International, Gorecki, musical journey, singing, Symphoria, Syracuse Chorale, Syracuse Pops Chorus | Tagged , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Remembering Advent in a German Village

Posted on December 1, 2017 by maryannniemczura

Today’s blog recalls an earlier era when our children were young and living in a magical German village during my first Fulbright year. They counted down the days until December 25 with Advent calendars and put a BIG shoe outside … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent Wreath, Advent, Nikolaus, customs, Germany, traditions, cultures, German village life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 22 Comments