where others come for vacation ...
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The temperature dips down to -15°C (Brrrr!!!!) and inside the house we have different temperature zones varying from 22°C (Living Room & Kitchen) to 15°C (Lounge upstairs). Of course one doesn't walk around in short sleeves anymore -- since we aren't blessed with a natural fur like our feline babies, we're usually found covered in woollens...
Our 70cm thick stone wall has a temperature difference of 30°C (-15 to 15°C).. Since the structure of the house is being exposed to a different climate for the first time in 30+ years, we're monitoring the temperature and humidity in various rooms/walls & hoping there aren't any surprises.
Outside it's a Winter Wonderland, but inside the Fire is keeping us Warm & Cozy.. with some added support of Hot Chocolate & Schnapps 
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If you live in a 400 year old house in the Alps and it's wintertime -- sooner or later you've got to stock up on the wood. Sepp drives with his Agri-transporter @ 7:30AM and delivers the 2 tonnes of firewood we've ordered.
All righty then.. it's time to convert a loose, messy pile of wood into an orderly stack - a satisfying transformation one could say...
2 Tonnes of Firewood
2 workers -- one who knows what to do (Lukas), the other - a total newcomer (Yours Truly!)
2 Hours -- Bend, pick up a piece, enjoy the pungent earthy smell, find the right place for the piece of wood -- Repeat!!
2 meter long Wood stack
2 end towers (tight criss-cross stacking to increase the stack's stability)
Who needs a GYM anymore???
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It's our first Sunday at HOME SWEET HOME. After months of hectic renovation, packing, moving, unpacking -- we've finally made this House our Home. There's still a lot of unpacking and settling down to be done, but today is Sunday and the Swiss don't work on Sunday. It's time for the traditional Swiss Breakfast: Zopf, Butter, Honey, Jam, Soft Boiled Egg, Cheese, Yoghurt, Fresh Fruit....
Take a slice of the home-baked braided bread, spread - rather layer - it with a slice of butter, then add some honey. Butter, bread and honey... all melting in the mouth....Mhmmm... What's not to Love??
And like the Swiss, I've learnt to butter the Zopf generously. After all the Swiss Butter comes from happy cows grazing in the alpine meadows. Nothing in the US comes close.. well perhaps Kerrygold (Irish butter)..
Thank you Switzerland for this delectable traditional Sunday treat!!