Because when we lived in Zurich in 2001 we didn’t have a digital camera and film was stupid expensive to develop we really didn’t have any photos of where we used to live so I thought while Marc was having lunch with a friend I could take advantage of the time to go back and take some snaps of the old hood.

Above, the bus stop which I would wait at almost every day to get to the tram that would take me into town or anywhere I needed to go. Both trams and buses were great and everyone uses them. Great people watching too!

One of those balconies was ours! And in spring I had quite impressive flower boxes…

so Swiss! (MacDonalds is looking better and better….)

Thank God I didn’t love Swiss pastries! This bakery was right around the corner from us.

The butcher where we got our $75 “Thanksgiving” turkey!

Brocki-Land: In otherwords, a Swiss Thrift Store. Very unusual but what a find! Amazing vintage winter coats and some great furniture finds.
Remember when you couldn’t find your dad?….

You walk underground for this one – I have no idea what it used to be but it’s quite large.

If you’re into funny, funky, interesting art, then this is the place to be!

How did I only leave with one vintage coat when I wanted 4? It took ridiculous will power and knowing that my suitcase was already completely full. Still, this one I just had to squeeze this one in! Someday I’ll come back with an entirely empty suitcase. I am a true sucker for beautiful vintage coats!

The Pfaeffli’s live about 3 blocks away from Martin. Stephen is one of Marc’s oldest and dearest friends. He was also a member of their Dead Poet’s Society. Stephen married Sonja, an ex-punk rock guitarist. Their daughter Lena who is now 12 and very cool is Marc’s God child!

They invited us over for the other fondue – Fondue Chinoise. Lots of thinly sliced meats cooked in broth then served with lots of yummy dipping sauces and what we call Prickles and Schnickles (Gherkins, olives, cocktail onions, baby corns etc.)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_qZSMTCjao]

I love this video because it really shows how humor can get you through many language barriers. I really admire the Swiss for their command of the English language, even with all the often hilarious variations! Meanwhile if it was me trying to speak Swiss German it would be just plain sad……..

Lots of fun, laughter and food!

Finally I get to meet Lena’s kitty Mia! What a cutiepie! (Lena too!)

I wonder how many languages Mia can meow in? She looks kind of wise, don’t you think?

Lena using her Mac to rock out to the Chili Peppers, one of her favorite bands. Last time I saw Lena she was 4. Wow, things have changed……..! Lena gave a great performance and if Flea ever retires Anthony I’ve got all her contact info!

Martin is actually the first to loose his meat in the broth and Lena gives him his task, to sing a song while standing on his chair!

Martin dedicated this song to me – Al Stewarats ” A Small Fruit”. It goes a little something like this:
Said the apple to the orange
I wanted you to come
Close and kiss me to the core

Then you might know me
Like no other orange
Has ever done before!

We all found his performance very entertaining!

Leslie and Mia contemplate desert. Mia is better at resisting than Leslie!

I just remember laughing too much on the very cold walk home and then collapsing into a deep sleep!

While down in the French part of Switzerland I made plans to visit my very good friend Cornelius who I hadn’t seen in a couple of years. I had a very small window of time available and was thrilled when Cornelius said he could meet.

Montreaux seemed to be the geographically logical place and the Hotel Eden was our rendez-vous spot.
When Cornelius left Hollywood to move back to Geneva he had more than just his foot in the door to the whole movie/script writing industry so it was hardly ironic when he ended up living in the guest house of Yul Brynner’s widow. The widow, who’s name I believe is Kathy, lives in Paris, is in her early 70′s and works at Dior. You may or may not know that Yul Brynner was an avid photographer and another of his photography books will be published this Spring.

The Hotel Eden where Cornelius and I had tea and started to catch up. We then went on to a great little Italian/Seafood cafe where I had a local dish of endive wrapped in proscuitto – unusual and delicious!

View of the Lake of Geneva from the hotel. We walked down this promenade in the rain on the way to lunch. I had a very chic Hello Kitty umbrella that Marc’s sister Corinne had given me…

The hotel concierge takes our photo in the elegant lobby. It was so great to see Cornelius. It’s like they say with good friends, although it had been years, it seemed like yesterday…

A short video of our rainy drive through Montreaux.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaMx7Nh7tTo]

The train station. Somehow rain in Europe just makes things more romantic! Our trip back to Zurich will take about 2 1/2 hours. Time to sit back, relax and enjoy the view through the rain spattered windows!

What does that mean?

Simply that I am way behind in posts so bear with me.

I will be finishing up with Switzerland then followed by a recap of Christmas in North Carolina.

And then what? Who knows, but we all know that no matter what state you live in, January is the perfect month to get cozy…..!

Meanwhile, we did get a crockpot for Christmas so while I’m posting there will be some wonderful smells wafting through the kitchen. So inspiring!

When I say peace, I really mean it! Peace, prosperity (another one, please lets get this banking thing under control!) and happiness!!!

I’m all for a simpler life, things that make us happy, smart and cozy!!!

Best wishes to all! Happy 2010 from Miss Cozy!

Well not really. But lots of trams, trains and a few buses.
We travelled around a lot in the 2 weeks we were there: St. Gallen, Winterthur, Thun, Bussigny and Annecy, France.
From Zurich everything was no mostly under 2 hours (except France and that was 3 1/2). Here’s some of the ways we travelled.

The Montreaux train station on a classically rainy day.

A video I took of the Central Station in Zurich during rush hour. When I lived here I experienced this almost every day. Like any rush hour, what a ruckus but it sure beats any freeway in Los Angeles thats for darned sure!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q7mwyRaMSI]

Marc at the St. Wintherthur station.

Double decker trains. Pictured here, second class, non-smoking.

Or if you’re really cool, you could drive the new Peugot!

Or just driving through the rainy countryside…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMyRhtFzV1Q]

And then lets not forget walking……! The best solution to burning those fondue calories!

Towards the end of our trip we actually had part of a day to just wander around the city, just the two of us. All the rain and snow were gone and as you can see we were left with a bright blue sky and temps in the low 50′s. We visited the bridge we had our picture taken after we had gotten engaged New Years 2000 and wanted to recreate the picture – this is not exactly it, but close enough!

Looking from above at the part of the city called the Niederdorf and a tip of one of several bridges that allow you to cross the Limmat River.

Birds eye view.

Something so relaxing about wandering around an old city…..

Zürich’s Grossmünster is a 12th-century Romanesque ex-cathedral with a fascinating history of Catholic saints and Protestant preaching. According to legend, the Grossmünster was founded by Charlemagne after his horse bowed down on the spot marking the graves of three early Christian martyrs.

What would a European park be without old men playing something!

Marc takes me down a tiny “gasse” to find his old favorite bar “The Philosoph” (how appropriate!)

Inside the Philosoph, I have a tea and Marc his absolute favorite Amaro Averna, both warming!

A beautiful olive oil store right on the water.

This clock says it’s time to head home and get ready for whatever is in store for tonight!