Laowai

Well as the pandemic situation is still serious so we are spending all our time at home. I'm a little worried we might loose our minds in the next months. Brian spends so much time working in his office and the girls seems to have some sort of fight every night at the dinner table. Oh dear. I guess I should be thankful we have each other but all this togetherness is making us a little crazy.

One bright spot, for me, has been decorating the house for Christmas. It makes me feel Shiny and Brite! My mom-in-law gave us some of her old ornaments last year. Can't remember if these belonged to her mom (maybe ?) but we are enjoying them. Even the box is pretty!

The next photo might be a a metaphor for this whole year. Oops. Don't worry, it wasn't one of the vintage ornaments.

Claire is my main helper when it comes to decorating. I call us the party planning committee. Meanwhile Brian sat on the couch with his glass of wine and he and Bea jeered and heckled. Grinches.

Here's an early morning photo with the sun shining on my mantle. I think we get more sunny days here than we did in Switzerland. At least we don't seem to have those ten-day stretches of gloomy gray. I'm really appreciating you sunshine.

I get out my collection of Christmas market mugs each year. They remind us of some fun times.

The advent calendars have begun.

In other news – last weekend Bea made an outdoor scavenger hunt for us and for some friends. It was great! She had us riding all around the neighborhood looking for clues and even climbing trees. And then we had to solve codes and puzzles. And the best part- the mom team won!!! Here we are heading back home after the scavenger hunt. 

I'll be happy to see some pretty snow but I guess it is also nice that it's been warm enough to ride around on our bikes.

In This Old House news – I have been getting quotes for our next round of window restoration. Can't wait to have our windows looking pretty again. This is the sorry state of one of the worst windows.

And that brings me to another window related project that's in the works. Right now we only have wispy sheer curtains that came with the house. I'm making some thick curtains to help keep some of the drafty air out in the winter. It suddenly felt real serious when the lining came in the mail – it's a whole big role of fabric!

And here's the curtain fabric. This will just be for the three windows in my bedroom. Eek – I'm excited and nervous to start cutting.

I think the local news man said so far December has been seven degrees warmer than average. Strange. And I noticed my lilac seems to be sprouting green leaves and fat flower buds.

And this false nettle is actually blooming. I just hope I get some lilac blossoms next Spring. It's one of the things I'm most looking forward to.

Until next time…