Flying visit

Yesterday, I had some breakfast guests. Our friends were on a 24 hour stop over on their way from Australia to Europe. I've decided to make them a "Zopf", a plaited bread, normally eaten on Sunday morning. It tuned out OK, although my "plaiting" skills still need improving. My mother is the real talent in that department. Hers turn out more like this:

I also made some cinnamon rolls, except mine are not made with cinnamon but a filling of apricot jam, ground hazelnut, lemon zest and sugar.

We had a lovely lazy day before they flew off at midnight. It was great to have them here and to catch up even though it was really rather short.

Vreni

World Expo in Shanghai

Where do you think this picture was taken? You would probably say somewhere in the alps, right?

Well, you would be wrong as it happens! I took it on the roof of the Swiss pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai last weekend. This chair lift took us up to the top. Usually one has to stand in line for hours (up to five, I've been told) but luckily we had a special pass and were able to get on directly.

The Swiss pavilion outside.....

..... and the view from inside overlooking the German building.

This is the Chinese pavilion. Unfortunately we were not able to get in as we didn't have tickets. Apparently one has to stand in line (another one) at 6 am each day when the tickets are dispensed. (Sorry for the quality of the pictures as I forgot to bring my camera and had to use my iPhone)

There were crowds everywhere. The average visitors number is around 500'000 per day. We did manage to see a few more of the pavilions. Generally we visited those with the shortest lines. All in all I must say that we liked the Swiss pavilion best, but then we might be slightly biased ;). Luckily the temperature was quite comfortable at around 25 degree C. I wouldn't want to be there at the height of summer when it often gets close to 40 degree C. Well, I have seen it now but I'm not convinced I would make the effort to go again.

Of course that was not the only reason for our trip. The more important one was to spend time with the kids. I also made a quick trip to the haberdashery street where I just had to get some of these lovely Christmas ribbons.

All in all it has been good to go back and to catch up with friends (and the kids) but the pollution was still as bad as ever and the traffic nightmarish so we were quite glad to return home.

Now it's back to "work" as I have to finish a quilt I've promised my friend in the UK for her "Open Garden" in August in favour of the Christina Noble Children's Foundation. I have been involved with fundraising for this fantastic organisation in one way or other for quite a number of years. I hope to be able to show you the finished quilt very soon.

Take care and have a lovely weekend.

Vreni

Three Little Birds

Rise up this mornin'; smiled with the risin' sun.
Three little birds pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs of melodies pure and true; saying,
"This is my message to you-ou-ou.”
Lyrics by Bob Marley



My three little birds are not sitting by my doorstep but on a flower pot of sorts. I've made this little wall hanging for "Another Little Quilt Swap 4". The pattern is very much influenced by Kellie of "Don't look know". I've used raw edge applique (I followed Kellie's tuition) and machine quilted it.

On other news: we're off to Shanghai later this week to visit the Expo as well as to see the kiddos (not necessarily in that order). By chance both our kids are in China at the moment; DD and her young man in Beijing where they are both working and DS in Shanghai where he is doing an internstip. He will go back to Boston in Autumn for his last year at Uni. It seems our timing is really off considering we only moved from Shanghai about half a year ago. Oh well, at least we are all on the same continent for once.

Have a great week ahead.

Vreni