On Holiday....

My girls' last day of school was yesterday.... so our summer can get started at last! (cue jumping up and down)  So excited to give up being the 'task master' for a few short weeks in favor of spending the days with my girls (and guy); traveling to the States to visit friends & family; lounging by the pool; catching fireflies; eating peaches; reading books; taking late afternoon naps; playing games and just lingering... a lot...

I'll be keeping up my photo a day tradition on Instagram but I'll be giving this Mac here some much needed R&R as well...  Be back in a few weeks!

Happy Summer everyone!

The View from Here...

Easter is always one of my favorite days of the year and this year was no exception.  It was a blessing to have my mom visiting from the States and to wake up to sunshine on what was predicted to be a rainy day.  We took part in all of the beloved Easter traditions; watching the girls delight in their Easter baskets and hunting eggs; worshipping and celebrating Jesus' resurrection at church; and enjoying a leisurely and simple brunch followed by naps, an afternoon walk, and facetiming friends and family back at home....

I've just finished reading this book; and I loved how menus of special gatherings of friends and families were captured in writing so as to remember the meal shared together.  Thought it would be fun to start doing this for my girls too...

Easter Brunch

Mimosas & Juices 

Deviled Eggs

Quiche Lorraine

Simple Green Salad

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Strawberries & Raspberries

Memaw's buttermilk biscuits

Peach Preserves

Jell-o Jigglers (for the kids)

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

The refrain of the old hymn "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" is still playing in my head... 

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.

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?

The View from Here....

Over the weekend, we were happily surprised to see that the dandelions have given way to bright yellow patches of rapeseed (used to make canola oil).  Against the backdrop of a clear blue sky and the varying shades of green; it makes for quite a beautiful color palette..... one I wouldn't mind incorporating into my closet a little something like this.....

estate garden studs, denim shirt, metallic sandals, cross-body bag, scallop edge shorts, sunglasses, bangles

I hope everyone had a great weekend either celebrating Cinco de Mayo or enjoying the Kentucky Derby or Cincinnati's Flying Pig Marathon back in the States.  We made our way to the Geneva marathon to cheer on my guy and his buddies.... so proud of him!  And while we didn't get to partake in a mint julep or some delicious guacamole; alas, we did get to share a first of the season traditional American cook-out meal with good friends...... hallelujah, bring on summertime!

Happy Monday everyone!

The View from Here...

I must admit that I've been missing the commitment of my photo a day project.  It's fun to click on "last 12 months" in iphoto and see what we were up to on this day last year....hmmm, I may need to start that back up...  

Here's what has been happening in the ordinary days around here lately... 

• One of the perks of having guests in from out-of-town.... taking them to a kitschy fondue restaurant and  indulging in all that cheese and chocolate goodness (I mean it's a Swiss "must" right?).... by the way, you can see that I ordered these wacky frames;
• I can't stop thinking about lunch in this beautiful dining room at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris.... you really must put it on your "to-do" list if you are planning to visit;
• Marlowe got her first ride down a water slide this past weekend at an indoor water park;
• I'm loving feminine details on blouses this season;
• You never know what the boulangerie will bake up next.... the perfect Easter-time after-school snack;
• It's official.... my baby is becoming a young woman... got her braces on last week;
• oh, the mosaic project.... my matryoshka doll may get finished by the time I move back. :)

I wish I could take a photo of my face during my French lesson....  I'm sure it is a mix of terror, confusion and exhilaration (oh yeah, and joy) as my teacher quizzes me on how to order fromage (cheese), legumes (vegetables), and viande (meat) at the farmer's market.... all the while I'm thinking to myself, can't I just point to what I want?  :)  baby steps...

Have a great day everyone!

The View from Here....

This past week involved immersion in various Swiss winter sports (although we were in the Monts Jura in France for all of them)..... 

the girls donned their new ski gear and took their first ski lesson (minus Marlowe who decided she was absolutely not keen on putting her skis on.....hence, relegating us to the lodge for cappucinos and playing on the iphone for a couple of hours);

and a field trip with Holden's class for a day of dog-sledding, snowshoeing, sledding; and just plain experiencing the beautiful winter landscape.....
a hot shower afterwards never felt so good.....

Given what we keep hearing, I bet some of you had some cold weather fun this weekend too...
Here's sending you warm wishes for the week ahead! :)

The View from Here...

A Winter Walk

We were blessed with a big snow followed by the most gloriously sunny days this week beckoning us to brave the cold for a walk and a much needed dose of vitamin D.  The girls and I agree that our walks were the highlight of our week.  

Now, it is off to tackle the Swiss Alps for the first time tomorrow.  Wish us luck!

Bon weekend everyone!

Coming to my senses.....

literally.....

Wishing you the joy of simple pleasures this weekend!

The View from Here....

The View from Here....

A Photo a Day:  Week 52

The four weeks from Thanksgiving to Christmas are a blur of empty tissue boxes, medicines and sleepless nights as illness made its way from one family member to the next in our household..... leaving in its wake...... an unfinished "to-do" list and a string of good intentions.  This Christmas came without homemade cookies, perfectly wrapped gifts, or new holiday outfits (not to mention our usual outings and traditions in the States)...... yet it was as special as any that I can remember.  We spent time with new friends and partook in European traditions like holiday poppers and a festive yule log (delivered by our French speaking neighbors).  My mom made a traditionally American Thanksgiving meal; we made cupcakes to celebrate Jesus' birthday and left out cookies and milk for Santa like always. The girls read the Christmas story in the Bible at dinner and we sang Silent Night by candlelight in church.  We Skyped loved ones back home, exchanged laughs and good wishes and went to bed with grateful hearts..... and a cough drop. :)

And there you have it...... another year and my photo a day project in the books.  Thanks to all of you who have come along for the ride.  I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store!

Happy New Year!

The View from Here....

A Photo a Day:  Week 51

No photo collage today

.... just the warmest of wishes to each of you

 for a Christmas filled with love and laughter!

The View from Here.....

A Photo a Day:  Week 50

As I was creating this post for today, my mind couldn't help but keep wandering back to the horrific tragedy in Connecticut last week.... the utter heartbreak I feel as a mother..... it takes my breath away to think about the parents of the victims.  My mind will never comprehend how and why something like this can happen.  It reminds me that the most precious gift I am given is the gift of an ordinary day with my family... and the promise of God's love that gives hope when the worst happens.

Our baby Marlowe turned 3 this weekend.  I am honored and forever grateful that God chose me to be her mother..... today.

The View from Here....

A Photo a Day :  Week 49

While we certainly suffered a great loss last week, we were blessed nonetheless.....
..... my mom arrived unscathed to Geneva from Alabama.... despite being re-routed thru
      the Charles de Gualle airport (something we had tried to avoid at all costs);
..... we celebrated St. Nick European style;
..... we got our first snowfall of the season; making the Alps even more majestic than before, if possible;
......we ventured out to a couple of the much talked about European Christmas markets;
..... and, the sun shone brightly for the first time in weeks; I'd like to think personally ordered for us by

      my Aunt Linda

source

Happy Monday!

The View from Here....

A Photo a Day..... Week 48

"Bird on wood" clay sculpture..... a masterpiece in my eyes... by Marlowe;

Celebrating my 41st year.... I can honestly say life is getting better every year... even if it is a little more wrinkly :);

a universal goodness..... children performing at church during the holidays;

Marlowe's unprompted contribution to our tree.... her Fisher Price nativity;

A new tradition... the Advent wreath... we'll light a new candle each Sunday and eat by candlelight each night until Christmas;

Let the holiday fun begin...  festive face painting;

I attended my first "open house" this week (think Pampered Chef party in the States).... featuring wonderful items made from vintage Swiss army blankets by this company... this pillow (for me) and keychain (for my guy) came home

Well.... it's official.... 22 days and counting until Christmas!  Unfortunately, the predominant smell in my house this past week wasn't that of evergreen, but rather Vicks Vaporub as coughs and congestion seem to be making their way thru the girls.  All is well with the world though because Memaw (my mom) arrives tomorrow!

Have a great day everyone!

The View from Here....

A Photo a Day:  Week 47

The latest addition to our bookshelf.... captured from a photograph by the talented Karl Johnson;

"Wish-full" thinking;

I couldn't resist these..... now if I could just get my hands on some of this and this;

"Marlowe in the box";

A belated anniversary gift for my guy inscribed "I married adventure 2012"... in honor of our latest one;

Tis the season for sparks...;

and sparkles....

Here's hoping everyone had a wonderful weekend surrounded by friends, family, food.... and Black Friday finds (if you were so inclined) :)

  While we certainly missed our usual traditions back in the States; we were overly-blessed by new friends and neighbors who gave us a generous helping of hospitality and holiday cheer.
We are so thankful.

Now.... bring on the Christmas music! :)

The View from Here.....

A Photo a Day:  Week 46

...... a little photo journal of our week last week.
While grand gestures are wonderful; the exercise of looking for simple goodness in the ordinary routine for this photo a day project has given me much needed (and I hope lasting)  perspective on the importance of cherishing each and every day......

..... here's hoping you find something wonderful in yours.

source

The View from Here.....

A Photo a Day:  Week 45

Filed under "things I learned from my 2nd grader"....... Remembrance Day observed on November 11 by the Commonwealth countries (also as Veterans Day in the U.S.); the poppies one of the first things that bloomed on the battlefields following WWI and memorializing the blood shed in the war;

My beautiful budding equestrian;

Memento/inspiration..... a growing collage capturing all of the restaurants and hotels from our travels (with printstagrams capturing the cities and dates);

What a difference two weeks makes;

..... something I will hold dear 'til my dying day..... these sisters;

My two youngest finally get their first haircut after 4 months...... and it might be their last..... 80 franc (or $84 US)...... at the mall...... no shampoo..... in only 7 minutes.....and not a great cut...... ouch.

I sure would love some comfort food (my oldest and I actually spent minutes dreaming this week about what we would order off the Cracker Barrel menu if we were there..... yes, sad, but true)...... but I have to settle for comfort clothes....

Better than honor or glory, 

and History’s iron pen,

Was the thought of duty done 

and

the love of his fellow-men.

- Richard Watson Gilder

The View from Here....

A Photo a Day:  Week 44

....ended up with this planner and I absolutely love it.... perfect for keeping track of the family schedule... and can even be monogrammed :);

this is what happens when you aren't prepared.....having to buy all three girls snow boots in a resort town;

my guy and a well deserved beer after patiently enduring the aforementioned shopping detour and accompanying bill;

Halloween crafts abounded at our house; including a homemade costume for a beloved stuff animal;

sadly, however, my idea of "dressing up" for Halloween was more like this: a spooky scarf, some dark polish, and a big bauble;

I hope whoever said "cold hands, warm heart" was right;

our Halloween Mad Hatter and princess (a smaller princess wasn't cooperating for photos);

a continuation of my habit of taking photos of the back of my girls' heads looking out at something wonderful;
 my "something wonderful"..... seeing them walking together.....

Happy Monday everyone!.... it's sure to be an eventful week in the U.S. with the election and the continued recovery from Sandy..... history in the making.  

The View from Here....

A Photo a Day:  Week 43

This past week was full of ups and downs....... as all weeks are..... traveling was great; getting sick.... the pits.....

But joy was found.......

Taking long walks with my girls in the vineyards;

Sharing dinner with a ladybug queen/princess;

witnessing the sweetness of the bond between a daughter and her daddy;

and feeling the wind on my face.

Leisure

W.H. Davies

What is this life, if full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich the smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.