Schoppala, what? Even many Germans will shake their head, because they don’t have the slightest clue what the name refers to. It is a regional name for traditional finger-shaped noodles made from potato dough, more commonly known by Fingernudeln or Schupfnudeln.

These days I especially have a wish for one little skill: a very readable, pleasing to the eye and charming handwriting. Whenever somebody asks me to sign a copy of my book I’m a bit hesitant, because I know my handwriting just too well, and it is about as far from pretty as it can get.

It took me a second to realize that the person downstairs was referring to the actual floor we live on and his next sentence made me forget all the annoyance and made my heart jump for joy: “I’m delivering a parcel from Gräfe und Unzer.” Could this be the delivery of the first bound copies of my book? It indeed was. ***sigh of utter felicity***

In case you thought ice cream desserts were only for those who own an ice cream maker – not true at all. Parfait is dead easy to prepare and will wow your guests, a perfect choice for every cozy summer evening.