Laowai

Our last full day of vacation was the sunniest. We went for a hike to a nearby lake – Lac Bleu. It’s a popular destination because the spring fed lake is a very very pretty blue. It was a good hike – hard but not too hard. We spent a long time just basking in the sun and enjoying the view.

After our hike Brian took a run way up high into the mountains behind the hotel. Here are his photos:

And since it was Brian’s birthday we did the touristy thing and ate fondue in summer. Yum.

And that’s the end of our vacation. Good-bye lovely old hotel. 

And now we have less than a week before we fly back to the US. 

Hey look at that – everyone is smiling.

We’ve been getting down to the lake for swimming and paddle boarding lately. Oh I do love swimming in Lake Zurich – it’s the best! 

We didn’t get to ride on that boat – I just thought it was cute so I took a picture.

And I made cinnamon rolls.

We’ve had a bit of an uptick in Covid cases here in Switzerland. So the government has made masks on public transport mandatory. It’s a new experience that I know we will have to get used to in the US.

In other news I came across some pretty linen gingham and so I had to make a shirt. Some quality time with my sewing machine before it gets packed up in our shipment. Sniff. It’s the Wilder Gown pattern from Friday Pattern Company again.  Such an easy pattern – just three pieces plus the ties. I should brush my hair…

I’m going to miss our view so so much! Back in Wilmette I look out my kitchen window through tree branches and I can see birds and squirrels nibbling berries. It’s a charming view – intimate and green – but it doesn’t really compare with what I have here in Switzerland. The two views are completely opposite. 

This week a crane went up. Glad it’s only gone up now because it does disrupt the scene.

Yesterday Brian went for a massive bike ride. He rode all day and over big big mountain passes. At the end of the day I drove to pick him up and he greeted me with the biggest smile (see below). These rides, in the amazing mountains, are the reason we’re here in Switzerland. I’m so glad that the silver lining of this pandemic has been a little extra biking time for Brian. 

This old quilt needed a wash – it’s my Swiss baby, Claire’s, quilt. Washing a quilt stresses me out a little. But it all went fine and we had a good hot sunny spell so it dried quickly on our patio. Now it feels clean and fresh again.

I have 400 hexagons sewn together now. I think 800 will be a good size and then I’ll add some white hexagons around the edge.

Taking the papers out is very satisfying. I try to leave them in around the edges to give the quilt a little strength until it’s almost done. I take out the papers in the middle hexagons and reuse them.

And I saw this pattern in a book a few days ago. It might be the inspiration for my next quilt.

Nothing much to report from our house. We’re still staying sort of close to home and watching the disturbing Covid news from the US. We have about a month before we move. Sadly Claire is having to say goodbye to friends as they go for vacations and won’t be back before we move. 

We’re not used to wearing masks here but I know that will change once we move. So I finally made a few masks.

Someday we’ll forget all these strange directions on the floors in public places.

I made a blueberry pie. Now that I’m happy with my crust I have to work out how to make a blueberry pie that is not blueberry soup inside. Tasted good though.

The weather has been fickle – storms part of the day and then clear and beautiful a couple hours later. We had a lovely picnic dinner and a little swimming after the storms one evening. 

Mmmm dessert.

Claire’s favorite graffiti.

Brian finished his Swiss map puzzle.

Seems I have a cutting garden on our patio.

The grapes are growing at the vineyard by our house.

And Brian gets a bike ride in as often as he can.

Hope you are well and the sun is shinning for you.