Currently Browsing: Utensils & Appliances
Jan 14, 2010
Using my new silicon baking mat
When I was recently asked by the German cookware site KuechenUndHaushalt.de if I would like to review a Lurch FlexiForm silicon baking mat, I jumped at the chance. I have been admiring these mats for a while, especially now that silicon products have had some time to evolve and work out their kinks. About 5 years ago, I bought some cheap silicon baking pans from Tchibo and I really didn’t like them... read more
Jan 4, 2010
Brunch is back in 2010!
The last four days have been wonderful. Stefan didn’t have to work on December 31st or January 1st so we had a nice little 4 day weekend, with no long trips planned or visits from anyone scheduled. We got to sleep in until 9 or so and prepared big, yummy breakfasts every morning. It was so nice. I got to use my KitchenAid for the first time while making pancakes. But I have to say that the minute or... read more
Aug 21, 2009
How to use a pizza stone
If you read this blog often, you might remember that we are avid pizza eaters. This week we had zucchini and rosemary pizza TWICE. And it wasn’t just because we were trying to use up our zucchini (that’s what zucchini bread is for) but because it just tasted THAT GOOD. When we moved in to our last rental house, we inherited a Pampered Chef pizza stone from the previous renters. We were friends... read more
Jan 15, 2008
Oh, it’s on! Laundry time!!!
Well, I guess I spoke too soon. Shortly after I posted about sitting here waiting on the repair guy, he showed up. Speak of the devil, I guess… It was the same guy as last time and he came in and got right to work. I was rather impressed when 15 minutes later he had the new part in and the machine was working again with renewed vigor. The process of printing out the receipt almost took longer than... read more
Jan 15, 2008
Waiting on repairmen…
There are few things I dislike more than sitting around, waiting for someone to show up and having no idea when and if he actually will. When I last talked about our washer/dryer machine that which is the fritz, I mentioned that the service guy who came out didn’t have the correct part with him to fix the machine that day but set up another appointment for a repairman to come out today, between 1... read more
Jan 9, 2008
Update on our washer/dryer
The repairman was here at about 11am to check out the washer/dryer we have. He showed me that it was the carbon brushes inside the motor that were causing the trouble and informed me that it would be just under 200 euros to make the repair. Since buying a new machine would run us somewhere around 500+ euros, I of course told him to go for it. We’ve had this machine for just over 6 years now and this... read more
Jan 7, 2008
No good for home appliances
Last year we had to buy a new fridge because the small one we moved here with died on us. Not that we were too upset about it. We were looking for an excuse to buy a side-by-side anyway…but now our washing/drying machine from Siemens has encountered a problem. It’s an all-in-one machine where the dryer is built into the washing machine which are quite common over here in Germany. At first we... read more
Jul 25, 2007
Sweeter than Yoohoo :-)
When Stefan got home last night, he managed to get the screws into the door to hold the handles in place so the fridge is more or less complete. Unfortunately we don’t have the correct adapter for the water connection so we will have to wait a few more days because we can test out the ice maker and water dispenser. But when we cooked dinner last night I loaded everything into the fridge and got to... read more
Jul 24, 2007
New fridge is here!
Today was almost like Christmas when the new fridge arrived. First I received the disposable cameras we ordered for the housewarming party in the mail which was already a nice surprise. Of course I knew the refrigerator was being delivered today but had no idea when or if there would be any complications with the delivery company. You see, when we bought the fridge, the sales persons (we had two since I... read more
Jul 23, 2007
The new fridge is coming
Sometime during the day tomorrow, our new refrigerator will be arriving. We found a side-by-side we like for less than €1,000 which was generally our goal. As it turns out, it’s the cheapest and pretty much the one we liked the most anyway so we’re quite pleased. I don’t have a photo for you yet since the ones on the manufacturers website are teeny, but tomorrow you will get a nice big... read more












Tiffany is an American who has been living in Germany with her husband since 2001. The two are self-proclaimed "Self-Reliant Yuppies" who are in their early-30's and bought an 1830's farmhouse several years ago, which they have been turning into a more sustainable and green dream house. Two cats, a Newfie and their 2 year old daughter enjoy the adventure with them. Tiffany enjoys cooking, rock climbing, lux-camping trying to turn her black thumbs green and taking road trips. Visit the