Onion market

Market in front of the Parliament building at 5 am

The Zibelemärit (English: onion market) is an annual market with aspects of a fair in the old town of Berne, Switzerland. It takes place every fourth Monday in November.

Historical research indicates that the Zibelemärit originated in the 1850s with marmettes, farmer's wives from around Murten, coming to Berne at around St. Martin's Day to sell their produce. However, a persistent local legend holds that the Zibelemärit is a much older festivity. According to this legend, the Bernese awarded the people from the nearby city of Fribourg the right to sell onions in the city in reward for their aid after a fire destroyed much of Berne in 1405.

As the name indicates, it is mainly onions that are sold on the Zibelemärit. Bernese farmers, who are proud of their decorative onion tresses and onion wreaths, also sell other onion products on the market, including onion pie, onion soup and onion sausages. Decorative chains of sugar onions are also popular with children.

The Zibelemärit opens very early in the day, at around 03:00 to 04:00. Later in the morning, the narrow alleys are usually packed tight with people, which is what the Bernese call the Gstungg. A general confetti battle in which mostly children participate ensues at four o'clock in the afternoon, officially ending the market.

Hereafter some photos of the onion tresses. 

One a present of my son and the other one a present from a very dear neighbour:

I am in a hurry... it's onion tarte for dinner tonight!

     ♥  Emilie's daughter   ♥ 

Pics by me and www.berne.com, text  Wikipedia

PS. I have had big difficulties with my PC and could not post. 

Thanks to the PC doctor and a lot of annoyance it seems to work fine again.

I would like to thank you all your wonderful comments on my last post as well as for your visits.

Women only...

Yesterday the 27th women's run took place in Berne. It is the only run in Switzerland which is for women only. The start is just up the road and we were lucky watching those fit and brave ladies (15'000 participants) from the balcony while having our morning coffee and wearing our pyjamas.

Somewhere I read the following citation:

"Sport has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world".

♥ Emilie's daughter ♥

Pro Specie Rara market, Reisetomate, Pansparago and summery weather at Dimi's

Last Sunday I visited the seed and seedling market of Pro Specie Rara foundation. Pro Specie Rara was established in 1982 with the aim of rescuing, protecting and preserving traditional species and kinds of farm animals, crops, fruit and vegetables to ensure that they do not die out.

It took place in the wonderful setting of Elfenau Park here in Berne. I was there quite early in the morning when not yet many people had arrived and the sky was still grey. It was amazing to see all the traditional flowers, vegetables and herbs! Like all the other visitors I could not resisting buying some plants for our balconies and garden. For instance I bought a seedling for "Reisetomate" or traveler tomato. It's name is due to the ability to rear it apart a piece at a the time withougt having to use a knife. Hereafter a photograph by google. I hope will look the same!

Continuing my last post I am happy to publish the recipe the recipe for the Pansparago:

Baking tin about 30 cm length, 1 kg asparagus (white and green), 1 toast bread (about 30 cm long), 50 g butter melted, 2 large eggs, 2 dl full fat cream, 80 g parmesan freshly grated, salt, pepper, nutmeg

Peel the asparagus, blanch so that they are still crunchy, put them in icy cold water in order to prevent further cooking. Line the baking tin with the toast slices (bottom and sides). Butter the toast with the melted butter. Fill in the asparagus (dry them beforehand so that the bread doesn't get soaked). Mix together the eggs, cream, parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, also add the remaining butter. Pour over the asparagus. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-50 minutes at a temperature of  200°C.

It is delicious with a fresh salad and a vinaigrette.

Once again the weather is miserable and nasty and the weather forecast is not good at all. If  this applies also to where you live have a look at Dimi's blog. The atmosphere of her latest post will take you out of the weather misery and set you into summer mood!

♥ Emilie's daughter ♥

pics by me/tomato pic by google

First snow!

 Here a picture when it started snowing yesterday afternoon:

And hereafter two photos I took at 06.40 am - a white surprise! Pure happiness!

A Sunday ahead of me with candlelight, warm tea, feet sticking in woolen socks, 

me wrapped up in blankets on the sofa, with lots of cushions and a few

 X-mas picture books on the coffee table to get in the mood!

BUT... before all this pleasure I am meeting a girlfriend at 8 am

 to do some jogging in winter wonderland 

Cozy Sunday to you all! Enjoy the extra hour!

♥  Emilie's daughter ♥ 

pics by me

La Pobbia - Ballenberg part III

La Pobbia is, until now, the most extensive project ever realised at Ballenberg. The estate belonged to the widespread economic system of the so-called rural capitalism in Northern Italy. From the middle of the 18th century up to the 20th century, 21 hectares of land were farmed. 

If you are interested to learn more read here.

Tobacco leaves drying under the roof. I adore the laundry drying in the sun!

 I love long tables with lots of space for dishes and food and people - I know in those days food was scarce though.

The museum is decorated with lots of love and an eye for the detail. Many beautiful, valuable items are being displayed. I was a bit worried about them as they could easily packed in a bag or rucksack and carried out of the museum. A museum attendant explained me though, that hardly ever anything gets stolen! Hear, hear! There are still some honest persons on this world!

Italy makes me always hungry and the same applies to the Italian part of Switzerland. 

Luckily it was time for some air-dried meat from the region and a glass of white Merlot wine:

We will pay a visit to the neighbors soon and will follow our nose:

♥ Emilie's daughter ♥

pics by me