Merry Christmas

Before,

and after a feast of aquavit, herring, smoked eel, oysters at our next door neighbors, which Santa conviniently used to pay us a visit.....



Thank you Santa! The children squealed with joy.

Ila's Class Picure

Nice Opera: Family Concert

Well behaved girls, running to find their seats.

And the music starts - fingers in ears (the music tunning in the beginning was painful)

Interest peaked and Ila did lots of princess dancing in our loge.

After concert relaxation in the mini music room.

From tree to table

Looks like this year's crop is rather plentiful, at least for our oranges. The lemon tree flowered and then produced nothing. I guess it's a lemon. The local market is also starting to feature locally grown grapefruit, lemons and oranges. Although, the smell and taste of a freshly picked orange is unforgetable. I am planning to make lots of candied orange peel. The zest of these oranges is absolutely heavenly.

Our first winter weekend

Snowy, bitter cold up the mountain...but in 2 hours you're back to blue, warmish, and with just a hint of snow Nice.

The new ski season

Cackling at the joy of going out to the mountains early in the morning. The night before Ila was falling asleep saying "I'm ready to go skiing". We take 2 buses to get to the ski resorts. First the local 30 to the train station, and from there we change to the ski resorts bus - all for 1 Euro!


Ila is a big fan of skiing - especially between Kai's legs - and going fast.

The little penguin skis - Ila's obsession. She talked about them since last February pretty much non stop.

Day 2 - Rio knows what's coming her way - more hard work! But she was rewarded by a traditional hot chocolate at the end.

This must be fall

Red vines, snow in the distant mountains, and bone chilling Mistral. Time to make spiced wine and stay cozy at home.

Ooh la la! Sexy mommy!

Daddy is very proud :)

Route de Bellevue, Mont Boron Forest

The joy of having a big stick....this is taken after Rio finally gave up her big stick find to Ila and found another one for herself.


This is where Rio comes with her school to have a picnic and study science. It's just up the hill from the school.

Mid November portraits - with light reflecting off the olive trees

It's mid November in Nice and the Mont Boron forest is filled with soft light, wild flowers, mushrooms and ripe olives. It feels like spring, but different. More mellow, without the brutal heat of the sun.

One late afternoon at Villefranche sur Mer port

Our rare family photo

Where everybody is smiling and all eyes are open.

Wednesdays in Beaulieu: tennis, playground, beach

Rio started to take tennis classes at the Beaulieu Tennis Club today. They're every Wednesday. And only 150 Euros for the entire year.

While Rio is doing her lesson, I take Ila to the neighboring playground (keeping everybody happy).

Today we also went across the street to the beach to have a picnic lunch and to splash in the water in our coulottes...

Rio said this is her best day ever - tennis, playground, beach. She's now asking how many days till next Wednesday.

Swim to Coco Beach

Kai swims the 30 minute track and we walk along the shore waving to him. Makes all of us happy.

Just when we thought the summer is over...

The skies parted and another beautiful Sunday unfolded.

Down from our house, a little stopover before Kai jumped into the water for his mega swim.

That little dot in the middle is Kai swimming - halfway to Coco Beach.

Resting after the swim.