Laowai

Well we had our family Christmas at home – seems like ages ago. And after flying to the US on Saturday we spent a couple days in Wilmette and now we are in Michigan. Christmas is coming fast and I’m just hanging out with Mom and Jennifer and the girls. So here are a bunch of random photos and thoughts to finish up 2017.

Making: Cookies and cupcakes for class parties and absolutely loving it. At the girls’ old school they didn’t do any special food treats for the holidays out of fear of allergies. It was really a shame.

Looking: Forward to January when I think I will be able to tackle some sewing projects that I’m excited about.

Listening: To rain on our sky lights. We’ve had a lot of cold, heavy rain recently and I like hearing it pounding down.

Mourning: The melting of Bea’s snowman on our patio.

Cringing: at the mess that was left in the wake of my holiday crafting.

Deciding: that early morning when the house is still is my favorite time of day lately.

Questioning: the huge amount of cheese that Brian insists on buying for our Swiss Christmas. Way more than a family of four can consume.

Rolling: my eyes.

Marvelling: at the big ol’ mess that Christmas makes

Reading: Yes, finally taking some time to read more than three pages before I fall asleep. I’m finishing Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher. And then I have a non-fiction book about some decadent 1930s jet-set people lined up. 

Smelling: Gingerbread!

Liking: Seeing my girls reunited with their girl friends in Wilmette. Watching the hugs was the best. Here’s a picture that Claire’s friend Maeve made for her.

Noticing: An exhuberant new mural at a train station in Evanston

Loving: My house in Wilmette. It was strange and nice to be back. I actually enjoyed sweeping the dust away – showing my house some love.

Pondering: What a difficult year it has been for my mom. I’m thinking of Dad and working it all out in my mind.

Watching: The TV that Claire made in Wilmette (so sad that we didn’t have a real tv to watch).

Thanking: My lovely friends and neighbors in Wilmette. We arrived home to a welcome banner, lots of treats to eat and milk in the fridge. And our neighbors generously shared their wifi – no better gift for the downtrodden internet starved travelers. Ha.

Wishing: Peace on Earth – I saw this cute sign when I took a nice long walk to Winnetka (next to Wilmette).

Buying: Clothes – yay – Brian and I were able to go to the mall an do some shopping for ourselves – by ourselves. It’s nice to go to stores I know and see prices that aren’t as high as they are in Zurich.

Pretending: Claire is pretending she is Santa with a marshmallow beard.

Thinking: I’m so glad that the shopping and running around are done and now I can just enjoy some quiet time.

Drinking: Hot chocolate in mom’s coveted Denby cups.

Enjoying: Watching Singing in the Rain with Jennifer and the rest of the girls. Jennifer always helps us slow down and enjoy the best old movies.

Giggling: We’ve been playing Head’s Up. It’s Ellen’s charades app and it always leads to laughing.

Embracing: Being with family and relaxing.

Cooking: Nothing at the moment – ha – nice – but I think I should help Jennifer and Chris make Christmas Eve dinner.

Wishing: Everyone who reads my silly little blog the very best Christmas!