Correspondances here and there
March 3, 2017
Hello Friends,
Since I did not post nor took many pictures for a while, I thought of asking dear “Jb&Fl” whether they would mind sharing with me some of their travel pictures. They agreed happily. Both are traveling in South-East Asia. The correspondances and contrasts between here and there are just amazing and so interesting. Beautiful too. Then I dug into my archives and found some images that would in some way correspond to theirs but in my part of the world (Switzerland). Here is the result, I hope you will enjoy the trip as much as I did looking at these images from far away.
As a bright parasol opened under the warm sun of Myanmar (Burma),
snow had been falling all day long in the Swiss Alps.
Red: such a warm color under any sky ! Here is a typical wooden house at the edge of the Inle Lake (Myanmar).
On my way home on a rather dull day, I was attracted by this red barn which added some warmth to the Winter landscape.
Bowls and pots, almost similar shapes but different uses according to the places and the Seasons. Teatime in South-East Asia and flower pots in standby in Switzerland.
Dogs… don’t they all sometimes have the same worried look wherever they live ?
A puppy in a street somewhere in Asia. “Will you adopt me ?”
Ninio at home : “Where is JB ? The only one in the family who runs almost… as fast as I do. I miss him and our games”.
Slow ways of transport
A “taxi” in Laos and a funicular in Switzerland. Two ways of traveling slowly but surely.
Cool food for hot days. A tasty looking salad in Thailand
and another one here at home.
Would you care for some sweets ? How about a mango and rice dessert to end your meal ?
or would you prefer a choco-pistachio dome in Switzerland ?
Are you ready for more visits after a pause ? Like cruising slowly along rice fields
whereas our own fields over here are barely out of dormancy.
Let’s walk uphill to the mountains of North Myanmar 
or walk on a mountain path facing some of the Swiss Alps ?
It has been a long day of walking and visiting , 
admiring the golden domes of the many magnificent ancient temples in South-East Asia. Let’s walk into the old Gothic church (St-Michel) of Fribourg and have a rest while listening to classical music.
The sun is setting down now, warm colors over the horizon, several dark silhouettes of temples in the Far-East
and, on a misty day, an unusual pink shade at sunset over a farm in my village.
Thanks a lot “Jb&Fl” for sharing your beautiful pictures with me and the visitors of my blog. It was a real pleasure to bring our worlds together and to see through your eyes. How difficult to choose pictures amongst all of them ! Maybe there will be another post about your future travels and visits in Asia ? Take care and all the best. Love.
Advent
December 8, 2016
What a change of weather and temperatures in those first two weeks of Advent !
Snow fell – a little – and left.
It was followed by rather dull and foggy days . 
Then we got rain, lots of it, although the mood of the Season is here : red colors. 
Crisp, cold days, trees decorated in red or were they goblins’ tall hats ? 
A lot of red also in the window shops, fa sho’ !
Red but frozen, a forgotten heart in a pot on the terrace. Forgotten but not broken !
Outside the air is cold, a few leaves are still blooming in the late afternoon sun.
But inside, a hot and spiced Christmas pot of tea awaits you for a quiet moment in the warm shades of candlelight. 
And… a cake too, if you feel like it. A lemon scented cake.
Happy Advent’s time to you all, Friends, wherever you are.
Happiness is…
June 22, 2016
… GETTING unexpected news from friends you thought had all forgotten about you. But they did not ! An SMS on your cellphone, a letter with lots of pictures, a telephone call, all of it on your birthday.
… LISTENING to a song from years ago by a lady who was famous as an actress, a singer, an activist and a politician (Minister for Culture in her country). A beautiful unforgettable human being, MELINA MERCOURI, from Greece.
<a href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSz4heSSNYM” rel=”nofollow”>www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSz4heSSNYM</a
… WALKING to the woods just after the rain has fallen, droplets of water still trembling on the branches and leaves.
I am listening to the rain whose drops are falling one by one.
I am listening to the rain whose noise is calming my heart.
Lys Gauty
… HEARING the birds sing in the morning as you wake up
… EXPLORING the countryside with a determined buddy as a guide
… BEING MOVED by the tenderness and protection shown to a child
… LOOKING FORWARD to the Season of strawberries
… IMAGINING things in the sky, like a large lost feather… or an angel’s wing ?
… PLAYING SCRABBLE just for the pleasure of finding words and not for counting points
… And last but not least ENJOYING POSTING AGAIN, reading you, finding inspiration, energy and time to write to you !
I feel sure there are many other reasons to define what HAPPINESS is. Those are just the thoughts that came to mind as I started writing about it.
Christmas mood
December 25, 2015
Wishing you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS, moments of joy and peace, togetherness, sharing the light and warmth of this special time of the year. Moments that I hope will last long after this day.
This is also a time when my parents are both very present around us. They both left days before and after Christmas. Here is the quilt I made in memory of my mother, gratitude and happy years together. Little pieces of materials that belonged to her or that she used a lot : pillow cases, towels, aprons, napkins, handkerchiefs, curtains, cushions, tablecloths. I felt good sewing it slowly, thinking of her and smiling.
A crib in town. There were many of them, nicely built and decorated along the “Path of the Cribs”. I like this one for the feeling of peace it conveys as well as togetherness, offering, sharing, realness.
These images are my gifts to you on this Christmas Day, dear visitors, friends who happen to stop here today.
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Senses of Spring
April 20, 2015
Over two months have passed since I wrote last. As I explained in a comment on my previous post, https://isathreadsoflife.wordpress.com/2015/02/09/of-colors-and-winter/, I will not be able to visit you and write as much as I would wish. Therapies are going on, tiredness is still overwhelming but there are days when I feel stronger; the urge to go out and see nature and Spring brings me outside. Luckily so ! I always enjoy it, no matter the temperature, sun, wind or rain. It feels real good.
Sight. One of the first senses of Spring one feels over here is certainly the view of the shy and fragile snowdrops emerging from a cold soil and opening to the morning sun. A familiar and yet always enchanting view.
Smell. A visit to the nearby farmers’ market brings many delicious surprises these days. Amongst them, a bunch of tarragon, a sweet scented herb that I like adding to fish or some vegetables like green beans. 
Taste. And what about the fresh and appealing leeks ? I like them stewed and served with a vinaigrette or as a “gratin” with potatoes and a light béchamel sauce. 
Hearing. Can you actually hear them ? Your may not see them though, those lively and noisy birds celebrating Spring in a joyful concerto “con molto brio”. They are back from wherever they went to, jumping in and out of their little wooden house in the garden. Delightful Spring sounds. 
Touch. A gift I brought back home as I came out of hospital. A special heart sewed by women for other women. A heart-shaped cushion, so soft and light, that is meant to nest gently under your arm, ease the pain and warm your heart and soul. It was so touching and appreciated ! Much gratefulness to you, ladies of the “Cushions of the heart” group.
Wishing you all a Happy Spring ! Moments of joy when the birds sing “good morning” to you, wonder and peace as the tender green shades of the Season tell you about renewal and a real delight to taste the great variety of fresh salads and veges.
Moments I like to remember
October 17, 2014
On a hot Summer evening under the roof of his attic apartment. my eldest son was busy preparing a Thai meal to celebrate my birthday. Great concentration for adding the many ingredients that were chosen for this special and delicious meal. Thanks JB !
Last June I finished sewing a picnic quilt. Lots of leftover scraps from previous quilts. I was really happy.
The problem was that our Summer was so cold and rainy that picnics were too rare. Fortunately Autumn has started beautifully and warmly. Sooner or later the colorful blanket will be part of a joyful day in the open.
Oh, the great moments I spent reading these books during last Spring and Summer ! Not always cheerful stories but certainly all different and fascinating in many ways, locations, times, styles and characters.
I remember with emotion the outing my family and I made – as well as many cousins – to an unforgettable place in the Alps. 300 hundred years ago a major rockslide hit a small mountain village, killing many of its inhabitants and their cattle, destroying their rough wooden chalets.
Last August a day of remembrance was celebrated up on those mountain pastures where rocks are still covering much of the landscape. “Emotion”, I wrote because this area is where my mother grew up; she and her siblings used to go up there every Summer looking after the family domestic cattle. Those were hard times but “some of the best of my life”, my mother used to say. All day long I thought of her and how she would have loved to be there with us. She certainly was in my heart.
On the road to the pastures, we were welcomed by local musicians playing the Alp horn, a typical musical instrument here.
Another moment to remember of this past Summer was my father’s significant birthday ! Having owned a garage almost all his life, we thought it would be a nice surprise for him to rent an old Londonian taxi (Austin 1970) to drive him to the place where family and friends were waiting to cheering him. He was hugely surprised and absolutely delighted.
What a great moment too when I was able to pick the first apples – boscop – in the garden ! Not exactly shiny nor smooth, they are nevertheless tasty and just perfect for pies or compotes.
Guess what other moments I always like to remember ? The adventurous walks Ninio leads me to. Nature in all its forms. Wild most of the time. Not that he refuses to go to my chosen destinations. But his eyes and slower pace tell me : “Now, how about going on exploration to places that smell interesting ?”
All of a sudden …
November 10, 2013
…Fall was there ! You wake up one morning, pull the curtains and there it is. The birch tree is turning yellow and the morning feels slightly cooler.
A soft haze envelops the landscape just enough to highlight the changing shades of the Season.
The last yellow roses in the garden undulate slightly in the breeze. The day was chilly ; did they get pink petals from the fresh air ?
More autumnal shades are reflected in a pond. A quiet and peaceful mood to welcome a new cycle of Season.
More autumnal shades are reflected on a pond. A quiet, peaceful mood to welcome a new cycle of Season.
Back home from my morning walk, I found big colourful apples in a pot in front of my door. Someone really nice had left them there for me. I immediately bit into one…Simply delicious ! As for the others, they were much appreciated on a pie, juicy and melting in your mouth. Just a few small pleasures of the coming Season. I hope you have just as much, and more, to enjoy.
Summer abundance
October 13, 2013
Rather than showing you the grayness of my foggy morning – it seems as if the mountains have disappeared – I much prefer to remember Summer, its alpine meadows, its colours, scents, tastes, all precious gifts that I hope you have enjoyed yourself too.
During a wonderful birthday party, a lot of delicious food was served , amongst which those small tomatoes of all shapes and shades just picked in the garden. My favorites were the dark red ones, almost purple. So sweet and juicy.
On a bed of wild camomile and rosemary. black cherries were glittering in the sun. Are you tempted ?
Oh, the taste and scent of those sweet strawberries !
Lavender and parsley added an exquisite touch to the pieces of chicken and potatoes.
Beside various wines produced locally, we were offered a kind of “herbal water” served in a big glass jar. The cool water was flavored with branches of lemongrass, mint, rosemary, sage and even a few cherries. So refreshing !
As an extra gift, and not the least, Pierre’s birthday celebration was held on a superb “terrace with a view”. One you do not forget : the well-known vineyards of Lavaux over the Lake Léman, surrounded by the Alps.
Somehow it was also everyone’s birthday because of the reunion of dear friends as well as for the treats that had been prepared with love. The magnificent view was a fantastic gift. A Summer day to remember when Fall is at the door and some summits are already snow-capped. Oh well, Autumn will give us more colors, scents and tastes, won’t it ? More gatherings to look forward to.
Happy Sunday to all !
Special places and moments
September 12, 2013
To say “goodbye” to Portugal and close this series of posts about my journey to Porto and surroundings, I would like to share with you some special moments, places, tastes, memories of here and there during a short and eventful week last May.
Azulejos. The beautiful blue and white painted tiles inside houses, on the facades of churches, on walls like here in a hall of Coimbra’s ancient university.
Vende se. For sale. An empty house full of memories of people. A house whose inhabitants may have left for various reasons. Lack of buyers for selling it to ? No means to repair it ? Moving to another city in search of a job ? Emigrating further away in Europe, the Americas, Africa ? One sees many such abandoned houses or closed down shops during these critical times for the Portuguese economy.
Art Nouveau style. A striking contrast. A lot of buildings of the early 20th century in Art Nouveau style, are still visible in Porto. This ancient coffee house has been closed but its prestigious façade and decoration remain. A memory of times gone.
Brazilian hot chocolate, probably the best I ever drank (and this is a Swiss telling you this 😉 Believe me, this creamy, tasty, full-flavored beverage is worth the detour.
Pastelleria (bakery), cakes, pastries and sweets are renowned in Portugal. You find bakeries everywhere offering an abundant choice of delicious sweets. Here in a street of Coimbra at the end of a folk festival.
Stamps. I like writing and choosing nice stamps for my postcards or letters. In a little village along the Douro river, a very nice young lady at the local Post Office went out of her way to choose all kinds of different stamps for me. In doing so she also loved practising her French, which I really appreciated. People’s kindness and friendliness were constant during my stay in Portugal.
Shops and windows. Some shops still have this old or vintage look that one hardly ever sees any longer in my country. Simply delightful ! I could have photographed so many of them !
Flowers. When and where you least expect them, they come at you through a gate, over an old wall, along a street. Bundles of colourful “flores“, highlighting any old stones.
Churches are numerous in Portugal, of all styles and epochs, simple or heavily decorated, often with azulejos. I chose to show this Porto skyline with you. No overpowering churches but present and beautiful, barely outlined in the setting sun. 
Thank you for having followed me during the Summer across my journey to Portuguese cities, gardens, river and other places I felt like sharing with you. I really appreciated your visits and comments.
Patches of Summer
September 15, 2012
Summer is still blooming, shining and giving us a bounty of Season’s delicacies we never seem to get tired of. Treasures of colours, scents, flavours and sights.
Sunflowers would highlight any day. They show us the way to the slightest sunray. “Tournesol”, from the Italian “girasole”, -“which turns with the sun”- bears such an appropriate name.
Fine and fragile cosmos playing with the breeze, in white, pink, purple spreading out their petals like arms to better grasp the light and warmth of this Season.
And what about the fruits that abound at this Season ? Now it’s time to pick prunes, mirabelles, pears. Soon there will be grapes – a big event in our area – apples, fruits meant to last and be enjoyed during colder days. Yes, let’s face it, Summer is going to end, Fall is at the door.
“What constitutes the end of Summer for you ?” This is the question Scott Thomas asks on his blog to anyone wishing to participate in his new photo assignment until September 26.
http://viewsinfinitum.com/2012/09/12/assignment-21-end-of-summer/
It should be very interesting to see how each participant feels about and look at the change of Season. I am going to think about it.
If you would like to take part in this new photography challenge, please click on the above link to get all the information.
A second life for this old fountain and a home for all kinds of pretty flowers.
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