I'm finding there is a major discrepancy between the way typical American women mother and the mothering instincts and designs God has given us. I'm fine with agreeing that we do live in the American culture, so there are things that we do to get along better within our society... However, some things may be better off picked apart and looked at, to determine why we are doing them, if they are beneficial, or if they are even what we as mothers want to be doing.
Some obvious two-sided issues like the "Cry It Out" method of teaching your child to self-soothe, are no-brainers to me. Especially when studies are being done that prove methods like this are dangerous! Psychology Today (http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201112/dangers-crying-it-out) just published an article listing the many dangers of the method - life long risks that include altered brain chemistry and a messed up stress-response system, which leads to other physical and mental health issues later in life.
Some issues need real thought, there aren't necessarily clear studies that back them up on either side. Like this week's issue (I'm sure there will be many more) is nursing to sleep. There are a hand-full of points that can be made in favor or against it. If we didn't nurse to sleep, Andrew could more easily put Fern to bed, giving me a break. I would be more likely to even be able to put her to bed and have time in the evenings to spend with my husband. My days wouldn't revolve SO much around getting her to sleep for at least three naps and then for bed.
On the flip-side though, Fern falls asleep SO peacefully and happily at my breast. It is the place she feels most comfortable, warm, and loved. God designed breastmilk perfectly...even possibly perfectly for nursing to sleep. It contains sleep-inducing chemicals, possibly more effective than a Benedryl! And as a mom, it is so cozy to nurse my little pipsqueak to sleep.
Certainly it would be nice to get things done, to enjoy time sewing, or tea in the evening with my husband. But Fern will be a baby only once. So my desire is to push aside cultural (and family!) expectations, and move more on instinct, remembering that God gave them to me. Trying not to be influenced by people who say "but you need a break", "that's what naps are for", etc. Or having an attitude of a parent who lives for the time the baby is asleep. I'm still a mama, even when she's asleep.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Fern Fiona Hanlon
Well, obviously, that was the day... It's been a little over two months since my last post... I've been a very, very busy new mama. It has been an incredible two months. It has flown by, even though at some times it feels so hard - like in the beginning, at night! And for the first few weeks when I was trying so hard to build my milk supply.
Overall, every single day is amazing. I have a new friend and companion. Someone Andrew and I share and are equally in love with and interested in. She for sure has a lot of her dad's personality, but is definitely not lacking in mine. But she's uniquely her. At two months, she is who she is - nothing short of an amazing miracle. Love doesn't even begin to describe what we feel for her. Every single day I'm amazed at her. She is not a passive critter, just waiting to be fed, to fall asleep, poop, and wake back up to eat again, like some people see babies as.
Long before she was born I heard about Elimination Communication - tuning into your baby and learning her signs and cues for when she needs to pee or poop. I thought it was whacked. Recently though, my dear friend Lizard suggested I read a book about it. Wow. It makes so much sense. There is no way, after reading this book, I'd choose to do things any other way.
Yesterday was our first day practicing EC. Shortly after her nap, I hung Fern over a (very cute) pyrex mixing bowl, with my hands under her thighs and her back resting against my belly. She peed!! Nursed her awhile, took her to her "potty" and she peed again! Some time later, she was in the sling - fed, burped, snuggled - and she started to squirm and squawk. I popped her out hung her over the bowl and after a few seconds she pooped! It is literally as simple as that. Between timing, right when she wakes up, after nursing, etc. and signals, squirming, voicing, etc. She's had a few misses since then, misses on my part for not reading her signs. It is just exactly like when she has to burp, she has tell-tale signs for letting me know. Now I'm looking for these new signs!
I'm thrilled with this concept for many reasons, but the simplest, daily reason is that I don't want my baby to be sitting in her piddle. Even if I miss her cues, I still will know shortly after that she's gone and can change her long before it makes her uncomfortable. Another reason is the simplicity of the idea. This is how baby humans were made to learn to defecate - actually, not learn because it is innate. They are born knowing. In diapering, children lose their ability to recognize the need to go and the understanding to wait to go until they are on the potty.
Now looking back, I never remember seeing a diaper in many of the places I traveled, including the ones where I was in close contact with children. I'm fondly remembering Napoleon, in Burma. CUTE as a bug... maybe 12 months old, running around without a diaper. Many babies in the clinic in Burma too, no diaps. This is the way women around the world raise their children. Some may say we are lucky to have diapers here, they are very convenient for a baby to go in, but how convenient is it to sit in your waste? I'm actually feeling like women in rural India and China, and the Arctic Circle in Canada, are the lucky ones - that raising children like this is just what they do. It is just the way it works.
So little Fern will continue to wear diapers until mama can really read and learn her signs and cues. It may be a month, it maybe 5 months, but the whole point is that we (me and her daddy-o) are tuned into our child, listening to her voice. Communicating.
Overall, every single day is amazing. I have a new friend and companion. Someone Andrew and I share and are equally in love with and interested in. She for sure has a lot of her dad's personality, but is definitely not lacking in mine. But she's uniquely her. At two months, she is who she is - nothing short of an amazing miracle. Love doesn't even begin to describe what we feel for her. Every single day I'm amazed at her. She is not a passive critter, just waiting to be fed, to fall asleep, poop, and wake back up to eat again, like some people see babies as.
Long before she was born I heard about Elimination Communication - tuning into your baby and learning her signs and cues for when she needs to pee or poop. I thought it was whacked. Recently though, my dear friend Lizard suggested I read a book about it. Wow. It makes so much sense. There is no way, after reading this book, I'd choose to do things any other way.
Yesterday was our first day practicing EC. Shortly after her nap, I hung Fern over a (very cute) pyrex mixing bowl, with my hands under her thighs and her back resting against my belly. She peed!! Nursed her awhile, took her to her "potty" and she peed again! Some time later, she was in the sling - fed, burped, snuggled - and she started to squirm and squawk. I popped her out hung her over the bowl and after a few seconds she pooped! It is literally as simple as that. Between timing, right when she wakes up, after nursing, etc. and signals, squirming, voicing, etc. She's had a few misses since then, misses on my part for not reading her signs. It is just exactly like when she has to burp, she has tell-tale signs for letting me know. Now I'm looking for these new signs!
I'm thrilled with this concept for many reasons, but the simplest, daily reason is that I don't want my baby to be sitting in her piddle. Even if I miss her cues, I still will know shortly after that she's gone and can change her long before it makes her uncomfortable. Another reason is the simplicity of the idea. This is how baby humans were made to learn to defecate - actually, not learn because it is innate. They are born knowing. In diapering, children lose their ability to recognize the need to go and the understanding to wait to go until they are on the potty.
Now looking back, I never remember seeing a diaper in many of the places I traveled, including the ones where I was in close contact with children. I'm fondly remembering Napoleon, in Burma. CUTE as a bug... maybe 12 months old, running around without a diaper. Many babies in the clinic in Burma too, no diaps. This is the way women around the world raise their children. Some may say we are lucky to have diapers here, they are very convenient for a baby to go in, but how convenient is it to sit in your waste? I'm actually feeling like women in rural India and China, and the Arctic Circle in Canada, are the lucky ones - that raising children like this is just what they do. It is just the way it works.
So little Fern will continue to wear diapers until mama can really read and learn her signs and cues. It may be a month, it maybe 5 months, but the whole point is that we (me and her daddy-o) are tuned into our child, listening to her voice. Communicating.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
seizing the day...
Well, today just might be the day... or rather, will be the day... So I thought I better pop some of the pictures I've been hording onto my blog.
this is my latest pattern testing pattern!
this is my latest pattern testing pattern!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Yesterday, Andrew and I had SO much fun volunteering at the Farm to Fork event in Virginia Beach. We worked the drink table at the event - locally brewed beers from Beach Brewing Company, locally made wine, and apple cider. The beer was fantastic - yes, preg had a sip or two and enjoyed them very, very much. Andrew had a cup or two and also enjoyed them very much! His exact words were "this was the best volunteer opportunity I've ever heard of!".
Aside from all the beer, which clearly was a major hit, there was AWESOME food. And lots of it. There were a number of restaurants present that I'd always wanted to eat at, though never wanted to fork over the $25+ a plate that they charge. This was the perfect opportunity. We had delicious smoked brisket, roasted vegetable ratatouille, carmel apple cakes, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, homegrown mushroom ragu, locally caught oysters, and so much more I can't even remember!
Needless to say, the tickets were $30 each... if we hadn't been volunteering, we certainly would have been enjoying! Plus, aren't good things even so much better when they are FREE!
Oh, plus the 6 pie pumpkin and 2 japanese eggplant table decorations I snagged at the end made the deal extra sweet!
Andrew, manning the beer table - in true Hanlon style, B.S.ing up a storm and enjoying every moment of it.
Friday, September 2, 2011
New Winter Boots!
Just finished up baby's first pair of winter boots. The lining is made from an old, shrunken sweater and the exterior is made from wet felted wool - from my favorite fiber store in Savannah Wild Fibre and a cute store in the upper peninsula of Michigan!
Can't blog long... too much stitching to do!
Can't blog long... too much stitching to do!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Dad's Baby Blankie
Andrew had the fun idea of turning an old uniform into a cute little baby blanket! Well, the uniform wasn't exactly old...but rather had a small hole chomped into the back by our first born - Violet. She enjoys sneaking into the laundry room, pulling clothes through the holes in the laundry basket, and snacking quietly til mom comes to catch her. She has a special taste specifically for camouflage... we think it reminds her of her roots in the fields of west Texas.
So this is it. A little lap blanket for the car or for snuggling when dad's at work. Oh how soon will there be a little body under this blankie.
So this is it. A little lap blanket for the car or for snuggling when dad's at work. Oh how soon will there be a little body under this blankie.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Baby Quilt!
I just finished my Cloud9 organic cotton baby quilt. Smiling ear to ear to have it finished! I'm not entirely impressed by my binding, or actual quilting for that matter, but it will help me loosen up and be prepared for dirt, puke, and (hopefully not) poo that may come into contact with my fine piece of work!
The little mushrooms in the fabric make my heart hurt...they are SO CUTE!
Well, I guess I'm ready at least for the hurricane now, if not for the baby!
The little mushrooms in the fabric make my heart hurt...they are SO CUTE!
Well, I guess I'm ready at least for the hurricane now, if not for the baby!
Pattern Test
Pattern Test - done! I really enjoyed making this cute little pouch. There were some confusing, frustrating parts, but overall, very cute and fairly quick. Hopefully my job as tester will help to work out the kinks and confusion!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Baby's First Toy
Yesterday, Modern Alternative Mama posted a great blog about toys and the correlation between simple, natural toys and a peaceful environment in the home. Perfect timing for this post, considering my sewing machine came home from the doctor today! And if there is one thing I have to have it is a peaceful home. I can't imagine how much more I'll want that when we have a little, tiny addition to our family. So I made our tiny addition it's first toy - an organically, stuffed bird!
New Job!
Well, job might not be the right word, since it isn't paid, but I'm I Think Sew's newest pattern tester! My first assignment is an adorable little zipper pouch. I'm thrilled. I've made a few zipper pouches, but this one is a little different with a curved zipper.
I'm excited to see what else they have me sew. Some of their bags and little shoes are painfully, PAINFULLY cute!
I'm excited to see what else they have me sew. Some of their bags and little shoes are painfully, PAINFULLY cute!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
too many things..
Every day it feels like I have a huge stack of things I need/want to do and I never make it through all that I have planned! Partly, I'm sure, because I over-book myself and think I can accomplish more than I can, and partly because each day really has a lot to be done! This feeling translates into blog writing as well. So many things I want to and intend to write about...but when?!
Here is a small list of things I want to blog about:
-junior's bedroom
-the sensibility of cloth diapering
-the status of my garden!
-homebirth
-things I've made and want to make for junior!
I guess I need to realize that I'll never get it all done. But like my dear husband reminds me, I get so much more done than I acknowledge.
Here is a small list of things I want to blog about:
-junior's bedroom
-the sensibility of cloth diapering
-the status of my garden!
-homebirth
-things I've made and want to make for junior!
I guess I need to realize that I'll never get it all done. But like my dear husband reminds me, I get so much more done than I acknowledge.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Cats in Bags...
Well, my dear friend Lizzie let her cat out of the bag, so I suppose I'm due to let mine out too. In four short months - give or take however long Junior desires - we will be a family of four (three humans, one bunny).
me - six months pregnant (not scared really, though I look it in the picture)
Surprisingly, considering how I felt four months ago, I'm getting excited. God really does know me better than I do. I wouldn't have necessarily planned this myself, but it's good. It sure helps that Lizzie is also going to be a momma! And also my friend Aliza is expecting, whom I adore.
Andrew put in a good long Saturday painting and trimming the baby's room. Well, not actually that long, the room is tiny - he fondly calls it the Harry Potter bedroom. Then follows up with "are we bad parents because we're making our kid sleep in a walk-in closet?".
me - six months pregnant (not scared really, though I look it in the picture)
Surprisingly, considering how I felt four months ago, I'm getting excited. God really does know me better than I do. I wouldn't have necessarily planned this myself, but it's good. It sure helps that Lizzie is also going to be a momma! And also my friend Aliza is expecting, whom I adore.
Andrew put in a good long Saturday painting and trimming the baby's room. Well, not actually that long, the room is tiny - he fondly calls it the Harry Potter bedroom. Then follows up with "are we bad parents because we're making our kid sleep in a walk-in closet?".
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Mer de Glace
Yesterday, Sammy and Max took us to Chamonix to see Mer de Glace - a glacier tucked in the mountains. We rode a train up the mountain, a gondola down the other side, and then took 350 stairs down to the valley floor, which was filled in with the glacier. We were able to go inside tunnels made in the glacier - so cold and so cool!
the glacier.
the stairs down to the cave entrance
inside the glacier
the glacier.
the stairs down to the cave entrance
inside the glacier
Monday, April 25, 2011
Eatly and France
On Thursday night, we stayed in the middle of a corn field, in a Holiday Inn Express. It was so nice to stay somewhere we knew would be clean and nice- and had an amazing, fruit filled breakfast in the morning. With unlimited espresso (for Andrew, only one for me :( ). I sat in the morning for about 3 hrs reading in the breakfast room. It was heavenly.
Friday, we spend in Torino, Italy. First stop was Eatly, the first Slow Food grocery store in Italy...and a super cute name! It was awesome. Fresh produce, meat, cheese, fish, wine, beer. All local. I wanted to buy it all!
Then we went off to the original Lavazza cafe. Also love at first sight. We had a cream espresso - espresso you eat with a spoon- and a fruit campana. They were both incredibly delicious.
We also visited a little medieval village in Torino, called Borgo. It was built in the 1800s to model a medieval village.
Our stay that night was in a tiny town called None, where we finally got to try Italian pasta. We had pizza and ravioli for dinner. It was pretty good, but we were dying of thirst... they only sold bottled water at the restaurant, and we are far too cheap for that!
Saturday morning we made our way to Sammy's house in Megeve, France. With two detours, one because the road had a huge snow pile at the start and one because of an avalanche, we finally made it. Cutest little French town in the Alps ever. Her boyfriend Max made us all dinner and dessert last night and we are staying in the hotel he works at, which is closed for the season. I'm absolutely loving hanging out with my favorite cousin (sorry Lucas). :)
Friday, we spend in Torino, Italy. First stop was Eatly, the first Slow Food grocery store in Italy...and a super cute name! It was awesome. Fresh produce, meat, cheese, fish, wine, beer. All local. I wanted to buy it all!
Then we went off to the original Lavazza cafe. Also love at first sight. We had a cream espresso - espresso you eat with a spoon- and a fruit campana. They were both incredibly delicious.
We also visited a little medieval village in Torino, called Borgo. It was built in the 1800s to model a medieval village.
Our stay that night was in a tiny town called None, where we finally got to try Italian pasta. We had pizza and ravioli for dinner. It was pretty good, but we were dying of thirst... they only sold bottled water at the restaurant, and we are far too cheap for that!
Saturday morning we made our way to Sammy's house in Megeve, France. With two detours, one because the road had a huge snow pile at the start and one because of an avalanche, we finally made it. Cutest little French town in the Alps ever. Her boyfriend Max made us all dinner and dessert last night and we are staying in the hotel he works at, which is closed for the season. I'm absolutely loving hanging out with my favorite cousin (sorry Lucas). :)
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Friday we spent the morning in Nice, France. The drive to Nice the previous day was amazing. Fields and fields of lavender! We had a little picnic on a hillside, overlooking a field of sheep. I'm pretty sure I want to be a lavender farmer or shepherd in the south of France someday.
Driving into Nice we got an amazing view of the Mediterranean Sea - blue, blue, blue! We began the morning in Nice with a walk along the sea and and a coffee in a little cafe right on the beach! Next, we headed toward the city center and grabbed a fresh squeezed, locally grown O.J. :) So so delish. Quite obviously to my delight, while wondering around the city center, we stumbled upon the flower and farmer's market! Handmade lavender soaps, locally grown tomatoes, locally harvested sea salt, and LAVENDER COOKIES!
Next was Monaco - a country that could fit inside Central Park. First stop, the Botanical Gardens of Monaco! Hands down, the most unique gardens we've been to. All succulents and cacti, my favs. And built on a very, very steep hillside, rather cliff. Monaco in general is really intense and insane. VERY busy, a constant buzz of activity. And so, so tightly packed. Beautiful to look at, especially the sea, but we were happy to get the heck out. On the plus side for Monaco, almost every single building had a green roof! I don't think it was them being green though, I think they just need to utilize the space.
After Monaco, we headed to the hotel to relax- and do homework. At dinner time, well past our dinner time, around 6:30 we went out for dinner in town. To our dismay, there was not a single restaurant open. Friday night, not a thing was open. Finally we found the hours to the restaurant that was recommended to us, it opened at 7:15. We popped in promptly, at a quarter after, and the lights were still off. The waitress beckoned us in, and we were trapped. $37 USD later, we had bottled water poured from a blue glass bottle, a random lunch meat appetizer we don't remember ordering, spinach crepes, amazing gnocchi, and two very hungry bellies still. So we went to fill up on gelato. :) Lesson learned.
Thankfully, we returned to our hotel to find a huge bowl of strawberries and a bottle of champagne to celebrate our honeymoon/babymoon! Of course, the champange is packed in a suit case for later enjoyment... like say 3 years from now. :)
Driving into Nice we got an amazing view of the Mediterranean Sea - blue, blue, blue! We began the morning in Nice with a walk along the sea and and a coffee in a little cafe right on the beach! Next, we headed toward the city center and grabbed a fresh squeezed, locally grown O.J. :) So so delish. Quite obviously to my delight, while wondering around the city center, we stumbled upon the flower and farmer's market! Handmade lavender soaps, locally grown tomatoes, locally harvested sea salt, and LAVENDER COOKIES!
Next was Monaco - a country that could fit inside Central Park. First stop, the Botanical Gardens of Monaco! Hands down, the most unique gardens we've been to. All succulents and cacti, my favs. And built on a very, very steep hillside, rather cliff. Monaco in general is really intense and insane. VERY busy, a constant buzz of activity. And so, so tightly packed. Beautiful to look at, especially the sea, but we were happy to get the heck out. On the plus side for Monaco, almost every single building had a green roof! I don't think it was them being green though, I think they just need to utilize the space.
After Monaco, we headed to the hotel to relax- and do homework. At dinner time, well past our dinner time, around 6:30 we went out for dinner in town. To our dismay, there was not a single restaurant open. Friday night, not a thing was open. Finally we found the hours to the restaurant that was recommended to us, it opened at 7:15. We popped in promptly, at a quarter after, and the lights were still off. The waitress beckoned us in, and we were trapped. $37 USD later, we had bottled water poured from a blue glass bottle, a random lunch meat appetizer we don't remember ordering, spinach crepes, amazing gnocchi, and two very hungry bellies still. So we went to fill up on gelato. :) Lesson learned.
Thankfully, we returned to our hotel to find a huge bowl of strawberries and a bottle of champagne to celebrate our honeymoon/babymoon! Of course, the champange is packed in a suit case for later enjoyment... like say 3 years from now. :)
Thursday, April 21, 2011
dingy hotel, french police, yikes
On Tuesday we zipped to Spain - major bust. Our hotel was an incredibly dingy, toeing the scummy line, hotel apartment nearly on the beach in Costa Brava, Spain. The lobby was beautiful - great places to sit, on chocolate brown couches... the room however left much MUCH to be desired. And it wasn't exactly cheap either. On top, it was freezing on the beach, so no sun bathing! So we thought it'd be a great day for Andrew to get his homework done (and me to do a bunch of reading!) so we began our hunt for McDonald's - the only place we've seen with wifi. Nearly two hours later, with a false address from a McDonald's billboard, we did not arrive. The hope of their soft serve ice cream with espresso over top -Spain's McDonald's specialty- kept us going! So extremely frustrated, we went back to dumpville-hotel for the evening.
This is all so sad, because the parts of Spain I've been to were awesome! Historic, beautiful, and right on the sea. Costa Brava was not the optimal choice.
Wednesday, we decided to start afresh with a new attitude...and get the heck back to France. Our first main stop was in Montpellier - hands down the coolest town we've been to..and we're nearly ready to move there. We started out with a picnic in Jardins de Plantes de Montpellier - the botanical gardens! Then popped into the University of Montpellier - one of the oldest in the world, started in 1160. They have a medical museum and a surgical theater - but they were closed! :( Then off to one of the main squares for coffee in the CUTEST coffee shop. After our relaxing coffee, we hopped in the car, heading toward our destination for the night Hotel de Graffre, an old farm turned hotel.
photos from the botanical gardens
cute coffee shop - Cafe Latitude
As we drove through the city, we started to hear sirens. We finally figured out they were coming from behind us, so we did our best to make way as the police motorcycles flew by, stopping traffic in the intersection ahead of us, waving their arms frantically at us, or at least in our direction, so we thought we were supposed to go ahead and get out of the way... WRONG. Next thing we knew there was banging on the back of the car, we thought a police car hit us, but it was a police man, in a car, banging on our back end. I looked out my window to see a man with a black skull cap, black ski goggles, and a black AK47 pointed at us, shaking his head and making scary, mean gestures with his hand. Pause story to change my soiled underwear. I was literally looking down the barrel. Obviously we froze - I almost handed him my purse, thought he might actually be a robber, in police clothing... and they were gone. Poor Andrew couldn't hold down the clutch his knee was shaking so bad. It was nuts. NUTS.
Thankfully, just outside the city was peace. Wild horses, oodles of flamingos, marshy area. We arrived at our hotel so pleased to have a comfortable place to rest and be. We even have a little patio, where I'm sitting now. Last night, we went into Nimes. We ate at a local brewery, saw a huge Roman arena that's still in use, and Jardins de Fontaine - a huge fountain garden from the 18th century. Lining the garden walkways, buckeyes were flowering, which made it absolutely the best time of year to be there and so beautiful!
This is all so sad, because the parts of Spain I've been to were awesome! Historic, beautiful, and right on the sea. Costa Brava was not the optimal choice.
Wednesday, we decided to start afresh with a new attitude...and get the heck back to France. Our first main stop was in Montpellier - hands down the coolest town we've been to..and we're nearly ready to move there. We started out with a picnic in Jardins de Plantes de Montpellier - the botanical gardens! Then popped into the University of Montpellier - one of the oldest in the world, started in 1160. They have a medical museum and a surgical theater - but they were closed! :( Then off to one of the main squares for coffee in the CUTEST coffee shop. After our relaxing coffee, we hopped in the car, heading toward our destination for the night Hotel de Graffre, an old farm turned hotel.
photos from the botanical gardens
cute coffee shop - Cafe Latitude
As we drove through the city, we started to hear sirens. We finally figured out they were coming from behind us, so we did our best to make way as the police motorcycles flew by, stopping traffic in the intersection ahead of us, waving their arms frantically at us, or at least in our direction, so we thought we were supposed to go ahead and get out of the way... WRONG. Next thing we knew there was banging on the back of the car, we thought a police car hit us, but it was a police man, in a car, banging on our back end. I looked out my window to see a man with a black skull cap, black ski goggles, and a black AK47 pointed at us, shaking his head and making scary, mean gestures with his hand. Pause story to change my soiled underwear. I was literally looking down the barrel. Obviously we froze - I almost handed him my purse, thought he might actually be a robber, in police clothing... and they were gone. Poor Andrew couldn't hold down the clutch his knee was shaking so bad. It was nuts. NUTS.
Thankfully, just outside the city was peace. Wild horses, oodles of flamingos, marshy area. We arrived at our hotel so pleased to have a comfortable place to rest and be. We even have a little patio, where I'm sitting now. Last night, we went into Nimes. We ate at a local brewery, saw a huge Roman arena that's still in use, and Jardins de Fontaine - a huge fountain garden from the 18th century. Lining the garden walkways, buckeyes were flowering, which made it absolutely the best time of year to be there and so beautiful!
Monday, April 18, 2011
extreme rental car racing
Today we met Sammy for coffee on the shore of Lake Geneva. SO good to see my cuz. :) Then we zipped off to Lyon, France, where we saw an amazing cathedral and ruins of a Roman theater. On the way, we had a little picnic of pancetta, tomato, and cheese baguette on the Rhone River! It's the Torch Lake of rivers, so blue! We forgot to take a picture though... so google it. :)
This was followed by a nearly nauseating, yet free trip through the mountains on mostly single lane roads - not two lane, single lane yet still two ways! Yikes. With no guard rails and jagged rocks and rivers below...
The places we take rental cars. If Budget only knew!
This is a cathedral built on the top of volcanic remnants around 950 AD. Thought about taking the rental car up there, but didn't think it'd make it. :)
Tonight we're staying in a town called Millau, France, in the Pyrenees Mountains! Longest viaduc in the world - I think...
This was followed by a nearly nauseating, yet free trip through the mountains on mostly single lane roads - not two lane, single lane yet still two ways! Yikes. With no guard rails and jagged rocks and rivers below...
The places we take rental cars. If Budget only knew!
This is a cathedral built on the top of volcanic remnants around 950 AD. Thought about taking the rental car up there, but didn't think it'd make it. :)
Tonight we're staying in a town called Millau, France, in the Pyrenees Mountains! Longest viaduc in the world - I think...
a visit with Chandni & Peter
We spent our first weekend with my dear Chandni and Peter, her Belgian husband. We had so much fun, it actually hurt. The first night we just hung out and caught up. It took roughly 14 hours for Chandni to believe that I am pregnant. The first words out of her mouth were "YEAH, when you pop a baby out of there, then we'll talk"... hahaha. She swore the ultrasound photos, prescription prenatal vitamins, and birth books were just props for my prank. Not even the plump belly was convincing. Maybe I do cry wolf too much? ;)
The second day we took a drive through the Alps to Italy and France. After passing through the Saint Bernard tunnel- where the pups come from!, we stopped in Aosta, Italy. Where we enjoyed a picnic along the river, coffee and a magician in the city center, a little fresh well water from a fountain, and amazing views of the snowy mountains. Then to another little town for pizza and lemon soda! So delicious. We took the Mount Blanc tunnel home, which was over 7 miles long!
Yesterday we took a long, beautiful walk along Lake Geneva and through the woods, to Nyon, Switzerland. Had a fantastic picnic in a castle's front yard! And returned home for a slice of Italian Easter cake and a final cup of chai - made by Peter, who officially makes the most delicious chai known to man.
We had so much fun with Peter and Boo it was hard to leave this morning! I really can't wait til they visit us in the US.
The second day we took a drive through the Alps to Italy and France. After passing through the Saint Bernard tunnel- where the pups come from!, we stopped in Aosta, Italy. Where we enjoyed a picnic along the river, coffee and a magician in the city center, a little fresh well water from a fountain, and amazing views of the snowy mountains. Then to another little town for pizza and lemon soda! So delicious. We took the Mount Blanc tunnel home, which was over 7 miles long!
Yesterday we took a long, beautiful walk along Lake Geneva and through the woods, to Nyon, Switzerland. Had a fantastic picnic in a castle's front yard! And returned home for a slice of Italian Easter cake and a final cup of chai - made by Peter, who officially makes the most delicious chai known to man.
We had so much fun with Peter and Boo it was hard to leave this morning! I really can't wait til they visit us in the US.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Switzerland
After sitting in the Newport News airport all day, being delayed until the next day, sitting in the Washington DC airport for 8 hours the next day, and being told our tickets weren't valid... we made it! We flew in Thursday morning with the sun shining on the mountains as we landed. Definitely the most beautiful place I've ever seen from a plane. The hillsides were so green, with little squiggly roads and paths. Blue, blue lakes and snow capped mountains. An awesome first impression.
Picked up our rental car and darted out onto the roads, to risk our life... the people here actually drive really well, and carefully, but who knew a red light turns yellow before it turns green? And who knew a sign with a red border and two cars next to each other means no passing? And who knew that was a border crossing we just flew through, without blinking?? Ooops, now we're in France!
Our first stop in France was Carrefour - the Super Target of France. We grabbed some mickey mouse cheese, strawberries, and a baguette for a picnic in the parking lot, on the edge of a field of wheat. We were starving. Then off for our first cafe au lait and pain au chocolat! SO delish.
Everywhere you go in France - and Switzerland- the flowers are amazing! We had to stop in a cute little town called Evian,on the shore of Lake Geneva, because the tulips were just too much! Plus, they had these really weird flowers that I'd never seen before. Also, Evian is where the bottled water comes from.
That night we stayed in Montreux, Switzerland with a couple we met through Airbnb - a website people can rent rooms through. It was a great first experience, the couple was very kind and their home was incredibly unique. The attic of an old home that once housed vineyard workers - it was so cool. We were completely exhausted by the time we got there. We wanted to eat and go to bed. Every restaurant we looked at around town - including the cheap ones they recommended- was over $30/plate in US dollars! We spent an hour or so looking around and finally decided we'd just grab a burger at McDonald's and have Chandni help us the next day with eating out. Holy price tag shock. It would have cost us $25 for us to both eat at McDonald's. MCDONALD'S! (Chandni later clued us in that this is the token visitor mistake made when visiting Swtz, one she herself made :) ) So instead we got half of a rotisserie chicken, another baguette, and carrots from the grocery store and had a picnic on the lake.
Picked up our rental car and darted out onto the roads, to risk our life... the people here actually drive really well, and carefully, but who knew a red light turns yellow before it turns green? And who knew a sign with a red border and two cars next to each other means no passing? And who knew that was a border crossing we just flew through, without blinking?? Ooops, now we're in France!
Our first stop in France was Carrefour - the Super Target of France. We grabbed some mickey mouse cheese, strawberries, and a baguette for a picnic in the parking lot, on the edge of a field of wheat. We were starving. Then off for our first cafe au lait and pain au chocolat! SO delish.
Everywhere you go in France - and Switzerland- the flowers are amazing! We had to stop in a cute little town called Evian,on the shore of Lake Geneva, because the tulips were just too much! Plus, they had these really weird flowers that I'd never seen before. Also, Evian is where the bottled water comes from.
That night we stayed in Montreux, Switzerland with a couple we met through Airbnb - a website people can rent rooms through. It was a great first experience, the couple was very kind and their home was incredibly unique. The attic of an old home that once housed vineyard workers - it was so cool. We were completely exhausted by the time we got there. We wanted to eat and go to bed. Every restaurant we looked at around town - including the cheap ones they recommended- was over $30/plate in US dollars! We spent an hour or so looking around and finally decided we'd just grab a burger at McDonald's and have Chandni help us the next day with eating out. Holy price tag shock. It would have cost us $25 for us to both eat at McDonald's. MCDONALD'S! (Chandni later clued us in that this is the token visitor mistake made when visiting Swtz, one she herself made :) ) So instead we got half of a rotisserie chicken, another baguette, and carrots from the grocery store and had a picnic on the lake.
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