Hello to all those of you who have been wondering about my missing-in-action staus here:  I'm back!  After two amazing months in Germany -- courtesy of the American Academy in Berlin -- we're all settling back into our old routines, schools, jobs. The kids went to school in Berlin, and surprisingly, they actually loved it!

Nothing is more surprising, touching, shocking, endearing and alienating than an expatriate's visit to her hometown.  I will draw from the experience for many months to come and likely refer to it here as well, but for now, let me start with a little real estate.  The house we lived in was one of the gate houses (the "Chauffeur's House") of the enormous late 19th century villa by Lake Wannsee that is home to the Academy. 

Oh, in case you're wondering in what church I might have taken the second picture, it's the upstairs bathroom.