Late on Sunday Evening

The last minutes of repose before another week. The rain is pounding the roof, but it's warm inside.

I am so thankful for life.

For people who show me You in yet another facet.

For the grace that lets me live another day, try one more time.

For the hopes that are yet to come to pass but that propel me forward; giving me peace amidst the aching hands and vegetable orders, misunderstandings and shrouded hearts.

For the spring rain.

Swiss Saturday: Green Shutters

This green shuttered house was where I stayed the first week of my trip. Originally a very old farmhouse it had been transformed into rather modern apartments. I'm glad they left the aged exterior alone; green shutters are not to be trifled with.

A Report

I passed my exam with merit! Though I didn't do as well in some things as I had hoped, I am so happy and relieved that it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. God is good.

Swiss Saturday: Tobogganing

One day we hopped on the train and meandered far far up the valley we were staying in. When we were almost to the end of the valley the train stopped and off we got. Hopping on another little train we sped up the mountain. At the top was snow, lots of it, and a big cosy restaurant where you could drink warm hot chocolate or fizzy cold rivella. Once we had refreshed ourselves from the journey it was outside into the cold and stillness of a Swiss mountain on a grey winters day. We hopped on toboggans and we were off, speeding down through the firs and trying not to hit them! With each ride we got a bit braver until a rather momentous tumble in which I decided that was enough of that. Hot chocolate anyone?

A Quizzical Look

This little wax-eye was in the plum tree this morning, flitting about in the flowers. I think he wondered why I didn't join him.

Today's Shopping List

Tumbled Toffee Almond Cupcakes

Meant to be almond cakes with a tumble of miniature profiteroles and toffee piled on top, these wayward little things didn't quite behave as I wanted them too. Tsk tsk! Or maybe it was the tired person who didn't have the patience or dexterity to pipe out 300 tiny profiteroles. I wonder.

Swiss Saturday: Blumenkasten

These boxes of flowers were sitting on stone cobbles in the midst of a bustling market. I remember thinking I had never seen anything like them before in New Zealand. I might have to try making one one of these days.

Friday in a Nutshell

As quoted by our dinner guest tonight:
"I am always relieved to be relieved."
Left me chuckling absurdly.

Reflections

A few weeks ago I pounced upon this mirror at a little antique shop in a country town I happened to be in. It's just what I had been looking for and almost given up finding. Now to find a colour to paint the walls...

Breathing Again

Blurred. That's what the last few weeks feel like. Months of exam practice ended on Monday. The relief at finishing is immense.

Spending time with a cousin I haven't seen for seven years. Strange. It doesn't feel like we should be grown up but we are.

The birthday of my other brother. Twenty. A brother who has chipped many edges off me. I love him very much.

Cake. Of course.

The day after my exam. I didn't realise how much I missed the sound of the sea until I heard it again.

Think we might still have some growing up to do though.

Swiss Saturday

Two and a half years ago I went to Switzerland (along with quick visits to France, Austria and Italy). I have lots of memories of the time I spent there and many photos so I have decided to post one every Saturday. I'll start with this icy tree that was sitting on top of a sunshiny hill we visited. As the Swiss would say 'so schon'.