mosaic road

10 Things You Always Wanted to Know About Pretzels

1. Originated around 610 AD in Europe

2. Made in error by a monk using up unleavened bread dough

3. The three loops came to represent the Father, Son and Holy Ghost

4. They became a sacred symbol and packed into coffins

5. Were hidden instead of eggs forming an early variation of the Easter egg hunt

6. The pretzel was a symbol for marriage and this is how we got the saying "tying the knot"

7. It has been used as the symbol for German bakers since the twelfth century

8. Austrian pretzel bakers in 1519 stopped an invasion of Turks who were tunnelling under the walls when they heard noises in the night.

9. Pennsylvania produces 90% of pretzels consumed in USA

10. Who knew the pretzel had such a long and involved history !!

 

 

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If the Hat Fits..........

I spotted these two cuties wearing fun beanies . I do wonder what they will think at their 21st when this photo appears ! It's surely One way to keep warm on a cold winter's day in Munich and I, for one, like their style.

 

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Touchdown in Germany

I have not been to Germany for many, many years so I am excited about this trip although it is short. I thought Düsseldorf would be a small to medium airport. How wrong was I ? It was huge and frenetic. But as to be expected, everything ran on time and the airport was immaculate. Grey and dreary weather also as to be expected. Although the trip is a visa run I will be meeting up with friends. It's highly likely I will be eating bratwurst and sauerkraut and pretzels while soaking up a bit of European charm and culture.

 

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Unstoppable

Here is the first (and fabulous I might add) crumble (apple and strawberry) made in the new convection oven. Despite having no oven and prior to that no food processor I have got round these hiccups and never stopped my crumble making. With no processor I used the melted butter technique. With no oven I used the microwave technique. Now I have both appliances and there is no looking back. Orders taken, crumbles eaten, alls right in the world.

 

 

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Just an Itty Bitty Baby

I am the first one to goo and gah and fall in love with soft little puppies and kittens. I melt straight away when I look into their little velvety eyes. As soon as I hold one in my arms I dissolve into an adoring pathetic mess. Other baby animals might be cute but I don't really bond unconditionally like I do if I nurse a kitten or puppy. So here am I about to wax lyrical over a itty bitty tortoise. This baby is not at all soft with velvety eyes but it is ever so sweet. I patted it's shell and even talked to it . There was very little response but I was ok with that as I could see it was contemplating a large and leafy meal.

 

 

 

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The Circus is Coming to Town

Most of us who live in Marrakech would agree it is pretty much a circus. We witness circus acts every day as we go about our daily business . There are massive juggling acts as whole families with all their possessions try and fit on one moped, trapeze acts as workmen scale rooftops without safety nets, jingling, prancing ponies pulling coaches, diapered monkeys dancing in the square and on and on. A real live Moroccan circus. And now we have a visiting French circus adding to the fray. A van drives the streets calling one and all to visit the big top. Well I am presuming it is an equivalent of "roll up, roll up " but the driver has the microphone almost between his teeth so all we hear is horrendous, amplified vocal distortion. Let's hope the lions don't get loose in the medina ! The term three ring circus would not even come close to describing that debacle.

 

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The Art of Writing

We have all mastered the art of typing but the art of writing is a whole different ball game and almost a thing of the past. Unless you are my mother !! She still at 91 has a steady hand and writes a proper letter to me on an aerogram. They can be bought at Australia Post, although I cannot imagine they are in particularly high demand nowadays. After she puts pen to paper, the letter is sealed and sent by snail mail. She has more readable handwriting than me and writes in fully formed sentences with correct grammar and punctuation, not a single emoticon to be seen.

 

 

 

 

 

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Biscotti and Orange Blossom

What a wonderful combination, a little unexpected but perfect nontheless. It's not an every day combination and not one that comes automatically to mind like tomatoes and basil or toast and jam or gin and tonic. I sat today under an umbrella of thick orange blossoms, the air thick with their heavy scent. The tiny creamy flowers drifted down from the tree in the slight breeze like confetti as we ate crispy, crunchy almond biscotti. It was one of those very perfect little surprise moments, a small, happy and exquisite occasion that can never be repeated, one that is now just a fragrant memory.

 

 

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Trial &Error with the New Oven

The new oven and I are getting on OK. We are not besties yet but well on the way. I keep making cakes to get the timing right. I actually sampled this one with a friend and it tasted ok. Because this convection oven cooks so fast I fear a sandpaper dry result. I have to set two timers to make sure I keep checking. My temp is set around 150 and after 15 - 20 minutes I get the cake out. Who knows if this is right or wrong as I only have Arabic instructions. The proof is in the pudding, no less !

 

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Anyone for Boule ?

I love to play boule or bocce but if there is a canine speed hump on the course then luckily at this gorgeous Sidi Kouki beachside cafe you have other options. There is a big basket of magazines to flip through or you can wander down the track to the waters edge and dip your toes into the chilly Atlantic or you can sit happily slumped in a deck chair just soaking up the view and the sunshine, waiting till the bouledrome is clear.

 

 

 

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