It’s All About the Crema
Cappuccino Conquers the World
Monday, March 17, 2008
European kitchens have sprouted a new appliance. The cappuccino machine. Whether in city condominiums or farmhouses, grand villas or modest apartments, there’s a cappuccino maker on the counter.
Germany, Switzerland and Austria have really embraced the tradition. And even though the French have their own coffee traditions, they’ve also joined in. But unlike Italians, everyone drinks cappuccino throughout the day, not just in the morning.
Perhaps it’s part of globalization, or maybe it’s just all those George Clooney commercials-- his ads for a particular brand of espresso are ubiquitous in Europe. The Clooney coffee is a ready-to-brew version—one need only insert a small packet into the machine and presto, fresh espresso. The downside is that only that brand of coffee can be used. If you want to try a different bean or a different roast from what is offered, you’ll have to buy a different machine.
But not to worry, there are plenty to choose from!
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Egging Them On
Easter Traditions Go Oval
Monday, March 10, 2008
Have you put up your Easter tree yet?
German and other European families are visiting the Easter markets in town squares, shopping for goodies: twig baskets with feathered chicks hiding among daffodils and tulips; small wreaths holding greenery, tiny eggs and black speckled hens with bright red combs; and, of course, edible bunnies.
But the star of the show is the egg. Most families paint eggs at home, especially the children, but eggs of all sorts are available at the markets and in stores. One store in Salzburg specializes in Easter eggs—shoppers can choose from a mind-boggling assortment of offerings in two rooms. Sophisticated, traditional, glittery, appliqued, painted, patterned, freestyle, multicolored or painted to a theme, there are eggs to please everyone, each with a colored ribbon, ready to hang.
The “trees” themselves are usually small interestingly shaped twigs or some sort of catkin-bearing tree. You’ll see Easter trees in homes, bank lobbies, on stoops and in shop windows. In other words, everywhere. It’s a delightful tradition and one that deserves to travel!
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A Roll in the Hay
Spas Find a New Medium
Friday, February 22, 2008
Europeans are hitting the hay in greater numbers as the popularity of the “hay cure” increases.
Found most prominently in the Alpine regions, the hay cure makes use of a plentiful local resource—the flower and herb-filled grass that grows on the surrounding Alpine meadows. The hay comes from meadows between 900 and 1000 meters (it’s the same hay that the famed Alpine milk cows eat in winter—a dried version of the fresh grass and plants they graze on throughout the summer.)
These high meadows are filled with wild herbs and flowers—on average there are 85 different medicinal herbs in one square meter of meadow! The ground cannot be chemically fertilized and modern harvesting technology is banned, largely because the machines cut the grass too short and the little plants can’t grow tall enough to seed. So farmers manually reap the hay with scythes.
Light and airy, medium green in color with a marvelous aroma, the hay is sewn into natural linen cloths. The spa guest wraps herself in the cloths while moist warm air frees the aromatic oils in the hay that are absorbed through the skin. And the aromatherapy from the hay is not only good for breathing problems, but is said to be helpful with depression.
In any case, it smells wonderful and feels wonderful. No wonder European spas are making hay!
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Tool Thyme
Botanical Style for the Handywoman
Friday, June 08, 2007
You’ve never looked so good hammering a nail or clipping a rose as you will with these ‘’pretty useful tools’’ from the Victoria and Albert Museum Shop.
The gardening set is a must-have for the stylish gardener - the hand trowel and cultivator is decorated with the vibrant Cray chintz design by William Morris. The Daisy tool set includes a combination hammer (with 4 screwdrivers in the handle), slip joint pliers and a 6-in-1 screwdriver all printed in a gorgeous “Daisy” design by William Morris, a naively drawn image of meadow flowers.
The firm of Morris & Co. designed and produced a wide range of glass, tiles, furnishings and textiles which went on to become synonymous with the Arts and Crafts movement and the Victorian era as a whole. “Daisy” was the first wallpaper pattern to be issued by the company in 1864.
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Shrink to Fit
Modular Appliances Made for Small Spaces
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Gaggenau‘s Vario 200 series delivers a big bang for the buck. If space is limited, you can get full-size service from their line of space-saving modular cooktops.
The line of 12-inch modules includes eight special-purpose appliances, high-tech in stainless steel, with new-style, sturdy control knobs set in a glowing orange ring. In the 200 series, surfaces are finished in shot-blasted aluminum, gleaming, light and robust, with top-mounted control knobs. Modules include such gourmet extras as a barbecue grill, in-counter steamer, deep fryer, a wok and even an induction cooktop.
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Take It to The Bank
BofA Gets Behind Green Homes
Friday, March 16, 2007
It just got easier to buy a green house. Bank of America, the nation’s largest retail bank, has announced a $20 billion, yes, billion, initiative to help combat global warming through reduced energy use and sustainable construction.
The big news for homeowners is that the bank will offer reduced mortgage rates or $1,000 back on energy-efficient homes.
Other consumer and residential initiatives include donating $50 million from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to develop green affordable housing, and an Environmental Home Equity Program under which the bank will make an annual donation to a non-profit organization that focuses on environmental conservation.
Overall, the 10-year initiative encourages development of environmentally sustainable business practices through lending, investing, philanthropy and the creation of new products and services.
