Photos of Switzerland

I have been negligent by not posting more photos of Switzerland to this blog.  I keep my camera in the back of the car and often stop on the side of the road to capture something spectacular.  I am going to 'catch up' with this blog posting - Fall in Switzerland!

GruggerHof Farm in Fislisbach (village right next to ours)

Same farm different angle

Beautiful fall tree on a steep incline

The Swiss love their cows!  This is one we saw in a yard in our village.

The Limmat River which runs right down the middle of downtown Baden

Part of the Baden 'skyline'

Limmat River (the hills behind are filled with vineyards)

Every village has a fountain of some sort.  This is the one in Ennetbaden and is right outside Stella's school.

View of a mountain range from a hill top in Wettingen (town right next to Baden)

I LOVE this tree.  So pretty against all of the other foliage.  This is in a park in Downtown Baden near the Casino.  I was wandering around this park while waiting for Piper to finish her ballet lesson.

The GuggerHof Farm at Sunset

Same Day, Same Farm

Happened upon a field with horses atop Baldegg Mountain

A farm on Baldegg

View of the Alps from Baldegg

The girls during a walk through the forest in Wettingen

Piper striking a pose

Piper and Daddy racing in the forest.

A view from a hilltop looking down on Wettingen - I love this church and its steeple.  

Sunset on Wettingen

My distaste for public restrooms continues and we continue to carry a potty in the back of the car.

Never underestimate the power of beans and Goldfish!

 Today was my best day in Switzerland yet!  To say that I have had some rough days is an understatement but today was GREAT!  It started with finding distilled white vinegar and corn starch in the Asian specialty food store, then I found crazy expensive edamame at the regular grocery store!  The edamame was a special treat for the girls which they loved!   It's the little things in life that make us happy these days!

But, the grand finale, super great thing that happened today is....WE GOT OUR CAR!!!  After 97 days of waiting our blue minivan FINALLY arrived in Switzerland!  I truly cannot believe it is here!  Plus, not only did we get our van but my parents STUFFED it with great goodies from the States!  When I opened the door to the van, a can of black beans rolled out!  We got grape jelly, pam cooking spray, a TON of beans, Goldfish crackers, spices and more.

Today was a great day and I am so thankful for the lessons this move is teaching me.

Today's lesson: Never underestimate the power of beans and Goldfish!

SammiClaus - the Swiss Santa

Meet SammiClaus.  This is the Swiss version of St. Nicholas.  He is the typical 'Father Christmas' dude but who are those super scary chaps flanking them?  Oh, nevermind them - that's just the Schmutzli's!  Don't they look friendly?! 

The Swiss are quite a serious people - and Christmas time is NO exception.  These Schmutzli characters are basically SammiClaus' gang.  They go around with him and enforce his consequences for bad behavior throughout the year.  From what I can gather from folks around here, the Schmutzli's look in on children at their home and report back to SammiClaus as to whether they have been naughty or nice.  Then, the Schmutzli's go around with him and collect all the foul children, throw them in their straw cart and take them away to an unnamed place to rot or be tortured.  In fact, that is where the story gets a little fuzzy.  I am not sure exactly what happens to those horrid kids!  Regardless, the Swiss scare their children into submission! 

I prefer the American Santa and all the unbridled joy he brings to American kids, but this SammiClaus guy is intriguing as well...use the story of the Schmutzli's as you see fit to ensure a peaceful holiday season!