Weekend Adventure: Part 1 - Geneva

Hey,

How are you doing?

This past weekend we went away on a Church retreat up the in the mountains and ending up stopping by Geneva for the day on Friday. The car ride was beautiful. There is something so majestic about mountains and for some reason they made me think of the ocean. Unfortunately the photos did not turn out as well as I would have liked. There are times when something is too beautiful or amazing or breathtaking that you cannot take a picture of it. You just have to experience it. Sometimes there are not even ways you can accurately describe it.

Geneva has many twists and turns and charming streets and shops. We spent time at the Reformation Museum and the Cathedral that was right next to it. Here are a few pictures from Friday.

Hope you are well.

Best,
bjl

Kids talk "French"

Hey,

How are you doing?

Kids are funny. They ask lots of questions. They have strong likes and dislikes. They like to imitate things... especially adults. Having both parents study French all day, I think it invokes a certain curiosity among the kids and a desire to be on the same boat. The following videos are of Al speaking "French". You will see that she is trying to educate other members of her family and join in the fun. I will occasionally chat with her in "French" which of course, is very amusing. As one heroine put it "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."So I hope the French are very flattered with these imitations!

When you read things like "Communication is 90% non-verbal" sometimes it is hard to think that that could possibly be true. However, I am amazed the amount of potential we have to understand others, even when we do not know the "language".  Music, smiles, waves, and some body language are all universals and a little can go a long way. 

Anyway, I hope you are enjoying your Sunday!

Best,

bjl

Friday Fun

Hey, 

How are you doing? These past few weeks, we have made a friday tradition of pizza and a movie. Thanks to my friend Evie in Canada, we have a wonderfully easy recipe for the dough that can be found here. 

This week, E and Ir were able to help me make, and learn how to knead the dough. There is something so calming and refreshing about kneading pizza dough after a long and productive week.

We have enjoyed a couple movies together including the 1950's Zorro, Persuasion, and the Anthony Andrews The Scarlet Pimpernel.

The kids are great with asking many questions concerning the plot line and motives of characters. E, I think it was, was saying that he thought there were many similarities between Zorro and the Scarlet Pimpernel. Both of them have alter egos that are rather into fashion and books, and both are men of action and justice accomplished by disguise.

What have you been enjoying this weekend? Any good recipes or movies?

Hope you are well!

Cheers,

bjl