Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Seventh Day of Christmas

Last Day of 2024



And the sun finally came out, so after getting groceries (our once weekly trip, but everyone and his brother was there, because stores will be closed for two whole days over New Years), we did a bit of a walk in our town in the sunshine. 



“Reh” is that kind of small deer, and a “Tobel” is a valley. 

This is a very famous and expensive restaurant in the center of the town. In the shade.




A wine bar, which might get use tonight when everything opens for the evening and a long night to see the New Years in. 


In the sunshine.


Note the roofline shapes, typical of this area. 




The view across the valleys toward the Säntis, where Maria lives. 






Goodbye 2024






Monday, December 30, 2024

Sunday, December 29, 2024

Fifth Day of Christmas

Above the Fog

We started at the edge of that foggy blanket, in the sunshine.


Looking toward the Säntis. The log piles are the products of the days of helicopter work we watched. 


Higher and higher. St. Gallen is under that foggy blanket. At the horizon is the Bodensee/Lake Constance.




To here


Looking toward Rehetobel 


Where we came from, fron off the left side of the picture; a twisty road up


Other towns across the hills


Blessed Sunday.

Fourth Day of Christmas

Foggy, Foggy

Midday



Evening




Friday, December 27, 2024

Third Day of Christmas

By Candlelight 

Not going anywhere. Brew tea. Open business gifts. Sample fancy chocolates. 


Not these. 

Or these, but some like these.


And some business associates gave us this. Very trendy, we hear. And very expensive. We will try it later.



Enjoy your twelve days of Christmas.

Second Day of Christmas

St. Stephan’s Day

Tradition here is target practice at an indoor range. I prepared a meal for afterward. And played with little ones. Then loads to clean up and pack up, and return to our house. 

But here are pictures from our Christmas Day after- church dinner site at Schloss Laufen by the Rhein Falls. 






And by night






Thursday, December 26, 2024

Blessed Christmas

In Church!

For the first time ever we had a Christmas Service in a church in Switzerland. With organ. With a pastor. Borrowed, but ours for the time.








Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Advent 24; Christmas Eve

And laid Him in a Manger

On this day the Christ Child gets added to the Crèche. Trees will be lit this evening. And the cookies come out.



Blessed Christmas Eve

Monday, December 23, 2024

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Advent 22, Fourth Sunday

My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name.



God of Peace, O shine on us;
Guide our path in this life’s night, 
That our will in Thine be done;
Come to us, O Christ the Light.