So Much For A Chilli Afternoon.

All a-splutter....

The other day I bought a tray of chillies at one of the local supermarkets even though they were a different shape from the ones we normally have. But how bad could they be, sold in Oberwart where spicy hot food isn't really that popular?

The last few days I had used one of them to add to my culinary creations and even thought that I had used too little as we added more hot sauce to the food. Well, fast forward to today's lunch and the plot or should I say air, thickened. A broccoli stir-fry with noodles was on the cards and I added three slivers of chilli to it little realizing that I had set a coughing spree in motion.

It started with me. Coughing like mad. Unexpected but there it was. Where did that come from I wondered but only until Bob and the folks joined in. All of a sudden coughing could be heard all over the house, coupled with vigorous nose clearing. Yikes, they hadn't yet cottoned on that I was the culprit and even taking out the red bits of chilli from the food made little difference. Nothing for it but to own up.

With suspicious forethought I had also put a tray of spring rolls into the oven and thank goodness for that. I volunteered to eat my stir-fry but gave everyone else an escape route via the spring rolls. Bob took it with both hands or should I say a plate full of crispy spring rolls, but Harry bravely said he would try my creation.

By eating my portion I knew just how hot it was and was thrilled that I wasn't the only one. In fact, he had two portions without even breaking out into a sweat or splutter for that matter.

A bit later on I went online to research the strength of the chillies on my shelf. Good grief, apparently they are Habanero chillies! No wonder it affected us to such an extent and honestly, now I understand the true folly of those fools volunteering to eat food topped with the hottest chillie there is. Of course there is a real possibility that I might add more to my food tomorrow. Spicy but addictive...

Biggi

A Healthy Start.

Hopefully another convert.

I admit that I am overly enthused about health and how to get it but that isn't such a bad thing, is it? In any case, my wonderful husband mostly bears the brunt of my healthy madness but as someone asked him the other day : " Gosh what is your secret to looking so young? ", I am sure he'll put up with more of my many ideas and suggestions.

We had family to stay last week and I purposefully kept quiet on our way of eating apart from eating that way. Our nephew, almost twelve, is a typical kid, one who picks at food and isn't overly fond of the healthy variety. Well, day two had me offer him a breakfast smoothie, which he was willing to try. Oh yes, I sneaked in healthy ingredients under the taste disguise of banana and blueberries.

He liked it. He finished it and over the course of their stay with us, he asked me to make him one every day. Yeah! Towards the end I even put in a dash of dried kale ( I do the same with Bob's ), linseed and chia seeds. All the stuff kids normally won't touch. Well, disguised in a banana smoothie, they tasted just fine.

Anyway, about a week after they had gone back home, my sister in law contacted me to ask how to make this infamous breakfast smoothie. Turns out that our nephew had asked her:

" Mum, I really liked that smoothie Auntie Birgit made. Can you ask her how to make it? "

Wow, I can't tell you how fabulous that made me feel. Another convert to healthy eating. Bob's chuffed too and we both hope that the healthy winning streak will continue...

Biggi

Zotter's Zoo.

A lovely convergence of farm animals on the meadow behind Zotter's chocolate factory.

A view to the zoo...a valley full of surprises.

The old man at the entrance gave us a cool glance and then proceeded to munch some more grass.

A clutch of chickens awaited us and each had beauty, grace and character.

A Llama was being stroked and fed by many even though there was a sign forbidding the feeding of them.
Oh what rules are broken for photo-ops...Not with us though!

Throughout the zoo were different points of interest and fun. As you can see, most materials used are recycled ones. Brilliant.

A few bloomers...

... " Come on girls, hurry up... "

A family of goats made sure the grass was kept in check. The whole feel of the farm zoo was one of comfort, surprise and awe, awe at what the Zotter family has achieved on his farm.

Biggi

Zotter, Our New Discovery.

A day out at one of Austria's foremost chocolate emporium.

One of the taste stations, one of hundreds that we had the fortune to taste. Isn't it fabulous to have so many vegan options. Tasted delicious.

A look behind the magic.

Who wouldn't like to have a taste? After a while we were almost all chocolated out!

Bob and I were so excited to spot the various vegan options and there were many. Well done to Zotter.

The view out of one of the windows of the chocolate emporium was a treat as well. A zoo that we could visit after all the chocolate tastings, a perfect opportunity to walk off all those amazing treats. But, more about the zoo tomorrow...

Biggi

Images Of Burgenland.

A nice scenic trip.

The yellow Raps fields are out...

A lone tree putting everything into perspective and thus pointing out the sheer beauty of even the simplest of hills.

Bob drove us to the absolutely stunning little village of Stadt Schlaining a more romantic and authentic village will be hard to find.

A powder blue facade which looks amazing and made both Bob and I think about painting our house blue.

A very old aqueduct reminding us that life was here long before we were. A technical marvel considering that there were nary a crane, lorry or hoist to be had.

A blue Monday indeed. Isn't that view nice?

Biggi

A Surprising Restaurant Find.

Don't be deceived by appearances.

Bob and I have driven past this sign so often, more than we can count and at times we'd speculate what it would be like. After all it was a handwritten sign giving name and opening times.

The restaurant is a kilometer after the Hungarian border post and not more than about 20 kilometers from us. Last night we took a chance and found an amazing place. My folks are here and the four of us sat on the huge veranda, surrounded by fabulous views and despite it being a Tuesday evening, many other diners.

The menu has a German byline for every dish and it was fun to choose which one to have. All of us took a stumble at the Wiener Schnitzel but only for a second as we decided to have proper Hungarian dishes. When in Rome and so forth.

As we were talking English the waiter automatically fell in with us. How great is that? I ordered the Hungarian Gulasch and wow, it tasted fantastic and the portion was huge. Bob had a big plate of meat surrounded by roasted garlic potatoes which caused me to point out numerous birds and a tiger walking behind him, while keeping my fork ready.

Aren't we all creatures of habit when it comes to food? Trying something new was a breath of fresh air and another amazing experience in our Eisenberg adventure...oh, and it was very reasonably priced. Under 10 euros per head for food and plenty of beer & wine...

Biggi

A Taste Of England Just Down The Road.

A nice interlude on a public holiday.

The day started off with a nice family breakfast at the folks' house. We sat in the garden around two long tables surrounded by a cherry tree, tweeting birds, glorious sunshine and of course all eleven of us. Conversations tended to be sporadic as most ate their food with their head bowed down to pay homage to their smartphone.

Mum is an ace at managing all the meals. I battle to organize a meal for the two of us and take my hat off to mum, for having organzied so many family meals in the last week.

Bob and I said our goodbyes and left for our own little excursion. A trip to Hungary had taken our fancy and with military precision was organized. A shop at Tesco's ( 19 km down the road in Hungary ) and as it was as hot as blazes we took along a cooler bag with frozen blue bricks. How is that for being prepared?

Supermarkets are the same all over the world with of course the local eating habits and produce making up a slight variation. At Tesco's they have a whole section of freshly baked breads and rolls at unblievable prices. A big loaf of white bread costs about 50 cents. Vegetables are also a whole lot less expensive than in Austria and a head of cabbage costs roughly 60 cents.

After careful mental deliberations, I chose a loaf of divine white bread. Only by chance did I notice a woman using a bread slicing machine. They are in every South African supermarket but not in Austria. Oh, it was great fun to use it but only afterward while seeing the thin slices did it dawn on me that the pleasure of tearing into a loaf of freshly baked bread was gone.

Well, as for the rest of the hypermarket...it has hidden treasures, English treasures, in every isle. Be it biscuits, crisps, marmalade, cereals or Irish butter. Not all is that healthy but now and again munching on a digestive biscuit is rather nice and evokes many memories. If only they had freshly baked scones, I would be in heaven...

Even a trip to a supermarket can have nerve wrecking elements to it. Here in Europe one has to put money into the shopping trolleys just like at an airport. People return the trolleys at the end of the shop only to get their money back! When we got there, Bob's euro coin wasn't accepted and we decided to use the blue baskets, albeit with wheels and long handle, to shop. Rather fetching seeing the two of us pulling blue baskets behind us.

We had done justice to our whirlwind trip into the realms of England and suddenly realized at the till that we couldn't take the baskets to the car. Usually one can take the shopping trolley back to the car and we have a big box on the backseat, into which we stack our purchases. Saves the plastic bags. But, now what? The person in front of us was getting ready to pay and Bob had to sprint outside to hunt for a trolley.

The queue behind us was long and irritated already and with seconds to spare my hero wheeled in an empty shopping trolley. All was saved and as the cashier scanned each item, Bob stacked it into the trolley. Apart from a few irritable spousal exchanges now and then over in the sweet's isle, Bob and I like grocery shopping together. Rather amazing, how often the seemingly mundane interludes of domesticity turn out to enjoyable and fun...

Biggi

Twenty-Four Is Quite Enough For My Reputation.

Who's going to fetch the next case?

At the moment life is hectic and exciting as three of my step siblings are in town. Step sounds rather Grimm but so far I've not been separating any peas nor lentils from the ashes nor trying on a golden slipper before midnight. It won't come as a surprise when I tell you that due to the summer weather and the time together, many bottles of wine are enjoyed.

Usually mum and I share a case of Lianne's white wine and make it last a month at least. The case does involve 12 bottles of wine, eh, the liter sized bottles. We love its taste ( dry with a hint of gooseberry ) and mum asked me to organize a case for the family visit, which I had there the night before they arrived.

Well, the South Africans arrived on Wednesday and were joined by the Gibraltarians on Friday and by the end of Friday the first signs of panic set in. They needed another case of wine and would I be so kind as to get it from Lianne...bear in mind that I'd got the last case from her mere days ago. As luck would have it I ran into her on Sunday and asked her sheepishly for another case. Of course I had to cloak the request with tidbits of unrelated stuff as I didn't want her to associate meeting me with ordering copious amounts of wine.

She said she'd drop it off at our house on Monday. By Monday lunchtime, my one brother in law ( it was his turn to buy a case ) reminded me a few times during the day to not forget the wine as the last bottle had been opened and he was considering rationing the crowd although that would have been fun to see and more importantly see who was his favourite.

Lianne dropped off the case late Monday afternoon. She is such a honey and despite having worked all day in the vineyards, she still took the time to drop off this vital case for us. Bob and I took it along when we went for supper and received a roaring reception from everyone. Gosh, imagine if we'd come empty handed?

Yesterday afternoon saw the arrival of the American side of the family and you guessed it...they are already priming me for case number three. No, I won't do it. Imagine the stories doing the local news circuit. The first telling would be correct and truthful...

" Biggi's family drank three cases of wine in an unbelievably short time. "

...but with each consecutive rehashing a word would be dropped from it and with it my reputation would be set in stone!

Biggi

A Little Road Trip To Riegersburg Caslte.

The Bobster finds the most scenic routes ever...

Bob announced a visit to Riegersburg Castle firstly because it is nearby ( about 70 km ) and secondly for a chance to show his folks the beauty of our part of the world. Well, he hit bull's eye with this trip.

He took the roads less travelled and in the process took us through some of the most scenic villages, towns and countrysides. Coupled with the greens and colourful blossoms it was a magical trip.

Those of you who know Bob, also know that he has got an encyclopedia memory for roads and routes. Once driven it is imprinted in his map-memory. Well, yesterday he had a moment of indecision but threw caution to the wind and just took a chance and the right way.

Burgenland is still my favourite province but Steiermark isn't without its charm either. We finally found the road up to the castle. What an impressive one at that. There was a choice of walking up ( 45 min ) or taking the extremely steep funicular. Lately I have added into my bag of tricks the delightful infliction of fearing heights. Taking this modern contraption pulled by a mere cable up a steep slope had me close my eyes despite snickers from the gallery.

The wind was howling, the trip up took 45 seconds and the castle at the top was impressive. Imagine this building being built over 1000 years ago with nary a crane, buggy or tip truck in sight? Makes us look ridiculous when we moan about the stress of building a house.

It was so windy up there and all I could think about was this cable car being derailed by it. I left the others to lean into the wind while going up the cobble stoned entrance and took the next ride down. No, I didn't kiss the ground upon arriving safely but took the time to sit and reflect on a bench while waiting for the others.

Did I mention that the castle was built upon a dormant volcano? Yikes, thankfully it stayed so...

A Buddah enjoying the view...gosh, look at how thick those walls are.

I managed to take this photo at the top and you can see the steepness of the hill. Next time I'll walk up.

The cobbled road winding up to the entrance of the castle.

Finally, what would I do without these benches...

Biggi

How Men Can Morph Into Teenagers.

Even a wife can't compete.

Last night was worthy of writing a term paper. A psychological one. Interesting and incredibly funny watching it from the peripheral.

We'd just ended a lovely evening with my folks. An evening of great company, a BBQ and delectable food. Oh, did I mention the wine? Of course it is a give in our neck of the woods. As is the annual village Easter Fire the night before the great day. Believe me when I tell you that some villagers are so eager to search for Easter eggs that they even stay out all night at this do. Often an inadvertent stumble does the trick of finding treasure hidden behind bushes.

The Bobster, despite his folks being here, wanted to be part of the dawn squad. His argument being that everyone would be asleep anyway so why shouldn't he go. Well, how to get there was the problem. He didn't want to walk and had refused to get out the car earlier when on the way home from the BBQ I'd done a drive past. Clearly, too early in the night for the Bobster.

We were sitting having a cup of tea before bed and I, almost (!) in the fashion of a nagging wife, tried my hardest to dissuade him from taking the moped. A beer or three too many already. But, men are men and tend to be a tad bit on the stubborn side when they smell a chance to escape to join their brethren for a few drinks, a scratch and a moan about the wife.

I tell you, it was classic to see how one or two short sentences from each of his parents changed Bob's mind tout de suite. No argument or muttering in the manner I would have been privy to. His mum used the classic fail-safe of:

" Bob, don't let me sit up and worry about you coming home like I had to when you were a teenager. "

and his dad;

" My boy, I think you should just stay at home. "

Meek as a mouse the Bobster changed into his pyjamas and we all went to bed.

The cherry on top was this morning, when as he woke up he informed me;

" I'm so glad I decided to stay home last night. "

Biggi

Zulu Being Echoed About Our Eisenberg Hall.

The Eisenberg meeting continues.

I sort of knew that we'd attend and we did en masse. Five of us were on a mission to mingle, see and hear the Deutsch Schützen choir contribute their bit in the Eisenberg foursome. Not often can one meet so many different folks who have almost the same address.

Having to garner a table with enough chairs posed no problem. Our parent's generation has a surefire way to never have to stand on the periphery...get there an hour early and in our case we were so frightfully early that even the bar was still closed. Luckily one of Bob's friends took pity on us and offered to organize some drinks.

The Bobster who hails from a younger generation, the one that likes to be fashionably late to any function in order to merely be absorbed by the masses, tried his best to look cool and blase under these circumstances. Bad luck for him having to sit facing the door and being so jolly visible...

It took over an hour for the hall to start filling up and suddenly our early arrival had paid off. We were seated and ready to listen to the choir, of which mum is a member.

Bob's dad was raised on a farm and is fluent in authentic Zulu and I think he couldn't believe it when the choir's first song was a stalwart of Zulu culture. Who would have thought...a Burgenland village choir singing a Zulu song! And surprisingly in almost perfect pronunciation. Bob's dad was bobbing along and almost joined as a background singer. ( Bob was on high alert in case his Dad made his way to the stage )

The mystery of the near perfect pronunciation is quickly unveiled: A few times in the past few months, Bob was roused from his TV slumber by mum phoning from choir practice asking if he would please tell them how to pronounce the odd Zulu word correctly and he explained it so well, that both my in-laws were amazed at how good the choir sang this song.

Despite getting there even earlier than the usual early bird crowd, we had a fantastic evening. A nice way to see another slice of village life...

Biggi

Vienna & Back On The Road Less Traveled.

An international day for the Bobster and I.

Bob's parents are here on holiday and yesterday we went to fetch them at the airport. Or should I say, collect them? Standing at an airport arrival's gate is akin to waiting at the post office for your parcel. A mingling of people standing there waiting with balloons, banners of welcome or mere taxi-pick-up boards. Oh, and there were we, eagerly awaiting the arrival alas, sans balloons, banners or cameras but equipped with big smiles.

Mingling at an international airport is like being on holiday and why does one not simply take the kids for a day at the airport? All the attractions are there. The feel of a mall ( no going on holiday without stopping at a mall ), a McDonald's, a bookshop and several food emporiums. Not to mention the fact that all types of people and languages are about. Personally, I felt as if I've been on a holiday and am so so so glad to be back home...

From our home in the midst of Burgenland it is about two hours to the airport and usually involves a long stretch on a busy highway complete with trucks and irritated rash drivers. Not that much fun. Well, Bob found a wonderful new way to the airport and the best part of it is that it only takes an extra 30 odd kilometers, perhaps an extra 20 minutes and in the process leaves you your sanity intact.

Navigating the many turns on a highway around any Mega city is not for the faint of heart and definitely not good for marital bliss!

We drove the rural roads via Eisenstadt, Purbach and Neusiedl am See to get to the airport. Oh, how absolutely divine. The scenery was breathtaking especially now that the blossoms are ubiquitous dotting the landscape with brightness. We drove through quaint villages and in the process saw yet more of this magical place called Burgenland.

We've seen the usual airport route so often but yesterday, driving the road less traveled made it seem like a Sunday drive. The cherry on top being that the actual driving on a highway was a mere 30 odd kilometers and it took us straight to the airport, circumventing Vienna itself. Well done to Bob for discovering this route and showing me yet another beautiful facet of our new home...

Biggi

A Strong Beer Accompanied By Shakespearian Like Weather.

All that was missing were the three witches...

Clan meeting number two was held last night and the weather couldn't have been more different. At one point during the evening, yes, we did start at early bird supper times, we took my aunt's dog, little Emily who is even more cosseted than our cat, for a walk.

Good grief, even she decided to forgo her toilet session as the howling wind buffeted her little body all over the place. A few sniffs and leg lifts were ample for her and to be honest, we humans didn't mind having a shorter walk.

The occasion of our meeting was an reenactment of the Bavarian tradition of Oktober Fest, which is part of any Bavarian's DNA. How can it not be, except, I could only manage a bottle of the specially brought Oktoberfest beer.

My god, half a glass and my eyes were starting to squint. Apparently, the especially brewed Oktoberfest beer is twice as strong as normal, which makes me wonder how at the real Oktoberfest in Munich, people can drink three or four of these Mass-liter jugs of beer? More importantly, how they can still walk out of the beer tents...

Bob, being a Bavarian by marriage, took to it like a duck to water and even four bottles later didn't show any squinting. South Africans are made of stern stuff indeed.

My cousin Gaby and mum cooked the whole afternoon and made a Hungarian Stew ( yum yum ) and as dessert some homemade Dampfnudeln. Luckily I had drawn the short straw and was the designated driver, because all this food and lots of beer would have necessitated stretch pants a la Frank Barone.

All of us had another great evening and when we went our separate ways home, the Shakespearian weather hadn't stopped. Leaves and little twigs were on most roads, and I wouldn't be surprised if most of the trees had lost all their foliage...The few hints of Summer have been swept away and Autumn has made itself at home.

Biggi

A Grammelschmalz Brot Saved The Day, Or Rather Today.

An evening out with family...

Why is it that we ( perhaps I use the royal we ) can count so many things endlessly and without making a mistake but when it comes to top-ups or re-fills of our wine glass, all arithmetic is forgotten? As Bob likes to say to me;

" Your parents should ask for a refund on your school fees. "

Eight of us, or eight clan members went to Bruni's last night. Actually more of an early bird special as the time was arranged for five p.m., due to some clan members having reached
wise elder status and we were all back home before nine p.m.

Bob and I were fashionably late ( for some reason I tend to catch up on all household duties minutes before we have to leave, which drives Bob crazy ) and when we got there, our clan elders had wisely ordered a liter of red and a liter of white wine for the table.

Full of good intentions and healthy exuberance, I had decided to keep a sharp eye on how much I'd drink, but like all good intentions, it flew out the window when my sneaky cousin Klaus kept on topping up my glass.

Before we had actually put our orders through I had asked Bruni to bring a Grammelschmalz Brot for the table. A few eyebrows were raised at my gluttonous behaviour but they soon changed their tune when they tried a morsel of it and just like that a huge portion of Grammelschmalz Brot was gone and more importantly helped line a lot of stomachs!

Goodness me, we had a great time sitting around a big table, with wine, memories and laughter. Bruni made sure we were well hydrated with water and wine.

The beer drinking crowd has an advantage over us wine lovers. They have the famous beer mats, which are not only there to catch the overflowing beer foam, but also to paint a dash on it for each glass had. Next time I attend a clan meeting, I shall come prepared with beer mat, pen and Grammelschmalz Brot.
Oh dear, that reminds me, the next meeting is this afternoon, an Oktober Fest a la Clan...!

And just to put your mind at ease, I didn't overdo things too much last night, as any top ups were rather just dash ups...luckily I had an elegant wine glass which would look stupid being overly full.

Biggi

Another Original & Divine Suedburgenland Day.

The sunshine was a bonus.

Walking on the outskirts of Deutsch Schützen yesterday morning, bathed in the odd sunshine, feeling the at times icy tentacle of an unexpected wind gust and mentally sending up numerous Thank You's to the powers that be ( who wouldn't ? ), I saw my friend approach on his vehicle of choice...the motorized lawn mower. A vehicle of choice for the over 70's it seems although I have seen The Bobster ogling one of the more suped up versions flitting around the village greens...

Living in the rural areas means that the hectic rush assumed in the urban environs is a foreign and frowned upon concept. It's just not done! So there he was, chugging along towards me with a big grin on his face. Once we were side by side, he took his foot of the pedal and idled along side me.

He had his trailer hooked up and it was filled to the brim, yet covered up almost like contraband. But, I knew that he'd been on his weekly grocery shop in the village. Shooting the breeze for a few moments led to his gleeful explanation of his good mood.

" Birgit, can you imagine, I won 105 Euros on the lotto! "...ah, the good life.

As you know, some of my family is in town and after breakfast I set off on a leisurely drive around the vineyards, looking for them as I had missed them the evening before.

I purposefully said leisurely, as our chariot needs some attention. Two weeks ago we treated it to new brakes and ever since, a tap on the brakes means a squeaky & head turning sound. Don't worry, it's going in to be sorted out today but in the meantime it means driving around and being noticed.

When the lotto train finally sees us waving and pulls into our station, I won't be driving an expensive head turner....those are more of a punishment and extra pressure to not stall the car!

Already I plan my routes to roads where the hills are of a minimum, but that is far from easy among the vineyards. So, there I was crawling along the various lanes searching for my aunt and uncle, when I espied a couple walking their dog about 100 meters in front of me.

It is still early in the tourist season and not so many are meandering about, so it must have been my aunt. Well, I idled up behind them and eventually had to apply brakes, which had them jump to the side of the road in fear....never mind, I parked the chariot on the verge and joyfully showed myself and we chatted, hugged and marveled at the beauty of life, life in our Burgenland.

After a nice local meal complete with local wine, we had this photo taken. Family in Burgenland.

Biggi

At Heart I'm Still A Bavarian Gal.

A Schweinsbraten & Knödel it is for Christmas Day Lunch...

We are hosting a luncheon for my folks at our house this afternoon and yours truly will attempt to make it. Luncheon sounds a tad bit too grand because it is going to be a roast, Knödel and cucumber salad. Dessert is still not a definite but I think it might be a dash of something from Aloisa's.

Bob was panicking that we would all go hungry with such a meager offering, that he organized a few snacks just in case. Personally I tend to think that he saw an opportunity of putting extras into our shopping trolley that we normally don't eat.

At my in-law's family Christmas affairs, the tables are usually groaning with the numerous dishes on them. Often it is a case of twenty family members coming for the Christmas lunch and as most bring a dish or two along, it explains the plentifully laden tables. Let's see how our luncheon will fare. We have plenty of wines & beer on offer so that at least that part of the meal will be enough.

When I told my Dad, who is on the other side of the world about our plans for today's lunch, his mouth started to water...to any authentic Bavarian, there is nothing more traditional nor better than a Schweinsbraten & Knödel for a meal. Heartwarming and great tasting food.

In fact, a few hours ago my Dad sent me an email with a fabulous painting ( made by him on his iPad ) of how he imagined the meal will turn out..." From your lips to God's ears. " He might be a world away, but he is as close as an iSwipe or a Skype.

Of course, I haven't made a lot of Schweinsbraten before but isn't it the thought that counts? Whatever happens to the roast, the crusty crunchy crackling will be fought over by all of us. The dumplings could also be in danger of missing the fluffiness that most of them have and rather resemble a heavy stone...but never mind, it's the meal had together as a family that counts.

Anyway, I am very grateful to be able to cook a lunch and to share it with loved ones.

Biggi

So Young And Yet So Picky.

Having a cow in the backyard might be an option.

As I said to Bob, when I was young I lived for meal times. Food was important and missing meals was a punishment. Yet, this week with the youngens has shown me that perhaps I was the exception.

Unless you reminded them, they wouldn't think of eating. At times a forceful

" Put down your tablet and come and eat lunch! Now! "

set of instructions had to be said. Funnily enough, once they were sitting and eating, they seemed to be enjoying it. Sort of.

Siblings with their different tastes and likes are interesting to have around. They do have a common taste and apples it seems to be ( not forgetting ice cream of course ). They both loved munching them and even mixing an apple with a chip, biscuit or chocolate. They must have eaten two apples each per day. In fact, before they left, Josie stocked up in our backyard. Nice.

One loves grape juice and the other one loves milk. As small as Sam is, he can drink 2-3 glasses of milk without hesitation several times a day. That seems to have been the only food group that he had big quantities of. Sweets aren't really a food group so they don't count.

He has unerring tastes too. We had run out of fresh milk and had opened a liter of long life milk in the morning. An almost full container was in the fridge. During the day I had replenished the milk supply and a few unopened liters of fresh milk were chilling in the vegetable drawer of our fridge.

" Aunt Birgit, can I get myself some milk? "
" Sure, you know where it is. "

I was glad he was comfortable enough to help himself. Oh, I had to stifle a giggle when I happened to see a minute later, that Master Sam had forgone the long life milk and opened himself new container of fresh milk. Can't fault him for having good taste...

Biggi

We've Survived Three Days Of No Internet In The Evenings.

Never mind just us, but an almost teenager and a youngster too.

In a way I thought it might have been more difficult than it actually was. At the start of our
solo being in charge time, we told both of them that after 6 o'clock in the evening, there was to be no playing on tablets etc. None. Of course we did add that instead we all would play either Monopoly, Uno, Cluedo or something else.

Contrary to popular belief, it was actually the two of us ancients, that suffered a bit with the No-Internet rule! The kids almost sat at the kitchen table before we had finished calling them up for a round of play time.

A whole day with kids does tend to be exhausting and honestly, before we sat down to play time, the thought of lounging in front of the telly was hovering like a magical vision. Yet, once we sat down at the table, it was the greatest fun. Laughing mingled with angry looks ( mainly in Uno ).

Uno is such fun and very strategic. Seating arrangement are of the utmost importance because you never know who has the plus fours! Bob, in his wisdom has been keeping a running score over the few days and as luck would have it, he is winning (? ) and I am stone dead last.

In one particular game, Sam was dealt a double whammy by his gleeful sister. He is such a card...

" Uncle Bob, I am so cross right now, that I want to say the ....word! "

He mentioned the first letter only and I told him to totally forget that word. For theatrical effect, I clapped the air in front of him and told him that from now on the word is no longer in his head..

" Aunt Birgit, you better clap in front of me too, because the word is also in my head and I don't like it. "

My reportoire of meals to make has worn a bit thin. Meals that appeal to the younger crowd. Bob, made lunch for them yesterday and it was a winner with no left overs! Brilliant. He is such a good uncle and of course the kids adore him even when he tries to be strict!

One thing I have noticed, is when I ask them to help in making the food, the chances are infinitely greater that they will eat it. Case in point: Josie made the dough ( by hand ) for our pizza last night and promptly had two slices. Sam, didn't feel like participating and alas didn't eat his pizza.

Being a parent must be the most exhausting job, but also the most rewarding. Children are a blessing to have and to have around. Alas, the invention of Smartphones have robbed many parents of this precious time. Time spent fully present with their children.

Biggi

" Aunt Birgit, Is That What I Think It Is? "

The lure of onions seems to have bypassed the younger crowd!

When you don't have children, you never have to think of tempting meals to cook. Tempting for the younger palate that is. Just to be on the safe side I thought I would make Macaroni & Cheese. Surely I couldn't go wrong there?

Our kitchen faces the dining room table ( on purpose as I didn't want to always be stuck in the kitchen and miss all the chatter ) and for once it wasn't the best idea. As I was chopping an onion and wiping my eyes, I heard a voice from the gallery

" Aunt Birgit, is that what I think it is? You know I hate onions. "

Several thoughts flashed through my mind, while I felt like a burglar being caught red handed. Seriously, I panicked for a second while an eight year old stared me down. At first I wanted to deny it and pretend it wasn't an onion but then he is clever beyond his years.

Fleetingly I considered changing the menu but then again, no, when in Rome do like the Romans so he would just have to try it. There is always bread and butter on standby.

" Yes Sam, that is an onion. I need it to make your supper taste good. "

Oh, those blessed with kids are snickering at me right now at my idealistic belief in reasoning with an eight year old.

While the dish was in the oven, I had an occasion to converse with Sam on his own. He again made me aware of how unlikely it was that he would eat supper. Again, I was reminded of the onions. Fair enough. He was honest and I liked that.

" Sam, I know now that you don't like onions, but I needed to put them in to make the food taste nice. Try one spoon of it, and if you don't like it...you don't have to eat it. But just try it. "

He looked at me with that angelic lazer look for an unnerving few seconds but then consented to try my meal.

Later, as we sat around the dinner table, he bravely ( with exaggerated acting skills ) tried this spoon of my Macaroni & Cheese. Hats off to him for being true to his word. As he was tasting the food, I already turned to get up for some bread with butter, when his words make me almost drop my cutlery.

" Mmmm, Aunt Birgit this is nice. I like it. Please can I have some more? "

" Oh, of course you can. I am glad you like it. "

" It's better than the one my mummy makes. You must give her the recipe. "

To date, that was my only hit in the culinary department, as last night we made potato wedges and they were rather a disaster...

Biggi

Being The Owner Of Money Seems To Do The Trick.

A trip to the supermarket and an 'aha' moment.

As you know, our niece and nephew are staying with us at the moment. Yesterday their parents left for a mini vacation of three days, mainly because the kids wanted to be alone with us and partly because they could have a rare few days alone...Either way, it is a win win situation. Bob and I are clearly the winners.

Their parents left pocket money for them which would also cover things like going out eating; ice creams and so forth. So, we went for a drive starting at Aloisia's, looping past a supermarket and ending back home. The kids had been to Aloisia's before, but still had cake and hot chocolates. One almost untouched piece of cake was doggy bagged!

Before we went into the supermarket, I told them that they could buy what they wanted, but had to pay with their pocket money.Lots of oohs and aahs were issued and I think Sam rubbed his hands in glee.

Clearly they had been in a supermarket before as they honed in on the sweet and joghurt isles with lazer precision. The vegetable rack didn't even warrant a glance. At first they wanted to buy everything.

" Take it, it is your pocket money after all. "

" Aunt Birgit, are you not buying it for us? "

" No, you have your own money. "

Suddenly, a round of pricing ensued. And collaboration between brother and sister. Never underestimate an eight year old. With an astuteness beyond his years, he put a five pack of Kinder Milch Schnitte in the trolley. He got his sister to share half the price and told her the fifth one would be for Bob and Birgit.

The cereal isle was next, and he almost tripped up when he noticed a Star Wars theme on one of the cereal boxes. Oh, he wanted it. Bob was called to inspect this box with Star Wars on it and then he glanced at the price. Almost 4 euros.

" Aunt Birgit, can I buy it? "

" Of course, it is your pocket money. "

He stood almost hovering and clearly debating with himself when all of a sudden he said:

" You know, I won't buy it. It doesn't look very healthy. "

By that stage, the supermarket owner was torn between giggles and awe. He even told me that he couldn't get his own kid to understand the value of money.

To cut a long story short, even the supermarket's Holy Grail, the sweet isle, was negotiated along the same principles. Not much was bought...

Later in the afternoon, I spotted the piece of cake from Aloisia's being ignored and forgotten.

" Sam aren't you going to eat that piece? You paid a lot of money for it. "

" Oh no. Aunt Birgit, you never told me that it I had to pay for it with my money. If I had known that, I would not have eaten or drunk anything! "

Ah, the good life....

Biggi