Tales from Studio Mailbox

Pretzel Sighting #23

Just came across these old pics which I took before having developed my full-fledged pretzel obsession.  This is the only reason I can think of why I didn't buy this metal pretzel sign that was for sale at a local flea market. 

I remember the man being nice enough to allow me to remove the sign from his van for a photograph and then not even buy it. I think I was waddling and pregnant at the time so perhaps he thought I was desperately hungry. 

Stylistically, this pretzel completely reminded me of Beavis and Butt-head!

What would I have really done with it anyway?  Wear it as a giant barrette in my hair or something? 

Chances come and go I suppose.  This one's a bittersweet.  Maybe I'll come across it during future plunder opportunities.  I can only hope.

Pretzel Sighting #22

Tripsdrill is another magnificent theme park and a true "German" experience, for the young and young at heart.

On a voyage around a small pond you can enjoy a faux table setting complete with pretzel prop while sitting on a little log boat!

This thrills me because instead of being a symbol for selling literal pretzels, it's simply just a random sighting.  These are of course a much rarer find than the more popular iconic bakery pretzels. 

HUGE distinction here. 

Unlike the teapot and wine bottle that shot  streams of water at the other patrons, this pretzel did pretty much nothing except be twisty and look good next to the plate and fork.

Pretzel Sighting #21

Freizeitland Geisselwind is a very charming German theme park whose mascot is a lederhosen wearing Toucan!  And in a world where everything is so commercial, I have to say for once this park is instead rather culturally "German." 

Inside this themepark is a beer tent that can't be missed because of a towering maypole style sign as well as a hand-painted board that displays steaming sausage and chicken accompanied by a frothy beer. 

And inside the tent is a groovy puppet band that performs an automated "show."  And while you're waiting for the show to fire up, you can enjoy a pretzel from the pretzel stand.  You'll find it rather easily beneath the huge pretzel sign that seems to be attached by only ONE screw.

Yes, I admit I was immediately thinking about the Phillips screwdriver in my purse, but the reality was that this ivy-covered monster pretzel was so big there was really no way to smuggle it out of the tent without arousing suspicion.  All I can do is return to enjoy it in person each summer...

Pretzel Sighting #20

In this town named Aub where both Pretzels 18 and 19 materialized, there was a Renaissance Festival taking place where a beautifully old aged sign caught my attention immediately. 

A few looks were exchanged as I started zooming in for a clear shot, despite the bottom of the pretzel being scratched away.  "Master Baker" in old calligraphy was the clue I needed to assess the situation I was in!  This was at a booth with a huge oven where fresh pretzels were being made. 

"Bake you those big pretzel?"  I asked him in my horrible German.  Followed up by, "My hobbies collection pretzel photographs in Germany your country!"

The baker gets a big smile and immediately poses with his fresh baked goodness, helping me fulfill my purpose in life.  Thank you friendly baker man!  May your kindness live on forever as Pretzel #20 here at Studio Mailbox.

19th Pretzel Sighted

Right next door to the bakery in Pretzel #18, is a little Weinstube (wine tavern).  And outside this tavern is a wall-mounted ashtray where you can snuff out your ciggy beneath a clay mouse propped up by what you say?  You guessed it!  A clay pretzel!!

Now girls and boys, we all know smoking isn't cool, but this one did bring out the inner rebel in me.  I wanted to pose with a cigarette balancing on my bottom lip as if I'm too cool to actually use any effort to smoke tobacco.

Sorry I didn't remove the geranium blossom from the foreground before photographing.  In hindsight, it sort of "pretties" up the ashtray if there is such a possibility.  It totally "goes" with the mouses' pink smooth slippers.

Pretzel Sighting #18

If I have to be incarcerated, I pray it's in pretzel jail.

In an alleyway of a town named Aub, the bars of their bakery aren't just any deterrent for unwanted entry.  These bars are a twisty metal statement of true pretzel love.

A quirky flair that magnetised me instantly.  Now I share this metalsmithing mastery with you. 

Pretzel Sighting #17

That's right folks.  You can get a pretzel without even getting out of your car.  The world will never be the same.  Notice not only the realistic looking pretzel in the "Drive In" sign, but also the clever use of the letter "B" in the bakery's name.

This post would not be complete without the inclusion of the cartoon baker door stop: a personified stalk of wheat wearing fashionable checkered pants. 

The real delimma a client is faced with at this bakery is whether to take advantage of the drive-thru or to enjoy the welcoming wheat-man.  (Or wheat Frau?)  Clearly everyone's a winner, either on foot or 4 wheels...

Pretzel Sighting 16

Nearly three years in Germany and look what's been in my grocer's freezer all this time!!  A home baking kit full of frozen twisty goodness, complete with a rock salt packet for custom sprinkling. 

The packaging is what gets me of course... I want to enjoy fresh pretzels in an alpine setting too, although in reality I'd settle for someone just coming to clean my scary oven. 

Pretzel 15 Reinactment

With the support of a friend who delivered fresh pretzels to my door, this is photographic proof of my strange obsession.  Silke, this one's for you!  What do you think?  Am I even close to the Bavarian Pretzel Maiden in Sighting 15? 
I did these in 15 minutes and a self timer on my camera, running in and out of my house, convincing my neighborhood that I am a true lunatic.  I rarely appear on my own blog, but will allow you the humor of the progression of the shots (including an empty window in frame #2).  Click over for more images of pretzel insanity.  Who knows?  Maybe these are the world's first set of self portraits with pretzel props.

Pretzel Sighting #15

Spring is official in my area when the Fruhlingsfest takes place!  My favorite booth is Kaese aus Bayern, where oven fresh pretzels are made into warm sandwiches with your choice of cheese and meat toppings.  Yummy.

The folks working the booth were also friendly and generous, even thrilling me with an additional pretzel paper bag for my scrapbook since the one containing my melty cheesy treat was too greasy to save!

The booth itself is a marvelous piece of artwork, pretzels integrated throughout the design.  The expression on the girl's face clearly illustrates that her purpose in life is to pass out twisted goodness.  

What a romanticized visual representation of what I'm trying to do here at Studio Mailbox.  Except instead of leaning out of a window in a bosom-enhancing dress, I'm reaching out to you in cyberspace digitally breaking bread.