<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[MiaDeRoca Magazine for Alpine Lifestyle]]></title><description><![CDATA[Articles]]></description><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/</link><copyright><![CDATA[Copyright MiaDeRoca Magazine for Alpine Lifestyle]]></copyright><generator>sNews CMS</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Calendar Sheet October 2010]]></title><description><![CDATA[  The calendar sheet for October is all about Alpine festivities, harvest festivals and fairgrounds. The best known and biggest annual fair of al is the so called "Oktoberfest", the October party in Munich. As you can see in our calendar sheets, only a small bit of the whole event takes place in October, the Oktoberfest already starts mid of September. But enough subtlety, there are plenty of possibilities to find some heart-shaped ginger bread in October. These "Lebkuchenherzen" were supposed to be bought by a young chap to give it to a young lady, with messages like "Be mine" - "You are the best" and of course sweet nick names like "Darling" - "Spatzl" or even "Little Witch". Nowadays one can give these hearts as a give to the one you like, your wonderful daughter, to your father or even to yourself.  
      
  Calendar Sheet October, printable    
  The calendar sheet for October has a picture of Gingerbread-Hearts and all weekdays, the number of the calendar week and enough space to fill in your own important dates, birthdays and other things to remember. With this one sheet calendar you have everything at sight from the 1st to the 31st of October.  
    Calendar October 2010   (pdf, click to open)  




  &nbsp;  
  
  October: celebrate outside before winter starts: inspirations of the MiaDeRoca Shop  
            Hearts with Messages for baking, gingerbread or cookies    

            Orange-Pink Felt Bag with Heart as Shoulder Bag or Hip Bag    

            Charm with Heart and Beer Mug, for Mobiles, Smartphones, or Handbags    
    
  ]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:47:05 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/calendar-sheets/calendar-sheet-october-2010/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/calendar-sheets/calendar-sheet-october-2010/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rainy Days 2: Watching Alpine Movies]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Our second part of "Things To Do for Rainy Days" has some things for Grown-ups and Children. If the sky is all gray and its raining cats, dogs and goats, then you have to stay inside to spend your precious free time.  
  Many take their laptop or notebook with them when they are travelling. Maybe it is to finish some work that was not completed the days before the vacation started, or to regularly check their e-mails.  
  If your portable PC or Mac has a DVD-Slot, then grab some movies for your holidays and if it might be a little wet and cold outside you can watch the Alps in technicolor in your hotel, caravan or pension.  

  Movie recommendations for the whole family:  
  The Sound of Music  
  Family Trapp attracts many tourists to come to the city of Salzburg, although they don't live there anymore- All because of a musical and its film with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer from 1965.  
  Baron von Trapp, father of seven children (Rupert, Agathe, Maria, Werner, Hedwig, Johanna, and Martina - in the movie they have different names: Liesl, Friedrich, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta, and Gretl) is searching for a governess. Maria, young postulant at the Abbey Nonnberg, is chosen for this job. Maria brings music to this family and does not only conquer the heart of the children. The film is located in Salzburg, at the time where National Socialsts take over power in Germany and Austria. At the end of the movie the family (Maria now married to Baron von Trapp) is able to escape to Switzerland. All songs are in English, the song Edelweiss is not the national anthem of Austria, Maria likes to eat Schnitzel with Noodles (a combination you don't eat in Austria), some of the geographic hints don't meet reality. When the family escapes they go to the mountain Untersberg which in reality is close to the city of Salzburg, having parts of it in Austria, others in Germany - in the movie they say they are going to Swiztlerand, what would be in fact another direction. But it is just a movie. It has nice sceneries and a lot of sunshine, people from Salzburg living abroad might want to watch these.  For all who are travelling to Salzburg: you can visit some of the locations of the movies. The villa in the movie is at the little lake in Leopoldskron, the Abbey Nonnberg, does exist right at the mountain where the fortress of Salzburg is, the wedding took place in Mondsee and the gazebo ("I am 16..."), which was built for the movie is now located in Hellbrunn.  

  Heidi  
  Either the animated version or the movie with real persons, Heidi is a nice story to watch. Okay, one part of the story takes place in Frankfurt, but this is the part which is the least pleasant, Heidi is still the perfect Alpine vacation movie. Even if you don't spend your holidays in Switzerland in the so called Heidi land, you can see lots of idyllic Alpine scenery in the movie and see the tough and heart warming Alpine life they are living.  

  Movie recommendations for Grown-Ups:  
  "Schlafes Bruder" - Brother of Sleep (1995)  
  It might be a bit difficult to get hold of this movie in the English speaking world, but it is definitely worth it. Before the movie was made, the book by Robert Schneider has been release and it is an amazing read, an estranged, old-fashioned use of the language that gets you deep into this strange but fascinating story.  
  The film about a boy, a genius with an exceptional sense of hearing, in a far-way mountain village. The story is located in Vorarlberg, a province in the west of Austria. The whole complex story can't be told in a movie, but the film does very well in showing the most important scenes and is liked by people who did read the book and those who didn't know it. The director of the movie is Joseph Vilsmaier.  

  Piefke-Saga  
  The last recommendation for Grown-Ups is a mini TV-series that might not be available in English translation or with English subtitles. Felix Mitterer wrote the screen play. From the first screening on Austrian TV this series was highly discussed, angry German tourists and furious tourism managers. Piefke Saga makes fun of Alpine Tourism, especial mass tourism with traditional "dancing events" in the evening and country style fashion. We all know that you can't find old-fashioned pure life and tradition  in luxurious giant hotels and tourist ghettos. Back in the 90ies this TV films where highly contested, the clichees are still mean and amazing in their irony. This is a film for all who have a great sense of humour, who love sarcasm and irony. The Saga is located in the Tyrol in a pittoresque valley called Zillertal. For all who never heard the term "Piefke" - in Austria (and Bavaria) it is a swear word for North Germans. There are four parts to form the saga (1990 - 1993), part 1-3 are satirical, part 4 is quite absurd and grotesque, even carnivalesque.  

  You can get along quite well on rainy days if you have an alternative programme to hiking and sight seeing, for kids something to craft and draw might be fun, for the whole family and Grown-Ups games and card games help you to wait for the sun to appear. Here you can read part one of our rainy days recommendations.  
  



  
  Regenwetterprogramm: da braucht es auch Spiele und Beschäftigung aus dem MiaDeRoca Onlineshop:  
 
            Do-It-Yourself Set: swinging striped felt bag    

            Funny Colouring Book by Designer Peggy Nill    

            Funny Card Game with Stag and Fox    

    
  ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:28:07 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/for-children/rainy-days-2-watching-alpine-movies/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/for-children/rainy-days-2-watching-alpine-movies/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Calender Sheet September 2010]]></title><description><![CDATA[  We love monthly calendar sheets with photos and pictures full of atmosphere for every month another one. Starting September 2010 we will offer such calendar sheets for all MiaDeRoca fans.  
  The month of September is the time when autumn starts to make its appearance. The fresh green meadow are filled with dry grasses, the leaves on the trees start to change colour. September is the time for harvest, that is a busy time, but looking at the crops and ripe fruits one knows where all the work load is going to and it is more then worth it.  
      
  Calendar September for printing    
  In September we decalcify the kettle, the summer teas and ice teas get some space in the back of the drawer and all those cosy well feeling teas conquer the first row. When we sip tea, we read a book, cuddle at the sofa and take one of the warm woollen blankets.  
  On the September sheet of the MiaDeRoca calendar you see one of our nice and warm blankets. It is a crochet blanket made of the sheep wool we have on offer in our shop. This great blanket in shades of breen, blue and brown has been draped on a stump, crinkly autumn foliage on the ground. To read, sip tea and have a nice blanket does not only work on the couch. On warm &quot;  Altweibersommer  &quot; and early autumn days you can spend the days perfectly fine in the garden or in a park equipped with tea, book and blanket. September offers a great many possibilities to fill yourself with many colour impressions, be it ripening fruits, great autumn flowers or coloured forests and a usually stunningly blue sky.  
  We did make remarks for important dates: like the start of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany on September 18th, and for all who like it smaller and traditional as wll: the so called Rupertikirtag in Salzburg, Austria. Rupertikirtag (22nd - 26th of September 2010) takes place around the cathedral the Dom.  

    Calendar September 2010   (pdf, click to open)  

  
  Start nice and cosy into september with fine stuff from MiaDeRoca Shop:  
            Pure Wool for Crochet and Knitting, in cold colours    

            Exclusive Roe Buck Cup, handmade and unique    

            Cookie Cutters for September: Cloud and Umbrella    
    
  
]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:39:44 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/calendar-sheets/calender-sheet-september-2010/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/calendar-sheets/calender-sheet-september-2010/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rabbit Serviette Ring]]></title><description><![CDATA[  We not only like to celebrate Easter and other festivities, we love to do crafts and crafty stuff with children on these very special occasions. Be it friends of your own children, some kids from the neighbourhood or relatives and friends, soon a big bunch of young craftistas will be around your table.  
  
This crafty how to is especially for Easter table decoration and children love to be part of your Easter preparations  
       Download the template of the serviette rings (the picture shows the German version, the link points to an Enlish translation, the pictures are identical)    
  Serviette rings with sweet rabbit heads or Easter bunny heads or perfect for paschal mood.  
  
  That's what you need:    
scissors  
colouring pencils, water colours or felt pens  
glue  
thick paper, thin cardboard or coloured drawing paper  
paper clips  
print out the template (find link below)  
  
How to:  
Colour the template. Its best to let kids draw what they like, be it striped, tabby or dotted Easter Bunnies. As Easter is a spring feast it can be very colourful.  
  
Cut out the coloured bunny heads.  
Cut out stripes of the thick paper, 12cm in length and 2cm in width usually works fine - it depends on the kind of serviettes or napkins you are using. Form rings out of the stripes and glue them. You might want to fix the rings with paper clips. When the glue is hardened glue the bunny heads on the rings, let dry.  
  
Ready is your very individual Easter table decoration!  

  
  Easter Bunny Serviette Rings Template   (pdf, click to open)
    
Those who like a dash of green on their Easter table, make some   cress eggs   you can even use them as name card holders.  
  
We from MiaDeRoca wish Happy Easter!    

  
  Get into Spring Mood with colourful products from MiaDeRoca Webshop:  
            Practical small case with Hare    

            Spring Time Cookie Cutters with rabbit, hare, butterfly and flower    

            Funny Butterfly Earrings    
    
  ]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 03 Apr 2010 17:08:29 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/for-children/rabbit-serviette-ring/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/for-children/rabbit-serviette-ring/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Win Laptop Cover and Much more]]></title><description><![CDATA[  A great year 2009 has passed for MiaDeRoca and our wonderful webshop. This is the perfect time to say THANK YOU.  
We thank all our customers and supporters with some lovely give aways: woolly warming things for your digital devices: Laptop Sleeve, Macbook Cover, Netbook Case or iPhone sock.  

         MiaDeRoca raffle: A basket full of crochet loveliness for your digital devices    

 


    Prize 1:     
a   laptop-, netbook- or cell phone sleeve   as you like,   individually made for you  .  
  
about the first prize:  
If you win this prize you get for your preferred digital device an especially for you handmade cover in the wool colours you like. You can choose between all colours of wool, which we offer in our   shop  .  
Wonderful wool creations which are produced in the MiaDeRoca workshop can be viewed   here  .    



    Prizes 2-11  : one of the lovely covers you see in the pictures,

         MiaDeRoca sweepstake: prize 2 notebook cover in granny square style    


choose on of these: a green and violet   laptop cover    
height 37cm, width 31cm, depth 2 cm,  
The laptop sleeve consists of squares in granny style. We used the following wool colours: violet, mauve, lilac, dark green, light green and pink.          


         MiaDeRoca lottery: prize 3-4: cozy covers for netbooks    
  2   netbook sleeves   in "wonky waves" look.  
The smaller cover measures 25x17x3cm, it features wonky-waves in dark-grey, mauve, dark blue and jeans blue.  
The bigger netbook sleeve is vivid in carnival colours. With this cover you can find your netbook in the deepest depths of your bag or rucksack, measuring: 28x18x3cm          


         MiaDeRoca raffle: prize 5-8 cases for Nintendo DS, digi cam or navigation system purses for smaller digital devices    
  4   cozys for smaller technical gadgets   be it Nintendo DS, Playstation Portable, navigation system or digital camera. Four different styles are available: one cover in subtle black an white, fine vintage-style. Gorgeous ist the flower closure of the brown and dark-red cozy. The third is a blue mottled jeans blue light green Nintendo DS cover with fabric covered button. Last but not least we have a candy colour sock, which even could hold a Playstation Portable.      
    

         MiaDeRoca give away: prize 9-11 Socks for mobile phones and covers for smartphones    
    3 cell phone covers  : once stripped (11x5x1cm), the second- one is featuring granny squares and stripes (12x7x0,8cm), the third smartphone cover is all red and yellow with wonky waves (11,5x6x1cm) - especially the second and third cover are very well to use for iPhone and others.           

  All crocheted covers can be stretched, especially the models "wonky waves" can stretch to more than 10% of their length and width. All products in this raffle are 100% new pure wool, some 100% Merino wool, but all with high percentage of merino wool. You can wash all covers up to 30degrees C in the washing machine. All Covers and sleeves are produced in an animal-free and allergen reduced atmosphere.    

    Participation:    
Write a commentary and tell us which one of the covers or sleeves of the prizes 2-11 you would like.  
Remeber to add your e-mail address or another possibility for contact in case you are one of the lucky winners - or just pass by again on the 15th of February.  
The winners will be announced on our   MiaDeRoca facebook page  .  
  
Take part   until February 14th   midnight. On February 15th we will draw the winners.  

  No cash alternative to any prize. Any recourse to courts of law is excluded.     

  For those who don't want to wait until the drawing: the DIY-set for the digi-bags wonky waves can be bought at our   onlinestore  .    ]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:42:02 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/give-aways/win-laptop-cover-and-much-more/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/give-aways/win-laptop-cover-and-much-more/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Salt Dough Christmas Decoration]]></title><description><![CDATA[Salt dough is a great modelling clay, which can be prepared quickly and easy at home. What is perfect about it: it is nontoxic and can therefore be used by the little ones at well and you all can enjoy crafty Christmas preparations. The basic dough consists of two parts of flour, one part salt and water.       Kids can easily roll the salt dough        

Take your preferred pastry cutters, a pint roll and your are ready to produce lovely Christmas decoration.      

For our Christmas tree decorations we used this portion of Salt Dough:    
  Salt Dough Recipe  :   
  2 cups of flour  
1 cup of salt  
about a cup of water,  
some cinnamon for perfect Christmas mood,  
flour for the table  
         cut the salt dough with high quality stainless steel cutters    
It is easy as pie to mix the dough and you can leave this task to your kids. When the dough is ready I would suggest that everyone takes the amount of dough you wish to use, flatten it with the rolling pin (what can be done wonderfully with the blue children's rolling pin). When rolled properly take your cookie cutters and cut out the Christmas tree decoration.     
If you like you can directly cut out the tree decorations directly at the baking tray, so you don't have to move the dough when it is cut out. If the dough in the bowl gets to try while your are cutting or modelling, you can always add some water and mix it again.
         The readily baked salt dough tree decoration      
Don't forget: the tree decorations need little holes where you can put in some string to hang them later on - use e.g. a small knitting needle to make this hole.   
    
But the baking tray into the oven at 85 degrees Celsius. Leave them in half an hour for every 0.5cm - if your tree decorations are 1cm in height leave them in the oven for an hour. The salt dough is ready, when the objects are dry and sound as if they where hollow.   
          Colouring of our Salt Dough Angels, Saltdough Shoes, and of Course salt dough stags    
Take the tray out of the oven and let the salt figurines cool. You can paint them now or just cover them with varnish.  
        
Use a thin string, put it into the hole - and your tree decoration is finished, you can use them as gift tags as well or give them as present, these wonderfully handmade Christmas Decorations.
    
    
    
Have fun mixing, cutting, baking and decorating!          
      
  In our on-line shop you will find wonderful gifts, present and ideas for a great Christmas time:  
            Sweet pastry cutters: flying angel and angel head with wings    
            Sweet small rolling pin in sky blue    
            Great Antler Cookie Cutter for your very one twelve pointer    

    
    ]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:53:36 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/for-children/salt-dough-christmas-decoration/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/for-children/salt-dough-christmas-decoration/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Advent Calendar]]></title><description><![CDATA[An Advents Calendar has 24 doors or little gifts, for every day of December, from December first to 24th. 24 times of anticipation. We love Advent Calendars!  
  
Traditional Advent Calendars are made of cardboard, behind 24 doors you can find pictures and paintings with a Christmas theme.  
Meanwhile there is a big variety of Advent Calendars, be it whole buildings like the Viennese town hall or "living Advent calendars" with 24 different stations, where stories are told or songs are sung.  
           Yummy sweets to fill into your self made Advent calendar  
We do especially like individual Advent Calendars, selfmade calendars. These could be garlands with 24 small packages, or small cuboards with 24 boxes or sweet winter scenery. We have already made a countless number of advent calendars, some formed as an igloo with 24 paper rolls, in front claused with cotton wool, or a winter scenery with Nikolaus and Krampus and many firs - all to be filled. I have made Advent calendars in Spain (one in the shape of a sun flower) and I have made some in the US, wherever I spent a December I crafted one. Because, it is not only fun to get one, the preparation has a lot of pleasant anticipation and is the perfect way to get into this special Christmas-feeling.  
  
This year we made an Advent Calendar out of 24 sachets, all crocheted. The Calendar consists of crocheted stars, of course some snow men, small stockings, sweet parcels and four crochet candles.  
You can easily refill such an Advent Calendar and use it every year again. You can put the packets on a garland or make some kind of frame to carry time (like a wooden silhouette of a Christmas tree). You can as well arrange them on a nice Christmas platter, add some fir green and the mood it creates is perfect! You can as well add number from 1-24 onto the little packages, so one knows which surprise to open on December 6th.  
And what do we fill into our Advent Calendars?  
That differs depending upon who will receive the calendar. Small sweets and chocolates are never missing, furthermore we add little presents like magnets, for children some pretty pencils, for adults one  or the other poem, maybe a special gift coupon, small toys, slides, small packs of bath salt or special herbal or fruit teas.  
  
You can get the pattern of the Advent Calendar which you can see in the picture above at our online store. The digital step-by-step instructions can be printed out or read directly on the screen.  

  
  
  Imn our Online-Shop you will find great gift ideas and inspiration for your Christmas preparations:  
 
            Fashionable Biscuit Cutters Shoes and Dress    

            e-Book Instructions for a selfmade crochet Advent Calendar    

            Sweet Cookie Cutters Deer and Bambi    

    
      ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:33:34 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/for-children/the-advent-calendar/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/for-children/the-advent-calendar/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trip to Johannishögl, Bavaria]]></title><description><![CDATA[In many areas in and around the city of Salzburg you get a marvellous view of the mountains in the countryside of Salzburg. But also in the vicinity over the boarder to Bavaria, Germany, you have some beautiful hills and mountains which are worth a visit.  
       Kirche St. Joahnn am Joahnnishögl    
Today we want to present you a one of this secret places to go to when the weather is beautiful: the sky without clouds and a fantastic distant view. You will get a beautiful view on the city of Salzburg which is not as known.  
  
When your are in Gneis, a district in the south of the city of Salzburg and you are heading to Fürstenbrunn or Wals-Siezenheim, there is a shortcut cia Sternhofweg. This secret path leads you trough the former moors of the city of Salzburg around Moosstraße. Usually these streets are only used by locals. Driving on Sternhofweg looking to the opposite side of the fortress you see several hills, they are already part of Bavaria and the region of Piding. If the view is fine you see a little church on one of the hills. And as your see this little idyllic church one begins to wonder if the view from this church is as beautiful as it already is from this field in between Gneis and Moosstraße.  
  
Checking maps or using technical help it is easy to find your way. Even when you only check via Google Maps you can get orientation easily. Via car you need about 15mins, you can choose to drive with the bike, and in fact it is a pouplar biking route, but check the route as there are not many paths to cross the river Saalach.  
         Curious cattle that like to be petted and even stays calm for a MiaDeRoca picture. But don't mind, if you want to see them on your trip, there is a fence in between. "Look Daddy, ain't they sweeeet!" is what offsprings exclaim. The photographer rather thinks of Beef Tartar on buttered toast with egg salad as entrée and afterwards a Filet de Boeuf Bernaise and fresh asparagus. Some nice potatoes in butter to serve yourself. Yummy!  

Taking the car you have to head to Freilassing in Bavaria, take B155 to Bad Recihenhall. When entering Piding turn and take the panorama route into the forest.  
  
Once you leave the forest you are nearly there and soon the Gasthof Johannishögl, where you can park your car - we thank the owner when we take a rest after the walk and have a yummy lunch (monday closed).  
  
Beside the restaurant you find a church of John the Baptis.   
And there is where you have a great view of the city of Salzburg, when the weather is not too dizzy. Although it was a great autumn day, the air was too humid on our trip.  
  
Take the path left of the church, passing cows and apple trees, you see Tipis - but not for humans, but for crop. The "Sonnenalmgarten" a new permaculture project invites with guided tours every Saturday at 10 am and Sundays at 2 pm to give you insides into sustainable self-supply in yummy vegetables.           Nice resting places with a view of Salzburg (when it is not too dizzy)    
  
There are several other routes starting at the Johannishögl, you can as well had to Reiteralm, Neubichleralm or some other walking trails.  
  
Alltogether you can find at the Johannishögl a nice destination with great landscape, nice buildings and interesting view with delightful catering. It is a trip for the whole family, for the older ones, who want to walk a little, for the more sportive to turn a quick 3-7km round. And the small ones can play at the playing ground beside the restaurant.  
  
Mia says: A great trip to get an alternative view on Salzburg. Wait for great weather.


    
  
  In the MiaDeRoca Online-Store you find great and colourful accessories for autumn:  
 
            Exceptional Handmade Country Style Shoulder-Bag    

            Cute French Jute and Leather Pencil Case with Hare    

            Handmade Wool Felt Flower Rings in Green, Yellow, Blue or Pink    

    
    ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:40:56 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/travel-sightseeing-alps/trip-to-johannishoegl-bavaria/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/travel-sightseeing-alps/trip-to-johannishoegl-bavaria/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rainy days 1: in the internet]]></title><description><![CDATA[Finally summer arrived, we enjoyed the first warm days in the pool and some tasted lake temperatures, we ate strawberries and picked raspberries. For many children the best time of year starts: summer holidays. Several weeks tons of free time, time to look forward to swimming, making trips, playing in the garden on play grounds or some might even go to high rope courses and then, what to we get: rain, rain, rain.
  
We have to cancel the picnics, the walks or the trip to he lakeside and we have to look for acticities to spent the wet days. The MiaDeRoca magazine has asked its youngest members and gathered some good ideas. In part one we introduce you to the three best web tips for children:  
  
  Orisinal    
small, sweet flash fames for children, which can be enjoyed by grown-ups as well. Perfect in between games, who definitely help to better ones eye-mouse coordination. The concepts of the games are usually self-explanatory, explanations are in English.  
  http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/    
  
  Poisson Rouge    
At this platform you can choose between the languages French and English. Many of the simple games can be handled without a spoken or written word. The games usually don't have a goal, or even high scores, most of the time it is playing around with colours, shapes,, sounds. Very nice, very calming, perfectly played with headphones.   
For those who want to learn a language, be it English, French or Spanish, find playful ways to practice a little.  
  http://www.poissonrouge.com    
  
  Herb Garden    
If you can't be outside and enjoy nature, all the green and blooming, you can of course have some virtual nature at your computer. On the German Website of the little Medicus by Dietrich Groenemeyer you can find a herb spiral, where you can plant herbs. You can visit your herb spiral daily and check how your plants grow, you can pick some herb and flowers. With the additioanl information children can learn a lot about healing powers and taste of herbs - the information is only available in German, but that might be a good way to practice a little.  
  http://www.groenemeyer-medicus.de/    
  

    
  
  On-line you cannot only play, but of course shop, like in the MiaDeRoca Webshop:  
 
            Funny Breakfast Bowls with Gnome, Frogking, Toadstool    

            Biscuit Cutters Heidi, Peter and other Alpine motives    


            Nice Colourful Cutting Boards    

    
    ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2009 14:54:09 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/for-children/rainy-days-1-internet/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/for-children/rainy-days-1-internet/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Herb Spread]]></title><description><![CDATA[A freshly made spread of curd (Topfen or Quark) with some herbs is sometimes called spring spread. If you have some herbs in your garden or on the balcony and some milk products you can right away prepare this yummy, refreshing spread rich in vitamins for a nice "Brotzeit" (snack time). Yes this is another recipe for our popular series of snack recipes. And the surplus value: you know what is inside and it has far less calories then this usual cream cheese spreads.  
  
  You need  :  
250g of curd, Topfen or Quark - if you can't get any of that cottage cheese can be used as well  
125g sour cream or yoghurt  
chives  
parsley  
cress  
half an onion, chopped or spring onions or shallots  
  
Take as much of the herbs as you like, we use them finally chopped, but you can of course use a hand blender. Mix everything well, add salt and pepper.  
  
If you would like to have a "richer" version, add 1-2 tablespoons of mayonnaise.  
If you prefer it more tasty add 1-2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped  
  
Fresh herbs are not only rich in vitamins, parsley is also called natural antibiotics, together with garlic you will not only get rid of vampires, but of nasty summer flu as well.  
  
You can vary the spread by adding different herbs. The provided recipe is one, most people like. But you can of course try other mixes as well:  
1 hand of ruccola / rocket, some basil and oregano, blend with a table spoon of olive oil,  
if you prefer a Styrian version: use water cress and a table spoon of pumpkin seed oil.
Have a go and test to mix different herbs, we are looking forward to your recommendations!  
  
You can leave the herbed spread for 2-3 days in the fridge.  
With some yummy sourdough bread this spread is the perfect office snack (we recommend to leave the garlic aside ;-)  
  
  Further Brotzeit / Snack time recipes  :   

  Potatoe Spread    
  Liptauer     
  Spread with Wild Garlic    

  Pretzel Recipe       

  
  Pretty Accessories for several occasions at the MiaDeRoca Shop:  
 
            French Purse Kittens drinking Tea    

            Cookie Cutters Farm Animals and Cat    

            Nostalgic Necklace with Cat Pendant    
    
    ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:11:00 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/food-recipes/herb-spread/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/food-recipes/herb-spread/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[About Ravens / Über Raben]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Hochgatterer, Paulus: Über Raben. 2002    
  
A ski mountaineer and a teenager, she is in high school, he is a teach. For both "death" is a central theme, furthermore there is a lot imagination and will. And in is in the middle of winter, end of January, shortly before semester break.  
  

While the teacher is climbing up the Styrian Alps with a shot gun and looking for a hideaway in a cave, she is attending school, likes to ventilate the flat with fresh and chilly air and loves to think of ways of dying. This book is a total cliffhanger, not only because the teacher himself is hanging over a wintery Alpine cliff, because both protagonistas are dangling over the precipice of their lifes and the novel is lacking an end. Who died? Did somebody die? Are both murderers? None of them? What is the teacher trying to escape from? Why is the girl living all alone?  
It is a book about Alpinism, Hochgatterer himself might be a passionate mountaineer and ski, it is a book about school and a crime story, without crime. Or was there one? Up there in the mountains, we do find him finally, the raven, the one from the title and the book cover.  
This book is definitely suitable for a book club and literature circle. There are lot of aspects, but hardly any strands are put together, or are they, are enough hints in the text? Perfect discussion material to fill an evening we suggest.  
  
Paulus Hochgatterer is no full time writer, he is renowned psychiatrists for children and teenager. It might be his work experience, that gives him the experience and the empathy on other people and leads to incredible protagonists. Born 1961 in Amstetten, Austria, he wrote more then a handful of novels and received several awards.  
  
Unfortunately the book "About Ravens" is not translated into English and only available in German.  
  
  

  
  Ravens are not available at MiaDeRoca Webshop, but several great bags to keep all your readings:  
 
            Great Big Career Bag in Jute with Flowers    

            Pretty Shoulder Bag with Nostalgic Picture    

            Practical sailcloth messenger bag, changeable in size and waterproove        ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:06:21 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/book-reviews/about-ravens-raben/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/book-reviews/about-ravens-raben/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cross Stitch Pattern Strawberry]]></title><description><![CDATA[We love flowers, we love fruits and if after the long, long winter everything starts to blossom and bloom, our mood is cheerful and happy.  
And if there are not only flowers, but fruits - then the first crop can be harvested. If we are lucky and our balcony or garden is on the sunny side, than it is the time that the first strawberries are eaten right where they grow.
       Preview: Cross Stitch Pattern Strawberry, Strawberry Flowers and Leaves    
  
To have this wonderful feeling of freshly picked strawberries a little longer, we decorate from may on everything with strawberries and you can see them on cushion, fabric and wherever we find place for them.     If you want to have some strawberry decoration delight as well, we made a cross stitch pattern for you with this nice fruit. You can apply this cross stitch onto table cloth, but as well in bigger size onto self sewn handbags and shoulderbags.    

And the best thing about it, these strawberries are perfect for anyone with allergies.


  

        
    
  Cross Stitch Pattern Strawberries   (pdf, click to open)        
  
  you can find more spring mood and country stily at MiaDeRoca Internetshop:  
            Practical small purse with butterflies    

            Nostalgic notebook "Mes Secrets"    

            Cookie cutter strawberry, cherry, grapes and pear    
    
  ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2009 15:51:11 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/for-children/cross-stitch-pattern-strawberry/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/for-children/cross-stitch-pattern-strawberry/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Berchtesgaden]]></title><description><![CDATA[In the south-east of Germany, in Bavaria, in the middle of the Alps, you can find the popular holiday resort Berchtesgaden. In and around Berchtesgaden, in the "Berchtesgadenerland", visitors find a lot of ways and possibilities to spend great vacations.    
         Seeing Gentian when mountaineering  
Hikers and Mountaineers find a paradise of routes and tours. Around mystical and legendary mountains and peaks, like the Watzmann. Several mountain shelters are run by the German  Alpen-Verein and do not only invite you to enjoy the view, but as well the chalet atmosphere and the food. Not only the panorama is amazing, but as well the flowers along you path.  
  
Part of the sights of Berchtesgaden is the salt mine in Berchtesgaden, the museum in the castle Adelsheim and as well the church Saint Peter and Saint John and besides the church Saint Andrew at the town hall square. An of course Berchtesgaden is close to several ohter pitoresque sights, villages or a great starting point for a short visit of the city of Salzburg in Austria.   
         Königssee, King's Lake mysterious and mystical Alpine Lake  
On Obersalzberg you can visit the documentation center, to learn more about the history of this place, especiall during the period of the Nationalsocialism. Close by at the Kehlsteinhaus you get a marvellous view on the nearby mountain site.  
  
A trip to the legendary Königssee (king's lake) and in the national park Berchtesgaden is perfect for recreation and to deeply breath in clean mountain air. A trip to the nearby Königssee (King's Lake) and to the national park Berchtesgaden will provide you relaxation and the possibility to breath pure mountain air. Read more about the   legendary mountain lake Königssee  . 
Or visit this mystic Alpine lake directly and book a   vacation aparment in the village Schönau at Königssee  

             A great climb and perfect panorama from the Watzmann in Bavaria  
Berchtesgaden is the perfect vacation ressort for stressed out city people, who want to have a rest and some comfort. A big number of private bed and breakfast and other overnight accommodations, invite guests to experience some Bavarian hospitality.  
  
Berchtesgaden is well known as sanatorium, climatic spa and destination for relaxing days, surrounded by hillsides, gorges, creeks, lakes and streams invite for more -   active vacations be it with mountain bikes, downhill riding, high ropes courses or archery  .
  
  
If you prefer the quit and the calm, long walks and climbs to get to know the area, or your are more into action and fun vacations: Berchtesgaden offers your the whole variety to spend your holidays as you like them.  
  
Inform yourself about Berchtesgaden on the Website:   www.berchtesgadeninfo.de       
]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:46:00 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/travel-sightseeing-alps/berchtesgaden-bavaria/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/travel-sightseeing-alps/berchtesgaden-bavaria/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Wild Garlic Spread]]></title><description><![CDATA[Depending on the weather conditions it might be perfect already in February, sometime in March, but most probably by April, it is time. Small, green leaves grow out of the soil, at places where we had snow a few days ago. We are looking for a very special delight to our tastebuds: wild garlic.  
Wild garlic (Allium ursinum, Syn.: Allium latifolium, A. nemorale, Ophioscorodon ursinum) is a close relative to chives, garlic and leek. Is wild garlic a fountain of vitamins to bears after a long winter sleep, it is for us a welcome guest on spring menus. You can use wild garlic similar to chives as herb. But bear in mind wild garlic is much stronger and "garlicy".  
  
It is a quick recipe for a picnic, some lunch al fresco, or a "Brotzeit" or "Brettljausn" how we call in the Alpine region a snack with bread.  
I you are a wild garlic newbie start with 5-6 leaves, for garlic fans, it can be a hand full of these yummy vitamin bombs.  
Cut the garlic into fine stripes and then quickly stir it into:  
  
  version 1  :  
2 tablespoon  sour cream or yoghurt,  
50g goat cheese crumbled with fork  
or  
  version 2:    
150 g Cottage Cheese  
  
You can add some salt if you like to and then: enjoy!  
  
To all wild garlic beginners - the first growth, when the snow is all gone is the best time to get them, as all other leaves that might look similar but are toxic, don't grow yet. If you have never ever picked you own garlic it is saver to buy it. Some botanical gardens do show how wild garlic looks like and what the differences between wild garlic, lilly of the valley and meadow saffron are.  
A test, that can be used by everyone who wants to make sure, that they are not catching something poisonous is the olfactory test: wild garlic does smell like garlic.
  
  
  
  In March farmers get busy ... and you find some farm related accessoires at MiaDeRoca On-line store:  
 
            Biscuit Cutter Set Tractor and Farm Animals    

            Pretty Felt Bag to wear as Bum Bag    

            Charm Bracelet with Garnets    
    ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:14:00 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/food-recipes/wild-garlic-spread/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/food-recipes/wild-garlic-spread/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Liptauer]]></title><description><![CDATA[         Snack with Liptauer and other cool stuff  
Everywhere where your can take a Snack (Jause or Brotzeit) you will probably find the very popular Liptauer - a paprika red cheese spread directly from the Austro-Hungarian (K&K) - Cuisine. Once you have gathered all the ingredients it is quick and easy to prepare it tastes deliciously on brown bread as well as on white bread, as snack or for dinner or as side dish accompanying spicy Hungarian goulash. And it tastes lovely together with beer or wine, therefore often seen in beer gardens or at Heuriger (Austrian Tavern for wine drinking)   
   
  We need  :   
    
- 50g butter     
- 250g curd (Topfen or Quark)   
- or if you can't find the above use white cream cheese   
   
  Chopped  :   
    
- 50g onions    
- 50g gherkin   
- 1 tablespoon chopped capers    
- 2 tablespoon fresh red pepper as eye-candy   
- 2  cloves of garlic   
    
  Spices  :   
    
- 2 tablespoon ground paprika   
- 1 tablespoon prepared mustard   
- 1 tablespoon anchovy paste (leave away for a vegetarian version)   
- ground caraway   
- a dash of lemon juice   
- a pinch of sugar   
- and of course salt and (white) pepper   
    
Of course the smart homemaker might want to melt the butter before mixing. But for this spread it is better to use room-warm butter, beat it and then mix this butter-cream with the Topfen.   
   
If you want to do it very professionally, leave the Topfen in a towel over night, hang it over a bowl, so that all whey disappears - a step you don't have to do. If you give it a try use some of the liquid the gherkins are swimming in, that give a nice yummy taste.   
    
Mix all the ingredients with a spatula, until it is nicely mixed. Leave for an hour.   
   
Why use white pepper? Pepper as flavour enhancer is something you definitely need for this recipe. But when do you use white pepper and when do you prefer black one? The rule of thumb is: in white or slightly coloured dishes like spreads and salads use white pepper - for sauces, roast, meat in general use black pepper. It is in this case not a question of taste, but an optical aspect. Potato salad with black pepper - that is how you can distinguish a cook from a chef de cuisine.   
   
Modification:   
    
It won't be real Liptauer anymore, but tastes yummy anyway: add an additional 50g of butter (100g in total) and two hard boiled eggs. Serve with freshly toasted baguette.   
   
Typical for Liptauer is the use of Brimsen, cream cheese made of sheep-milk, you can still get it in Slovakia, Poland, Romania and Eastern parts of Austria. Most Liptauer is produced without this classical ingredient. The name Liptauer derives from the Slovakian region Liptov (in German: Liptau).   
  


  
  To have a yummy and pretty snack time, take a look at the beautiful accessories of MiaDeRoca internet shop:  
 
            Sportive Porcelain Bowl in Pastel    

            Cutter for Cheese or Biscuit in Vegetable Form    

            Funny Tableware for Children     
    
    ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:05:00 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/food-recipes/liptauer/</link><guid>http://www.miaderoca.co.uk/food-recipes/liptauer/</guid></item></channel></rss>