Tails Up In This Emmental Farm

On our way to Bern, Switzerland, we stopped at Emmental cheese county, to see how Swiss cheese is made. This held little appeal to me since I live in the dairy state of Wisconsin, and not a huge fan of cheese.

However, his is the first sight I saw as I stepped off of the bus. How beautiful the snow covered rolling hills looked. This is exactly what I thought Switzerland would look like.

Cheese, butter, and cheese related items for the kitchen filled the first floor of the building.

Plate glass windows surrounded the areas where cheese was being made and housed.

We had the opportunity to visit a nearby farm, this farm was so close we walked there from the cheese house.

The owner of the farm is on the left.
He did not speak English, so our bus driver translated.

Here are a few sights from around the farm.

Our group is about to enter the barn to see the cows.

Emmental cows eat only fresh grass and hay. They are never fed silage. During summers, when they graze in the pastures, they dine on natural herbs. The average dairy farmer owns only about 20 cows, which allows him to care for each animal better, resulting in top quality milk.

Cows waiting their turn to be milked.

The tails of the cows were tied up so they
wouldn't get in the way during milking.

So the trip to Emmental that I thought I wouldn't like turned out to be very enjoyable, with its beautiful scenery. This girl from Wisconsin even liked the tour of the dairy farm. Who knew they tied up the cows tails? I sure didn't.

Tools I Use While Reading and New Words

This weekend I grabbed a warm throw, tossed a pillow in the corner of the couch, and sat down with Jane Green's book Family Pictures.

While this certainly is not the great American novel, at least in my humble opinion, I found the storyline interesting, although predictable, and a pleasant read. I give this book three stars.

Family Pictures synopsis from Amazon:

" Family Pictures, the gripping story of two women who live on opposite coasts but whose lives are connected in ways they never could have imagined.  Both women are wives and mothers to children who are about to leave the nest for school.  They're both in their forties and have husbands who travel more than either of them would like.  They are both feeling an emptiness neither had expected.  But when a shocking secret is exposed, their lives are blown apart." 

While reading I always have my iPad near me, because often times I come across words, I don't know how to pronounce and/or the meaning of the word. When this happens I will go inline and use,
The Free Dictionary, by Farlex. Type in the word and a definition appears along with phonetic  spelling, and an icon of of horn, which when pressed pronounces the word for you.
Source: The Free Dictionary,

I often use google images so I can have a visual of what something looks like.

While reading Family Pictures I used both of these sources when I happened across the word 'fiddleheads.' While I certainly knew how to pronounce the word I had no idea what they were or looked like.

Photo Source: Biz  Size Wellness

Source: Biz  Size Wellness

"Fiddlehead Ferns are one of spring’s most prized vegetables as they come and go in the blink of an eye.   Fiddleheads are actually young fern fronds that haven’t been opened yet and they must be picked within a two or three week window before the fern unfurls.

The flavor of the little nibbles is compared to asparagus or okra with the delightful crunch of a green bean.  While strange looking, the green vegetable has some amazing nutritional benefits. Fiddlehead ferns are rich in vitamins A and C while also being chock full of other vitamins, minerals andmacronutrients. The young ostrich fern is also fat-free and low in cholesterol." 

I have been on this earth for sixty years, and I am constantly amazed by the things/knowledge that I don't have.

So my question to you is had you heard of Fiddleheads's and/or have you eaten them? If you have do tell, how to cook them and what you think they taste like?

Market in Basel, Switzerland

We came across the Marktplatz (farmers market) in the center of Old Town in Basel, Switzerland.  Basel is located in the northwest corner of Switzerland and is bordered by France and Germany. The weather, while cool, was much warmer than the weather in the state of Wisconsin.

Joining in Sunlit Sunday over at My Little Home and Garden.

The sun is shining on the market welcoming the shoppers.

The color of the squash was intensified by the rays of sunlight.

An array of vegetables and fruits were a feast for the eyes.

Already for the lunch crowd.

 Sausages, peppers and olives.

Flowers and wreaths for the home.

Need a little sunshine in your day? Drop by Sunlit Sunday and enjoy all of the beautiful photos that are being shared. If you would like to participate, like I did, visit,

Sunlit Sunday at My Little Home and Garden

Simple Pleasures

This is one of my favorite photo taken during my vacation, Strasbourg, France. 

No matter where in this glorious world that we live,

simple pleasure like a cup of coffee, fresh air, and 

day dreaming is something that everyone enjoys.

My 1913 Kodak Camera Remembered Because of a Children's Book

One of my first stop while thrift shopping is the children's book section. I have a great love for children's books, in particular vintage books, especially at the low cost of only 59¢.

A few weeks ago I can across the book Magic Camera by Manus Pinkwater written in 1974 which had the books original dust jacket in excellent condition.

While the dust jacket is full of color, the illustrations in the book are monochrome, with more text than pictures. Last evening I took a few moments to sit down and read this book.

When Charles was sick with the flu, he read about photography in the World Wide Children's Encyclopedia. He wished he could have a camera. Not one like his family had that was just a box, with a little window you look through, and a button you pressed, and that was all. He wanted one that looked like magic with cranks and knobs and switches. 

Charles told his father, and after supper he brought Charles up an old camera from the cellar. It had brass parts and was made of wood and leather, and it jumped open like a jack-in-the-box. It was just what Charles wanted. It looked magical. 

Looking through the eye of the camera and clicking the button Charles has some magical experiences.

I closed the book and went down into the basement to find. . .

No. 1-A Kodak Jr.

Eastman Kodak Co.

Pat'd Jan. 17, 1913

Jumps out just like a jack-in-the-box

I found this camera while cleaning out my parents home back in the 1980's and brought it home and put it inside a box placed it on a shelf in the basement. I was shocked that I was able to locate it so quickly.

I can't wait to read the book to my sweet grandchildren and show them my magic camera.

Basel, Switzerland ~ Day One

My journey started on December 2 in Basel, Switzerland, where I spent three days exploring Basel, and Bern.

I started my river boat cruise from Basel, and visited all the ports on the map, ending in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Our three day stay, on land, in Basel, was an option that could be added on before the river cruise started. We figured we had to pay the airfare over to Europe, so for a few hundred dollars more we were able to enjoy Basel for a few days.

We stayed at the Radisson Bul, the trams stopped right in front of the hotel, very convenient.

The hotel provided mobility tickets for all of its guests to use the tram, this allowed free use of the public transportation system. In Basel the tram would stop, passengers would get on board and off we would go. You don't have to show your ticket to anyone, it is an honor system with random spot check. If you are caught without a ticket, you'll be fined a substantial amount, not to mention the embarrassment you would incur. While riding on the tram you are not allowed eat or drink, or listen to loud music. Makes for a very enjoyable ride.

The lobby and bar inside the Radisson Blu, Basel, Switzerland.

Our room was located on the fourth floor, we were very comfortable during our stay.

Loved the feather blankets that were provided.

Very modern carpet.

The step over the bath tub was so tall compared to my tub at home.

After we checked in and got settled, a short time later we were scheduled for a walk around Basel. This was one of the first sights in Basel that took my breath away.

This Christmas pyramid slowly rotating with lights aglow inside the Maktplaz was the first sight I saw entering my first Christmas market. I was fascinated with the market and couldn't wait to visit the rest of the markets.