Mon Aventure

"Not all those who wander are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien

It's a rainy day here.  A good day to sit and have a chat with you.

The rain matches my mood.  I'm homesick for the U.S. and for family.  I think this can't be avoided when you move to another country.  I think it's part of the experience.  On the other hand, I think some people are meant to live far away from their roots for a long, long time.  I don't think I'm one of those people.  I think that living in Europe for a few years is an experience I will never regret, but at the end of these few years, it will be right for me to return home, when others fall in love and stay forever.

In the meantime, every moment is precious and many happy memories are being made.  On Saturday I had my first experience with white water rafting.  Chris and I both went.  The following photo was taken in the girls changing tent.  A wet suit is the most difficult piece of clothing I have ever tried to put on. 

I enjoyed rafting, but given the choice, I'll raft down a lazy river with a can of beer any day over the constant jumpy nerves of white water rafting.  Chris, on the other hand, was in his element.  Risk and extreme sports make him come alive.

The last 2 weeks have been busy.  I flew around preparing the apartment for our first overnight guests only a week after our shipment from the U.S. arrived.  I also threw a small baby shower for a new friend from Ireland.  Did you know baby showers are an American thing?  Yes.  My Irish friend says it hasn't caught on in Europe, but she thinks it's a "brilliant" idea.  She was so excited to tell her Mom and friends back home in Ireland that she was getting a baby shower! 

Everyone is enamored with our quaint apartment and the special touch American furniture adds to it.


All of you homemakers out there will appreciate this next bit of news..... today I found myself washing out a zip lock bag for re-use.  I haven't found zip lock bags in Switzerland.  The few zip locks I do have innocently came over with me from the U.S. not knowing their worth.  When I visit the U.S. in August, I'll be stocking up.

This morning when I woke up, my dark Red Lilies finally bloomed in my bedroom window box.  I've been waiting for 2 months for this!


Last week I found a swan nest when we were walking along the lake after dinner!  Did you know it stays light til 10:30 at this time of year in Switzerland???  It's so hard to go to bed at a decent hour!  This swan didn't seem to be affected.