Saturday, 12 January 2013

The Art of losing oneself
in a Cup of Coffee


Pane e Tulipani
Bread and Tulips?
Emphatic no!

It's Sacher Demeltorte!
We are at Demel's,
after all.

Wiener Melange
Translation: Cappuccino,
Viennese Style
Would you believe that
when I am at Demel's,
I lust not after their sweets
but the silver sugar bowl?


Kandierte Veilchen
Candied Violets
You may eat the candy,
I keep the box.
Deal?


Kleine Naschereien
Small Sweet Temptations
All I am seeing
is this pretty little
two tiered dessert stand!


Fire Place Mantle
Being a world class pâtisserie and chocolatier,
you ought to have a fire place in your shop,
with a large mirror above
to better reflect your treasures,
don't you agree?

Oh well!
Once upon a time,
when I was a little girl,
the room with the fire place
was furnished with coffee tables and chairs.
Yes, in the good old times
you were able to sit
around the fire place at Demel's,
sipping Kaffee mit Schlag and nosh on Annatorte
and feeling right at home.
Imagine
the stories that mantle could tell,
the secrets, the moods, the sheer humanity
it must have absorbed,
while people did nothing
but drinking coffee.
Or so they say.


An Empty Cup
Good coffee served,
a few pages read,
our quiet contemplation
has to come to an end,
"that enchanted realm
containing all the wealth
and riches of the world
" *)
has to be left behind, again.

*

*) Quoted from
Xavier de Maistre's
"A Journey Around My Room" -
de Maistre penned this book in 1790,
while under house arrest for forty-two days
as punishment for having gotten himself into a duel.
The French original,
"Voyage autour de ma chambre,"
can be read online, at the website of
"Association de Bibliophiles Universels"

Images and own Text © 2008-2013 by Merisi
First published in 2008

24 comments:

  1. Do I sense a little chocolate and delicious pastry overdose? "Candied Violets. You may eat the candy, I keep the box. (...) Small Sweet Temptations. All I am seeing is this pretty little two tiered dessert stand!". Don't worry, Merisi. It shall pass. Drink plenty of fluids (including Viennese coffee), walk around VIenna, listen to Mozart and you will regain your chocolate appetite in no time ;-).

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    1. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Zosia, you saved my day! :-)

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  2. Still fonder bar after all these years...

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  3. What a great post, Merisi. I'm dreaming now of your enchanted realm (and the fireplace in Demels) xo

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  4. Dear Merisi, This is the lovliest post ever. Beautiful photographs. I might have to plan a trip to Demels just so I can have a box of Candied Violets. ox, Gina

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    1. Thank you, Gina! :-)
      Those boxes are still handmade, in France.

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  5. I have been coveting that sugar bowl since I first set eyes on it!
    Ah, Demel's...

    Ilse

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    1. I took one home, Ilse. Legally. ;-)

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  6. What a beautiful post for the day, Merisi! I would love to be able to enjoy my morning coffee in such an incredible, delightful place! Being able to enjoy your photos are the next best thing! Thanks for sharing! Enjoy your weekend!!

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    1. Thank you, Sylvia!
      A wonderful weekend to you, too! :-)

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  7. An especially good entry this morning. Thank you, Merisi!

    C

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  8. Just a taste of decadence. :)

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  9. Absolutely beautiful series! Also love the title.

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  10. I wish I had known they could be purchased when I was there. Maybe this May.

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    1. I pestered them for years, until one day they sold me one. I'll check if they still do!

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  11. Les gourmandises de chez Demel... Le bonheur ! Merci Merisi.
    Bonne fin de dimanche à Vienne.
    Bises

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    1. Thank you, and a good start into the new week to you! :-)

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  12. Gosh so many different cups of coffee to lust after.

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  13. Too too lush
    Running out to find chocie gateaux! Vite!

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