A gift of possibilities

Fabric scraps

The possibilities are endless.  That is why I love playing with colors and textures.  Each basket and bag emerges from the pieces to become a unique whole.

Sometimes fate helps in this wonder of creation.  Last month I entered Herbert Rieger’s lovely shop in Vienna.  Rieger fashions colorful clothing using sumptuous silks and delicate lace.  The fabrics are a dream!

Rieger fabrics

Silks and lace

Rieger designs and makes his clothing in a large studio in the rear of his shop.  When I saw the mounds of fabric scraps strewn throughout the workshop, my mouth dropped open and I began to salivate.  What riches!  Imagine my joy when Herbert agreed to give me a load to take home.

A gift from Herbert

I have begun to experiment with these new materials – satins and silks, lace and crepe.

I call this a Boudoir Basket.  It has a feminine look and feel.

The Boudoir Basket

Here is an interior shot...

An inside look

I also thought it would be fun to make an evening bag or clutch.  After all, the Vienna Ball Season is here!

Wear it with handles

Use it as a clutch

Here is an interior shot...

The inside view

If you are ever in Vienna, check out Herbert Rieger.  The clothes are one-of-a-kind and simply lovely.

I hope to have more of these new designs in my Etsy Shop soon.  In the mean time, I would love to hear some feedback from you...

Happy New Year!

Visiting Magritte

The Pilgrim, 1966
© VBK Vienna, 2011

Yesterday I visited the Albertina.  Who should be there but the wonderful surrealist, Rene Magritte!

The Face of Genius, 1926
© VBK Vienna, 2011

Magritte’s visual explorations of la réalité capture our imaginations.

The Future of Statues, 1937
© VBK Vienna, 2011

Magritte confirms something I have suspected or even known for most of my life – we do not know what is; we only know what we experience.

La grande famille/Die große Familie, 1963
© VBK Vienna, 2011

I don’t want to over-analyze it.  Rather, I prefer to accept it as a part of existence.

Here are pieces from the exhibit...

Le paysage de Baucis/ Die Landschaft der Baucis, 1966
© VBK Vienna, 2011

Les Amants/Die Liebenden, 1928
© VBK Vienna, 2011

The Dominion of Light, 1950
© VBK Vienna, 2011

Le baiser/Der Kuss, 1951
© VBK Vienna, 2011

Time Transfixed, 1938
© VBK Vienna, 2011

To learn more about exhibits at the Albertina, click here.

Christmas Season in Vienna

It's the Christmas season in Vienna, and that means the Advent markets are here.

My favorite market of all spreads out in front of the massive Karlskirche, a baroque cathedral built in the early 18th century.

Most of folks selling at the Karlskirche have made their items by hand.
Look at these lovely glass ornaments.

 

Vienna is THE place to be if you love hats.  These are hand crafted.

Don't you love this guy?

There are lots of wonderful soaps and lotions to smell at the market.

Don't forget the snacks!  Roasted chestnuts - or maroni - and sugared almonds.  Oh my!

Of course, what do you suppose keeps us all warm while we wander about?  You guessed it!  Gluhwein.

If you ever make it to Vienna at during the holiday season, don't miss the Karlskirche market.

Happy Holidays!

Val's Braided Cardamom Egg Bread

Braided Cardamom Egg Bread

Holiday feasting time is here!  I imagine there will be lots of baking in your house...

Remember when preparing a feast that special care must be given in the selection of bread.

Why?  Well, if you are preparing a heavy meal - turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pilaf (yes, we must have that every holiday in my house) - then you want to have a light bread.  One of the easiest light breads to make is egg bread.  It is airy, yet flavorful.

Here is one of my favorite recipes.  It it a braided egg bread with cardamom; it smells earthy and sweet - the way the holidays should smell!

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1/2 cup beer
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp honey
• 3 cups flour
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 2 tsp dry yeast
• 1/4 tsp cardamom

For the glaze:  one egg beaten with one tbsp of water
For the finishing touch: sliced almonds

Preparation:

Using your electric mixer with a paddle attachment or your bread machine, combine the ingredients – keeping in mind your machine’s instructions.

When kneading is done, let the dough rise for about 45 min. or until it has doubled in size.  (If you prefer hand kneading, see my note on hand kneading in my Best Ever Polenta Pumpkin Seed Bread Recipe.)

Before rising

While the dough is rising line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

After rising

Making the braid:

Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface.  Divide the dough into three equal portions and shape into three 12-inch long ropes.  Place the ropes on the baking sheet.

Your ropes are ready for braiding!

Begin braiding from the center. Once you have braided one side, turn the sheet around and braid the other.

Just 1/2 more to do...

Now it is starting to look good!  Cover the dough loosely with some plastic wrap and let it rise until it has almost doubled in size.  (This could take as much as 45 min.)

Twenty minutes before baking, set your oven rack to the middle and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (a little less than 180 degrees C).

Ready to apply the egg glaze

Beat the egg and water together with a fork, and apply the mixture to the surface of the loaf.  Then sprinkle the almonds over it.

With the almonds on, we are ready to bake!

Bake the braided loaf for 35 to 40 minutes, until it has turned a deep golden brown.  Immediately remove from the baking sheet to the cooling rack.  Let cool before slicing.

Voilà!

Enjoy the holidays with your family and friends, Everyone!

There is so much to be thankful for...

Best wishes, and come back soon.

Waiting for my soul to catch up

A good friend once told me that after a long trip she has to stay still and wait for her soul to catch up.  I think I understand.  After traveling for a week, I have that floating feeling.  This is a good time to reflect.

I am thinking of autumn today.  Autumn is about endings - the end of long days, of sunny afternoons in the park or on the water's edge, of the garden's blooms...

Yet endings can be beautiful.  Recently I took walk in the park to witness the colors of autumn - greens transformed in rich yellow-golds and flaming russet-oranges.  A lovely ending...