Spot

I have gotten a spot on my hand. A pigment thingie. I fear it has something to do with aging. It bugs me.

Was thinking of removing it myself, but unlike the last time this requires cutting into the skin and remove a part of it, rather than just cutting it open.

I have to think about it.

2-2-2

Read in a paper a while ago that you are supposed to brush your teeth twice a day, with two centimeters of toothpaste on the brush and for two minutes each time.

Amazing that I've done the right thing my whole life, without knowing it!

Tall Dutch

When I lived in Holland I felt really short. Not so strange, since the Dutch are the tallest people in the world. Made me think of why.

The only thing I can come up with is that they clean their dirty dishes with water and dishwasher liquid, but they don't rinse! They take the glasses, cutlery and plates straight out of the bubbly water and dry it!

Could it be something in dishwasher liquid that make people grow?

Baking baking baking

I am invited to a party, where you are required to bring some food. This year the request was for cinnamon rolls (wonder why?). So here they are.

Cat shopping

It's funny when it comes to shopping, I proscratinate as much as I can. Except for when it comes to sales on cat stuff! Couldn't resist when I was sent a brochure where a cat tree was set down to almost half the price.

Kind of regretted it half the way home, it was a heavy package. Bulky and heavy, like exercising! Anyway, now it's here and I even managed to assemble it all by myself (pat on shoulder).

One year already!

One year ago my little darlings came to live with me. Oh joy!

This afternoon there will be treats for them.

Out of Zürich V

I was a wee bit disappointed though, since I had been promised a village with 5 people, 1 cat, 2 donkeys and 1 pony. Turned out that wasn't true. So much for me bringing carrots and cat treats.

Turns out the "village" consisted of 5 people, at least 3 cats, 3 horses, 2 donkeys and 1 pony that I never got to see, several cows and sheep plus 1 dog. And a collection of mice, that I also fortunately never got to see.


This is where the donkeys and the pony are hiding.







Looks like the horse live in the house, and for all I know maybe it does!

Out of Zürich IV

It's an ok view to wake up with.

Out of Zürich III

Then I was invited to see the house. You know, even though I am fiercely for everything new and shiny, it doesn't mean I cannot appreciate old things. Especially when a house is elegantly renovated to save the old, but still be modern (I was really worried when passing a toi-toi (portable toilet) on the way...), fearing it would be the guest toilet!


Magnificent door! Here only the accepted people are welcome.





The cow skin is from south America I was told, apparently they have square-sized cows there.









And notice the cat bed next to the bath!

Out of Zürich II

I was innocently asking whether the hostess was a garden perfectionist, but she denied. I hate to say it (no I don't really) but I am right here. Just look at this! Only in Switzerland my friends.

Out of Zürich I

You know, just because I'm a city girl (ok woman then!) it doesn't mean I don't appreciate countrylife now and then. Especially when it looks like this!

Late invitation

Some weeks ago it was talked about that I would get an invite for a dinner this week. I waited and no invitation came. Until Thursday evening when I finally got an email saying dinner yesterday (Friday). One might almost think that they wanted me to say no, but saying no to a free meal and booze is not my thing, so there I was. Haha!

Fortune cookie

Forgot to tell you, that when I was at an Asian dinner last time I got a fortune cookie. It said "Stay calm, even if you don't agree". Hahaha. Moi? Stay calm?

Naaahhh!

Thursday evening nibbles

I love to have friends over to my place. I mean, why would I have chosen a kitchen with a bar counter otherwise? It's perfect for entertainment. And way, way better than most places I know in town.

Strawberry margaritas, nibbles and a nice conversation.

Present

It is said that when you buy presents for friends, you should buy something you like yourself. So I did today. Haven't been invited yet to this particular friend, but I know it's coming up, so grasped the moment.

It is a candle holder Turkish-style with turquoise mosaic. And whaddayaknow. It fits perfectly on my kitchen shelf!

Not sure it was meant to buy something that you like so much that you keep it. But hey, can always buy another one for her.



PS. It's only one, but reflected in the mirror looks like two. Economy above all!

Flowers

I'm very proud of my geraniums this year. Perhaps they grow so nicely because I take care of them almost daily. Pick dead leaves, remove flowers that are done and water them generously.

The raspberry plant has gone to meet its maker, well not quite yet, since the neighbour wanted to have a go at it. Don't think it'll work though.

And I'm gonna make an experiment. I'm gonna plant potatoes. Haha, should've done it months ago, but hey, didn't think of it until yesterday when I saw a garden show on telly. Seems easy. Let's see in a couple of months how easy it really was.

Police escort

Something I saw on telly triggered a memory, the one when I got a ride home with the police.

At the time I lived in a town with my boyfriend, and we had been on a couple dinner (yikes-ish). Funnily enough, I still remember the dessert. It was half-melted icecream with warm berries (blueberries and raspberries I think) on top. Remember that I thought that I never have had anything as delicious as that.

So, we had a nice evening and when it was time to leave, the host who was a policeman said to not call a taxi, he'll set us up with his mates. So his colleagues arrived to take us home. Arriving in a police car to our chain house at three in the morning probably raised a few eyebrows. But who cares? We sold the house after a year when we split up anyway.

Funny that, how a program on tv can remind you of the past.

Lavender

We have a lovely rose and lavender garden outside the house, and today I thought that since 25% of it belongs to me, I could "steal" one plant, replant it on my balcony and enjoy the beautiful colour and smell.

Only about 1,000 bees thought otherwise. Wherever I looked it was bees buzzing and seemingly enjoying themselves. I wasn't, and had to give up. Now I'm just waiting for somebody to visit, who doesn't have this particular phobia.

What's the opposite of shopoholic?

Today I had plan. I was gonna pick myself up by the bootstraps and go clothes shopping. If you know me, you know I absolutely hate it. I cannot think of anything worse than having to go into a shop, find something that might be suitable, undress and dress again in a filthy changing room, queue up and pay and so forth.

And as luck would have it, I emptied my mailbox before leaving, and found books! Three of them! Books sent to me by my very nice aunt, books that I cannot wait another second to start reading.

The shopping will have to wait, the only skirt I can still fit into will have to do for another period of time.

Sirup!

Very good I have friends who are more familiar than I am with food shopping. Yesterday I had some friends over for a Mexican dinner, and one of them brought me "sirup", maple syrup. I didn't think they had it here, but there you go. You just have to know where to look.

One of the other guests brought cat food. The luxury type. The first time he did it, I thought it was fabulous. Nice of him to think of my little ones. Now they don't want to look at the cheapo food from Denner, all they want is the expensive stuff. Hmmm.

Zürich pride

I have an acquaintance/friend who I only meet once a year. He sends me a text, asking me to join him for the Pride festival in Zürich. It's become a tradition, and I think this year it was the 4th year.

It is fun! Lots of people parading through the streets of Zürich, some wearing the most outrageous costumes! I must admit, that when I was approached by the best-looking "woman" in the parade, saying "hi Annika", I was a bit taken. Took me a few seconds to connect, and then I was delighted. He's a friend of a friend, and they were also there so we ganged up.

Every truck is labeled, so there is bank gays, police gays, adoption-for-everybody-women, amnesty queers and what-have-you. But most of all, it's a party. When I left they were still going. My friend estimated that I was one of four heteros in the parade! But hey, being a woman means you're always in minority in the business world, so I don't mind.






I was deeply disappointed though that Nivea didn't have a stand this year. Their shaving creme they used to give for free I really had use of.