August 13, 2013

Touring with Swiss Miss Mrs.

Ya gotta love Switzerland! The beautiful Swiss Alps dominate the landscape while music box/cuckoo clock shaped houses dot the neat as a pin, unlittered scenery. And of course, there is the Chocolate! :o) Being an old movie buff, the films The Sound of Music, Heidi, The Eiger Sanction, The Pink Panther, James Bond, even I Love Lucy (Remember the episode “Lucy in the Swiss Alps”? Albeit, this “Lucy” was filmed on a Desilu Hollywood stage, not in Lucerne.) came to mind as Dale and I enjoyed two days in beautiful Switzerland. This locale steals the show on screen, and in person, this place does not disappoint!

Lucerne was home base for our mini-vacation, being blessed with a picture post card view from our hotel room window. Walking around the lakeside area was a delight our first evening in town. Sidewalk cafes abound, and there was a laid back energy as tourists and locals mingled, dined, and took in the local beauty.

Setting out early the next morning, Dale and I headed toward the Eiger, the mountain of Clint Eastwood’s Eiger Sanction fame. Along the way, stopping in Interlaken, we stumbled upon a wonderful breakfast brunch at the Victoria-Jungfrau Hotel. The mountain view from the pretty enclosed terrace was a preview of the wonderful views to come.

It was on to Grindelwald. After purchasing train tickets ($150 each!), we boarded the train to take us to the “Top of Europe”.

As we ascended the mountains, in every direction, was a new and picturesque scene to behold. After a train switch in Kleine Scheidegg, we “climbed” to the Eiger’s mountaintop, often traveling through the mountain via tunnels. Upon arriving above, we took in the unrivaled, breathtaking views, fresh alpine air (breathtaking-air, get the pun?:o)), and wandered inside the ice palace (rooms made entirely of ice). We rubbed elbows with tourists from all locales, even briefly meeting fellow Americans from New Hampshire, and an extended family of 5 from Beijing, China.

Returning to Kleine Scheidegg, Dale and I enjoyed lunch on the deck of the Restaurant Eigernordwand. We were treated to views of idyllic cows, complete with cowbells (I JUST have to say it, “I gotta have more cowbell!” *) grazing in the shadow of the awe-inspiring Bernise Alps, while dining on a Swiss meal of cheese fondue, and delicious local-made chocolate ice cream. Upon leaving the restaurant, I saw my first Edelweiss up close. (Are you now humming Sound of Music’s Edelweiss song? :o)) I was more than a little surprised to see that the plant was of a fuzzy/wooly nature! The flower was not white, either, as it was not fully developed. It was green and furry!

Thank you for allowing me to share some of the highlights of our Switzerland excursion. It was a good trip. :o)

Photos are included below.

In honor of the Swiss’s chocolate expertise, I have included the yummy hot chocolate recipe that I used to use when teaching pre-school cooking classes. See below. Enjoy!

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Thanks for reading! :o)

Annette

I viewed this hilarious skit on my computer, and you can too!
*Click on the link (or you may have to copy and paste the link) below to view, the “More Cowbell” skit,
From Saturday Night Live, April 8, 2000.
click here, or http://vimeo.com/91715361

Fun Fact for ya-Two cups of cocoa a day may help retain memory, and sharp thinking, according to new studies. http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2013/08/07/Two-cups-of-cocoa-a-day-may-help-retain-memory-sharp-thinking/UPI-70811375928703/#ixzz2bpVJ2A9Z

Best Hot Cocoa Mix

Spoonful.com/recipes/best-hot-cocoa-mix

The secret ingredient in this mix is the mini chocolate chip!

The recipe makes enough for three-four portions.

(Add later, if like-

Mini marshmallows, and

Candy cane/peppermint sticks for stirring)

1. Measure all ingredients into a mixing bowl (except marshmallows and candy) and whisk them until they are evenly blended.

2. Store the mix in a tightly covered container at room temperature until you’re ready to use. Makes about 4 cups of mix.

3. Instructions: Spoon 3 or 4 generous tablespoons of cocoa mix into your cup (depending on the size), add boiling water, and stir well.

4. Add mini marshmallows, and peppermint stick, if desired.

Photos below:

• Photo of me on the deck of our hotel in Lucerne.

• Houses of the Swiss countryside

• The photo of Dale and me was taken by New Hampshire tourists

• The Ice Palace

• Enjoying fondue and views from Restaurant Eigernordwand

• Swiss countryside
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