I realized that I promised you Modena next, but I tried to combine this post with that one, and realized that it might never end...and so I surrendered to my inability to keep things short, and broke it up into two separate pieces. Um...you're welcome?
Anyway, a little catching up. First, a few shots of my current walking trails, in the green space next to the indoor sports facility across from the new apartment. When it's sunny, they're just lovely, and full of people walking their dogs. I've even seen a blue heron in the river a few times, but it's like he somehow knows when I have a camera with me, and is nowhere to be seen on those days. Sigh.
This was one of the four sunny days in June.
Tennis ball-sized snail.
So many tadpoles in the teensy wetland area.
Sihl River.
There were heaps and heaps of wildflowers in June, after all the rain we'd had...
Heaps.
View from the elevated walkway.
More Sihl.
Took a lovely bike ride south on a Saturday afternoon to Brunnen, wherein we saw some stunning scenery (sometimes it borders on the fictitious--no way can it be this pretty!) and had some fairly decent nachos (they even came with beans! and as we all know, reasonable Mexican food just does not exist here, other than what we cook at home). I only wish we'd stopped more often to take photos. The good news is, I think we both really enjoyed that ride, and so we'll probably do it again sometime. With a proper camera, and plenty of stops. (And maybe even more Mexican food.)
Panorama of Lake Lucerne (or, as it's also known, Vierwaldstättersee, heh, heh), from Brunnen.
This setting just makes me happy.
Then there was our fantastic tenth-anniversary dinner* at Sala of Tokyo, which was well worth the money. I don't know if I've officially confessed to this yet, but I've finally joined the ranks of those ubiquitous, stereotypical, slavering, sushi-crazed yuppies, and will admit to being excited about eating sushi any time, anywhere. But anyway...Sala of Tokyo, reputed to be the best Japanese food (albeit not necessarily the best sushi, which I have made it my mission to find!) in our little landlocked city.
Starter plates: edamame and fried shrimp cakes, with tempura veggies and dashi dipping sauce.
Best. Sashimi. Ever. I now understand the appeal of straight-up raw fish. Especially when it's this good.
Mike's strawberries and mochi dessert. (Think ice cream surrounded by a chewy, gelatinous-but-structurally-sound substance. Weirdly delicious.)
Then, our giant barbecue for Nanda's birthday, at which we think 60 to 70 people were in attendance. But that's ok, 'cause we got to eat tons of lovely smoked meats (thanks to Mike's new grill-and-smoker, hooray!) and delicious side dishes and outstanding homemade desserts. Ooh, and we even made some genuine Swiss friends, right in our own building! All thanks to the smoker and to a bunch of lovely people who like good food and are ready for a party, anytime.
Countertop o' meats, pre-party. (Spectacular, in my opinion.)
The smoker in action (although admittedly, this photo was taken during the smoker's maiden voyage, on which occasion we only smoked two briskets [and that Dutch oven full of baked beans, mmmm]).
The end result. At Nanda's party, we managed to go through four of these bad boys, plus six racks of lamb, about 20 hamburgers, and I don't even know how many sausages.
Unbelievably gorgeous homemade chocolate-ginger cake from Nanda's friend Divina. I am not a fan of ginger, but this thing was spectacularly tasty. (And that frosting? Are you kidding? Wow.)
And then after the party, we watched the second night of Züri Fäscht fireworks from our rooftop. (But that's really another [short-ish] story in itself, which I will write down one of these days). It was quite a day.
For serious this time, though. next time will be Modena. Cross my heart, and all that.
*Wow, we're old! And also, Mike, you rule and I love you! :)
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