New Year 2011

Well, after two days of chaos and total destruction of the house I have all the Christmas decorations taken down, packed away and have managed to put things back together quite nicely. The kitchen is spotless, the living room cozy and the gym is awaiting my workouts-"which I have been putting on the back burner for the last few weeks" {I'm a very bad girl!} But I'll be back, full swing in no-time!
I'm not exactly sure what we will end up doing tonight to bring in the New Year; but my cousin Linda and her husband Chris will be here to bring it in with us. In fact they are on their way as I write this, they came for a visit just after we moved into this house although this visit will be much more comfortable...we have furniture this time!
I hope everyone brings in the New Year safely. We wish you much joy, good health and a lot of love for 2011.

Operation "Take-Down"

I'm in the process of taking down my Christmas decorations. However with me...I can't just take them down; "I have to re-arrange all the furniture!" Perhaps one of these days I'll even be happy with the re-arrangements, the way the rooms lay out can make it quite challenging! I'm excited to see what I can come up with.
Rich is back to work- although he's one of the few, many will remain on leave until after the New Year; but he's able to conduct the inventory without disturbing too many people. 
Well enough procrastinating...... time to get back to work on this project!

Hoildays

Hello...I trust everyone had a wonderful Christmas with Family and Friends; Rich and I sure missed our family this year, however we were able to speak with everyone on the phone {next best thing}. We are looking forward to meeting-up with the kids in Ca. Plus we have our "Fisher Family Vacation" to look forward to. Now I get to begin a new countdown to Christmas!! "only 361 more days! What can I say? I just love the Holidays!!
I have to begin packing away all of our Christmas decorations until next November, a task I really do-not enjoy. After I'm finished..the house just looks so empty! But I'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of the winter season and all the snow-storms yet to arrive. 

Remembering

Today I'm thinking about the boy's and how much I miss them being little/younger. I was the type of Mother who never wished the time away although I would "sometimes" wish a birthday or two away..just so I could have another year with them. I remember "snow days" when school would be called off {I was sometimes more excited than the boys} On wet cold snowy or rainy days; they would rush through the front door, change into dry clothes and curl-up on the couch with some homemade warm chocolate chip cookies. a glass of milk or hot chocolate....I always had "something" ready for them. Oh how I loved those times, just thinking of them brings a tear to my eyes and I'm so very thankful for each of those days.
I'm also thankful for the ones I have today..I'm still with the man of my dreams whom I met when I was just 14! Being able to share all the memories we've had and continue to make. I'm very lucky- and I realize that.
Anyway....sitting in my kitchen looking through the snow globe, "yes..it's snowing hard" I thought I would share "THE BEST" Sugar cookie recipe with you. ENJOY!!!
                                                    Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
1/2 cup margarine
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Dash salt
1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
  Mix the above, divide in half, wrap and chill for 2 hrs. Roll out on floured surface. Cut into desired shapes and bake at 375  5-7 min.
  Glaze:
2 cups powered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Milk
  Mix and add enough milk {2-4 tablespoons} to make of glazing consistency- spread on cooled cookies.
If you wish...using a small paintbrush you or/and the kids can paint designs on each cookie using food coloring.

Happy Monday

Good-morning! What a weekend, we made a Commissary trip to Heidelberg on Saturday; {long drive} however we were successful in our purchases. As soon as our mail room changes I'll be able to mail packages {right now we can't mail anything larger than a VCR tape} But I haven't forgotten about sending out small packages with a taste of Switzerland. It also make's it impossible to send out Christmas gifts!!! So, money will have to work this year for Shealynn and Brady. Although Craig and Trista will be doing our shopping and wrapping for us this year,- our love is with them always. I'm not saying what we're doing for the kid's this year...."not yet anyway".
I spent my morning climbing the elevator shafts again; I just can't seem to stay out of them! LOL  Rich made Tenure with the State Dept. so- if he chooses to stay a Diplomat he may do so until retirement. Which brings the question: Where in the world will "The Fisher's" live after next year?!?! But for right now, it's back to cleaning and baking.
 

Still..

Hello Everyone..I know I still have to post pictures of our weekend in Edinburgh, however I'm still waiting for Rich to send them to me from his computer! He did send me a few that I was unable to download.
Anyway, Switzerland has been just beautiful this past week "like living inside a snow-globe" I'm such a snow lover! I missed it so much the two years we lived in Israel. I was talking to my friend Terri earlier today and she pointed out that Christmas here in Europe is so much nicer and relaxing; over here it's more about celebrating the season with family and friends, where-as in the USA it's focused more on gift giving and purchases. Now don't get me wrong...I love Holiday shopping- but it is nice not to be pushed into the buy this, get that, hurry while supplies last type of marketing. I can even tell you that the Swiss people have never heard of Black Friday, one lady even asked me if it was a "sickness Day" LOL Huh, I guess one could say it was--in a since. When I think back on my childhood now I can honestly say it wasn't about the gifts. It was about baking and spending time with family, everyone "of course" on their best behavior. I know, I know..but YES. I'm still looking for that perfect little Norman Rockwell town to settle into where neighbors are friends, no need to lock your doors, and when people say their going to do something you can consider it done, and neighbors actually work out their problems and each mans word is solid gold. If any of you know of such a village; please let me know where it is!
Earlier this week was Kris Kringle Day, that is when all the kids place their just cleaned shoes out side the front door in the afternoon. And if the children have been good Kris will leave candy in their shoes...if they've been bad he leaves a switch instead. Although in all our years living in Europe I've never met any child that bad. Here's hoping for another snowy week!!!

What a Trip

Well- we made it back from Edinburgh! What an adventure..first we sat on the plane for 4 1/2 hours, "at least we were in an Exit row, so we had more leg room than most". Then we were told they were letting us off the plane..but not to go far and stay in the loading area...another 4 1/2 hours later still no flight staff- but six Police Officers show up to tell us the Airport has closed down! With no direction on what to do or where to go we made our way to find our luggage Rich and I split up to check out all the caravels since we had no idea which one they were coming in on. Got them!! Now what?! They were not booking any flights but "WERE" making Hotel reservations. So Rich got on the phone booked a room at the Hilton and off we went for the night. Our Flight did get re-booked the next morning {however} the airport was still closed and they were not sure when it would be open, so again Rich got on the phone and found out that Flights were taking off from Glasgow. He had luck in booking us on the flight however we still had to get there!! At the Train Station they told us we would be taking a chance..as they might be running or not. After an hour wait we got the Train; but not so fast! About 20 minutes from the airport the train breaks down, we were told to get off and another would be along to pick us up..15 minutes later a small train pulls up; definitely not room for everyone so we had to wait for yet another one!! A half hour later we were once again on our way. The plane got delayed for over an hour but we did make it to Geneva just in time to catch the last train into Bern. From there we took a cab and walked in our home at 2 AM!!! FINELY HOME. Funny thing, we went to Edinburgh to set up an Amazing Race for our Family vacation in August and ended up on one ourselves just to get home. I wouldn't have wanted to miss a moment of it...Rich and I seem to have a good time no-matter what's going on..plus we met some great people.
I will post some pictures as soon as I can however I'll need to be careful not to post any of the "up-coming race".