Ok, so I know these are not photos of Prague. I had a lot (of lounging around doing nothing) to do yesterday, it was my birthday after all, so I did not get around to editing my photos from the trip. Alas, you will get them tomorrow. I promise! :) Until then, how about this bounty from the good ol' garden? They're mine... all mine. And actually, since this photo I have had a few more potatoes out of the garden, and peas, and zucchini! It is all coming along swimmingly. Thanks for asking. :)
I know this is out of focus, but I had to pull up a carrot to check them and this is what they are looking like. Isn't he cute?

Potatoes are all ready to come out I think. All the leaves are dying which I think means I need to take them out soon. Does someone know? Swiss Garden specialists? Hello? The onions are drying nicely, too, and will be ready for storage soon.

These peas are also very gratifying. A lot of work to cull but extremely tasty. Yum, fresh peas.

Stick with me. More garden updates to come. All is in full bloom and ready to burst. Ahh the joys of a Swiss Garden.

Read more about my adventures gardening in Switzerland through these posts:

• Adventures in Swiss Allotment Gardening
• How does my Swiss Garden grow?
• How does my Swiss Garden grow, you ask?
• Have I lost the plot? My Swiss Garden plot
  

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This weekend just past Jace and I went to Prague as a bit of a birthday present for us both... I was itching to go. I will post photos this week so stay tuned!

Another birthday abroad. Looking back, I think I have had more birthdays abroad in the last 10 years than birthdays at home. Adding it up, I have only had 3 birthdays in the States in that time. Wow... and this is my second birthday in Switzerland, as I celebrated here last year!

Apart from the mini-break to Prague I am celebrating at work - I brought in an American specialty that also uses some of my garden finery: zucchini bread (which I have realized after much commentary is really zucchini cake...) and a few chocolates. It is my duty as the birthday girl to do so - such is the tradition at my work. In addition to all the birthday greetings and kisses (3 on the cheek) I also got a lovely card from all of my co-workers and a gift certificate to Orelli Fusseli. I think that is really quite a nice gesture!

Thanks for following the blog and for sharing my 28th with me! :)
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I figure if Pioneer Woman can do it - so can I - so what if I am lacking creativity - some of the best ideas are copies, think Warhol. I get enough fan mail (hi Kristi!). I make hundreds of dollars from my blog ads... (ok, so I made a dollar last month)... I can do a bit of Dear Abby, Dear Swisstory... you name it. Let's go!

Send me an email already, I will give you an anonymous identity if you would like (yes, please let me!) and let's get this show on the road - I will post them as I see fit - no rules. Let's start with this one:

Dear Swisstory,

My hubby and I are moving to Switzerland and I was wondering if you had any recommendations regarding shipping personal property to Switzerland. We've looked into getting boat containers and even with paying on a per cubic meter, it is still expensive. Perhaps you have found a better alternative or other businesses you could refer me too?

Best regards,
Shipping Susie

Dear Susie,

You are right. It is darn expensive (get used to saying that though if you are moving to Switzerland) to ship your stuff back and forth across the world in tiny boxes with meters of bubble wrap. We used a company called Crown Relocations when we moved to Zurich, mostly because it was paid for and recommended by Jace's company (thanks again!), but I will tell you: they were super professional and all of our junk, er, personal items, made it in one piece, on-time, and I never felt confused or misled - like you will hear if you read some of the forums on this topic.

They were not cheap, but I will say that when it comes to moving you do get what you pay for and there are hidded costs with the ones that look uber cheap so do your homework (eg. what is the charge if you go over your estimate (oftentimes the extra square feet/meter are charged at extra high rates), what is the delivery fee, do they charge for storage before delivery, etc.

If you absolutely cannot afford to do it professionally, you can post in the forums and see if someone is moving from the same area and perhaps share a crate or shipping container. If you want to ship it partially yourself, you can also - I believe - still ship books at a cheaper rate via sea post. Ask the post office.

All in all - do ship some things across if you cannot afford it all. You will be glad you did because the replacement cost in Switzerland is probably more than you are anticipating. Go ahead and add up those dishes, linens, cds, and more - it all comes out to a lot more than you think and will cost a lot more to replace. So good luck finding the right company at the right price, and when in doubt go with the essentials and rough it until you can get to IKEA. ;)

Good luck with the move.

Best regards,
Jessica

I look forward to comments here from readers that have alternative experience.

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So instead of taking photos of all the Latin music tents and food stands (and holy bejezus was there some great food on offer - I'm talking barbecue, steak sandwiches, Thai food, Mexican and all kinds of international fare the likes of which Zurich has never seen - um... can you say tamales? Yeah, it was that good...), I have about a dozen pictures of me taking photos of... myself...

2) it was Caliente. You have to drink mojitos so it was my civic duty. Yes, MY DUTY. So much so that I think below Andrea was telling Christian that I needed another mojito. She is a good friend. She understands the law of the land when it comes to Caliente. ;)

The day was awesome (but expensive... then again, what is not when it comes to special events in Switzerland?!) and pretty low key, which was great, as around 10 pm it was as though everyone in Zurich came out to lambada all over me and you inched from bar to bar and could barely breathe. They need to do a better job of spacing the events out next time - so if you have kids, I say go in the afternoon for the food (can you say ribs?! and perhaps 1 mojito... it's ok, I won't tell..) and get out before the crowds come into town and just after you get a bit of salsa in ya - that's dance I mean, not dip, but you can do both, I said I won't tell.

Did anyone else go and get to experience more than a bit of lime, mint, rum, and summer loving?

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If you have been in the city of Zürich at all this summer, you will have seen these decorated pots all over the street. They are a part of the 'Gartencity Zürich 2009' or Garden City Project - a scheme by the tourism board to beautify the city and it is actually just an addition to a long line of themed decorations taking over the streets each summer.

I am not the first to post about this - Romy did a great write up a few months ago...

I have to admit, I would have preferred a cow (one of the previous themes 'Cows on Parade' - cows decorated all pretty like).

What do you think? Art? Gimmick? Love it? Hate it?

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Living and Working in Switzerland, 12th Edition: A Survival Handbook. This is an essential for anyone thinking about living in Switzerland. Buy it now via Amazon UK or pre-order your Amazon.com copy today! Thank you for supporting Swisstory by shopping on Amazon.

Don't miss the Caliente festival if you are in Zürich this weekend - it's a whole lot of half naked bodies dancing along to latin music. I will be there - just spot me as the NOT half naked one with a permanent mojito glued to my palm...

Adios.
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Living and Working in Switzerland, 12th Edition: A Survival Handbook. This is an essential for anyone thinking about living in Switzerland. Buy it now via Amazon UK or pre-order your Amazon.com copy today! Thank you for supporting Swisstory by shopping on Amazon.