I am so happy that I have the opportunity to be a part of a beekeeping class offered by the beekeeping club of Konstanz. Yesterday afternoon was my second class so I have a lot to catch you up on. But first, a little bit of Greek Mythology which our instructor shared during our first class. Did you know that Zeus, the god of the sky and the ruler of the gods, was raised on honey? The story goes that Cronus, the father of Zeus, ate each of his children after they were born as he feared that they would overthrow...

Paris is one of my favorite hobbies, if a city can be a hobby. But why not?! Thus, I love discovering new places to add to my ever-growing "must-see" list of things to see and do in the City of Light. My latest discovery makes me want to grab a sketch block, buy some paint and head straight to the banks of the river Seine to capture that light. Just take a look at this video and you'll know what I mean.       The Impressionists emphasized the effects of light in their paintings. Because of their lightness and transparence,...

Fall is all about preserving Summer! Thus far, I have harvested the remainder of my tomatoes and canned pasta sauce, harvested my cucumbers and made the best refrigerator pickles ever and now I've finished canning the last of my jalapeños and habaneros from the garden. For those of you who are in need of a little extra spice in your life, this recipe is for you!     Here's what you need: 4 cups white vinegar 1 1/3 cups water 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 tsp. salt 1 1/2 lbs. chiles cut into slices 8 garlic cloves     After...

It's back to school this week in Southern Germany. I want to get everyone out of the house on time and the kids want a yummy breakfast. Enter refrigerator oatmeal. Just mix the ingredients of your choice in a pretty recycled Weck jar, leave them in the refrigerator overnight and grab a spoon the next morning. If you're really in a hurry, you can even make it a grab-and-go breakfast. Packed with nutrition, high in protein, calcium and fiber; low in fat and sugar; Get your day off to a healthy and stress-free start!    To start, mix the following...

The idea of sealing one's words of love with a wax seal so as to ensure that only the recepient knows of your passion is oh so very romantic, don't you think?    Wax seals date back to the Middle Ages and were originally made using 2/3 beeswax and 1/3 resin. The wax was pressed using a handheld seal or a signet ring. Such a ring was possessed only by aristrocrcy and church leaders. The pope used a signet ring called the "Ring of the Fisherman" to seal papal papers and personal correspondence up until 1842. Even now, a new Fisherman ring...