December 14-20 2013

DSC06424 Our Christmas table (Thanks, Bri!) DSC06426 St Vincent silhouette DSC06430 Clean it before it gets dirty Nikon Coolpix 079 Marche de Lausanne near Place de la Palud
Nikon Coolpix 082 Even in the rain, the vendors were ready Nikon Coolpix 080 They're selling door decor Nikon Coolpix 081 and vegetables. Rampon are looking fine under a mist of rain Nikon Coolpix 084 and sweets are everywhere!
Nikon Coolpix 085 a Florist Nikon Coolpix 097 I was heading to the wine auction the city of Lausanne conducts each year in the city hall Nikon Coolpix 088 is that 211th year? Sure is! Nikon Coolpix 087 A buyer climbs the steps of the decorated staircase
Nikon Coolpix 089 Scenes of working life on the farm Nikon Coolpix 090 Inside, 100 or more people were already seated Nikon Coolpix 092 With their little books ready to jot down the sale price of each lot Nikon Coolpix 094 While the peppy auctioneer managed the sale. Note beautiful old ceramic tile stove in contrast with wall mounted projector
Nikon Coolpix 095 during break people went up to sign their names on the sales register Nikon Coolpix 096 the Florist outside has some beautiful arrangements Nikon Coolpix 098 and the vegetable stands are overflowing Nikon Coolpix 099 these look mouthwatering, don't they?
Nikon Coolpix 100 Nikki and I are enchanted by the decoupage art Nikon Coolpix 102 I'm wondering if this is in our future Nikon Coolpix 103 or maybe this? Nikon Coolpix 104 Titls we've never heard of!
Nikon Coolpix 105 Nikon Coolpix 106 Nikki in her element: a book store Nikon Coolpix 110 Nikki likes mysteries Nikon Coolpix 111 meanwhile, I'm looking at Christmas books for the younger crowd
Nikon Coolpix 113 Charming Nikon Coolpix 114 A classic Nikon Coolpix 115 La Mere Noel makes an appearance Nikon Coolpix 116 seasonal cheer
Nikon Coolpix 117 then we went into Globus. I don't think I've gone in this before Nikon Coolpix 119 Nikki appeared to know her way around Nikon Coolpix 122 I kept stopping to admire the decoration Nikon Coolpix 123 and the Christmas cards. Who sends Christmas cards in 2013?
Nikon Coolpix 124 Oh! I remember one of Vivi's friends brought a box of these Nikon Coolpix 125 Nikon Coolpix 126 Who shops in Globus? Nikon Coolpix 128 Then we went to the Bar and Beer place for tea and coffee
Nikon Coolpix 129 Where we met up with a guest staying at Nikki and Austin's Nikon Coolpix 132 On Sunday the 15th I left the East end of the lake where the skies were blue Nikon Coolpix 133 I stopped in Nyon to see our old friend Aline Colomb in her apartment Nikon Coolpix 136 I kept her company while she made a Gateau a la raisinee. Looks good! Lots of cream
Nikon Coolpix 137 Then I went to visit my bank in Ferney-Voltaire (where the fog was less thick than elsewhere) for some Euros Nikon Coolpix 138 A stop a Starbucks was where I met up with Bill Dowell Nikon Coolpix 141 They really know how to do Christmas at Starbucks! Nikon Coolpix 142 Bill and I headed over to l'Usine, this hip artist venue
Nikon Coolpix 144 where I found a guy selling his Steampunk jewelry Nikon Coolpix 145 you had to have at least 3 piercings to be allowed into this place Nikon Coolpix 146 but I was dressed as Mere Noel so it was OK Nikon Coolpix 147 then we walked around in the old city where I noted this
Nikon Coolpix 149 while Nikki and Bill got acquainted Nikon Coolpix 151 St Peter Cathedral's tower just barely poked out of the fog Nikon Coolpix 152 but there was hot mulled wine for sale Nikon Coolpix 153 Place St. Peter
Nikon Coolpix 154 lights in the streets Nikon Coolpix 157 Bill and Nikki sipping some wine Nikon Coolpix 160 and finally, there was the parade Nikon Coolpix 161 and Nikki got a lampion! Well done!
Nikon Coolpix 165 On Monday December 17 it was blue sky above and fog towards Lausanne Nikon Coolpix 169 On Wednesday Dec 18 we celebrated Nikki's 28th Birthday with family and friends Nikon Coolpix 168 The table is ready for fondue! DSCN0563 the feast of the season
DSCN0562 unconventional but I prefer dipping brocolli and cauliflower DSCN0564 Then the cake and candles! DSCN0565 Nikki and Austin Nikon Coolpix 166 then the gifts were revealed
we live here The next day our city's magazine arrived. We live here! Lampadere on quai Where there are new lights being tested to replace those that are 40 years old! Skating Rink And a skating rink is going to be available in center town until mid-April bag tax You can learn about how to sort and dispose of your trash
bag contents Love this graphic with the Montreux logos in the bottom