in 1927, in the town of rothenburg

During the year of 1927, in the town of Rothenburg, Germany, a general store opened.  The store sold all sorts of necessities and was owned and run by the soon to be mother of Anneliese Friese.  

Annelises's mother

Anneliese was born and the store continued as she grew up, she working in it.  Love and marriage carried Anneliese over to America where, her German born husband had taken a job.  He was working along the Snake River in both Idaho and Oregon- He, ambitious to experience life outside of Germany and she willing to follow.  It was not long after he began work that an accident happened, on the job, that took his life.  Anneliese came back to her hometown in Rothenburg, a young widow.  Her late husband had a friend, Mr. Friese, that he had grown up with. Mr. Friese was a cop in their hometown- He and Anneliese fell in love and were married shortly after. 
Anneliese's mom passed away and the general store moved a few blocks down the street to a two story rust colored building with a certain charm that is a staple in the town of Rothenburg....

With the move, the general store changed into a souvenir shop, specializing in Hones Cuckoo Clocks.  During this time, Anneliese took over the shop and had children of her own, two boys.  They grew up working in the shop, much like Anneliese.

Twenty years ago I told Matt that someday we would have either a cuckoo clock or grandfather clock on our wall.  The clock would need to tell a story and have meaning behind it.  In our travels, if the town has had a clock store, we have gone in- one of my favorites is a little clock store that sits just outside of the beach town, Brooking, in Oregon.  

Each house we have moved into (11 total), one of the first things I do is look at the walls in the kitchen and living room and tell Matt were I think a cuckoo clock or grandfather clock would look best- he helps decide the best place.  Though the spot on the wall sits empty, we both know what it is for.

I don't know how you know it's 'the one' but you just know.  It's the moment, the place, the situation, the look, the reminder.

Our grandkids will get to look at our cuckoo clock and hear the story of how once, we were in Germany..........

Anneliese Friese and her son 

P.S. In Rothenburg, there is also a small shop that does wood engraving...I love you mom and I love you sis!!