White Asparagus Soup, Deutsche Spargel Suppe, is a 'must' during Germany's Spargelzeit. Two months beginning in April, when the white asparagus season is in full flow with Fruehlingswonne, "Springtime Delight", and entire menu's are dedicated to a "Royal Vegetable's" white stalks.

"Spargelzeit", the springtime "white asparagus" madness which sweeps over Germany, a first symbol of spring. A brief season, "Kirsche rot, Spargel tot – When the cherries are red the asparagus is dead", beginning around mid-April ending June 24, the feast day of St. John the Baptist.

Germany's St. Martin's Day and St. Nicholas celebrations would not be complete without having bought or baked a traditional sweet yeast dough "Bread Man". A specialty for the days leading to the holidays also known as a Stutenkerl, Nikolaus, Klausenmann or Weckmann.

"Volkstrauertag" in today's Germany represents all those, military or civilian, who died, or were left to mourn, as victims of violence brought about by combat or oppression. From Europe's old battlefields to the armed conflicts and struggles continuing to take place in the present-day world.

Vanilla Sauce flavored with vanilla beans or extract is a favorite all over Europe. Sometimes known as "Crème Anglais" it is served warm or cold, and used to accompany everything from fruit to cakes as well as a base or filling for all types of desserts baked goods.

The foundations for a "New Germany" were laid by its "Truemmerfrauen", Rubble Women. Aged from 15 to 50 and often half starved, they were post war Germany's heroines. With bare hands, and hard work, they cleared the rubble from the streets and buildings of their war torn cities.

Baking Weihnachts Plaetzchen is just one of Germany’s centuries old traditional Christmas customs. Holiday cookie recipes vary from region to region and family to family, but during Advent, even amongst those who do not follow the Christian faith, few homes will be without their Weihnachtskekse.

Twelfth Night on January 5 is followed by "Dreikoenigstag", Three Kings Day, in Germany. Epiphany. The final hours of the Advent and Weihnachten season and the end of Christmas celebrations, marked by a mixture of Tradition, Charity and Religious customs.

Rhein in Flammen, a unique and spectacular annual 'Fire, Water, Light and Culture Festival', begins in May, taking place along a beautiful, historic stretch of Germany's Rhine River for five days, during the spring, summer and autumn. Each display celebrating a different theme.

Perhaps because German Americans stem from a mixed community that settled in the USA over a wide span of time, they assimilated quickly into their new homeland, and using their skills, discipline and different talents, household names or unknown, they had an enormous influence on American society.