Gratuitous Cute Cat Picture

Asleep in the laundry basket yet again...

...and the verdict is "wow"

I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies from my post earlier this week, using the recipe from The Times and employing all three of the "tactics" the article described that make a great cookie: leaving the dough to rest for at least 24 hours, sprinkling a little sea salt on the top before baking, and making them big (I went with 3 oz balls of dough, though the recipe recommends 3.5):

Backie wandered into the kitchen last night to munch one and mumbled "wow" through the first bite - a high compliment from him, so I think the Times is onto something!

Summer Fun

We've been enjoying the good weather lately and spending a lot of time hanging out with people. The other night we had dinner with some friends who have a lovely patio right on the lake, and a boat! Here is Backie looking so happy driving the boat (I love this picture!):

And helping Kieran throw rocks into the lake:

Schoggi has been trying to beat the heat as well by seeking out cool areas of the house to sleep in, like...the bathroom sink!

Finally, since yesterday morning we've been hosting a couple that we met through Couchsurfing. This is Ben and Alice, a couple from Brisbane, Australia who just got married in March. They're in the middle of a 7-month world tour honeymoon, and we've had fun showing them around Zurich and telling them about Switzerland. They really wanted to try some fondue while there were here so we cooked up a pot for dinner tonight. They're staying with us until tomorrow lunchtime and then heading to Venice next.

Yay for summer!

Love CCC's?

Who doesn't? Today one of the food blogs I read posted an exhaustive discussion of the Chocolate Chip Cookie, with many recipes and discussions of variations. Makes me want to head to the kitchen right now!

Wedding Videos

My vows, his ring, the pronouncement, and the anniversary waltz sung by Dave.

Wedding Photos: Unofficial

I've created a couple of public albums on facebook (you can see them even if you're not a member) with some of the best amateur pics that we have so far... one for the ceremony and one for the reception.

I'll post lots of the pro pics when we get them back (should be by the end of the month!).

Sandra McCracken Album for Free!

This is legit, Sandra is making her latest CD available for whatever you want to pay. It's a fantastic album - there is not one single song that I skip over. Her other albums are also available on her website for about $9 apiece, which is a steal in my opinion.

Lune de Miel

Where do I begin? The last few weeks have been crazy and amazing: seeing so many people we love, the fantastic weather, the good food, and the dream wedding day. I only have one really good picture from the actual day so far (credit to Melanie Krumrey!), since our photographer's photos won't get back to us for a few weeks at least, and I haven't harassed my friends for their photos yet. Just after Robert pronounced us husband and wife:

I'll post a full writeup of the actual day when we get all the photos. Instead, below are some photos from the events surrounding the wedding, which I do have photos of! :)

Robert, Mel, Tori, Julia, and Schoggi on our balcony after dinner...

Some of Backie's family hanging out in our living room (Kevin, Phyllis, Mike, Kathy, Katie)...

Our 2-meter long bread (!) at the rehearsal barbecue...

Larissa, Liam, and Anna at the docks the day after the wedding...

Heidi, James, and Mom on the boat to the city...

Our fantastic, amazing, gorgeous honeymoon suite at the luxurious Baur au Lac hotel in the city. Melanie surprised us with a night there towards which that many of our guests had contributed. When we arrived in the evening there were petals on the bed, chocolate dipped strawberries, cold rosé champagne, fresh fruit, and a gorgeous bouquet of flowers... wow. It was the nicest place we have ever stayed in, and probably ever will!


On Thursday we left for our honeymoon, a long weekend in the village of Savognin in eastern Switzerland. The first night we had dinner at a cute little restaurant (Backie bravely tried the wild goat - it was delicious!) The friendly proprietor sat down with us after the meal to chat, and ended up giving us his expert local advice and a full itinerary for our three days. He was great! On Friday we went on a long beautiful hike with lunch at a little mountain restaurant.

On Saturday we drove from the Surse Valley where we were staying to the next one over, the Albula Valley. UNESCO has just declared the railway and bridges there as a World Heritage item. We explored some ruins, relaxed at the thermal baths, and had lunch and dinner (yes, it was that good!) at a small country hotel and restaurant called Bellaluna.

On Sunday morning we took a chair lift to a mountain restaurant where we ate a delicious brunch before heading back to Zurich and back to work on Monday!