Every year I am amazed by how fast the holidays come and go. I feel like we were just picking out a tree and now I'm thinking about where to take a summer trip.
Overall we had a great Christmas and New Year's. Christmas Eve brought us a very white Christmas. We had a ton of fun walking and playing with the dogs outside. They have turned into wild animals who LOVE the outdoors. Deacon thought it would be a good time to take a walk in the stream. They get so cold that they just shake but we can't get them to come inside.
Later on Christmas Eve night, we made a Swiss meal of raclette which is melted raclette cheese over potatoes, pickles and pearl onions. A picture of our cute little rachlette machine is below. The night ended with a Skype call to Phoenix so my dad could read the Night Before Christmas. I figured why miss a year if I don't have to.
Christmas day we had a wonderful brunch at a beautiful old hotel in Montreux. We spent the rest of the day Skyping with family and enjoying the snow. My big plans for learning to ski that weekend ended when I thought about the pure number of people who be be on the slopes. I know I have to learn at some point but I'm not exactly sure when that point will come. Scott is hoping sooner rather than later so he will have someone to head to the slopes with.
Although Christmas was a bit uneventful, New Year's was anything but. We decided to take the train to Paris for 2 nights. It is only 3 1/2 hours and a very easy trip. We spent 2 1/2 days seeing the sites, drinking nice wine and enjoying some good meals. It was quite cold to be walking around that whole time but we had a fantastic trip.
We're back now and getting ready to head back to work in 2011. I love this time of year because I get to reflect on the previous year and outline the whole next year. I hope that 2011 brings you all the wishes you've asked for. We are hoping it brings us lots of visitors so book your reservations now at the Maison de Rickaby/Bechtel!
Happy New Year!
