Advent in Hischstetten

2021. last day of the market due to another lockdown

Paris? No, Vienna

Paris? No, Vienna One of the two obelisks at the main entrance of Schönbrunn Palace. Some say that Napoleon had them erected when he lived there, but they are on the original plans, and their construction is not mentioned in his butler's memoirs from 1895.

Stay Warm

Another way to stay warm The Advent stands have now turned into New Year's stands. Some stands are still offering the same items, in this case Schnapps. [actually the word 'schnapps' is not used much in Austria. Here the word is "Brand"] I see pear, rowen, herb, raspberry, strawberry, sour cherry, quince various flavors of grappa (oaked, nutmeg, sauvignon blanc).

Unto us

Unto us a child is born... The art of hand carving and assembling crèche scenes is still alive. This is a display at an Advent market in Vienna.

Christmas Tree Eggs

Christmas Tree Eggs Some hand-made ornaments from one of the many markets in Vienna.

Hallelujah

Hallelujah! Trumpeter giving the first four bars of the Hallelujah Chorus before a flash mob of musicians pulled out music and we all sang along. I just happened to have a copy of The Messiah in my backpack, so I pulled it out and sang along.

Choice

Choice is difficult I don't drink Punsch, but this young lady is faced with choosing between spice, orange, berries, hunters', even chestnut and egg varieties of Punsch at one of the over 300 Punsch-stands in Vienna. Over 100,000 mugs of Punsch are sold daily during Advent.

Austrian Face

An Austrian Face This shot is intended for my "Austrian Faces" gallery - even though you cannot see his face. Every year this blacksmith sets up a forge at advent markets and manufactures and sells iron garden decorations.

Joy

Another one for my "Austrian Faces" gallery. A pony ride during Advent. Seldom have I seen such joy. As yes, her cheeks really were the same color as her scarf.

Cold Carols

Cold Carols Small groups perform Austrian carols at advent markets throughout the country at this time of year. I'm not an expert on caps, so I can't say if these brass players were from the miners, train employees, gendarmes, etc. They played very well, standing in an arcade to protect themselves a bit.

The Easter Bunny is coming! 2013-03-25 Do you want a chocolate egg? As seen at an Easter market near Vienna. Many thanks for the comments on the storks. I think the main problem is that there is little for them to eat at the moment - and a fresh inch of snow on the ground. By April it is supposed to get warmer.

Mittens for Steven His Christmas present, finished by my wife Christmas Eve. The basic mitten wool is hand spun and knit. The right-hand mitten is inside out to show the long lengths of wool that were left so they can felt and provide more warmth. I hope your holidays have been happy so far.

Christmas greetings from Vienna! 2012-12-25 The 'Schneekugel' was first patented in Vienna at the end of the 19th century, and are still popular souvenirs today. Anyone who has been to Vienna will recognize that these are filled with Vienna icons - St. Stephan's Cathedral, the giant ferris wheel in gold and silver, the Emperess Elisabeth in two different gowns, a Guglhupf cake and the Gloriette from Schönbrunn Palace grounds. Our own Christmas day got off to a rocky start - I made muffins for breakfast, but used some rancid hazelnuts so we threw them away (after I ate three). The Steven announced that he has a fever (lots of travelling in the last week - exactly a week ago he was leaving the Caribbean) - so dinner is postponed until tomorrow. My wife did finish the hand-spun and knit mittens for Steven last night, so that was OK. I hope you are enjoying the blessings of the season.

Choose an ornament 2012-11-30 Continuing the theme of advent markets, here is a detail shot from one of the stands at Vienna's largest such market - the one at the Rathaus. I'm off for the next three days selling cards and calendars in the wine cellar where my vintner holds an annual advent event. Many thanks for the kind comments yesterday - the shot made it into the top ten.

Red leaves in November

Musicians on a barrel organ

A 1986 reproduction of a 1896 Violinopan barrel organ - Two sets of pipes, one sounding (somewhat) like violins. The musicians rotate while the music is playing. As seen at an Advent market in Vienna. Many thanks for your kind comments on my recent shots - much appreciated.

Advent Calendar 2012-12-02 Now that it is December I can post an advent calendar - 24 doors - in this case 24 drawers, each holding a small present (perhaps chocolate, or a small tree ornament, or a cookie. Thanks for the wonderful comments on the golden ornament shot.

Visiting an advent market in Vienna, they provide spots of color.

These guys just finished baking their own cookies at an advent market in Vienna. They were posing for a shot taken by their teacher. This advent market has activities for children inside as well as the stands outside. Many thanks for the comments on yesterday's shot. Much appreciated.

Christkindl 2012 Her name is (supposedly) Amanda. She likes swimming, rugby and baking. She is 17 years old and the City of Vienna's official Christkindl 2012. The Christkindl is the traditional gift-bringer in German-speaking countries, an angel or sprite. It seems I hadn't taken any pictures for exactly one month. I've been busy with my other 'jobs'. So yesterday I went to an Advent market in Vienna. The official job of the Christkindl is to be at holiday markets, greeting the children.

Making Advent wreathes at an Advent Market in Vienna.

Ornaments Back to my Advent theme. Tree sales have officially started in Vienna now and all the advent markets are busy. Now to select the proper ornaments.... Many thanks for the kind comments on the wayside shrine.

Christmas decorations as seen at an Advent Market in Vienna.

Poinsettias as an Advent Market in Vienna.

An advent calendar cabinet as an Advent Market in Vienna.

Vienna Creche approximately 1890, the Christ child born in a stable in a working class backyard. This shot has had some pp, including a bit of sketch added to highlight some of the details. Many thanks for the comments on the gull. The picture showed only the tip of the mound of shells - the whole mound was taller than a person (which made the low perspective easy).

An "Altwiener" creche scene as an Advent Market in Vienna.

A toy from the mid-19th century. The Weihnachtsmann bringing toys on a steam train, as an Advent Market in Vienna.

Frohe Weihnachten!

Visiting the stands at an Advent Market in Vienna.

Laid back antlers on the pony ride at an Advent Market in Vienna.

Life has its ups and downs, as seen at an Advent Market in Vienna.

Always bacon, ham, and sausage to take home at an Advent Market in Vienna.

A few leaves are still green in late November.

A spot of color - some bushes.

Last Chance 2011-12-23 Most of the Christmas markets in Vienna close this evening. We are off to the airport now to pick up our college student, home for two weeks. Then quickly go shopping (stores are closed over the holidays) and buy a tree. Many thanks for the comments on our neighbour's nativity scene. I gave them some prints of the shot last night.

Nativity Scene 2011-12-22 Our neighbor spent most of 2011 working on this life-size nativity scene, replacing a two dimensional one he had made earlier.

Advent Market 2011-12-21 Only two more days to find those presents and souvenirs. This is a small corner of the huge advent market in front of the City Hall (Rathaus) in Vienna. So many tourists come that the city now requires 'bus passes' in advance - otherwise the buses are not allowed downtown. Enjoy your day!

More hand-made Christmas ornaments 2011-12-16 Continuing the Advent theme - do you have a star for your tree? This one isn't for the top, just to hang. Enjoy your day!

Nativity Scene 2011-12-20 This scene is set up every year in the Minoritenkirche (Grey Friars' Church) here in Vienna. Like many alpine scenes, it is more a life scene than just the birth (Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus can be seen in a little cave at the far left). This shot was hand held without flash, wide angle lens - and then enhanced on the computer. Next time I'll take my tripod. Many thanks for your comments on yesterday's ornament.

Merry Christmas from Vienna 2011-12-24 One last ornament for the tree. I hope you have a good and peaceful time with friends and family. All the best to all SM friends and thanks for your comments throughout the year. Jerry Barton

Vienna in a snow globe 2011-12-17 The very first snow globe was created in Vienna by Erwin Perzy (who got sidetracked while trying to improve electric light bulbs). His grandson now runs the same snow globe company. Each globe is hand made. This one shows the Riesenrad - the ferris wheel built in 1897 - one of Vienna's attractions. Thanks for the comments yesterday.

Still decorating the tree 2011-12-19 Now frozen yet here in Vienna - but finally the Alps have snow and the ski season has started. Another hand-painted ornament. Thanks for the comments on yesterday's picture. Yes, I am a volunteer church organist. I haven't been paid for playing since perhaps 1964, and stopped playing for a long time. My goal is to play as well in 2014 as I did in 1964. The organ I play on Sundays can be seen here: http://www.jerrybarton.eu/Landscapes/Vienna/7986304_r9xtwT#782949872_GAuVp

Decorations 2011-12-18 What shall we hang on our tree today? How about some hand painted tin decorations? Have a blessed Sunday. P.S. For a church organist, this year's schedule is not optimal - I play today, Saturday night Christmas Eve, Sunday morning Christmas Day, and the following Sunday (New Year's day). Christmas dinner is likely to be on the 27th in our house - and New Year's Eve will be fairly quiet. Many thanks for the kind comments on my snow globe shot.

Advent 2011-12-13 The advent markets here in Vienna are in full swing - this is a hand-made tree decoration as seen at the fair last weekend in Grafenegg near Vienna. A crescent moon made of spices with a lace angel.

Roasted Chestnuts and Potatoes 2011-12-15 Advent markets can be very cold. A bit of warm carbohydrate (and a glass of warm punch) stave off the cold. Many thanks for your comments on the angel tree ornament.

Advent Market 2011-11-29 My goodness, I haven't posted in more than two weeks. My first winter cold, and the rush of getting ready for selling cards, prints, and calendars at various advent markets. Friday to Sunday I was at a 'market' in a wine cellar in eastern Austria. The picture is of my stand. Technically not a great shot, but good documentation. The vintner offers free wine tasting, and various artists exhibit (and, they hope, sell) their works. [Hard to compete with the wine ;) ]. Enjoy the day.