It's been over half a week since my last post. I hope you haven't given up checking for new posts. But honestly, there hasn't be a lot to write about. I know, I know, having nothing to say has never stopped me in the past. But now I finally have something to show you.
Yesterday, I got together with the other girls from OKC and we headed down to the largest shopping center in Europe. Don't worry, Mall of America, this mall has a way to go before catching up with you.
Shopping in Europe is quite different than shopping in the U.S. Some differences aren't too bad. For example, at grocery stores you have to bring your own bag or pay for a bag. Either way, you have to bag your groceries yourself. I don't mind bringing my own bag -- I've been wanting to get away from plastic anyway. And bagging is no problem. However, here's where the next difference comes into play. Now you must carry your groceries home, not wheel your cart out to your car. This isn't too big a deal with groceries. It's pretty common to go to the store every day or two, so you're not buying a whole lot. And the store is generally pretty close to your home. But it is a problem when you spend about an hour on public transportation to get to a shopping center and can only buy as much as you can carry home.
So, what was I able to carry home? A new stand mixer! I've been wanting to get a Kicthenaid stand mixer for a while and Brian said I could buy one since we got a furnished apartment. (Or maybe I said I could buy one since we got a furnished apartment. Who can remember such minute details?) So I began my search for a Kitchenaid and finally found a few -- for about €500! (That's almost $700 for those of you who are not yet in shock.) That's when I began my search for a different brand. After some research, I decided on Bosch -- the "European alternative to Kitchenaid," according to one review at epinions.com. And here it is:
Not only is it a stand mixer, it is also a blender and a food processor! And look at all of those accessories in their neat little holder. I still haven't figured out what this is -- any ideas? I think it goes with the food processor.
One more picture for today. Do you know how they say that everything is bigger in Texas? Well, everything is smaller in Austria. Take a look at this iron that Kim tried out at the mall.
Okay, okay -- that's not really the size of all irons in Austria. Actually, a lot of the irons are quite large. But this is a working iron. By the way, never try to iron clothes while you are wearing them! Even with a tiny iron.
7 comments:
Do little old ladies have carts they push around to put their groceries in them? If so, then I'd highly recommend getting one, it could save alot of back pain.
I'm so envious of the fact that basically all of your appliances are in on ingenious package. If only it could make toast and coffee, it would be the most perfect invention ever made.
It's funny you said that about ironing clothes whilst wearing them. I did that once. I think I still have the scar...
I only wish I was kidding.
Hey Alisha,
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog...I'm glad to have found you too! I enjoy reading all about your adventures in Austria!
Lori
Candace -- Yes, but not just little old ladies. Just earlier today I mentioned to Brian that I wanted to get one of those carts.
Gina -- One of my favorite things about the mixer -- the retractable plug. It's so nice that the cord is stored inside the base rather than wrapped around it.
Lori -- Thanks for stopping by! I hope to "see" you around.
I'm thrilled you got such a cool mixer, but did you forget that you had back surgery less than 6 months ago! You are not suppose to be lifting heavy things....I have a similar mixer and I know they are not light weight. ok..enough fussing. Hope you enjoy the mixer. Let me know how to get you one of those carts...I'll buy it for you.
Love, Mom
I'm so jealous of how many comments you get every time....I must be a big loser. :-) I can't imagine carrying my groceries home - I go once a week and always have a basket load, but I guess I'd just have to go more often if I lived in Austria. I think the questionable piece to the mixer is just a stirrer or something to stir up what's in there or thicken it???? That's what it looks like to me.
Mom -- Don't worry, I used proper lifting techniques. "Lift with the legs, not with the back." And the mixer is much lighter than Kitchenaid mixers. It's really quite light.
Summer -- I'm always surprised at the number of comments I get. You should add a tracker to your page (I use Blog Patrol) and then you can see how many people are visiting even if no one leaves a comment.
There are a couple of tricks to carry your groceries home. First, take your husband with you so he can carry the heavy stuff. Second, go to the store three or four times a week. (Seriously, we go this often.) And finally, only buy things that you can prepare using a frying pan, a pot, a spatula and regular utensils (fork, knife, spoon), because that's all that we have right now. The container should be delivered next week and I'll finally have my kitchen stuff. Then we'll see if I can still carry my groceries home!
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