Showing posts with label coffee. Show all posts

January Wanderings

Ile de Peilz
is a very small island, originally a simple rock which was reinforced
in 1797 with a little wall to make it a bit taller.
The tree is a big plane tree.
It looks very impressive in the summer with all the leaves which hide the tiny island.
This is the far east end of the Léman Lake
and the adjacent town is called Villeneuve.

Mountains and port in Villeneuve.
I'd taken a train to get here with a friend.
On the way back to Lausanne we stopped in another lakeside town of Vevey.

The cloud formations were beautiful
The snowy peak to the left is a mountain called Dent de Morcles.
It overlooks the Rhone Valley and is 2.969 metres high (9.744 feet).

A closer view which includes a strip of lake.

Another lovely mountain view on the Dent de Jaman on the left
and the Rochers de Naye range on the right.
The views from up there are spectacular.

I loved the structure of this almost bare tree against the blue of the sky.
Quite a few autumn leaves are still clinging to the branches.

Another day and a new train ride.
This sleek and very long train was on its way to Milan in Italy.
My smaller train came a little later.
It was a cold wait on the Lausanne station platform!

This is the lakeside in the small town of Cully.
There was a misty, mysterious ambience at the start of my walk
with just a few sparkles on the lake from a pale, hazy sun.

There were silvery tones in the lake
and I like how this scene tells a story.
We can even invent a story of our own!

I had to include this capture because we can see how the lighting changed
an hour later when I was walking back towards the station again.
The pale sun had pierced a layer of mist and the sky was turning blue which reflected in the water.

Back home again
and here is the last bloom on my Amaryllis.

The petals through a macro lens are so dainty and lovely.

After lunch, a small espresso coffee and a square of very dark chocolate.
The embroidered cloth is a lovely memento from three days spent in the mountains in Zermatt.
You can see them below if you would like to:

It's half-past pink!

There is always something new on my crochet hook.
This is my latest creation.
I received this clock from a very kind blogging friend, Astri from

It was time to refresh the flowers with new colours and I really enjoyed
crocheting the tiny roses in bright and cheerful colours.
This clock is on the wall in my bedroom.

Colour is so important during the cold winter months, don't you think?
I hope that you are finding lovely ways to bring colour into your life.

A Breakfast Invitation


How about a glass of cooled orange juice on a hot morning?
The croissants and crunchy buns are still warm just out of the oven.
Don't they smell good?

Breakfast is my favourite time of the day to invite friends and family!
Though I know that nobody is such an early bird as me.
I always ask them to come at a comfortable time for them.
Eight-thirty is good for some and the others stretch it out to be a bit later!

The best time of the year to do breakfast invitations is definitely now.
In fact, as soon as it's warm enough to eat outside on the balcony!

We've all been wilting under a prolonged heat-wave over here in Switzerland
so early-mornings are the best times for walks and eating outside.

Would you like to pop in for breakfast one day?
I'd love to have you over for a chat!
Do you prefer tea or coffee or maybe Peppermint or Lemon Verbena?
Just let me know before you come!
I still have a pot of homemade apricot jam leftover from last year
so don't wait too long!

Fresh as a daisy
On a balmy summer's day
Petal poetry.


The Taste of Summer

Summer!
A season where all our senses become alive.
Close your eyes and feel it on your skin
Listen to the sounds
the birdsong.
I love the peace on my street before the traffic starts up.
Leisurely breakfasts on the balcony
and, when the fridge is empty,
a walk to the shops to enjoy the glorious choice of fruit and vegetables
of the summer season.
Simple meals with a minimum of preparation.
The smell of ripe tomatoes and fresh basil
a trickle of olive oil, a little ricotta and a slice of homemade bread.

Not looking at the time.
Enjoying the moment
as if there were no other.

Simplifying
Noticing each tiny detail of the flowers on my balcony garden
Watching the bees as they collect pollen from my Snapdragons.
Sometimes doing all the things I love
Sometimes just being.
In the joy of life.

Isn't this what summer is all about?