Invisible Man

Vienna has a wonderful variety of street performers. I thought this Invisible Man was a great concept—just in time for Halloween.

Here's a closer photo of the 'face.'

Pink Strawflowers!

Vienna is the first place I’ve ever seen fresh strawflowers for sale and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen them in pink, rather than in shades of red and orange. Yes, I know, I’ve lived a sheltered life.

This is what they looked like right after I bought them. Notice the cone-shaped buds.

Strawflowers are native to Australia (the place with the kangaroos, not to be confused with Austria, in Europe). By the way, you would not believe the amount of mail we have received in which someone wrote our address as Vienna, Australia. Thank you to the great Aussie postal workers who scratched out Australia, wrote in Austria and sent our mail on its way!

Lilianna, the sweet florist who sold me the flowers, said that after a week of enjoying them in a vase with about an inch of water, they need to be hung upside down to dry for another week.

They open rather slowly. Don’t you love this shade of pink? They look so fresh and ‘today’ yet still nostalgic.

I find these flowers fascinating in their delicacy, their texture and their strength and am enchanted by the colors.

I added the bouquet to some pussy willows I bought last spring but never had the heart to throw away. I think they make a pretty combination. If any botanist reads this and can explain why these flowers have petals that are so different from other flowers, I’d love to know! In the meantime, they add beauty to my desk and keep me contemplating.

Visiting Demel and Cafe Central

There are beautiful desserts being created all around Vienna. Two of the places my guests really love are Demel and Cafe Central. Both create gorgeously appealing desserts and a visit to either is like stepping back into the 1800s. I highly recommend a visit to both whenever you are in Vienna. What a treat!

These are from Cafe Central:

Isn't this a fun cake? From Demel:
Leopard print cakes from Cafe Central:
Plaid! Lovely! Cafe Central.
What a pretty cookie! All Love. From Demel.

Hello, Sturm!

The early wine, Sturm, is available this time of year. It's a young, still fermenting wine that is usually bought by the glass or mug. If you buy it in a bottle you have to carry it upright because the bottle is not sealed. Last year my niece, Andrea, bought a bottle of sturm and transfered the wine to a two-liter soda bottle, squeezed out the air, screwed on the top, and put it in her bag to continue shopping. We thought it was a brilliant idea. As the day went on, and the fermentation continued, every once in awhile the bottle would pop with the furiosity of a firecracker, startling everyone in whatever place we were in.

Tastes a little like juice, a little like wine, a little like a wine punch. Yummmmmmy, but be careful--it packs a punch of a different kind!

Auf Wiedersehen, Cafe Umbrellas

With autumn we start to say goodbye to the outdoors eating areas and their lovely umbrellas. It's always nice to see them again next spring.

Nashmarkt Flomarkt

Saturday morning I popped over to the Naschmarkt Flomarkt (flea market). The time to go is definitely early before the crowds and while the vendors are still in a good mood. Next to the flea market is the regular Naschmarkt with every kind of food and spice imaginable. Picked up a bouquet. It was a lovely morning. Here are some images.

A Maria Theresa-style chandelier glistening in the morning sun.



There were a couple of vendors with lovely hand-embroidered linens. I bought several cotton napkins embroidered with other people's monograms, but never mind, they were irresistible. I asked the seller how she kept them so clean and beautiful. "I cook them at the laundromat!" "You COOK them?" I asked. "Well, I set the washer at 90 degrees Centigrade (that's 195 degrees Fahrenheit). Don't be afraid of them!" she scolded. OK, so there's her secret--but try it at your own risk.


Pretty glassware.
A little Lenin memorabilia....
I was interested in this table but the top was quite damaged. Need some lessons in woodworking before tackling this project:

Loos Haus 100th Anniversary

In 1909, construction began on Adolf Loos’ radical modern building, breaking all the rules for architecture in Vienna and causing quite an outrage. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the building and last weekend Raiffeisen Bank, current owners and occupants, held an open house. The famous story is Emperor Franz Josef was so upset with “the building without eyebrows” that he ordered his draperies at the window facing the building to be kept permanently closed.

From the outside, beveled and curved glass windows, green marble columns, and scores of tiny lights emphasize that this building is very different from the others in old Vienna.

The lobby with it’s magnificent brass clock.

Loos' elegant, masculine interiors are absolutely gorgeous. Rich woods, polished brass and beveled windows seem simple but luxurious. How lucky is the person who has this office! And a fabulous view to the Hofburg palace!

The view of the Hofburg Palace from the mezzanine office.

The glass ceiling reflected in mirror tiles at the main staircase.

The banister at the main staircase, with its graceful wooden curves is far more beautiful and technically interesting than this photo shows. It has to be experienced to be truly appreciated.

This brass sconce made even its naked light bulbs works of art.

It was everything I could do to keep from trying out this lounge chair to see if it was comfortable or not. It does have an interesting shape.