Reflections on Heritage, Red-winged Blackbirds, and the Secret to Authentic Goulash

Celebrating a German birthday in Michigan is a mix of old traditions and new discoveries. From cooking a massive pot of authentic beef goulash to spotting my first Red-winged Blackbird, this 40th birthday marks a major milestone.

When you read this, I will probably be in Kentucky to celebrate concluding forty years on this planet I call home. I will post a detailed report about that trip later, but for now, I want to look back.

While forty years is a lot of life, the past four years have definitely been the most life-changing. I landed in Detroit in February 2022; the original plan was to be here as an expat for only two years. Now, in 2026, I am still here—and quite a few things have changed!

Discovering Michigan Birding: The Red-winged Blackbird

After walking “blind” through my first year in Michigan, being rather stunned by everything being so new, I discovered those black birds with the bright red wingtips. My curiosity took over, and I Googled what they were. I became a birder that very day! There is a reason my “About” page features a huge Red-winged Blackbird.

Finding My “Person”

The other life-changing event happened a bit later: I met my now-fiancé, Ali. Coincidentally, she also liked birds (not as obsessively as me, but close enough). We also discovered we have plenty of other things in common, like our taste in music, a shared wanderlust, and a mutual love for discovering new breweries and local food.

German vs. American Goulash: A Cultural Kitchen Shift

One of my favorite things to do for Ali is cook traditional German meals. Early on, I impressed her with my Goulash—but only after I learned what “American Goulash” actually was!

A Quick Translation: In Germany, Rindergulasch is a slow-simmered, rich gravy made with tender cubes of beef and a massive amount of onions and paprika. In Michigan, I discovered that “Goulash” often means ground beef, macaroni, and tomato sauce. Both are delicious, but they are entirely different species of comfort food!

After a few more cooking sessions, an engagement, and moving in together, I got the idea to start a recipe collection and share my birding stories. And here we are now: post number 20, published on my 40th birthday.

My Traditional Swabian Birthday Menu (Recipes Included)

Last Saturday, the 7th, I did something I really do not like: Celebrating my birthday before it actually was my birthday. But with my Kentucky trip and Ali working the weekend after, it made sense to pre-celebrate my birthday. Celebrating your birthday before the actual date is considered bad luck in Germany!

Nonetheless, I invited some people over to our house to provide them with the finest German food:

• Gulasch/Goulash: The German winter comfort food! I cooked a big pot of it the day before.
• Spaetzle as a side dish. Making them fresh when the guests were already there was part of the entertainment!
• Oreo Truffles: Ali made her famous Oreo Truffles. You must try them!
• Kaesefuesse: A German appetizer best described as savory cheese cookie.
• Baetscher: A adaptation of the Swabian Baetscher. Yeast dough, sour cream and some toppings like bacon, carraway and chives.

All recipes you can either find already here, and they are linked, or I will update them later!

The Not-birthday Birthday Celebration! Visiting the Haunted Tavern in Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Celebration itself was calm, we had some drinks and everybody was enjoying the food. I wish I could have celebrated with all my friends and family from Germany as well! But we will make up for that soon in April and May when we will be visiting Germany for the next time!

Now one last ask for my birthday: Please subscribe to my mailing list 🙂 🥨🦉