On a happier note, the holidays were fabulous for us as we were able to see and spend time with children and grandchildren. We very much missed our California and Utah kids and families, but will be able to visit with them in the summer.
As soon as Steve is able to take a minute to edit photos, I will post some of our favorites from Christmas. I hope some of you, at least, are having a bright January.
This was our Thanksgiving dinner. Okay, there was no turkey, nor stuffing, but we did have chicken with delicious fresh sweet potatoes to which I added sliced apples and pecans before baking. I also made cranberry bread and a salad with fresh pears, a little cheese and nuts. The other item on the table is a nice selection of fine chocolate. Okay, so it's no pumpkin pie, but I happen to prefer chocolate to pumpkin pie. We didn't even eat this meal on Thanksgiving Day, but then Steve was working in Germany on our Thanksgiving Day and we shared our meal together on Friday evening.
At this time we recognize that we have in abundance all things which really matter in life; family and friends to love and appreciate, faith in God and good health to enjoy life.
For over two months I have enjoyed looking out my front window at the hearty ever-blooming Chrysanthemums in pots which I had placed in my window sill. When the huge purple one began to look like it belonged to Morticia Adams, with brown flowers instead of purple, I couldn't stand to just throw it away and gave it to a friend to plant in her yard. Since that time, the two smaller yellow pots have braved the cooler temperatures and oft-times brutal winds to continue to display cheering yellow flowers. I must admit today, however, that they may not be up to the dusting of snow which we received yesterday and the night-time temperatures that are below freezing. Still, I watch as they rock, buffeted by the chill wind, and yet look fairly healthy.
I have not seen too many, if any, Chrysanthemums on window ledges. Sometime in the past couple of weeks I read that one should never take Chrysanthemums to someone as a gift because they are associated with funerals and death. Hmmm--I wonder how many people here have either chuckled at our cultural ignorance or thought that we had suffered a loss.
Interesting--Chrysanthemums being associated with funerals and death when in reality they are the essence of longevity, hardiness and can be depended upon to rise back up out of the ground to flower again next year. Maybe they should be thought of in terms of resurrection rather death. I still will remember not to take them to someone as a hostess gift.
The hills that we look out on from our front window are called the Jura. We had never gone into the Jura nor seen what lay beyond--that is until last Saturday. The deciduous trees had all lost their leaves, but there are plenty of pines. Also, we left a semi-clouded over Geneva, with hazy skies and drove into bright sunshine and brilliant blue skies. Nice change. Steve took this photo outside of the little village of Morez. We only have to drive 15 minutes in the North-West direction from our home to cross into France. We spent the day in France. We thought we might head to Dijon, where I have never been, but as we traveled in that direction we became ensconced in heavy fog. We changed plans and dr
As we approached Besacon the view is of the ancient Citadel and wall on the hill and of part of the river which flows all the way around the city. (By the way, the "c" in Besancon is pronounced as an "s" which would show up on a French keyboard and a little comma under the c.)
Row houses along the river
Church on the square
Great Carousel. It's quite old.
I've aged a bit since you last saw me.
Love to you all--
On the hill is the Gruyere Castle. Just some beautiful scenery on our way back to Geneva.
As Autumn pushes onward, I am getting more anxious each day to get home to North Carolina. I have discovered that I'm good for about two and a half months before I start counting the days until I come home. I find that I'm less tolerant of the crowds of people, the cigarette smoke being blown in my face, the dirty bus seats and the even dirtier streets. Yep--it's definitely time for a break from here for a little while. City life is fine in small doses. We plan to get out of town next Saturday--we haven't decided where, but it'll probably end up in my next blog.
Love to you all--
Last Sunday we took a beautiful autumn ride up towards Mount Blanc, turned down toward Albertville, drove over to the bottom of Lake Annecy, around the Lake to St. Bernard de Menthod, and finished at the town of Annecy. It was a brilliant day with spectacular fall colors everywhere. We love it when visitors give us all the reason we need to go exploring. Every time we reached a "pull-out" on the side of the road we would stop to take more pictures.
We hope Chad and Danielle had as much fun as we did.
One of Danielle's requests was to see a castle. This is the Castle St. Bernard de Menthod across the lake from the town of Annecy.
We ended the day in the town of Annecy. Danielle said that Annecy was her "favorite" of their whole vacation here. It certainly is picturesque and was the perfect ending to a beautiful day.
This vine grows on walls all over around here, but it becomes spectacular during the Fall.
On a different theme--This huge three-legged chair stands across the street from the United Nations building. It represents all the children of the world who have lost limbs or been killed by land mines and cluster bombs. It is quite a statement. This square is also the site of many demonstrations by various groups with different agendas. I have just finished reading the book, Three Cups of Tea --A true account by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. I would encourage everyone I know to read this inspiring account.
