We started out the day at Schloss Nordkirchen, which is a palace that we have visited before but had only seen the outside and the garden in the back. A little history.. The Schloss was mainly built between 1703 and 1734, is known as the “Versailles of Westphalia”, and was originally one of the official residences of the Prince-Bishops of Münster. But before we took our tour of the inside we walked around the outside a little bit.. oh and my sister got engaged! The day before while Kelly and I were shopping Morgan and Austin figured out the timing, once we were out front Morgan told Austin we wanted a picture and then we switched spots so they could get a picture. Then they walked a little closer towards the center of the courtyard (and Austin had to stall a little bit because some guy was standing right where he wanted to go taking pictures of the house) and once the guy moved on he got down on one knee and proposed! Kelly had always said she wanted pictures of her engagement (as it was happening) so Morgan and I both had our cameras going.. we took hundreds of pictures, literally. Kelly now has a beautiful, sparkly engagement ring (thanks to Lou who Morgan worked with for my ring) and they’re planning a wedding for Spring 2015!
The only tour group starting around the time we were there was in German, so we just tagged along to see the inside and between our little bit of German knowledge and a pamphlet we bought I think we got the gist of the important parts of most of the rooms. Sadly you can’t take pictures inside, but we promise if you come to visit we’ll take you to see it if you want! My favorite room was probably the chapel, it is really beautiful and can even be rented out for weddings. The tour guide tried to talk Kelly and Austin into it (she was a Canadian), but I think they’re going to opt for something closer to home. 🙂
Once we finished up there we headed to Münster for a little sightseeing and some window shopping for me and Kelly (beer drinking for Morgan and Austin). We looked inside three churches (Überwasserkirche, St. Lambert’s, and St. Paul’s Cathedral), looked at the outside of the Schloss (now used by the University), saw the outside of the town hall, and walked around Prinzipalmarkt (the main shopping street). The guys enjoyed a beer while Kelly and I did a little shopping- I made my first clothing purchase since moving over here (believe it or not). I always look at things and think “I can get this cheaper back home”.. but I finally gave in and bought a (faux) black leather jacket and a sweater that was on sale. Now I can look a little more German when we go out! Since the boys enjoyed a beer or two, I drove back from Münster (which was my first time driving for that long on the autobahn – I still think it is a little nerve racking driving where there isn’t a speed limit!
We finished out the day having some yummy German comfort food at the Kartoffel Haus. I think they enjoyed Oma’s potato skillet as much as I do! Now I just need to get my dad over here because I know he’ll love it too!
