Where others come for vacation...
where others come for vacation ...

Well.. let me correct that.

Branches + hours and hours of heavyduty-manual-labor + Time = Firewood

The last of the Snow has melted for about a week now, so it's a good time to get the cleanup work started on the branches from our fallen trees. As someone said "In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt."

For the ignoramus amongst us (including me), here's how to --

  1. Pick-up a branch, Sickle away all the leaves and other limbs, Stack -- Repeat till all branches are clean.
  2. Stack bunches of clean branches on "Sawbuck Stand" (A frame for holding rough wood to be sawed into lengths suitable for use in a fireplace) -- watch while your husband uses his Motorsaw to cut them to 1m long pieces-- Load cut logs on a wheel barrow.
  3. Roll wheel barrow to the Wood Stack -- Unload -- Stack logs onto the Stack.
  4. Repeat Steps 2,3 above till all logs are stacked.
  5. Cover the Stack with a Tarp. Secure Tarp. 
  6. Collect smaller lengths from step 2 above -- Carry up the steps to the entrance -- Make another stack of "Starter firewood" -- Repeat.

Is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.... kiss

Read more: Hanging out with Skylar -- Mar 27

Read more: Hanging out with Skylar -- Mar 27

Read more: Hanging out with Skylar -- Mar 27

 

Jolanda's father (Paul) has visited South-India a couple of times. He's a foodie fascinated by Indian cuisine, so for his Birthday, she surprises him a with "Father-Daughter Ayurvedic South Indian Cooking Class" at her apartment in Kriens.

I pack a couple of pans (especially the Tadka pan.. hard to find those in a Swiss household), all the ingredients, his favourite veggies, fresh herbs and carry it to the car. It's still cold, but thankfully there's no Snow, so it's relatively easy to walk down with all the stuff.

About 45 minutes later, I ring her doorbell. Jolanda and Paul greet me with a Namaste. They're both eagerly looking forward to cook vegetarian, gluten free - South Indian food. I start with an introduction to the Spices, delving a bit into traditional South-Indian cooking with all its characteristic flavours of coconut, curry leaves and mustard seeds and then to the detailed recipes. Soon the sounds of chopping, washing, roasting, steaming and sizzling fill the Kitchen. We can barely hear the Indian Classical music playing in the background. With 7 dishes to cook and all 3 of us working ambidextrously, the 4 burner stove can hardly keep up.. 

Read more: #Sunset -- Mar 21