Time seems to have flown by since then, as that was 200 days ago!

When I first blogged about this particular tradition, I received a comment from a company called KinderCone in the USA that sells the same type of cones there – bringing the tradition to America.

Renewing the contact a few weeks ago, I found out that the cone is not just delivered empty (as in Germany), but also contains amongst other things a KinderJournal called “Me, Myself and First Grade”, and Vivian from KinderCone was kind enough to send my a copy to look at.

“Me, Myself and First Grade” is a journal of a child’s first year at school.  It starts by introducing Karli the Cat, who accompanies the child through the book.

Each page contains an activity for the child to do, which in turn documents that precious first year.  The text is kept simple, and there is a mixture of spaces to write in, boxes to tick and pictures to draw.  I particularly liked the idea of the space for writing your name – one box for the beginning of the year, and one for the end so that you can compare how the handwriting has improved.

So not only does a child practise writing in a book that will be special for the rest of their life, but it also gets them to think about their time at school: what are they good at?  What do they like best at school?  Everything that they read and do is positive.  There is even a special page to celebrate the first 100 days of school.

It’s the sort of book that I would like to see available in Germany, except that I’ve never seen anything like it here.

A word of warning to British readers: the book is obviously written for the US market, so expect words like “grade”, “recess” and “candy” (for school year, break and sweets).  I would also point out that the story about how the Schultüte came into being is not something that everyone in Germany agrees on, and the book – understandably – only gives one version of the story.

But all of that probably doesn’t matter to the children.  For them it is a nice surprise on their first day of school, and it’s nice to see a local tradition spreading to another part of the World.

Remember, the book is included when you buy a KinderCone, so if you want one you’ll have to go to the KinderCone shop.

Some other posts on this topic that you might like to read:

• The first day at School
• Introducing the “Schultüte”
• Learning to write – German style

So rather than taking the bus to Frankfurt, here are some things you might like to do that are a little closer:

1. Drink wine.  Although Hahn is located in the area called the Hunsrück, one of Germany’s main wine-growing areas, the Mosel is only a few kilometres away.
2. Visit Cochem.  The town lies on the border between the two regions and has a lovely old town, with cafés on the waterfront and even a castle overlooking the river.  Although a fair size, it is sufficiently off the beaten track – and away from the motorway network – to be peaceful, especially as most of the town centre is free of traffic.
3. Take a trip on the river.  The River Mosel flows from Koblenz, past Cochem and Alf, onwards to the historic town of Trier – allegedly the oldest town in Germany.
4. Hire a bicycle.  For example in Alf, where the hotels are bicycle-friendly and the hire prices start at around 5EUR/day.
5. Visit a museum.  The area is documented in the Hunsrück-Museum in Simmern, and the entrance prices are more than reasonable!
6. Take a walk.  There are 9 different walking routes around Hahn with a total length of 30km.
7. Go to a football match.  Hahn has its own team.
8. Play Golf.  Hahn has a 9-hole course (Par 72).
9. Visit a festival, eg. the Cochem plum festival.  Needless to says that almost every town has a wine festival and a Christmas market.
10. Visit Luxembourg – it’s only 70km away to the west.  That’s closer than Frankfurt!

Do you have any more suggestions?

Some other posts on this topic that you might like to read:

• Frankfurt Airport
• Stopping over in Frankfurt
• Frankfurt-Hahn Airport

The transcripts in this pack are:

• Das Einschreiben
• Paket und Päckchen
• Nachnahme
• Büchersendung
• Die Zuschlagmarke
• Unfrei

To find out more, visit the AllThingsGerman Download Store.

Some other posts on this topic that you might like to read:

• Paket & Päckchen
• Die Zuschlagmarke
• Büchersendung

You will need (for 2-3 portions):

Pour the cream into a saucepan. Add the chives and the bacon. Stir.

Add the spätzle and mix well, transfer everything to an oven-proof dish and cover with grated cheese.

Bake at 200°C for about 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden colour.

Now serve.

Questions or suggestions? Put them in the Forum!

Some other posts on this topic that you might like to read:

• Spätzle (Swabian noodles)

Basic recipe

You will need (for 6-8 portions):

In addition you will need some seasoning such as ground pepper or sweet red pepper powder.

We use a very fine type of flour called “Spätzle-Mehl”.

You will also need the tool to make the Spätzle – this is called a “Spätzlepresse” and is similar to a potato masher, so you could try using one of those. You will probably be able to find the original article on ebay.de or
cookplanet.com.

First steps
Break the eggs into a large bowl. Add the salt. Now slowly add the flour and seasoning and stir with a spoon until the mixture is firm with small bubbles.

Now prepare a large saucepan of bowling water.

Through the press

Load the spätzlepresse with the mixture and hold it over the saucepan. Now press the mixture through the press so that the spätzle land in the water. Cut off with a knife if necessary.

The spätzle will sink and then rise. Once risen, leave for 2 minutes and then remove from the water with a sieve. Place them in a covered bowl.

They can now be served in this form as a side dish.

Variations

Baked spätzle with chives, sour cream and bacon

Questions or suggestions? Put them in the Forum!

Some other posts on this topic that you might like to read:

• Spätzle (Swabian noodles) baked with chives, sour cream and bacon