If you get our weekend newsletter, then you already know that my daughter and I flew back to the States on Saturday, and it’s so good to be home for a visit! We are staying with friends in NC until tomorrow, then heading to TN for a few days. I keep telling everyone that I’ve been playing calendar Tetris for weeks and it’s still a work in progress.
Before we left, I took a few pictures around our neighborhood in Stuttgart while I was walking the dog; I knew I’d need something to share today besides a pile of suitcases, and everything is so pretty right now with all the flowers blooming.
Here are a few of my favorite houses and gardens–enjoy the tour!
I tend to love the older architecture, although there are also plenty of more modern buildings around. I hope you enjoyed the walk around our neighborhood and a little taste of Germany.
Thank you for sharing. The photos are awesome! I particularly loved your post on Sunday when you mentioned a visit to Target was a high priority! That’s one of the things I love most about you all — you keep it so real! Enjoy your visit.
Ha ha–thanks, Kim. I’ve already been there three times (is that wrong?!) and loved every minute of it. TJ Maxx and Marshall’s are at the top of the list, too. Even though they have German “TK Maxx” which is the same company, they’re just a little bit different. It’s good to be home!
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing. I also love the older architecture. Hope you enjoy your trip (s) to Target! 😉
Thanks so much, Teresa. I’ve already been to Target three times (yikes!). I might have to mail a box or two back to Germany at the end of the summer! 😉
Take care,
Christy
Thank you for sharing the photos. I have really enjoyed your showing the city.
One question: what is the story behind the rolling shades on some houses? They appear to be metal. And they appear to be on the outside of the windows.
I was going to ask the same thing. In Florida, we have rolling shutters (that are horribly ugly) that come in handy during hurricane season. It seems a lot of these homes have shutters, but they don’t distract from the beauty of the home. I”m a bit jealous.
Hi, Tina–
Of course–here’s what I replied to Theresa:
I need to write about those in another Germany vs the US post–they’re called rolladen and most German windows are outfitted with them. They block sunlight in the summer when we get 14-16 hours a day of sunlight (remember, no one has AC over there) and insulate a bit against the cold in the winter. Most people lower theirs in the evening for privacy, especially in the city. I suppose they also provide extra security, although Stuttgart is a pretty low-crime area. I hope that helps to explain them a bit!
They also disappear completely when they’re rolled up and not in use. Typical German efficiency!
Take care,
Christy
I need to write about those in another Germany vs the US post–they’re called rolladen and most German windows are outfitted with them. They block sunlight in the summer when we get 14-16 hours a day of sunlight (remember, no one has AC over there) and insulate a bit against the cold in the winter. Most people lower theirs in the evening for privacy, especially in the city. I suppose they also provide extra security, although Stuttgart is a pretty low-crime area. I hope that helps to explain them a bit!
I loved the walk around your neighborhood. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your time here.
Thanks so much, Nancy! It’s great to be home.
XO,
Christy
The Germans have very small properties but they are always beautiful. Enjoy you time at home. I have to ask………did you try to show your ID at Target? That was a habit that was hard for me to break whenever we would come home.
Too funny! I didn’t at Target, but I have reached for it at the grocery store. It’s definitely an ingrained habit at this point.
Can you explain? Show your ID?
Sure–it’s a military thing. You have to show your military ID to shop at the PX or commissary, or even to get on base. Not needed when you’re out shopping in Germany, though!
Love the pics! Being a walker I’m sure I could spend some time walking all over taking the scenery in……….enjoy your time in the states!! You’ll be heading back before you know it!
You would love it, Julie–especially all of the flowers with your love of gardening.
I love the pictures! I certainly miss Germany and all that architecture. Thank you for sharing. I hope you have a good visit stateside!
Thanks so much, Heidi! It’s good to be home–mostly I enjoy being able to make small talk with people since I can’t do that very well in German. I hope you’re doing well!
Christy
Thanks for sharing all the beautiful architecture and beautiful flowers. Enjoy your visit back to the states but I’m sure it’ll be a bit of a shock with what some businesses require! Look forward to more pictures in the future.
Thanks so much, Nita!
I just read this and I’m so grateful to see such beautiful photos! The architecture is stunning! I notice the small numbers on the homes…16, 35, etc. Very different from the U.S. where 5 numbers are typical. 😁 The plants and flowers are gorgeous! Enjoy as many trips to Target as necessary…they’re always adding something new.
xo
Pat
Yes, you are right. Shorter house numbers are a thing here–and no apartment numbers. They just look for the last name on the door buzzer/mailbox. So many little differences!
Take care–
Christy
PS Target has been everything I dreamed of–lol!
Are many of these multi-family homes or just very large houses?
What beautiful architecture and landscaping!
Enjoy your time stateside 🙂
Hi, Jenni–
They are actually ALL apartments; there’s a law that any structure built within the city has to be multi-family. There may be a few single family homes that have been grandfathered in, but you can usually assume that there’s one family per floor. The exception is that the top apartment is often (but not always) two stories because the angle of the roof cuts into the square footage of the uppermost floor. It’s honestly amazing what size homes they’re used to compared to how we like to spread out in the States!
Take care–Christy
Fascinating! Love seeing the country through your eyes 🙂
My pleasure–so glad you enjoyed it!
Christy