Beth Howard On Life, Language and Writing a "Hausfrau Honeymoon"

Stacey Gualandi, TWE Radio host with guest Beth Howard, Author of Hausfrau Honeymoon - Love, Language, and Other Misadventures in Germany

Don’t miss our NEWEST episode of The Women’s Eye Radio with Stacey Gualandi and Beth Howard, the author of her third book, Hausfrau Honeymoon – Love, Language, and Other Misadventures in Germany.

AKA the “Pie Lady, Howard is no stranger to The Women’s Eye. She joined us on the air once before to talk about her last book, Ms. American Pie, which is full of recipes, stories and creative ideas on all-things-pie.

The prolific writer, who once lived in the historic American Gothic house in Eldon, Iowa, now resides on an Iowa farm, and that’s just where I caught up with her to talk about her latest memoir.

The self-described adventurous free-spirit (“I’m not good at following rules.”) has worn many hats: Kenyan coffee company entrepreneur, pie stand owner, dotcom web producer, PR specialist, blogger and even a former “baker to the stars.”

And for four years in the 2000s, she was an out-of-her-element newlywed, living with her husband Marcus in Stuttgart, Germany.

In her signature “lively”style, Hausfrau Honeymoon could be considered an anti-love letter to Germany as Howard tackles the language barrier, chauvinism, and (lack of) car cupholders in her newly adopted home.

“Nothing against Germany, but it doesn’t fit my personality. It may be my rebellious nature,” says Howard.

Beth Howard i nfront of her Gothic House rental, Iowa/Photo Courtesy Beth Howard — Beth and her pups at the American Gothic House

Beth Howard, author of a “Hausfrau Honeymoon” discusses her book, love, life and language.

She shares the good, the bad and the ugly about Germany but admits living there “totally expanded my life experience. You don’t know how much time you have left so I always write with a sense of urgency, especially after a sudden loss.”

Howard wrote the book 12 years ago while struggling to adjust to her foreign surroundings and new marriage. Now, it is a prequel of sorts to her first book, Making Piece, about the sudden death of her husband, and how baking pies helped her cope with the horrible grief.

Howard says Hausfrau Honeymoon is about girl power and learning to take charge of your life, no matter the circumstances. Despite her first uneasy go-around in Germany, she says she’d definitely do it again. After all, it gave her a bookful of material and, as she says, “My life is so much richer for it.”

You can see evidence of Beth’s piemaking skills below. For more info, check out Beth’s website.