Postcards from...

It was great fun hosting our U.S.  next door neighbors in Switzerland last week.... lots of dining alfresco, visiting sites around Geneva, and binge-watching "Homeland" :).  A family of 5 with three young adults who were game for an adventure; we did undertake one short getaway to the Bernese Oberland area in Switzerland... world-renowned for its beauty and extreme sports.  It most certainly did not disappoint....

We all fell in love with this Bernese Mountain dog

The First Flier Zip Line in Grindelwald - walking up to it...

... and going down.... 800 meters of pure exhilaration!

Five of our group went paragliding in Interlaken (regrettably, I chickened out).  They all said it was fantastic and not scary (even one who experienced motion sickness).   For a great "pseudo-experience"; check out Ashtyn's video.... GoPro just might be the greatest thing since sliced bread. ;)  

Like stepping into a storybook is the best way to describe this area.  So happy we got to write a chapter of our own with good friends.

A Walk to Remember...

Switzerland is absolutely beautiful right now.  The wisteria is blooming, the grape vines are just starting to show signs of new growth; everything smells lovely and there are huge fields of spectacular rapeseed dotting the landscape.... it's like nothing I've ever seen before.  I am in awe of God's creativity and blessing of beauty in nature.

Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth."

Wanderlust: St. Moritz...

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So, I guess it shouldn't come as a huge surprise that the International schools in Switzerland allow for a "Ski Week" break each February while the mountains are in perfect condition for enjoying the slopes on and off piste .  Now, while our family hasn't really embraced skiing while living here... (I know, crazy but true); we still enjoy being in the mountains and other activities in the snow (as well as the apres ski fun)... so tomorrow we are embarking on a Swiss adventure on the world-renowned Glacier Express train delivering us to an equally historic and well-known destination... St. Moritz.  Notoriously associated with old school glamour and the site of the first official Winter Olympics in 1928; I can't wait to experience its charms and soak up the history.

Grace Kelly

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And, in the spirit of the Olympics, who knows, we might even decide to try out a bobsled ride.... it is where the sport originated and YOLO, right? :)

Be back in a week!

postcards from...

I'm learning that sometimes you have to capture something on film in order to convince the mind of the beauty that the eye sees.  This morning was one of those times.... at the 32nd annual Chateau-D'Oex International Hot Air Balloon Festival

During bedtime prayers a couple of times this week; Marlowe has thanked God for "making all the colors".  

Indeed.

Fall is in the air....

.... which means the wonderful Fall festivals that I always look forward to in the States..... pumpkins, apple cider, farm animals and hayrides.  Turns out the Swiss are big festival folks too...and  I thought you might enjoy a glimpse of how it's done here.... this one literally held on our street a couple of weekends ago.... Here's how it goes...

Cow bells.... big ones.... to be displayed, admired and, yes, played like drums while marching up and down the street (although we'll have to wait a few more weeks to actually see the cows donning them and doing the marching);

music.... the great folksy kind you'd expect;

dancing... by those of a certain age in period dress... and, by those just having a good time in the street;

festival snacks..... Nutella crepes, hot dogs (more like sausages) stuffed into baguettes, lots of wine and cotton candy....(thankfully for the kids, that one is universal);

 and, finally.... great props.... I mean, they are pretty cool aren't they?.... perfect photo op for the crazy American family living in the neighborhood... :)

Have a great day everyone!

Happy Father's Day

Prince Charming

Numero Uno

Chief Excitement Officer

Knight in Shining Armor

Muscle Man

Super-Hero

Captain of the ship

Ghost Buster

Mix Master

Ring Leader

Head Honcho

Coach

Confidante

..... our Daddy

Sprouting up....

..... la coleur rouge....

.... in these beautiful fields of wild poppies in our village....

.... and among the trouser color of choice of men in Europe.....

While I traditionally associated these "Nantucket reds" with the preppy aesthetic of the East Coast in the States; I'm beginning to understand that their allure is far reaching... in men of all ages and European origin (especially Italians)... who, dare I say, would refer to themselves as anything but "preppy".  Whatever the case,  whenever I spot a pair on a stylish fellow.... it makes me smile...

... and, as luck would have it, my guy is wearing them today. :)

Need a Father's Day gift?
Get him a pair here.

15 minutes.....

... of fame; they say we all get ours and, apparently, I had mine this past Tuesday...... ironically enough... in a garden.... in France.  Some of you may remember me gushing about this garden back in the Fall and I made my way back there this week to share this beautiful village with my mother-in-law.

After meandering around a bit and enjoying a leisurely lunch of the local favorite, filet de perche and pomme frites, we strolled to the Jardin; whereupon I went to pay for our admission and was heartily greeted by a handful of French folks smiling broadly with a big TV camera!  Apparently, they had been anxiously anticipating the next guest who would be the millionth visitor to the Jardin in 25 years... and that was, well,.... moi!  (My guess is they weren't planning on an American who only speaks 'une petit peu francaise!'.... quite funny).....

Nevertheless, much to my delight; we were given a private tour by the jardin manager;  treated to champagne and macarons, presented with a 100 euro gift certificate to the jardin gift shop and 2 year long passes to the jardin, interviewed for French televison  (hysterical).... and (cue squeal).... got to meet the oh so gracious and welcoming Baron et Baronne d'Yvoire.... the namesake of the village and founders of the Jardin itself!  (I had just been going on at lunch about how intrigued I was that the castle was still privately owned and lived in....).   It was all quite a treat and I enjoyed every minute of my short-lived fame...

.... and then I rushed home to meet the school bus. :)

Happy Monday everyone!

Postcards from...

What do you get when you mix a dash of George Clooney and a sprinkle of James Bond with gobs of  Italian beauty and charm?..... that would be Como, Italy.  Memaw has been visiting so my guy and I left the girls in good hands for a little road trip to Tremezzo, Italy on Lake Como this past weekend.  And while there was no Clooney sighting; I am fairly certain I still squealed in delight more on this trip than any other to date...... everything in this hotel was so beautifully done; as were the stunning villas and gardens that the towns around Como have to offer..... and don't even get me started on the lake.... I still can't believe that I was there....

.... and that the sun was shining!.... so thankful.

Hope the sun is shining where you are this week!

The View from here...

A few things that have been happening around here lately...

my new favorite accessory.... these cheapies from H&M;

a beautiful marina on Lac Leman in Morges, Switzerland;

Holden's first taste of the good life...... a cappuccino..... she hated it :);

what "pancakes" look like in France.... this one filled with ham and cheese;

a Springtime aerial view of Switzerland; this is nearly gone now;

our favorite collection over the years.... these from Barcelona;

a new collection started recently..... postcards.... this one from an outing here yesterday...

What are you collecting these days?

Color Crush: Lilac

cocktail ring, converse, nail polish, forever 21 maxi dress, tote

This color has been happily popping up in my life recently... in the blooming wisteria in our village; on the label of my new favorite breakfast condiment, lavender miel; to a Mother's Day gift; a new tank; and these beautiful blooms my husband brought home to me Monday (perfectly coinciding with our first opportunity to dine al fresco)..... lilac epitomizes the word "lovely" in my book.

Do you have a color wooing you these days?