Brownie’s Brownies: A love gift of joy
This Christmas, in the spirit of giving, I want to bless you by sharing our recipe for Brownie’s Brownies. You’ll find it at the end of this post.
Christmas 1934: One family’s very “un-Merry” Christmas
This story reveals how one Australian family experienced Christmas in the year 1934. All of the family’s preparations for Christmas that year came to nought. For this family, Christmas 1934 was long remembered as a very “un-Merry” Christmas. NOTE: A … Read More
Defying winter in Germany: Plants, culture, new life
We arrived in Germany on Tuesday 21 December. It was wintertime. When my husband Tony and I left Brisbane, the temperature was 32 degrees Celsius; when we arrived in Frankfurt am Main, 24 hours later, the temperature was -2 degrees … Read More
Betty’s Jelly Slice: Delight your guests this Christmas
This Christmas, I’m making Betty’s Jelly Slice as a special treat for my family and friends. It’s colourful (fitting for the season), melt-in-your-mouth delicious and (most importantly) super-easy to prepare. If you have been following my blog, you may remember … Read More
The wonder of Christmas in Vienna
Fourteen years ago my husband Tony and I spent Christmas in Vienna. We travelled from Brisbane, Australia, to spend Christmas with our son who lived in Vienna at the time. It was my first visit to Europe and my first … Read More
Vanillekipferl: Austrian Christmas Biscuits
Vanillekipferl, or Vanilla Crescents, are among the many traditional festive biscuits baked each year at Christmastime by home cooks in Austria, Germany and a number of other European countries. For most families in these countries, Vanillekipferl are an essential part … Read More
Christmas in outback Queensland
Have you ever wondered how people in outback Queensland prepare for Christmas? How do they decorate their streets, buildings and homes, and with what? Where can they do their Christmas shopping? How and where do they worship? What is special … Read More
Weihnachten: Christmas in Germany
Advent traditions, Christmas markets, traditional German Christmas food, Christmas trees, stars and nativity scenes, Christmas Eve celebrations … and the cold! These are the things I remember most about Weihnachten, Christmas in Germany. At Christmastime in 2015 my husband Tony … Read More
Zimtsterne (“Cinnamon Stars”)
In 2015, while visiting my family in Germany, I learnt how to make Zimtsterne, that is, Cinnamon Stars. Zimtsterne are traditional German Christmas biscuits sold at Christmas markets and in grocery stores in Germany, Austria and Switzerland during Advent, the … Read More
Almond Bread (Biscotti)
Almond Bread is one of my favourite Christmas sweets. I have been making it for years, to give to friends and family as a special Christmas treat. The notation on my Almond Bread gift cards reads:“Serve just one slice with … Read More
Christmas cake Aussie-style
A Christmas cake has always been an essential part of my family’s Christmas fare. The cake is usually prepared and baked 4-5 weeks before Christmas and stored in an air-tight container in a cool dry place until its grand appearance … Read More
24 Hours in Dubrovnik (Part 1)
My husband and I visited Croatia in mid-December 2004. It was my first visit, but not so for Tony. He was returning to his homeland after an absence of more than 40 years! Having just 7 days to spend visiting … Read More
