Packaging Pleasure: Podpiwek

There's a Polish grocer not too far from me that sells all sorts of delightful specialty products, including sour cherries in jars, poppyseed filling for pastries, and various hard-to-find grains. They also carry Podpiwek, a mixture of dried beets, barley, chicory root, sugar, and hops.

Yes, I bought it because of the package. I'm a sucker for the retro look, and this has definitely got that 1950s-does-16th-century aesthetic. (And if you love that look, check out this nifty vintage paper bag I found in an old hat!)

This is what the contents look like:

Since it has chicory root, I kind of assumed it was a replacement for coffee, so I brewed myself up a cup.

That was a mistake.

This stuff is actually used to make a weak, 3- to 5-day-old beer. Of course if I had noticed that the man on the front is holding a mug of frothing beer, I could have saved myself an unpleasant experience.

Tangee Lipstick Review

When's the last time you treated yourself to a new tube of lipstick? Many economists and social scientists have noticed a trend dating back to the Great Depression that during tough economic times, cosmetic sales tend to increase. The explanations for this noteworthy phenomenon range from insightful to outright fanciful, but generally it is believed women strapped for cash will splurge on a new shade for their lips rather than more expensive items like a new dress.

At almost $15 a tube, I wouldn't say Tangee is the cheapest lipstick around, but given the brand has been around for almost a century, its formula virtually unchanged during that time, I thought a vintage-loving gal like me should pick up a tube, regardless of the state of the economy.

Tangee's fame lies in its unusual color-changing characteristic, hence the motto "The Lipstick That Changes Color to Become Uniquely Your Own". In short, this vibrant orange gloss-like lipstick turns an elegant shade of red with a hint of purple within seconds of applying it to your lips.

How does this happen?

Recipe: Strawberry Chutney

Strawberry season has come and (largely) passed, and while you can still spot some of those heavenly red berries in the supermarket, the ubiquitous stands offering crates of them at discount prices have long disappeared.

One day in recent weeks I came home with more strawberries than I could put in my morning müsli, make into jam, or mash up for dessert, so I decided to adapt a chutney recipe I had lying around.

Hausfrau's Strawberry Chutney

• 2 cups of strawberries
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 chopped apple
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seed
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• a spritz of lemon juice

Mix ingredients together and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for about an hour or until the mixture becomes thick. Stir occasionally to prevent the chutney from burning to the bottom of the pan. Break up larger chunks by mashing the mixture ever so slightly, but do not make a homogenous pulp!

In the end you will be rewarded with a condiment that infuses your mouth with a bevvy of flavors: sweet, sour, spicy, tangy...

Mmmmmmmmm!

As I was titillating my mouth with a spoonful of this red ambrosia, I looked out the window and spied a Long-Tailed Tit feasting on the little insects that sit on the undersides of the leaves in our cherry tree.

Aegithalos caudatus, or "Schwanzmeise"

"Mahlzeit!"

DIY flavored water: a no-calorie summer delight

 

Treasured readers, don't you feel that sometimes that you need a breather, a break from the usual? The last month I took a little respite from some of my hobbies, just for a change, just to recharge my batteries...hence the lack of posts since May 24th!

Speaking of feeling refreshed, here are some ideas for calorie-free flavored water I concocted this last week. Each one of these is best enjoyed sipped from a tall glass on a warm summer day.

Elderberry Flower Mint Water

The elderberry flowers give this beverage a pleasant floral note, while the mint leaves a most refreshing taste in your mouth.

Start by washing your elderberry flowers and sprigs of mint lightly in some cold water. Combine these with some fresh, non-carbonated water in a bowl, jar, or pitcher. In the picture above I have about a liter/quart of water. Let sit a few hours or (preferably) overnight in the refrigerator for optimal flavor.

Since four types of mint grow in my garden, I like to experiment with different combinations since each variety has its own flavor. If elderberry flowers are out of season, try experimenting with adding rose petals or even rose water for an unusual taste combination.

Ginger Mint Water

This variation heats the tongue with the zing of freshly-pressed ginger root while simultaneously cooling it off with a blast of fresh mint. Wash the mint sprigs and combine with water. Cut of a slice of ginger root and crush it with the side of a knife or in a garlic press. Add to the water and stir. Let sit for at least a few hours so the water is imbued with the mint flavor.

Cucumber Water

Cucumber water has a surprisingly calming and cooling effect. For a beverage with a mild hint of cucumber, place a few slices in the water and let sit for at least an hour.

For a variation that delivers a strong punch of cucumber flavor, grate the cucumber and press out the juices. Add them to the water and stir thoroughly.

The possibilities for homemade flavored water are limited only by your imagination!

How to make a watering can for free

A while ago when I was browsing through Pinterest, I came across an image showing an ingenious way to make a watering can of sorts from a regular bottle with a plastic lid.

This idea intrigued me, so I decided to give it a try. Plus I figured that I could then finally retire my teapot from as my current watering can of choice. (Yes, I know…)

Here's how I did it:

Sundry Items

Top to Bottom:

"Weck" canning jars in the sun
...a fond summer memory

Retro-styled grocery wrapping paper
...like going back in time

Lace on shelves
...a lovely touch

"Mein grösstes Glück, mein grösste Freud' ist meine stille Häuslichkeit"

...very sweet, but I like other things, too!

 The "Swiftsure", British Vacuum Washer Co., Islington, Liverpool

...I own a handy version in blue plastic

Proud peacock

...showing off for the ladies

Ephemeral forsythia

...soon to be gone

Recipe: Cocoa Plum Millet with Marzipan

Today I want to share a very special, mouthwatering recipe with you. You can cook it up in about 15 minutes, and the preparation time is minimal. In the last few years I've had several occasions to cook up a batch for guests, and every time I am overwhelmed with compliments on the taste and texture of this dish.

Since I learned to cook using imperial measurements, that's how I continue to write all my recipes down, regardless of their origin. Someone in Germany (forgot who!) taught me how to make this dish around 10 years ago. The version below is one I settled on after many trials and tweaks. You may need to change the amounts I give according to your ingredients and preferences.

Hausfrau's Cocoa Plum Millet with Marzipan

• 1 cup millet
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 t salt (to taste)
• 1/2 cup canned plums, chopped into pieces
• 1/2 cup plum juice
• 2 teaspoons real cocoa powder (or more, depending on type and preference)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (I prefer the Vietnamese kind)
• 1/3 cup marzipan, chopped into little cubes
• apple sauce
• cinnamon sugar

In a saucepan or small pot, add millet, water, and salt. Bring to a boil and cook on low heat for 10 minutes, being careful not to stir until the water starts to boil. When the water is mostly absorbed, add cocoa, cinnamon, plum juice and plum pieces. Stir gently.* Add marzipan bits. Stir gently again. Cover and let sit 5 minutes. Serve with applesauce and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.

*Stirring carefully ensures that the cooked millet does not disintegrate.

Makes 2 to 3 servings

♥
Enjoy!

Budding love

This bouquet of tulips started out as a bundle of unassuming yellow and orange buds. Now that all have opened up, I have finally discovered the secret they had been hiding inside their petals!

Since the yellow tulips had a rather plain petal shape, I combined them with a two-toned variety that has fancy, frilled petals. The latter remind me somewhat of some tiger lilies I've seen.

Perfume bombs for your closet

Just the slightest hint of perfume can be ever so alluring. Here's is a trick you can use to imbue your clothes with a subtle scent that is attractive without being overwhelming:

Germglish - Knox incense cones

Knox Räucherkerzchen

Today I came across this box of Knox incense cones while putting away the Christmas decorations. Here's the warning printed on the side:

"Smelling smoke candle ignite on the top and put in a smoke man or on another fireproof pad glow. Only employ below supervision! Caution, very hot!"

Funny thing is, once you're high on incense fumes, it starts to make sense.

It's time for a new timer

The other day I was shopping at Galeria Kaufhof (a German department store), browsing through the kitchen section for shiny red appliances when I came across a most curious gadget: a kitchen timer by Zassenhaus. The bright enamel housing and the clean design of the face was enough to draw me in, but what really sealed the deal for me was the fact that this timer uses no batteries at all.

The picture on the packaging is for a 60-minute timer with a slightly different face, but the innards are probably identical with the model I bought.

The way it works is you turn the polished metal ring clockwise until the red hand reaches the 55-minute mark. Then turn it back (counterclockwise) to your desired length of time. The winding action creates enough tension in an embedded spring to set off a loud metal bell for about 4 to 5 seconds once the time is up. The sound reminds me of the old-fashioned school bells I used to hear as a child whenever school was out.

Don't they look like candy?
source

These delightful little things come in many bright enamel colors as well as stainless steel, and their size (about a handwidth) is practical as well. You will need a metal surface such as a refrigerator door to place it on, since it only attaches with a magnet on its back.

Now the cons: you have to use both hands as the magnet is not quite strong enough to hold the body in place while you wind up the timer. Also, if you happen to be two rooms away and have the doors between you and the timer closed, you might not hear the bell, although I've personally found the length and volume to be sufficient for normal everyday use in my household. And finally, if you need a timer that can handle times above an hour, this may not be the one for you.

Overall I am absolutely delighted with this purchase and have ended up buying a half a dozen as presents for friends and family.

The manufacturer, Zassenhaus, is a German company most famous for its spice and coffee mills, which they have been producing since the mid-19th century. So far I have only found these timers on German retail sites, with the exception of one Australian company which imports kitchen accessories from Europe.

Zassenhaus product page:
http://www.zassenhaus.com/index.php?i=375

From the German Amazon site:
http://www.zassenhaus.com/index.php?i=375

From Chef's Greatest, an Australian kitchen products retailer:
http://www.chefsgreatest.com/ZASSENHAUS-Timer-Speed

Welcome to the Hausfrau Journal!

Herzlich Willkommen!

I am just an ordinary young Hausfrau with a passion for old things and ideas, an endless curiosity about the past, and bright hope for our future. Come with me as I share my everyday delights (often with a "German accent") in the hope that they will enlighten you and fill your heart with happiness.

While I am inspired by the many talented writers working on similar blogs, my main motivation comes from my mother's teaching that each person has something interesting to share. Since I have always loved the stories told to me by my elders, perusing antique stores, and learning about life from past eras, it is natural to want to share my enthusiasm for all things vintage with like-minded individuals.

Each of you will come away with something different from my entries, be it inspiration, nostalgia, or curiosity, so I welcome you to share your thoughts with me and all the other readers.

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