Die Göttin des Gemütlichkeits

The Goddess of Gemütlichkeit

Our three-day trip to Leoben was a glorious 72-hours of visiting, hiking, and eating.  Leoben is home to Karla's "Austrian Mama Theisl," the best cook in all Stiermark, if not the whole country of Austria - perhaps the entire continent.  From her little kitchen we were spoiled with breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and of course jauses (little snacks), and desserts.  Each tasty morsel was homemade and we're pretty sure most everything contained cream.  Sitting in Mama Theisl's kitchen is like being a guest on the Food Network; simultaneous cooking and chatting are effortless - even when you have one person who doesn't speak a word of English, one person who speaks a smattering of German, and one person to act as translator.  From Mama Theisl's supreme sign language skills and comforting hugs, to setting out slippers and keeping beer glasses and coffee cups filled, making one feel completely at home is one of Mama's many endearing qualities.  She is the Goddess of Gemütlichkeit!

Thank goodness she also knows where all the great hiking trails are. Since it was such a lovely weekend, we spent several hours walking along the Mur river which follows a serpentine route through Leoben.  A last note:  Papa Theisl died 11 years ago, but his presence is still everywhere - in our photos, in our conversations, in our hearts.  We love Leoben!