Schmutzlis at Migros

December 6th is Samichlaus (= Saint Nicholas) day in Switzerland. In the Christmas tradition, Saint Nicholas and two helpers visit little children and give them presents while extracting promises of good behavior, or else.

These helpers are the Schmutzlis (= little dirty ones, according to one story, on account of shimmying down chimneys). In these parts they're attired as seen in the photo, and they have their faces painted black.

As I was shopping at Migros yesterday I heard bells but by the time I had extricated my camera from my bag, Santa and his entourage were headed out so I managed to get only this shot. I guess they were buying candy for the kiddies...

Other countries in Europe have similar traditions, and some of you may have heard of the recent story about the uproar about the Dutch Zwarte Piet at the UN High Commission for Human Rights.

Here's a recent story on swissinfo, giving background on the Swiss tradition: Swiss Schmutzlis unmoved by Dutch Zwarte Piet row

Why yes, we have flour!

It's time to go shopping for flour, after all that crop viewing around Villigen for the past couple of days. Here are a few of the items that one can find in the flour aisle in the supermarket. I photographed these little sacks (1 kg, about 2.2 lbs, each) at the chain called Migros (pronounced meegro, itself a topic for several posts). The blue band at the top of the packages state that the flour was produced in Switzerland, using natural farming practices that are ecologically appropriate. If you click on the photo, you'll see a larger image (1125 x 1500 pixels).

I've never made bread. The bread selection at the supermarkets here is more than sufficient for me. How many of you make your own bread?

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