Posts by schaufel

I sure will, Ohio. I love them too. In fact my laptop has colors behind the vents that you can program at will and the color I chose is Tanzanite (it's a gamer's laptop, so it has all the trappings as well LOL) ! I love the combination of blue and purple it has. I doubt I'll find many by the roadside though, but if I do I'll take it for you!!!

It will be my second time in Tanzania. First time was in 2002, when we visited Dar -es-Salaam, Zanzibar and some national parks (Serengeti, Manyara, Ngoro-Ngoro). This time we'll visit the Ngoro-Ngoro again - it's INSIDE a huge crater, awesome - and the Tarangire that I have never visited. It's just south of the Manyara Lake and both parks are in the Arusha region, at the foot of the Kilimanjaro, within Masai Mara, the land of the fearless lion-hunting Masai. When we went there in 2002, we flew from Dar-es-Salaam to Arusha in a small plane that just had space enough for the four of us (Pierre, the 2 boys and I) and 2 pilots. We were flying low and could see the herds of giraffes, elephants and gnus under us, all directed to the north for their great migration through the Serengeti, from Tanzania to Kenya and back. Every year, millions of animals do the circuit, following the rains and therefore the grass in an immense loop of thousands of miles. Saying it is one thing, seeing it is quite another... Hundreds upon hundreds of gnus, wildebeest, zebras, elephants, giraffes, gazelles, rhinos, antelopes, all marching in the same direction, testily, as if pulled by a magnet, and trailing behind, their various predators, lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, cheetas... And all this following the water holes, ponds and rivers, where flamingos, hippos and crocodiles abound. It' simply breath-taking. I remember standing on a small hill and seeing lines upon lines of animals as far as the eye could see, all heading the same way. It felt like watching some ancient ritual being performed, only the actors were all wild beasts...

And the birds! I have some incredible pictures of the most amazing birds...

Hey! It seems you all are going to take a trip this winter!!! LOL

I just came back from walking Dummy. The sky is clear tonight and the air so cold it feels like a razor's edge. All the stars are out, my beloved Orion hanging tall and straight to the southeast. It's funny how the air turns suddenly freezing as soon as the sun is down. The cows are still out and I wonder how they can stand it, as the temps go below 32F toward the end of the night... There was only one horse out today, and it was frisky, dancing on the tip of its hooves, pawing the ground, tail held high, neighing at my sight (I always have a bit of carrot or apple in my pocket and they know it), and begging over the fence.  Dummy doesn't even react anymore and I am proud of him. First time he almost jumped out of his skin...

Time to go make dinner. I bought some fresh salad this morning, and there is still some lemon and apple cake from last night, with left over saffron-flavored stewed tangerines. I'll make an eggplant casserole (moussaka, with substitute meat granules).And I promised myself I wouldn't graze tonight...

Have a great day all,

Helene, in Switzerland

Phew... I made it to reading all the back entries.. It's 4:30am and time for bed! LOL But tomorrow I'll be able to post a note that makes sense... Sorry for staying away so long, I was a bit overwhelmed for a while (as if I weren't anymore...).

Thank you all for your kind words and worries (shameful of me to put you through this, really, but I was moved by Alice's trust when she said I couldn't have fallen off the wagon...).

And good news for BEB: I posted some pictures of my house, garden and surroundings in my gallery. When my house finally looks as good inside as it looks outside, I'll post some pictures too... The picture with the bamboo lacquer painting is to show off the neat Chinese antique chest we found last weekend to stand under it, as we had nothing we liked to place there... It's in our bedroom. That lacquer painting is the last item we bought before leaving Vietnam.

If the clouds disperse, I'll take pictures of the snow covered peaks, as the weather has now turned to cold, and the fall colours have mostly disappeared. Dummy is happy and still loves his evening walks, only we have to go much earlier now, as the days have shortened a lot.

Time for bed now.

Helene, in Switzerland, glad to have returned to the fold.

PS: "A smile is the best way to show your teeth to your enemy", Chinese proverb.

I couldn't resist being the reply #5.555... Hope nobody posted before me!!! LOL

Bex, what kind of advice are you giving the preacher's wife... tsk tsk... But this being said, I agree with you... And BEB, I know it's VERY irritating when our children are behaving like angels with strangers when they drove us to desperation, but try to imagine what the contrary would be... At least that shows they remember some things of the millions we tried to teach them! They just can't be bothered when their public is just poor ol' mom. Concentrate on the idea he is trying to change his ways, his acne is gone, and he is eating a healthier diet.

Thanks for the tip about melatonin Bonnie. I'll try it and see what happens.

Is the daughter you are talking about also the one going to France, Chris? If she is, I think the strange dreams are more due to her coming departure than to valerian. It's dreadfully bitter, but I never heard it gave you strange dreams. Never had any myself when using it, so I guess it's her... Or they inadvertently mixed some shrooms in there...

I'll try and go to bed early tonight... I have a lot to do tomorrow and if doesn't rain, I want to go have a look at the farmer's market in Aigle, and it's better visited early in the day. Today,I put away enough plums to make 15 tarts this winter. I'll try to add some veggies, as they are much fresher now than when they'll come all the way from Kenya or Morocco...

Food intake was fine, except I didn't eat till 7pm, as I was much too busy to worry about food. Then I had a fennel root baked with a bit of melted cheese and a nice bowl of "chili without carne", Yum... At 5, I broke my fast with a bowl of blackberries and strawberries with a dash of half and half.

Tomorrow I hope to see some change in my weight...

Have a good day all,

Helene, in stormy and windy Switzerland

Dumb metric system??? LOL! You just called the whole world dumb, because that's what we are all on. If we all went metric, there must be a reason, don't you think? And scientists all use it too, because it just makes more sense. Don't call it dumb just because you aren't using it! LOL

Sorry, double posting! The Internet must be water-logged today!!! LOL

Here BEB, a picture of what a true mozzarella looks like, and all the explanations you want about the product. Hope you bought the right stuff and enjoy it!  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozzarella

Hello Kathy! Yes, Japan always strikes me as a mirror image of Italy when it comes to politics. They have a great country, a very strong ancient culture, and their people are gifted in so many ways, but their parties suck, corruption is rampant and they can't seem to be able to reform their political system... I bet you had never made the connection! LOL

BEB, tostitos and cheddar??? Kick, kick, kick... You better take that bike and go buy some carrots right now! Yes, veggies do give you more fibers. I used to have less than 10g a day, I now stay around 25-30.

Like Kathy, I feel like getting rid of clutter today. Last evening, when I went walking with Dummy, I saw that in the house that was just built not far from ours, people had already moved in. Machines are still working on the garden, but it seems the inside is finished. It's a "minergie" house (built according to the latest ecological requirements) and has large bay windows, so I could see two persons lounging in nice armchairs, sipping drinks in a perfect living room. I reflected sadly on the state of my own house, almost 3 months after moving in... And told myself I definitely have too much stuff. So today I will sort and toss with more vigour... LOL

Time to go sort and toss, AFTER I fold the last load of laundry and iron what needs to be ironed. I promised myself I would never allow any build-up...

Have a nice day everyone!

Helene, in Switzerland, who collected her first horse chestnut last night.

(For BEB: horse chestnuts look like chestnuts but aren't edible. They are round and glossy - no pointy side ending with a tuft of fuzz -, and the shells they come in have soft fleshy spikes instead of the needle-like ones around real chestnuts. In french, they are called "marrons", while chestnuts are called "chataignes". Horse-chestnut trees are so common in France that the color brown took its name from their fruit (marron). They are in EVERY school yard,  and all french school children have some in their pockets or satchel at this time of year!)

BEB, traditionally mozzarella is a small round ball that weighs about 150g (for 167 cals). It is spongy and fresh, and can't be kept once opened, or till the next day if left in its liquid.You slice it over pizza, or with tomatoes, then drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, to make a "caprese" salad, but when you refer to it, you say a mozzarella, because it's what it's called. In Italy, it is bought individually, in small plastic bags full of whey that keeps it fresh. Usually people eat a whole mozzarella, or half of one, because it doesn't keep after it has been taken out of the bag and drained. I do not know what mozzarella looks like once it has gone over the ocean. It's probably processed and very different from the original.

I have been restricting my food for a week and am now "back to normal", meaning, back to solid food instead of just fresh juices. I did it to detoxify and get rid of the bloat I always accumulate after long flights. I know it's not advisable to go back to normal food and portions immediately after a fast or liquid diet. I have been increasing my intake slowly for 2 days now, eating mainly fruit, whole wheat bread and fresh cheese such as mozzarella.Today I ate over 1'200 cals, because of the increased exercise (I just had a big bowl of raspberries, blackberries, plums and grapes, yummy).

This morning I went to Lausanne to join Marie-Laure and Fabien, her boyfriend, to explore the city following a circuit that brought us from one garden exhibit to another. We started at the very top of the city (Lausanne is the second most hilly city in the world after San Francisco), that we reached by metro (a brand new one, the first and only metro in the world to go uphill), and walked down all the way to the edge of the lake in beautiful Ouchy. The day was flawlessly sunny, cool and just wonderful. We walked 15 km (almost 10 miles) and had a great time. We even picked up Marc mid-way, and he finished the tour with us. The exhibition was set up this spring by the EPFL ( Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne), one of the top research institutes for agriculture, new technologies and renewable energy. They integrated the gardens within the city, using empty lots, factory courtyards and public buildings roofs. Really gorgeous. And with the lake and the mountains as a background, it was a feast for the eyes. I drank, mostly, and had a whole wheat and brie sandwich at noon, and a slice of whole wheat bread with vegetarian spread when I came home tonight (I went out again immediately, to walk Dummy who had spent the day alone, and was quite happy to get his treat anyway), so I did get 10 miles under my belt today!

Do not worry BEB, I won't do anything foolish or dangerous for the health. There are just no miracles, as Alice always aptly points out: we have to eat less calories than we expend if we want to lose weight, and that's what I am doing. With a very slow metabolism, it takes some work...

I'll go to bed early tonight because I only slept 3.5 hours last night (had to finish listening to an audio book, silly me). Hope you all had a nice weekend.

Helene, in peaceful Switzerland

Naaaaah BEB, I wouldn't be doing any breathing down the neck of anyone, I 'm already much too busy breathing down my own...And I am too lazy to be bossy... LOL

Bex, impatience is usually paid with time... Watch that back of yours and do not do anything foolish before you are sure it's mended. I know it's galling, but it's for the best in the long run.

Carol, you have a plan there, that I will copy shamelessly. I am off the juices today, for the first time. I filled my fridge yesterday: raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, fresh prunes, grapes, Weight Watchers mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, vegetarian spread for the wholewheat bread I baked, non fat quark, carrots, green beans, cauliflower, fennel, and button mushrooms. No way I am going to mar my record with junk.

Scale shows a round 170 this morning, to my great joy and satisfaction, for it was the goal I had set for myself when I started. I don't want to see the 180s ever again, and this should be a message of hope for all of you heavier girls: I have been trying for 2 years before I achieved this, my heart sinking while I read about Snow or Beth telling us about their losses, and wondering what was wrong with me. So if I made it, I, for one, know anyone of you can too. Just remember one thing: the trick is not to HOPE not to lick those beaters, it is to NOT lick them. The "Awww, just this little bit" doesn't work. What you feel and look like is in a great part up to you. At this stage of our life, it is true, life and nature throw a lot of stuff at us that make things a lot harder, but we are battle-hardened, so we have what it takes to make it. Don't give up on yourself, you are worth every bit of it.

Jill, good for you your husband took the time to exhume your bike. That means that behind his gruffness he also believes you should and can do it. I bet he is silently rooting for you. Make his effort worthwhile: grab that bike while the weather is still nice, and start using it. Don't overdo it, because that's what we tend to do in our impatience, then we get sore or bored, or fall, and we let another opportunity vanish. (And maybe ask him if he couldn't try and lower the saddle a bit for stability; once you are more proficient, you can raise it again, for your knees sake.)

Marie-Laure's visit was nice. We chatted and drew the Tarot, and had lots of fun, and she was very pleased to see I had lost weight. She is my greatest fan, and keeps telling me: "Mom, you really look like me, so get rid of that fat suit!" She is right, she looks very much like I did when her age, except she has loooong legs and is a true blonde. And she looks like a bomb, because she is always impeccably dressed, beautifully made up, tall and classy, so to hear her tell me that is really nice. It is also funny to see men turn around, goggling, when she passes by, only to discover me, glaring, and quickly looking away. I don't mind, really, but it's funny to annoy them... LOL

I'll now go walk with Dummy, for the clouds are gathering around the mountains and we may have a storm later in the day. The sun is shining though, and there is a cool wind, so it will be nice going. The slopes are now definitely mottled, and yesterday I saw the horse chestnuts are almost ripe, reminding me of the glossy globes we used to harvest in the school yard as school resumed, so many years ago. Autumn is banging at the door and I rejoice, for it is, with spring, my favorite time of the year.

Have a great day all,

Helene, in windy Switzerland

Start of my day here. Yes BEB, I was being cocky, so you would know you don't hold a monopoly on that. LOL Congrats on your being back on the wagon and for your renewed efforts. But remember, you are being watched...

It's a bright day today, and it will also be a full day. Have to go to the post office, shopping, and I have my daughter coming over tonight. That means cooking, for the first time since I came back. My fridge is clean AND totally empty... So, I better make a list of things to buy if I don't want to starve that child after a long day at work.I also have to finish ironing, and do some laundry - which means more ironing... I also want to vacuum the whole place. Summer in the countryside also means bugs and I have dead flies and moths everywhere! In the evening, I work at my sewing in the small guest room and I like to keep the window open to see the stars and enjoy the night breeze, and that room I vacuum every day because the floor is littered with dead moths... I usually also have to help the surviving ones get out, "cleaning" one wall after the other. And no, I won't use bug spray. The poor things already have to avoid the myriad spider webs during their short life, so I won't add to their stress.

On the weight front I lost another pound, now standing at 171.5. Two more days to go and I'll be back to solid food. I love this juice thing, especially the tomato juice  I eat warm at night, with shredded basil leaves. My basil plant miraculously survived the summer - the rosemary didn't make it, alas - so I can pluck a few fresh leaves for my evening soup. I love basil, so fragrant it makes your whole kitchen fresh just by stroking its leaves.

I'll try to plan my meals ahead of time before I go back to solid food, for I find it is much easier for me not to eat anything stupid when I have a clear plan for the day. It also helps me keep my food intake regular, as I naturally tend to do what BEB described: not eat till 4pm then feel hungrier as the day progresses. I often wondered why it is so. But knowing it IS so, it's better to have a good strategy to avoid the evening munchies.

I haven't logged since before going to Canada, so I'll have to go back to that. It takes time, but I'll try and write down on paper, then log when I can during the day. Back to ironing now.

Have a very nice day all.

Helene in sunny Switzerland

Good to see you are doing better Bex! Ordering people around already! LOL If I were Alice I would tell you: Do your own swatting, woman!

Your house sounds coming along nicely. I wish I could say the same of mine. There is still so much to do, not only for the "hardware" but the "software" as well (read: building/transforming and organizing). But one step at a time. I have to tell you something funny: when I flew from Seattle to Vancouver, I was sitting next to a lady that looked a bit like you. She wore a smart ensemble and visibly was on a business trip, as she had a pc in her bag and kept taking notes in a notebook. I imagined it was what you look like when on one of your trips and thought I would tell you this when I would log in again: I was impressed!!! LOL

The scale was kind again: 172.5 lbs this morning, down from 175 yesterday. I haven't lost that much. In metric, it's 800g (almost 2 ponds) but the increments are only of .5 lb on my scale, so I guess I was a little over 174.5 yesterday and I am just a tad under 173 today. Feels good though. And that brings me to this: if you girls keep guzzling M&Ms, I am going to catch up soon... A gal that was 193 not so long ago... That should replace a good kick, don't you think? Tsk tsk, M&Ms indeed... Shape up! We are not here to discuss over tea, we are supposed to be LOSING WEIGHT! Now, BEB, THAT'S what you can call doing an Alice! LOL

It rained the whole night and now the sky is white and there are low clouds trailing along the valley, giving the mountains an eerie look. They appear starker on the white background, and they seem to tell us they will soon be blowing cold air on our small lives. The linden tree in my garden is already showing a lot of yellow leaves... Time to go do some ironing, and start my fourth day on the juices. I love juices, so it's not hard at all. And drinking them in small glasses makes you savour their flavour and freshness all the more. That's one thing you all could benefit from: whenever you feel like munching or your stomach is growling but the next meal is still a while away, just drink a small glass of juice (natural, no sugar colour flavour added). It will give you just enough sugar to satisfy the urge and will cleanse your system at the same time.

On to ironing! Have agreat day all!

Helene, in Switzerland

PS: I had gorgeous weather while on Vancouver Island: a complete week of total sunshine, cool breezes and wonderful nature! You Canadians have such a beautiful country! Switzerland, but with so much more space...

LOL! Yes, people are coming up with the most outrageous ideas these days, especially in the States. There is more and more dessert stuff that finds its way into veggies and meat dishes. According to me it is all part of the sugar overload and addiction your country is going through. Just mentioning Cool Whip makes me gag. It seems that everything that was served to me was smothered in it. Fat Free Cool Whip too... The epithome of faux food...

I woke up with a headache. Maybe it's because I am forcing myself to get up at the very start of my "normal" night. Today is the last day I'll have to cope with jet-lag, mark my words. I am going to work so much around the house I'll just drop into my bed tonight and beat that thing... Nine hours is a killer though... I think of Pierre, having to work while tackling a 10 hours jet-lag... Oh dear!

No time to write much today. I have to go walk Dummy before the day gets too hot. My weight was 176.5 this morning, showing I am finally getting rid of the water I always retain after long flights. That means I LOST weight on vacation! Yeah!!!

Have a great day all!

Helene in Switzerland, on a gorgeous day: sunshine, blue sky, cool breeze, birds singing in the trees, a perfect Sunday morning.

Helene has been in Austria from Friday to Tuesday morning, BEB, climbing mountains and celebrating the clan... We do that once a year on average, but not always by climbing mountains. Since we were in the Tyrol (Southern Austrian Alps that also extend in Italy and Germany), every meal had some form of knoedl... Knoedl is hard to define. It can be sweet or savoury (mostly savoury) and is a strange bread-like concoction you can roll in tennis-ball sized portions, or squeeze into a disk and fry. It's spongy and a bit bland, but you can add almost anything to it, spinach, cheese, bits of ham, bacon, bits of fruit, honey...

All the mountaineering left me with a huge appetite (I did 15-20km on average) and the knoedl waiting at the end of the exercize frightened me no end... But I am glad to report I didn't gain a gram... Phew... The hotel we stayed at was really nice, and the food was delicious (it was not all knoedl thank Heaven...). We took Dummy with us and he was a model dog, happy to sleep in our room while we hiked, happy to see us when we came back and happy to walk around the hotel grounds with us (they had tennis courts, a small golf training area, paths among trees, a nice area for children, a beautiful park around the Peace Bell (a ten tons bell that sounds every day at 5 to celebrate peace between the four neighbouring countries, Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland). The hotel dominates the entire Inn valley and the view was just breathtaking.

Yes Alice, the family did notice I had lost weight but since they are all rail-thin, I don't think it impressed them enough! LOL

Now I am back home, but not for long. Tonight we will go sleep at my daughter's place after we leave Dummy at my son's, then tomorrow morning early we'll take the train to Geneva to board our flight to Frankfurt and Vancouver. Pierre just called me to tell me he booked 2 rooms at the St Regis (Bex, does it ring any bells? I think we stayed there already when we first visited Canada but I am not sure. The hotel we stayed at was very characteristic as it had a huge copper roof. Is that the St Regis???). Our son Patrice will arrive by bus (we told him to take a plane but he refused adamantly, saying it was much too expensive... So he'll take a 13 hours ride).

I had workers in the house the whole day yesterday but now the kitchen is looking better, with the floor completed. We just need to have one more visit by the painter and it will be over, at last.

The trip to Geneva went well. I found 2 pairs of jeans, one tan the other classical blue. I love Mac jeans, because they are stretchy. I didn't find my favourite cut (Stella), but one that is reasonably similar (Melanie). We always have a hard time with American cuts, as they are often too tight on the hips but too lose at the waist. I say it's all the walking we do here... LOL I also found 3 new blouses, one of linen in light green, one cotton, with a big weave that looks like tiny checkers in light blue and white, and a very long shirt, almost a tunic, white with thin orange stripes. At least I won't travel in tatters... But I'll have some serious shopping to do when I come back as I have nothing for Europe's colder fall season... I really hate shopping...

I haven't even started packing, of course, but I guess this will be done by end of the afternoon, as I have no choice. I spent my whole day ironing yesterday, with all the laundry we brought back from Tyrol, but since they were working downstairs, it was just as well.

Peg, you must feel so happy! I am really looking forward to some quiet time in the fall, after all the trips are over and the house is properly set, to do some organizing and tidying. Haven't been able to do that yet, as I have been mostly putting out fires so far...

Time to say goodbye. I won't take my laptop to Canada and the States as I want to travel light. I found flights to the small town near my friend's place in Washington State, so I am all set for that trip. I haven't even had time to rejoice at the idea of seeing her again, quilting again, learning new stuff with her friend Melinda from Texas, that will be also visiting while I am there... One step at a time. Now I am just looking forward to seeing my son again after a whole year, basking in the reassuring thought that his older brother now has a clearer, more satisfying future. Alice, Marc will be paid while he learns. Not much by Swiss standards -  lots by any other standard but Japanese - but enough to pay for his rent and daily food. His uncle Marc - yes I know, sorting the mail will be a bit tricky - offered to house him for at least a month, as he lives not far from the training center, so it will help. After 10 months, he'll be sent to Geneva and will work at the airport, in tandem with a confirmed air traffic controller for a little over a year. The pay then will be more generous.

Robbie, I hope you'll be all fixed when I come back (on the 18th of August). Bex, I'll think of you as I walk in the streets of Vancouver, and of BEB as I fly over her. I'll miss you all. I intend to come back even lighter than I am going, so wish me courage and steadfastness. Melinda has lost almost 30 lbs the past year and she told me she'll make sure we eat healthy and light, and I know Lee will make sure I stay the course. Lee can't walk (she has 2 artificial knees) but Melinda promised me she'll walk with me. So I am all set.

Chris, I thought of your husband and hope he is recovering well after his surgery. Bonnie, hope your DH is in less pain. Loven and Lisa, I do not know you yet, but I am sure we get better acquainted when I come back. Lean and strong, girls, lean and strong!

Helene, in Switzerland, but not for long, wondering where she put that suitcase...

Thanks for the photos Alice. I'll watch them at my next break!

Sharon! Welcome back, we missed you!

Robbie, I hope you are feeling better after all these bad turns on your path. You did realize your sister was in trouble last time you saw her, but still it must be hard, as one always thinks "I should have done more..." Good you can help your niece sort the practical details at least.

Jill, men are meat lovers... Must be because of all those muscles they have and we don't... But you should still try and be careful for your DH if he won't pay attention to his own health. Use oil instead of butter, add less of it in the dishes, choose leaner meat, prepare casseroles that also include a lot of veggies.... One comfort is that WE are in control of the pan! LOL

BEB, Rick is probably very shy or insecure. Don't push, he'll make a move when he is ready. And you both have a past that left scars, so tlc and patience are definitely good things at first. I really hope Kyle is starting to realize even mothers can come to the end of their patience. Do not let anything slip by yet.

Bonnie, hope both DH and your sister are improving. That must be such a burden on your mind! At least you have golf. But I hope you do not have our weather because it's really chilly and wet (we are in the 60's today).

Ohio, Europe - especially Italy - is full of destitute noblemen, so I suggest you come for a tour for your next holiday. Italians can be very charming - they are also terribly spoiled males - and they REALLY know how to make a lady feel appreciated. The fact I married a Swiss German - they are reputed to have as much fantasy and lightness of spirit as the cows inhabiting their mountains - should still give you hints of some of the drawbacks... LOL

Chris, I had to chuckle when you mentioned being embarrassed to be buying wine with your daughter!!! We do not think of wine as alcohol, but a huge part of our culture. Excess is frowned upon, and considered a sign of a low level of education... Things are changing nowadays, thanks to all the silly teenager movies showing binge drinking on campuses - something that used to be totally unknown here - but we still think that wine is an exception.

I just wanted to share the great news! I broke the 80kg barrier (176 lbs). I am now officially in the 70's range, with 79.8 kg (175 lbs 12 oz). It's not much, but psychologically as well as emotionally it's wonderful! LOL My next goal is to exit the 170's before the end of the month... I was not expecting it, because I prepared a nice dinner for Pierre (pasta-less zucchini lasagna, absolutely delicious...), and ate more than I needed, and I polished off all the cherries... But I must have done something right yesterday (like walking to Aigle for shopping in spite of the rain), because it didn't show on the scale this morning.

Oh! And I am cooking beans!!! I found a slow cooker recipe for meatless chili an d that's what I will be preparing for tonight. Pierre won't be eating with me, because he will be eating with two friends from India (that both used to be in Vietnam with us; one is still there, the other one went back to Delhi). But I guess it is the kind of dish that gets even better with time, so I do not mind. Marc should be coming today to help me set up the desktop in the office room ( I know how to do that but there is a lot of boxes and furniture to move around to do so).

I am doing fine with the boxes. Except my sewing room and the office, all rooms are free of boxes now. There is some minor work to do in the kitchen to finish off the plinths, a door to install, and a few spots to touch in the wall paint, then the house will be officially settled. I'll keep the basement organization for when I come back from the States, mid-August (I come back on St Helene's day, the 18th of August).

Before I get off: ironing... Europeans are "ironers". My Mom even ironed my father's socks... I iron shirts, blouses, pants (those you can't dry clean), towels, dishtowels, aprons, napkins, bedsheet edges, pillow cases, duvet covers, etc... After so many years in the tropics, we are all addicted to 100% cotton and flax, so all that stuff really needs ironing. I do not mind. I usually watch TV or listen to audio books while I do it, so I do not really think about it. And I love to put away freshly-ironed neatly stacked linens. Makes me feel... accomplished. LOL I do not know about the States, but in Europe mothers-in-law would look at the way you kept linens in your  cupboards as keenly as they's watch your cooking skills... My MIL is NOT that kind, but it's still in the culture. (We even have a different way to fold upper bedsheets and lower ones, to be able to spot them at a glance! LOL).

Have a wonderful day all!

Helene, in Switzerland, who will have to brave another rainy day to go to Aigle...