Hello Cupcakes! I've missed you.....

A few photos from my baking session this weekend.... I haven't made Cupcakes in AGES! The white ones are Vanilla flavored, rainbow colored inside with a vanilla cream cheese frosting on top and the pink ones were made with the same, uncolored batter, with added lemon flavor (from lemon zest) and lemon butter cream frosting on top. Yummy ;p

....find the recipe for the Rainbow Colored Cupcakes here: http://linda-lostinswitzerland.blogspot.ch/2010/07/rainbow-coloured-cupcakes-recipe.html

xox

Up among the clouds where we live....

The holidays are now over and life goes back to normal up here, among the clouds, where we live... 2012 was the best year yet......by far! Probably impossible to beat, (felt more happy and more fit that I've done in YEARS, getting pregnant, had an amazing road trip in Florida, got proposed to, had so many lovely people visiting us, spent a fab holiday in Sweden, gave birth to our beautiful daughter, got a new job offer, took decision to move back home etc.), but even so, I am looking forward to 2013 with great excitement! 

It's been absolutely fantastic spending our first Christmas and new years together as a family of three, getting some down-time in preparation of what's to come. Moving back to Sweden in 3 months time!

Christmas eve was spent in all silence at home in Essertines, just the three of us, snuggling, opening gifts and also shopping some of the last gifts at "Tristan Chocolaterie" - an absolutely fantastic chocolate shop, very close to where we live with, dare I say, probably the most delicious chocolate I've ever tasted.... A bit pricy, but sooooo worth it! Guys, I mean it! If you're in the region, stop by at this little cute place and don't miss the milk chocolate chunks with whole hazelnuts inside. OMG! TO.DIE.FOR. 

The rest of Christmas was spent in Schaffhausen with Chris's family. A lovely few days which among many other things contained an amazing evening with Fondue Chinoise, lots of happiness, laughter, good food, really beautiful gifts and seeing some great friends....

New years eve was spent at home, in silence, as Allison got a fever from her vaccination shots.... We did however manage to have a three course dinner with a Chevre Chaud salad as a starter, Moules Frites (one of my absolute favorite dishes) for main course and then having dessert (white chocolate covered mango, strawberries and pineapple in the oven served with ice cream) and Champagne in bed as we wanted to stay close to our little girl. For the first time since before teenage years (at least as far as I can remember?!), I fell asleep before midnight but don't feel even a teeny-tiny little bit bad about it! I was just so happy that Allison could manage to fall asleep and rest the fever away.

On new years day, we headed out on a little 2-stop-road-trip to the mountains, passing by at Chris's uncle in Frenieres and then on to Chris's auntie in Crans Montana, where we spent the night. We loved it and the weather was amazing so we went for a walk enjoying the amazing views they have up there, finally surrounded by the snow we were unfortunately missing during Christmas!!

Some photos to enhance the flavor of what I just wrote:

Yes....we literally do live among the clouds.... It's magical!

A view of Mont Blanc and the French Alps from where we live...

I love the forest! So much beauty.....

....and the sun was peaking through the trees, making a magical light.

I have a thing for leafs =)

The perfect ingredients for a perfect walk: Allison sleeping in the buggy, Chris, sunshine and a thermos of hot tea....

...the view coming back from a walk in a nearby forest.

Superb Chocolate quality at Tristan!!

Me on new years eve

Chevre Chaud Salad with Avocado, Pomegranate and Roasted Pine Kernels....
Photo unfortunately taken with the iPhone, hence the crappy quality =o/

Moules Frites! =p

Pink Champagne.....my only requirement for new years eve!

Out for a walk in the snow....

The beautiful little fairy-tale-like village of Lens

Our walking views....

.....leaf....again =o/

Again, poor iPhone photo quality.....but loved the light!

This photo was taken from the car window on the way back from Crans Montana....completely unfiltered or unedited, just the gorgeous, natural light over Lac Leman (Lake of Geneva)....to bad I only had the iPhone in the car.

.....oh and I also really feel that I want to brag about receiving the most amazing christmas gift this year from Chris!! A new portrait lens for the camera AND private photo lessons that will be given to me by my favorite wedding photographer, Erika Gerdemark! I can barely believe it!! I'm sooooo thrilled!! She will also be the photographer at our wedding in July, booked since a few months back ;)

Wishing all you lovelies a healthy and happy 2013!

xox

Photo blog: Walking through Arboretum

From our gorgeous walk this afternoon through multicolored forests, by ponds and flowing waters...... I love this season more than words could possibly describe.

Aubonne, Vaud, Switzerland 

Arboretum, Vaud, Switzerland 

Chris

....there were gorgeous reflections on the pond

....more reflections

Multitude of colors!

The little creek that runs through the forest....

Absolutely magical.....

Me and my gigantic baby bump....only a few days to go.

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!

xox

Photo blog: When the beauty of life makes your heart skip a beat...

Going back up the hill to our village from my pregnancy check-up this morning, the most amazing views caught my eye....and so, I rushed home to get the camera and went down the hill again, making stops along the way to capture this spectacular beauty, offered to me completely free.

I wouldn't have forgiven myself for missing these photo op's and stayed around long enough for the sky to change colors over and over as stormier weather blew in.
Ladies and gentlemen.... I give you: Morning view of Lac Leman (Lake of Geneva), Swiss vineyards and the French Alps. 

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breaths away....."
Unknown author

xox