Tales from Studio Mailbox

Alpine Road Trip

Thank you for all the kind words about my Gram. 

We just returned from a road trip through the Alps having managed to chase monsoon style rains from Germany through Austria to Italy.  Although we always make the most of the weather, this time we sort of snapped and gave up.  It felt like we were tornado chasers or something!

Thought you might like my pics of this little drink because when in Austria, you've got to get yourself a bottle of Almdudler.  Even if you're not a fan of ginger ale this is a spicier variety that you've got to love for the label if nothing else!  Even the cap has a sweet edelweiss and asks us to "Protect the Alps!"

This is quite reminiscent of my Sound of Pasta or when I reported to you on the Austrian version of Ben-Gay... I am a complete sucker for packaging.

Will be back later this week to share a little from my road trip journal as well as a few exciting things that happened on our getaway. 

Franconian Cookie Cutters

Can you even believe these cookie cutters? 

Little German wine icons!! Of course you already recognize the bunch of grapes, but if you want to know more about a roemer or boxbeutel then read here.  These shapes are the pride of Franconian wine!

These are going to make fun cookies for any party! 

Now the only question is whether or not I use them along with my pretzel shaped cutter...

Boxbeutel Sandwich Art

It’s now a fact.  I, on behalf of Studio Mailbox, have done everything imaginable to immerse myself and my artwork in Franconian culture.  Here is the proof that I have actually consumed a Boxbeutel shaped sandwich.  Much like the incredible Hulk, I can feel my body transforming into an Unterfranken!! 

The Art of the Boxbeutel

The Boxbeutel (or Bocksbeutel) is the traditional bottle used to store Franconian wine.  Here, there are special wine racks and wine coolers to accomodate it's shape.  More and more I realize it's importance and recognize the pride of the wine farmers and their families with their displays of it's form.  This sign says, "The Professionals of Dry Wine" and their associated website here. 

Even though it looks small and squatty, a boxbeutel holds three-quarters of a liter of wine, the same as standard wine bottles. The traditional Franconian glass, a Römer, is also a bit squatty and has a ribbed (usually green) stem.  A Römer is used for both white and red wine.  When ordering by the glass here in Franken, you ask for a "Schoppen" although this technically refers to the amount the glass holds which is 0.375 liters. 

Quadratini

  Having recently returned from Italy, I wanted to share my newest, most favorite food find: QUADRATINI!!!!

These little square wafers are seriously yumm-ini.   Unlike the chocoalte, strawberry, vanilla neopolitan pack of my youth, this bag is all chocolate.  Every last wafer cube.  And chocolate as in cocoa-flavored.  Yumm.  Find them.  Buy them.  Consume them.  Thank me for your expanding waistline.

      I love you Quadratini...we were meant to be together!!