Williamsburg

 We enjoyed a post Thanksgiving trip to Williamsburg.  It was a chilly day and half our crew was under the weather, so we weren't overly ambitious, but what we did see was delightful.  The Felicity Stories, that I read as a child and lately shared on audio book with the boys, were very present with me and I so enjoyed the weaver and spinning demonstration and the colonial gardens so very much!  It inspired me to ponder more ideas for a homemade Christmas (though lack of ideas isn't really my issue - I think time and energy are the keys at this stage of life!)

A Little Texas Fun

We've been enjoying Texas sunshine the past couple weeks and last weekend Jim's parents took us on a fun Texan adventure to San Antonio.  There were the classic sites (the Riverwalk and the Alamo), caves, a wildlife park (thus the african animal photos below), yummy food (oh, fish tacos!) and some quality time in the pool.  

Life in Switzerland Means...

:: Lots of wildflower picking

:: Views like this

:: Meals of Bread and Cheese

:: Lots of Yummy chocolate

:: Wonderful hikes ::

:: your neighbors use sheep to cut their grass because the yard is so steep ::

:: Delicious Milk ::

:: The Sound of Cow Bells ::

Yes, life in Switzerland means that beauty and yumminess are abundant!

Extra{Ordinary}: Alpine Exploration

Finding the extra in ordinary time: feel free to leave a link to your own extra{ordinary} moment or thought in the comments.

Also, joining in with Soulemama for This Moment

A New Rhythm and Lausanne

I've been reading The Social Art of Homemaking.  I certainly wouldn't recommend all of it, but I'm enjoying engaging with another perspective on homemaking.  The book talks a lot about rhythm and it is nice to read something on the topic as we settle into our new rhythms here.  This place is above all flexible, which means that we need to create some structure for ourselves.  I watercolored a weekly schedule the other day and gave each day a 'purpose'.  Of course, our daily purpose doesn't mean that  we will only clean on Saturdays or pray on Mondays..., but it is meant to give us a focus and help keep the work in check as we study and play.  

Here is our new rhythm, we'll see how it works.

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Monday - Prayer (Monday mornings at L'Abri there is a prayer meeting for everyone to attend and then everyone signs up for a half-hour slot in the day to pray for community needs and the ministry.  The boys and I enjoyed our prayer room this past week as they joined me for my half hour on L'Abri's weekly day of prayer.  I also want to be really intentional about praying for our future during this time of unknowing and setting aside a day to focus on this seems helpful.)

Tuesday - Clothing (laundry, folding, sorting...)

Wednesday - Garden

Thursday - Adventure (Thursday is the 'day off' at L'Abri and we want to take lots of hikes and a few day trips over the next couple months.)

Friday - Food (I have a ride to do our big shop on Fridays, so meal planning, etc. happen on Friday.)

Saturday - Cleaning (a day to catch up on anything that was overlooked through the week)

Sunday - Rest

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We spent our first adventure day on Thursday in Lausanne.  The trip resulted from the need to get a highchair.  We tried finding one used, but didn't have any luck and desperately needed somewhere to set the baby.  (Plus, he is eager to try solids and I will relent soon... why does he have to grow up so fast?!)  Anyway, after exploring IKEA, which the boys want to go back to they loved it so much, we climbed the hills of Lusaunne and saw the two main historical churches and enjoyed crepes for lunch.  It was a fun adventure.

A Quick Peek at York

We spent the beginning of last week in York.  While Jim was at a conference, the boys and I hung out.  We hit the National Railway Museum, the Viking Center, York Minster and walked through the old town.  It was nice to be away and now we are knee deep in packing tape, boxes and papers that need sorted (it is times like these I wish I were more organized!)  

Vancouver

We took a quick trip to Vancouver last weekend with a drive-by of the house Jonah was born in, beach visits, a stop at Regent (where Jim and I completed our masters), a day spent with Rowan's god parents, a breakfast of cinnamon rolls at a favorite old haunt, and seeing some good friends.  We love this city!

Malaga

A sunny city, the birth place of Picasso, bright winding streets. 

Our last stop before flying home.

Exploring with Daddy

*my one goal for our week away was to get a good photo of the boys.  Rowan was somewhat less than cooperative :o)  This was our last attempt at the Picasso Museum... we'll keep trying!

Also, the Picasso gallery in Malaga is wonderful with children.  It is a great size and Picasso's work is so accessible for even the youngest child.  Jonah loved the plates that Picasso decorated with mythical fauns, paintings of bull fights and a clay pot Picasso made to look like a bug.