Friday, July 20, 2012

Just a little trick



I have always been told, to keep flowers looking fresh longer, add a sprinkle of sugar to the vase water! It is such a helpful little trick! Someone else told me that a copper penny works much the same. Do you have any other tricks up your sleeve?

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Bacon, egg and toast in a cup



I recently made these bacon, egg and toast cups and they were quite a success. I took a few liberties with this Martha Stewart recipe. There are so many variations you could do. Stick with the base of toast and eggs and then add your favorite toppings . . . feta, spinach, tomato, artichoke . . . and enjoy!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Stadtporträt Lucerne




Der See. Die Stadt. Natur pur. Lucerne (oder Luzern auf Deutsch) has everything to offer the traveler. My favorite moment was when five of us rather ungracefully climbed into a red paddle boat . . . purses, cameras and all. We propelled ourselves along the reflective surface . . . all the while admiring the city sights from our serene look-out point. 

Saturday, July 7, 2012

To realize the value of ONE YEAR,
ask a student who failed a grade.

To realize the value of ONE MONTH,
ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of ONE WEEK,
ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of ONE DAY,
ask the person who was born on February 29th.

To realize the value of ONE MINUTE,
ask the person who missed the train.

To realize the value of ONE SECOND,
ask the person who just avoided an accident.

To realize the value of ONE MILISECOND,
ask the person who won the silver medal in the Olympics.

Anonymous, excerpt from Bernard Werber's Empire of the Angels

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

America-Canada Day

Photo via: Modern Hepburn

The Americans and Canadians in our little community in Kandern, Germany are coming together today to take part in a joint celebration of our respective countries. With Canada Day on July 1 and Independence Day on July 4, today seemed like an appropriate compromise! If the weather will cooperate, we will pay tribute to America-Canada Day with a traditional barbecue complete with homemade salads in Tupperware, hot dogs, potato chips, and multi-colored popsicles. As it is, the rain showers have come in steady, rhythmic patterns today. Rain, sunshine, rain, sunshine . . . our timing will need to be impeccable if were are to avoid a rain-soaked party.  

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Basler Papiermühle






The Basler Papiermühle is a fully functioning workshop. During Sarah’s visit, we were able to try our hands at paper making, typesetting, calligraphy . . . etc. She was enthralled by the historical exhibits and the technical artistry of the craft transfixed me. The workshop employs methods used from the Middle Ages up to the start of mechanization in the 19th century. I am adamant that typography is the ART of producing a text by means of letters, lines, pictures, spaces, etc. The result is apparent whenever we read a text, whether print or electronic. The design and development of a typeface is, in my personal opinion, an art form. Wouldn’t you agree? Have you ever marveled at the beauty of a manuscript?