November was Delicious !

Webster defines "delicious" as: giving great pleasure : especially delightful : very pleasing to the taste.

... and delicious is exactly the word to describe November.

A Visit to Zotter Schokolade Fabrik

I think it's fair say, when the Alps are mentioned, two delicious food items come immediately to mind - Chocolate and Cheese.

Here in Austria, people take great pride in these two basic food groups - in part, because they are locally produced. The Steiermark is home to Zotter Schokolade (www.zotter.at/en/), a creator of fine chocolates. Zotter focuses on giving extra attention to sourcing the finest cocoa beans from small growers around the world.

The origins of chocolate go back thousands of years to the ancient Mayans and later the Aztecans, who used the beans as the basis for beverages and revered it as the "drink of the gods." When the Spaniards arrived in the 1500's, they brought the secrets of cocoa back to Spain. They quickly learned to include sugar or honey to balance with cocoa's natural bitterness. From there it spread to France and across Europe. By the early 1800s, the ability to mill cocoa and make use of molds resulted in the creation of bars and bonbons - loved around the world.

Together with the young Missionaries in the Steiermark, we headed out to tour the Zotter Schokolade Fabrik (chocolate factory) on our weekly day off. We were captivated by the ultra-modern production used to easily adapt formulations to create a broad array of high-end chocolates. Their wide selection serves the most discerning palettes of chocolate lovers who are at home in the Alps, Europe, and across the globe. At the end of our tour, we enjoyed unlimited tasting of this vast assortment. "Delicious" only begins to describe the experience!

Zotter Schokolade Fabrik - in the Steiermark countryside

Trudy - Tasting Roasted Cocoa Beans

Following the Production Process - Tasting at Each Step

So Many Choices

Imagine Working in a Chocolate Factory

Return to Vienna - Sachertorte and Weihnachtsmarkt

On the second weekend in November our semi-annual multi-congregational church service brought us back to Wien (Vienna). As this coincided with Trudy's birthday, we took in two memorable events. On Friday evening we made our way to one of the largest Weihnachtsmarkts (Christmas Fairs) in Wien, located at Schönbrunn Palace, for the opening night of the Christmas season.

Schloß Schönbrunn Weihnachtsmarkt

The Weihnachtsmarkt tradition extends back to medieval times. Very early on it provided for the exchange of goods, beginning with basic necessities and then extending to include treats and handmade gifts to brighten lives during the cold winter days and nights leading up to Christmas. The Weihnachtsmarkt has been held at Schönbrunn Palace since 1772.

Trudy really enjoyed goulash served in a bread bowl. We were tempted by the Raclette. After a hot chocolate and purchasing a few ornaments to decorate a Christmas tree, we purchased a small bag of roasted chestnuts. We've all heard of this winter delicacy, but few Americans have enjoyed it. John learned to love "Heiße Maroni" - German for "roasted chesnuts" as a young missionary serving in Switzerland. And, now he finds it impossible to pass them up.

For Trudy, the highlight was riding the Ferris Wheel.

Trudy Enjoys a Bread Bowl of Delicious Goulash

Raclette Stand Serves Melted Raclette Cheese on a Sliced Role

Beautiful Handcrafted Ornaments are Everywhere

Taking in a Great View from the Ferris Wheel.

John Loves Heiße Maroni - Roasted Chestnuts

On Saturday morning, Trudy's birthday, we made our way into the center of Vienna to the Sacher Restaurant and the home of the Original Sacher Torte. The world famous Sacher Torte dates back to 1832 when the young apprentice, Franz Sacher was left in charge of dessert for an imperial event. What resulted was a delicious chocolate cake, layered with apricot jam, covered with chocolate ganache and served with whipped cream. Following his father's footsteps, Franz's son, launched the Hotel Sacher. To this day, the hotel and the famous Sacher Torte continue to delight guests and chocolate lovers from all around the world with one of life's most delicious desserts.

Trudy - Sacher Torte Hotel and Restaurant

The World-Famous Sacher Torte

Happy Birthday - The Love of My Life

Enjoying an Alm - An Alpine Pasture

Sometimes we get asked if Heidi, her Grandfather, and Peter live near us. Technically, no, but in principle, absolutely yes. The idyllic setting is captured in the famous children's books by Swiss author Johanna Spyri and describes the high pasture setting where cattle, sheep and goats graze during the summer months. These beautiful grass-covered mountain pastures contribute to making the milk and cheese here so delicious. We've noticed how the whole milk we drink has a flavor approaching cream, and the 2% milk tastes like whole milk. Many of our church members love to go hiking in these Alpine pastures. If you love these Alpine pastures as much as we do, revisit our 2024-08 New Home post for our visit to Teichalm in August.

We've learned that the word Alm is actually dialect for the word Alp and specifically refers to an alpine pastoral setting where trees have been cleared and huts have been built to support the summer months spent up on the mountains. Before winter sets in, Anneliese from our church branch, invited us to join her up on Alfenzer Bürgeralm. It's her home away from home. In this beautiful setting she shared with us her conversion and the wonderful service she has given over the years.

Alfenzer Bürgeralm

If you look closely in the pictures there are a few interesting things to note. First, the fencing is set around the farm homes, keeping the livestock out, not in. Secondly, you can see ski lifts running across the meadow in the mid-ground and the also up the mountain in the background. The farmers have learned that with the trees cleared, these wonderful slopes make for excellent family skiing for the months that the livestock are down in the valleys.

For many visiting the Alm, the day includes a hike up the mountain to the Hütte up on top where hikers can enjoy a delicious meal and Apfelstrudel for dessert.

After hiking the Alfenzer Bürgeralm we returned to Anneliese's home in the valley and enjoyed a wonderful homemade soup and Apfelstrudel which Anneliese had prepared for us. Spending the day together on the Alm followed by a delicious meal gave us a new perspective. We were touched by all that we had seen and learned.

Alfenzer Bürgeralm

View as we descend from the Alfenzer Bürgeralm

Delicious Meals - Feed Body and Soul

Ulrike is a remarkable sister in our church branch. She had a wonderful career serving as a magistrate in the social services network here in the Steiermark. She's inquisitive and insightful and knows how to create great conversation.

Beginning in November, some of the nicer restaurants begin to offer dishes made from wild game, often deer or stag or wild hare, She invited us to enjoy these wonderful offerings at a restaurant on the town square where she lives. Trudy enjoyed the a beautiful salad with sliced grilled stag, and Ulrike and I ordered the stag goulash. Both dishes were delicious.

As good as the meal was, the things we heard from Ulrike were more delicious than each bite's tastiness. She shared with us a powerful life story. She told us of a public lecture she attended several years ago. The topic was on the role that faith plays in today's society. Ulrike explained that after opening remarks were delivered, the presenter and panel opened the floor for comments from the audience on the points being discussed. When no one responded, she succinctly and compellingly shared how faith in Jesus Christ, her Redeemer, gives purpose to how she lives her life and hope that after this life she'll return to Him and our Heavenly Father. We could see how this and many other moments in her life helped define who she is and her relationship to our Savior.

Ulrike and Trudy

We are fortunate to have young friends who are now launching their lives in the Steiermark and are involved in great endeavors. Meet Elaine, Zion and Clement.

Clement comes from India and is a doctoral student at Montan University here in Leoben. Montan was established in 1840 and makes significant contributions to the metals industry in the Steiermark. Clement's work applies artificial intelligence and machine learning to materials science research in support of the metals industry. Zion comes from Alaska where he graduated in German and Education and, supported by a scholarship, is teaching English in local schools this year. Elaine is Zion's close friend visiting from the UK. Both Elaine and Zion plan to serve full time missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, beginning next year.

We met Clement this last month when he asked about coming to church to incorporate in his life more of what he had been taught growing up. Having good friends that share the same goals helps chart our way through life. Trudy's great cooking has a way of creating great moments when people come together. On this occasion she prepared Wienerschnitzel with Jägersauce (breaded pork cutlet with paprika- seasoned mushroom sauce) served with mashed potatoes and green beans, followed by apple pie for dessert.

Elaine, Zion and Clement

Missionaries Celebrate "FriendsGiving"

There's one delicious moment that no American wants to miss - Thanksgiving. In an impressive display of organization and delegation skills, the leading young Sister Missionaries for our extended area (including the provinces of Steiermark, Vienna and Lower Austria) orchestrated what they named "FriendsGiving". Each missionary companionship brought a traditional Thanksgiving dish. Trudy brought two turkeys with stuffing, and one of the other senior couples brought several delicious hams.

"FriendsGiving" - Wiener Zone Thanksgiving Dinner

The meal was outstanding - truly delicious. Even more impressive than the culinary skills that each of these missionaries displayed is the joy and happiness in their hearts and the deep sense of thankfulness for the Savior as they work each day to bring His gospel message to all they meet.

Hopefully, you too have had a delicious Thanksgiving. And hopefully, you are enjoying delicious moments in life. We've come to learn that each blessing is a gift from God.

Knowing that He is there and fills us with his love is the most delicious thing of all.

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