It’s just about the edges

It worked. I think this week has done exactly what I hoped it would: we skied lots, we immersed ourselves in snow and got into some of the Christmas spirit, we spent tons of time together laughing and having fun. Mission accomplished. We had dinner last night at a restaurant (Gitz-Gädi/ Hotel Silvana) up the hill from Furi. It was a hike to get there (literally) but worth it, and a beautiful hike down - both in the dark. Murphy came with us too so that made it fun - he never misses a chance to make friends now. We sat beside a family who had just arrived the day before from England. They had two daughters , ages 8 and 9. They loved Murphy. As in really loved Murphy. The girls are their food and then would rush over to pet Murphy. And good old Murph just soaked it up, giving them his love right back.

That was a small digression....back to the highlights of the week:

• I continued to throw out some great supportive pearls of wisdom including “it’s just the edges” to support Shannon hopping back on her snowboard and worrying she was going to forget how to turn
• Skiing to Italy and having lunch in Italy; it was so gorgeous, and neat to see the Matterhorn from the other side  (but we prefer the Matterhorn from the Swiss side)
• The pizza at the restaurant at the top - delicious pizza!!!
• Seeing the mountain goats from the gondola, and then seeing the mountain goats right in front of us on Friday
• Skiing in the powder in our first day with our ski guide, Lars
• Covers kilometres of terrain on Thursday as well as Friday! Justin really feel that Thursday was the best day!
• Skiing on Friday and getting to the bottom of a run, then hopping on a funicular, and another time hopping on a train, in addition to the gondola rides, chair lifts, and rope tow that we did! The Swiss have their infrastructure nailed!!!
• For me, I loved my morning walks with Murphy, watching the sun rise and even seeing mountain goats on Friday morning. I also loved looking down at the town of Zermatt and seeing it lit up like out of a story book. 
• Soaking in the hot tub (with or without the snow falling) and watching the train go by on the hill, lit up like out of a fairy tale or story book, and then knowing we were on that train

Groomed runs

It’s early morning here and I can hear the gondola start up. I can hear the groomer going by not far from the chalet. I woke up because the dog needed to go out. Now I can enjoy a little quiet before the rest of the crew stirs. It’s rare that I am the first one up anymore, but I love it.  It’s going to be another good day! Ski, eat, drink, read, sleep.....

Hello Matterhorn!!

The girls finished school on Friday (sweet, 3 weeks off!!) and we are now on a hillside in Zermatt for a ski trip. It is mind blowing!!! It is so gorgeous!! We arrived Sunday afternoon and we are here until Saturday. 5 days of skiing will be exhausting but amazing! Yesterday we had a guide take us around and he was phenomenal. We toured all 3 ski areas to get a familiarity and today we are hoping to return to the best view of the Matterhorn, and ski into Italy!!! This is definitely helping to put us in the Christmas spirit, and relax and spend some time outdoors. There was about 5 cm of snow on Saturday in Baar (where we live) and that was the first snow. There won’t be much more than that, apparently. But the mountain get the snow. Last weekend, Justin and Sarah drove 2 hours away, but couldn’t ski because it was to windy. That is one other trouble with the mountains - the wind. At the top point yesterday, it was ridiculously windy, and by early afternoon they had to close some of the lifts here. 

It’ll be a bit strange having Christmas all to ourselves this year. We’ll be in Baar and I have a long list of things we can do, and places we can go to keep our spirits up and keep the girls off their phones as much as possible. We are going to a friends’ house for Christmas evening, so that will be nice. And with another 2 weeks off after we get back from skiing, the girls will be mellow I think!! 

Stuttgart adventure

December 10, 2018
I left yesterday with Kelly to go to the Stuttgart Christmas market in Germany. We travelled by train - so easy - which I still cannot believe takes 3 hours and BAM you are in another country. The only bummer is that the weather is rainy, and lots of it. Luckily, we weren’t deterred and we wandered the market with all its booths stretching out down the streets and alleys.

We ate at a fabulous local restaurant  and had dumplings along with our soup. My wine cane served in a mug with a handle, which felt very authentic, but slightly weird at the same time!

Security was very high and the presence of police with machine guns on every corner was a little intimidating. But when the shifting in Strasbourg France occurred days later, I can understand the concern. That was the only downside to the market so I am done with the negatives.

We had a great dinner with Ursula, the wife of Marcus who is the head of MB Europe. She is so absolutely lovely and interesting and kind. She recommended a restaurant called the Cube, which had great variety of food (not typical Swiss food) and it overlooked the main market area. It was a gorgeous view!!

 On Monday, we walked around again and this time ventured into some stores. The prices in germany really are lower!!

Christmas is coming...

It is a bit tough right now, I’ll be honest. There is no snow in our town and the girls are both lamenting the fact that we won’t be around friends and family for Christmas.  I tired to convince them to come to a Christmas Market with me, but no takers. For tell me, the Weinachtmarkt is a great way to smell the smells of Christmas here, see some local crafts and get into the spirit.
Justin took me to Einsedeln Christmas market and it was stunning!! The monestary town was lit up and the booths went through the streets. It was great.