Four years ago, we came to Switzerland on holiday not only to check a few items off our bucket lists but also as a Winter ‘test-run’ to experience a European Winter – within hours of arriving, I knew we were in trouble. We’d stumbled upon something magical and there was no going back.
There are certain things in life that will take your breath away – the birth of a child, a sleeping baby, a beautiful sunrise, an incredible act of kindness. Let me add to the list … snow covered landscapes!
That holiday became the gateway to my love of Winter, with sub-zero temperatures outside, bundling up in Winter woolies, Christmas markets, open air ice rinks, twinkling lights in every window, frozen lakes, huddling around outdoor fires sipping Gluhwein and hot chocolate, the coziness of home and the soft, quiet, calmness of falling snow.
And it’s not just me, my ‘sun baby’ loves it too!
and so does her Dad!
Side note: When you find a man who’s enthusiasm for snow matches your own and who doesn’t bat an eye lid at your suggestion to spend 5 hours driving in the car to find it – hold on tight, he’s a keeper!
This is now our second winter living here in Switzerland and the excitement of it all has still not worn off, although busy work and late school schedules mean that we need to get creative with our time to ensure that we get to experience all of the Christmas festivities. I also have to keep reminding myself that we live here now and that if we don’t get to it this year, there’s always next year.
The only thing that’s missing this time of the year is family, so when I received a text earlier this year from my cousin asking if they could spend a few days with us, my heart was over-joyed. These are my people, we live the same, we love the same …
We squeezed in a lot over our four days together but the best part, was climbing into bed at night after a long, fun day and snuggling up with a contented heart knowing that just outside my bedroom door was family. Big cousins, little cousins.
Merry Christmas!
Yodelayheehoo 