Yoghurts...

As some of you know, I've been doing my own yoghurts since now over 2 years. They're easily done, and I really enjoy making them. We do also enjoy eating them!!!

A couple of months ago, my yoghurt machine broke down. As it was 30+ years old, I didn't even try to repair it, but I thought I'd get a new one. Until a girlfriend of mine asked me if I had already tried to make yoghurt in the oven. Well... no!

So I had to try, and it turned out to be sooooo good that there's no way I'm ever going to by another yoghurt machine again!

See for yourself, all you need is:

- 1 quart milk (1%, 1.5% or 2.5%... or full)

- 1 yoghourt storebought (a "small" one). Don't use a liquid one or your batch will be liquid as well! unless it's what you want!!!

- 3 Tbsp sugar

- 3 Tbsp powder milk

- a few drops of Vanilla extract (to break the acidic taste)

Here you go!

Mix all the ingredients in a pot and pour it in small pots (individual ones) for which you have lids. Don't put the lids on, but you'll use them "tomorrow". Set your oven to heat at 104F (40C) for 2 hours (don't open the door during this time!), and keep the babies in it for another 8 hours or so. Overnight is good if you start the thing in the evening!

After that time, you put the lids on your little pots, and store them in the fridge. You'll tell me how you find them!

For the vanilla extract, as you see on the picture, I use the Lockhead Vanilla extract. First because I find it so good, and second, because it's made by my friend Kathy's family in St.Louis. Really worth smuggling a few bottles on my trip back to Europe last Fall!!!

Can't wait to see you again this Fall Kathy!!! ;)!

Uphill skiing!

No! I'm not crazy!

But I try to re-think many things of my life... and for instance the satisfaction of reaching a goal myself. For years, for instance, it's been rushing downhill on my skis, or doing nice curves while going down. And of course, enjoying skilifts to go back... uphill!!! It was time now to discover the satisfaction of "deserving" skiing downhill!

This Winter I decided to get a new ski-gear (mine was old, bought in 1996!), and I picked some material to go uphill skiing: special shoes, special "skins" (originally seal skins, but now nylon stuff) to stick under the ski, special bindings that allow the heels to be free while going uphill, and fixing it to the ski for a "regular" downhill ski. The material is much lighter than regular downhill ski, but I chose an "allrounder", because I still am going to enjoy skiing with the kids on regular slopes!

Yesterday I had a day of introduction to this sport. I had done 2 outings the week before with a friend of mine, so at least I knew how to stick the skins under the skis! And how to use the different heel levels, depending on how steep the slope is. And go down on a short slope without falling... almost (try to ski downhill with the "skins" there...)

We "climbed" approx 3000ft (from 3000 to 6000) in the "pre-Alps" yesterday, under a beautiful blue sky. We were a group of 7, plus a mountain guide who led us and taught us how to save our energy to be the most efficient (you don't want to go too fast, you want to save energy for the downhill which won't happen on flat slopes, but in deep snow!). I simply loved it. It was awesome to go up a mountain (actually, my being afraid of heights prevented me from going to the very top, but I still could enjoy a nice view from where I was).

At the end of January, I'll go for a 3 day tour with the same guide. My friend told me she'd watch the kids during that time. Aren't I blessed?

The Summit is called "La tête à Josué (Joshua's Head)" or "Les Arpilles"

I stopped not far from the summit, as I was getting afraid of heights.

But look the fantastic view I still could enjoy! (looking West)

and that was on the way down...

1.1.11

I wish you all the courage to go this way, discovering yourselves, and becoming who you really are. I'm on my way...

Happy 2011!

Wishbone... for Thanksgivings!

Today is Thanksgivings, or Turkey day. You all know that, of course. We don't celebrate it actually in Switzerland, even if I do try to count my blessings. And I try not to do it only one day a year, but everyday.

Some days are harder than others, especially these days...

To remind us of the big bird tradition (?), Léa made us think of the wishbone yesterday, breaking her own collarbone as she fell off her horse. O the pain... Poor girl, she was brought to the hospital by her teacher, and got an anaesthesia so that they could X-ray her shoulder and neck. She spent the night at the hospital and just got back home, a very tired but tough (little) big girl, eager to go back on horses... probably as of January.

We'll know more about ski season as it arrives, I had just signed her up for a ski camp during Winterbreak... First snow "down here" is supposed to arrive tonight.

Morning colors...

I know, I can be really one-track minded: I love the landscape around my place, and I love even more to see the colors in the Fall (actually, in every season...).

This morning I went running with ma camera! I was out between 8:15 and 9:00, so pretty early, right after walking the kids to school. We do have daylight savings so the sun doesn't rise very early in Winter... It was pretty cold (O˚C), but I really enjoyed my run.

I'm glad I went out early, because as I was arriving home from my tour, the fog had risen and it remained all grey for the rest of the morning....

Spring weather in the late Fall...

It's not that uncommon that we have snow, or snowdays in the second half of November. This year, Fall is very warm, and I cherish this kind of weather.

If today was really a "bad weather day" with almost non-stop rain, we had a gorgeous week-end.

On Sunday, we took a (short, 35 mins) drive to Lake Geneva, and took a boat to Montreux. Once we were there, we walked back, approx 4.5 miles on the lakeshore. The kids (and their Dad) were riding their scooters, and really enjoyed it. The temperature were so mild...

When I think that I'm not that keen of "family Sunday afternoon walk", I really enjoyed this outing!

Future... doc?

Yesterday was a special day in Switzerland, not only because it was Martin's Day, and the start of Carnival: it was also a day when 5th graders had the opportunity to follow their mom or dad in their job. Léa went with her Dad to the University Hospital of Bern and had a blast. It's a great way for kids to discover what Mom or Dad's job are for real, and why not, have an idea if they want to follow their paths! I wish I had had that kind of opportunity when I was young. Even now, I'd love to spend the day with somebody who shows me what he does - for real - for a living!

Along with a whole group of employee's kids, she visited the place where all the beds are stored, the radiology, could "play" with her Dad and do herself an ultrasound, she could watch him do the procedure for an epidural... in the recovery room. What a rich day!

In the afternoon, she was taken care of by the team of Anaesthesia, and was taught how to perform CPR on "Anne"... the dummy that she was even allowed to bring back home! So she showed us what she had learned, and even let Sam try himself! Enjoy the pics!

Carnival Time!

Yes... this seems to be early!

But it's very serious and official: Carnival season starts on November 11, at 11:11 AM!

I saw this morning a "guggenmusik" group arriving into the old town, ready to make a big clang at the right moment!

about the weather...

The Fall has been very nice to us so far (in St.Louis first and then here, since we came back a week ago!). I winterized the front yard this afternoon, raking dead leaves, taking them to the collecting place (unlike in Clayton, you've got to do the job yourself, there's no curbside leaves picking by a big truck!), got rid of dead plants, and hope that there are tulip bulbs in certain places (I really can't remember if I took them out in the Spring or not: we shall see!).

Snow can come now: we have enough wood to heat the house, the kid's skis are rented for the seasons, the kids are signed in for ski school over Christmas break. Everything should be fine!

For the people around here that are interested, there is now a new "weather frog" point in my neighborhood:

It says:

Weather Station for the village of Neyruz

Wet stone: rain

White stone: snow

Moving stone: wind

Invisible stone: fog

Dry stone: sun

Fallen stone: earthquake

Don't you love it? I certainly do!

Meditation

Today I drove Sam to his fencing class. The village is quite remote, it's approx 25 mins away from here (next time, I'll post a bird's view of our area!)..., very quiet, and has this cute little chapel, built in 1670. I love to sit in front of it, and did today, meditating, tanking up on sunshine...

I'm back!

Well... almost! I mean, I'm back on my blog in English!!!!!

For those whom I'm so thankful to have met during our brief stay in the US at the end of October, you know that I was just temporarily back on US ground!

Before starting this new post, I read the previous one. Counting my blessings for 2009...

2010 has been very different so far. Much more intense... middle-life crisis at full blast, let's put it this way... No fun. Everything seems to become jeopardized. And it's my fault. I need a piece of white paper to go on with my life and it's not the easiest when you're married with 2 kids. Well, don't worry too much, I'm getting as much help as I can, I still have wonderful friends who support (and bear!) me, and I'll get through it, in the end.

But I'll stop complaining about my being a desperate housewife (not even sure I'm that desperate, or even that being a working mom would mean being less desperate ;)!)... and tell you more about our great vacation in LA, St.Louis, and NYC.

Vladi had a conference in San Diego, and we took advantage of traveling with him to go back. Léa told me (in English) as we were landing: "Mom, we're not going to America, we're going home"... Yes, we indeed have a foot in each country, our hearts beating on both continents...

We started with a few days in LA... which is well known for it's great climate, as you all know. Well, not this year, obviously! It was rainy, cold, misty, and foggy. We took a trip to Seaworld, and didn't even need to go to the splash zones to get soaked, as our raincoats didn't do the job: I had to buy sweaters to warm us up!

Once Vladi's conference was over, we traveled to Saint-Louis, where we spent 6 beautiful days. Seeing old friends, some having even come from as far as Texas or Vancouver to see us was totally heartwarming and touching. Thank you Jenny, Catherine, and also Elke, who drove 4 hours from Indianapolis! Thank you Debbie for having us stay at your house, letting me be with you while you took care of your bees (the honey tastes really good!)! Thank you Kathy for "adopting" Léa for a few day as if she was your own daughter and inviting us to Candy-Apple making day! Thank you Jenny and Catherine for the excellent moment spent on the Pastries of Denmark terrace, speaking our hearts open.... Thank you Ganesh for letting Jiothy go to the breakfast with our "Monday Morning Whispering Hills Mom's group"! Thank you Cari for letting us visit Meramec school and welcoming us so warmly! Thank you Samuel's Church Choir people, for showing so much happiness at my being present, and thank you for the music notes you gave me, Neal! Thank you all of you, my friends, for showing us so much affection! I'm still very moved when I think of all of you. You are all unforgettable and I love you all! Shall I count my blessings now? You are each of you, one of them!

I'll post some pictures of these days... it might take a while though... uploading all of them!

After this "honeymoon" kind of vacation, leaving St.Louis was hard. We still had a few days planned in NYC though, and all went well. Our hotel was located across from Manhattan, on the Hudson River (you remember the plane that landed on the water in January 2009? well, it was practically in front of our hotel!), in Weehawken. In hardly 15 minutes by bus we were in the middle of Midtown! Close from Time Square, where we became almost dizzy the first night!

We took a boat trip to the Statue of Liberty, walked and walked through this crazy, sleepless city. We met Anaïs, our cousin, and went up the Empire States Building. Lots of fun and good time! I also enjoyed meeting 2 French friends and have lunch with them.

The 2 weeks went by... and we flew back home... Kids went back to school this morning, plagued by the jetlag (we slept much too late yesterday morning!)... but we all keep a great memory of this vacation!

OK, now... do you have time? Because you can watch the pictures of this great trip right here: Enjoy and comment please!

I'm so grateful because seeing you, my friends, has given me so much energy... I'll really improve my keeping up with this blog. Comment, and ask things you want to know and see about our lives in Switzerland! I'll be happy to add more content!

Love to you!

ready? set... Champagne!

We'll get there earlier than you, who are on the north american continent ;)! And tomorrow morning, I'll start the new year enjoying a "staying in bed late" moment! So I won't be up on Internet to wish you all the best for this coming 2010!

Enjoy! Be happy! Be healthy! Be wise (but not boring!)!!!!

And take care!

xoxo

In between...

Between Christmas and New Year's Eve, some time to reflect on all the good things of the past year....

Thankfulness for good health, a nice family, a beautiful place to live, with cool people around (which doesn't mean that I/we don't miss you all around the world!!!!!). A satisfacting job for V, sports for him and me, good school for the kids. We're very thankful as we count our blessings!

I hope that you also had a good year, a nice celebration for Christmas, or Hannukka, and I wish you all the best for 2010! Come and comment this blog, as it's what makes it living!

PS: Let me tell you the story of this Christmas tree. I confess that I still regret the "fake" one that I had bought at Goodwill's for a mere 25$... I should have taken it along when we moved, but well... I hope at least that our followers in the house enjoyed it as much as we did!

So ours, this year, is a rented one! It's a real tree, with dirt around its roots, and it's in a pot! Funny, isn't it?

But still... it looses its needles a lot, and I'm not that fond of its look. So I'll bring it back to where it was born, and it will be replanted for the next 350 days! At least it's a positive thing... But I bought today an artificial on sale, with the (nice) decoration for next year.... And I'm glad i did it!

Winter's here!

Although it's not official yet, Winter has arrived! We had an amazing fall this year, much too hot, and all of a sudden, on Monday night, some nice snow coming. To be honest, I love snow, always did, but I'm really happy that it came this year much later than last year! I enjoyed working around the house without freezing my hands (or else!)

On Wednesday, the snow had quite melted already, but it was really cold. Hubby walked the kids to school and then took a ton of pictures of early morning colours in our area. I love living here!

Puss in boots in the old City

Every year, a local artist (also humanist!) prepares something special for kids in the old town. He works with unemployed people, and sets up a "witches path", or "fairy village", or this year, a walk through the old town in the steps of Puss in Boots.

We decided to discover this part of the old town of Fribourg, at the very bottom of the town, surrounded by the Sarine river.

This part of the old town was built in the 16-17th centuries. Most of the houses are still up, and have been restored over the time. Some are really neat, and even their "modern touch" is well integrated in the landscape.

As in any old town the streets are very narrow, and I don't really enjoy driving there with the Sienna! But then I remember that busses use them as well, so they're not that bad! The wooden bridge was built in 1250!

Seen from down there, the Cathedral looks built up a hill. But when I ran next to it the other day, I realized that I still had a good climb past it, to make it to the finish!

This little chapel is part of the old walls.

Beginnings of fall

This morning, I went for ... a nice run with my (Texan) friend April. We enjoyed the colours of the early morning, right after dawn. We had seen this little chapel (Chapelle Ste-Appoline)* a few weeks ago, and all we needed was a camera in order to share the landscape with you!

Here it is!

*The bridge St.Appoline, over the Glâne river, documented as far back as 1243, is right behind the chapel. The chapel St Appoline was first mentioned in 1147, and was newly erected in 1566.

It's on the "Way of St.James"/Via Jacobi, which goes across Switzerland's far eastern part (Lake Konstanz) to the most western part (Geneva).

And when I think of it...

it's really weird! All the aches that I had have disappeared, I ran today, OK, only 30 mins, but it hurt nowhere... Did I really take part in this race, Sunday?

I have a T-shirt as "proof", as well as the picts that my father-in-law took.

But hold on, my friends! You want a good laugh?

Then watch this, the finisher-clip. You see Vladi and me arriving, and then sprinting for the last 20 yards... what a joke!

And if the video doesn't cooperate, you simply click here!

It's been a long time...

...since I wrote here for the last time!

The summer has gone by, faster than I thought, and I must say that I was carrying on a long-term project: a running event, scheduled today, October 4th:

The "Morat-Fribourg" race, commemoration of the victory of the Confederates over Charles the Bold in 1476, after which a man ran the 11 miles to Fribourg in order to carry the good news.

I've been training since May 20th, every Wednesday evening with a group preparing for this race, and ran another 2-3 times a week.

And today was THE day...

We arrived at 9h15 AM in the beautiful little city of Morat. The sun was shining, the air not very warm, but it would improve. The landscape beautiful, and the lake of Morat dark blue in the middle of the wineyards. Just gorgeous! There were hundreds - no, thousands! - of people gathering in the same time, with the same goal: running! The atmosphere was nice, you could notice by the queue at the ladiesrooms (and mensrooms!) that it was an important business for everybody: run as light as you can!!!

At 10h39 the start was given for my group (the slowest one, with a predicted time over 1h45!). We started slowly, through the old town, out of it, through villages where people were cheering us on both sides of the street. Some with "guggenmusik", some with a huge stereo installation, some ringing huge cowbells. It gave a very nice feeling!

The landscape in Switzerland is not only mountainous... it can be hilly too! And the denivellation between Morat and Fribourg was very important. Mainly uphill running, as you can see...

Anyway...

After like 5 miles, my right knee started to hurt, and din't stop until I arrived. I'm not that used to run on asphalt, for one, and second, the roads are winding enough not to be really flat. They either have a right, or left incline, or in the best case, are sort of "convex". Then I ran in the middle of the road, with a foot on each side of the white line!

After approx 6 miles, my left leg started to hurt, and I really wasn't comfy, but I decided to still try as hard as I could to finish.

There in the last third (after mile 7) there is this long, abhorred uphill climb. You know what? it did'nt even seem that bad, as my hurting legs forced me to keep to small steps! I couldn't even make longer ones when it was flat or slightly downhill!

Once I was up there, there were only 2 more miles to go. Oh, did they seem long! At a while, I was just hoping for it to be over. But Hubby, who ran all the time along with me, encouraged me. Yeah, we were almost there!

There was a last climb, starting from the Cathedral, and I felt like giving it all in a small sprint to go through the arrival door!

I was done, I did it, and I'm really happy and proud of myself!

It took me 2:04:54

In the last clim... Arrival in in 200 yards probably...

3 days in Italy

Right before I travelled to visit Grit, I took the train with my hubby and we went to a conference in Milano /Italy. My first visit there... 

I really liked to see the Duomo, and even go up its roof.

I even more enjoyed spending time with Alessandra, whom I hadn't seen in almost a year!

And I really enjoyed eating excellent ice-cream (gelati), and strolling down the streets with my friend!

Can you imagine that Milano is only 4.5 hours' train from home?

Visiting Grit

After Grit coming to see us in February and discover the snow and the mountains, it was our turn to ride the night train and go and visit her! We took advantage of a long week-end, and of the possibility to put the car on a train. Otherwise, the journey is over 800 miles, and I would'nt have done it all by myself! After Hamburg, the drive was another 3-4 hours!

 

It was a big joy to meet again, and share good memories. Even if the time spent together was quite short, it was definitely worth the trip! Her area is wonderful, flat, windy, beautiful, soothing (I love the see!)... and her home is really cozy.

Thank you Grit for welcoming us in your home!

You can see the sea from Grit's backyard!

Beautiful Countryside

Old houses with thatch roof

Greifswald: the Cathedral and view of the city from the top of it!

The baltic sea on a grey day with huge wind

... and still windy, but at least sunny!

View from the top of the Church of Gristow, built over the last centuries

Go Cards!