From my Swiss window

Happy New Year!

Pumpkin — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 04:31:42 +0000

The year ended beautifully.

We have been spending quality time with my oldest daughter. I have taught her to bake and knit in a few short weeks. She is a fast learner.

She has made homemade apple pie, biscuits, cookies, pancakes, syrup, quiche, and soup not to mention what a big help she has been to me in the kitchen preparing meals.

Knitting has been more challenging since she has pulled out the stitches to one knitted scarf at least over fifty times. I am not sure but I think she has hung up her knitting needles for the moment out of frustration. She can knit but gets going to fast and makes little mistakes that require starting all over again! :)

We have tried to get out and show her some of Switzerland. I really wish we could show her the Alps up close but that will have to wait until later.

Below are some photos I took over the Christmas holiday. I hope you had a wonderful holiday full of good food, family and friends.

Our Christmas tree before Emmie Cat knocked off all the bottom ornaments.

The first ornament I bought for Angel when she was born. I can’t believe this is her 13th Christmas already!

When she was born we called her a cone head due to the shape of her head from the pressure of traveling through the birth canal. My dad called her baldy for about a year until her hair finally started to come in thicker. He even made me cry once because he was calling my beautiful baby girl a baldy.

Angel wasn’t alone since all of my children started out in the world bald but beautiful. Did you read that Dad???? See I can finally admit that my babies were all bald! :)

Here is Emmie Cat caught red-handed trying to knock off an ornament. She, also, enjoys trying to climb up the tree via the trunk. Once she almost made it all the way up to the top of the tree while I held my breath waiting for the tree to fall over with cat and all!

Luckily for her it did not.

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Nidau Castle

Pumpkin — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:31:42 +0000

While visiting Biel with my oldest daughter, we decided to show her the Nidau Castle. There is a small park for children to play in while the adults sit and admire the castle.

Nidau Castle was built in 1196.

A kind of tower near the castle.

The red doors were bright against the white of the building.

Look to the left to see an interesting art piece made of metal that is displayed on the castle grounds.

Shot of the art piece from underneath.

Another shot.

Yet, another shot. I was playing.

Photo taken by Vilay.

I know I have said this before…But, I adore painted Swiss shutters.

Photo taken by Vilay.

I, also, adore all the statues on the Swiss fountains.

Vilay took this shot. I like how he used the tree branches in the photo. He is starting to enjoy taking photos when before he was happy to let me do all the picture taking. I enjoy seeing photos taken with his “eye” and watching his interest in photography grow.

Lake Biel-Bienne

Pumpkin — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:31:52 +0000

Lake Biel was particularly nice this past Saturday. I have to admit that usually I find Biel dirty compared to other Swiss cities. However, it seems the city had been cleaned up for Christmas. I hope that it continues.

Here are some photos of Lake Biel.

We weren’t the only people enjoying the warmth of the sun.

Angel and Papa walking ahead.

A young swan.

There were several birds on the water or flying above it.

A large group of birds took off at the same time. I was lucky enough to catch a quick shot as the birds came back to land.

Vilay took this photo of a guy doing bike tricks while another man photographed him from underneath. I bet the photos were interesting from that angle.

The Orange Boat.

I love this photo of my oldest daughter’s, age 13, shadow holding her siblings balloons. I particularily like how the balloons kept their colors.

Biel (Bienne) at Christmas time

Pumpkin — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 13:54:58 +0000

Saturday, we went to Bienne to show Audrey another Swiss city. It was a beautiful day in spite of the cold and we had a great time walking in the sun.

More photos of Bienne tomorrow!

Bern Christmas Market

Pumpkin — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 10:26:40 +0000

We took Angel to the Christmas Market in Bern.

The 15th century houses in old town were a beautiful backdrop to the market.
Below are some photos of the market.

I hope that you are enjoying your holidays with family and friends.

Bern around Christmas time

Pumpkin — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:14:21 +0000

More photos tomorrow.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful holiday!

Day before Christmas

Pumpkin — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 09:27:36 +0000

We had homemade pancakes covered in maple syrup for breakfast this Christmas morning.

Angel mixed the batter and I cooked them on the stove. The pancakes were delicious.

Below are some photos I took yesterday during our walk.

The sky was an incredible blue against the white snow.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Click on link below to see the rest of the photos.

Guest Post Angel

Pumpkin — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:54:19 +0000

Hello, This is Angel. I am finally in Switzerland, which in my opinion is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The mountains are so pretty. Just the other day we went to Neuchâtel. You could see the alps from across the lake. They were so big, even from so far away. The city was also very pretty. I don’t know why but I thought the walls were so cool along with the fountains. Did you know you can drink the water from some of the fountains. Personally I would never do that, but you know if you want to drink some fountain water go on ahead.

Switzerland is also very clean. And very much of a Winter Wonderland. The snow is wonderful. There is so much. In Tennessee we barely get any and if we do get just a little bit they cancel school, so being a snow girl I’m very excited to finally see some real snow. I also love the food. It is delicious. The chocolate, milk, fondue, and raclette are so good. The people here also seem nicer and friendlier. It also seems a lot of them like to drive really nice cars. There’s still so much to see of Switzerland, I can’t wait.

I’m so happy to finally see my Swiss family. Even though within the first two days my sisters got a virus and both have thrown up, I’m still happy to see them. My little brother is such a brother. He is annoying, but I can’t help but love him and think is is the cutest thing. He talks to me in french and doesn’t understand I don’t understand him. And while he’s talking he makes very…. interesting faces. Another adorable thing is his man calls. He sounds like a gorilla and will randomly make his man call.

And I got a new camera for Christmas! It is a Nikon Coolpix, and I love it. It takes wonderful pictures and its a lot better than my last camera which the LCD screen cracked and I couldn’t see what I was taking a picture of. So here are some pictures I took from Neuchâtel.

Angel is home

Pumpkin — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:57:31 +0000

My oldest daughter landed Thursday morning in Zurich. We took the train back to the Jura and have spent the last two days with family.

We are all so happy to have our Angel back home.

Below are photos that she took from the train window. These are her first impressions of Switzerland.

She thinks it is beautiful here but who doesn’t? :)

Preparations

Pumpkin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:36:26 +0000

Photo taken yesterday morning.

We have made all the preparations for the arrival of my oldest daughter.

I have cleaned for two solid days straight.

I have rearranged closests and bedrooms to make room for everyone.

My Inlaws will arrive this afternoon around lunch time. I got up bright and early to make sure that our bedroom was ready for them. Emmie Cat isn’t too happy about not being able to get in there to sleep on the bed. However, I don’t think my Inlaws would appreciate her keeping it warm for them.

I am only now allowing myself to get excited about the visit of my daughter. I can’t wait to hold her in my arms.

It has been too long since I have touched my child.

From my Swiss window

Happy New Year!

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