Merry Christmas...

Christmas is come... : Ferney, FR

Frohe Weihnachten. Joyeux Noël. Buon Natale. Feliz Navidad. However you say it and wherever you are, may the peace and joy of Christmas be with you all. Merry Christmas!

Apartment-sized tree and Christmas bounty...

Weihnachtspyramid from the Schwarzwald in Germany

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 12/10

Stille Nacht

Woodcarved Nativity : Freiburger Christkindlmarkt : Freiburg, DE

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja,
Tönt es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, der Retter ist da!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in deiner Geburt!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 11/10

Memories

A rocking horse evokes memories of Christmas past : Basel, CH

The rocking horse in this shop window in Basel caught my eye and reminded me of the year my parents made a rocking horse for my younger sister. They'd seen a picture in a magazine ad for Lysol disinfecting spray featuring a child on a rocking horse. My father took the picture and made a negative, then produced an enlargement, figured out all the dimensions, and crafted a rocking horse that became legendary in our family. Over the course of the next 30 years, I think my parents made a few more horses for various friends as gifts. This little horse made me think of that and of the many happy Christmases I enjoyed as a child. May your Christmas season be filled with equally happy remembrances and the creation of new memories.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 11/10

La Fonda

La Fonda decks its halls : Basel, CH

During our Thanksgiving weekend in Basel last month, we walked past our favorite Mexican restaurant in all of Switzerland--La Fonda. It was all decked out for the holidays and I snapped this picture.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 11/10

Geneva Lights

Ile-de-Rosseau with Geneva in the background : Geneva, CH

Monet-on-the-Rhone : Geneva, CH

Like many towns and big cities in Europe, Geneva goes all out on the lights. This year's lights were quite pretty and it was hard to choose which photos to post. To see more photos from Geneva, go here.

Winter wonder white : Geneva, CH

Christmas wrap : Geneva, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 12/10

Basel Christmas

Shopping for wood-carved ornaments : Basel Christmas Market : Basel, CH

Glass ornaments : Basel Christmas Market : Basel, CH

I love how the towns around here decorate for the holidays. I especially love all of the outdoor Christmas markets with their unique gifts, hot Christmas punch, and festive moods. Here are a few pictures from around the Gross Stadt in Basel, Switzerland. Last weekend, we covered three Christmas markets: Basel, CH; Colmar, FR; and Freiburg, DE. I'll feature photos from each over the next day or so. And for the record, the Christmas markets in the German-speaking countries are the best. Colmar was suppose to be one of the must-see markets of Europe and it was a dud.

Even the local cigar shop is festive : Basel, CH

Basel Rathaus and Tree : Basel, CH

P.S. The snow is real. We had a nice dusting that lent a chill and even more festive air to the whole scene. It was lovely! To see a few more photos from around Basel, go here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 11/10

Starry, Starry Night...

Holiday lights along the streets of Ferney : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

I didn't get out to snap pictures of the Christmas lights around Ferney until last night. I'm hoping they'll still be lit tonight, as it's Epiphany and the last day of the 12 days of Christmas. I have a new camera arriving today in my sister's luggage and I'd like to see if I can get better pictures with the new equipment.

Holiday greetings at the Versoix/Ferney border crossing : Versoix/Ferney, CH/FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Joyeux Noël

Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Frohe Weihnachten! Wishing you all a cheery holiday season!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 12/09

Beautiful Basel

Puppenmuseum : Basel, CH

A couple of weekends ago, Thanksgiving was spent in Basel with friends, Scott and Diana. Scott played tour guide on Sunday afternoon and we trekked off to the Basel Weihnachtsmarkt. This picture is of the puppet museum in town. I thought the lights and garland were gorgeous!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 12/09