Sunday, August 1, 2010

The final farewell to Switzerland giveaway

As I make list after list to get this move completed, it's becoming pretty clear what my favorites are in Switzerland. And it is pretty random. My musts from Switzerland are muesli, chocolate, wooden toys and Migros bags.

Yep, random. But there is a good reason for each.

Muesli because it's so much easier to purchase the good stuff here than make your own mixture in the states. Oats, raisins, nuts, yum! It's all there and makes making your very own birchermuesli super easy.

Chocolate. Well, I've talked about this before. Nothing beats the good stuff, period!

The wooden toys in Europe are unlike anything I've ever seen in the US. Stop over at my favorite toy store, Spielba and you'll see what I'm talking about. I love the durability, the uniqueness, the designs, and the simplicity of them. And my kids love them too. I'm having a hard time not buying a ton (shipping prices have stopped me from doing just that more than once!).

Finally, Migros bags. Something so simple but makes such an impact.

I've been using these since I arrived in Switzerland; just picture me in the above image but with a stroller and two kiddies! To Brian's dismay, Migros changes up the design of the bag every few months so I now have a stack of bags I want to take home.

So, a goodbye Switzerland giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a bag of muesli from my local Migros, one Migros shopping bag, one bar of chocolate, and a wooden rattle (that you can ditch in favor of an extra of the previous prizes if you aren't thrilled about having a rattle).

For good measure, I will also throw in a Swiss cookbook to be purchased at the airport as I leave the country, providing the store that I bought the last copy in has it in stock.

That's some good stuff people! Here's how it is going to work this time around:

First, leave a comment telling me which prize you would most like to have (and why if you are feeling chatty!). That'll get you one entry.

Second, become a follower of my blog and then leave a comment letting me know. If you are already a follower, you can leave me a comment letting me know that. Being a follower will get you a second entry. See? Sometimes it is good to be a follower :)

Deadline for this giveaway will be Friday, August 13 at 12 noon EST. Good luck!

27 comments:

Mama B said...

Is this for Swiss Family Mac inner-circle members only, or do random followers count? Because I have not only one, but two favorites - and hopefully this will not be grounds for disqualification: Muesli AND Migros bags.
Why? In my town of Fairbanks, Alaska muesli is hard to come by, and the only brand available costs $8 for a tiny box, plus it is diluted with oats. Not much good stuff in there...nope! And Migros bags just look cuter than Sam's Club bags.
PS: I am a follower, so there is criteria #2.
Safe travels, Swiss Family Mac!

NV said...

Good luck with the move... it has been interesting following you and learning about interesting things to do in the are. (Chocolate! Migros Bag! Wooden Rattle!)

Lisa said...

I would love to get the Swiss cookbook. I can only imagine the great recipes that will be in it.

ToadMama said...

Migros bags rock! They're like Ikea bags (super strong) but smaller and more practical. I can't say I have ever bought muesli but that stuff you got for breakfast on our last day there looked delish. I've been a follower for ages and have really enjoyed reading about all of your Swiss advantures.

Anonymous said...

To be perfectly honest . . . I would love the bag because I am slightly obsessed with bags. Not to mention the fact that it is unique and I LOVE that!

Lemon Gloria said...

Oh, my gosh, I read final and it gave me goosebumps. I haven't moved countries in a long time, but it brought up a lot of emotions.

So, I think the thing I would most like to have would be the toy. I've bought Jordan some German wooden toys, and they are wonderful.

Also, your contest ends on my birthday. I think this means something. :)

And I don't know if I follow your blog - I've been so random about whether I click "follow" or not - having nothing to do with liking. The people I read are in my reader, and I never read that follower list. All this to say, if I'm not following, I will. And then I'll leave it in another comment. Because the chocolate would also be awesome, and while J would love a toy, I'm not actually all that selfless.

Lemon Gloria said...

Following! You!

Arielle said...

I've been a follower for a while, but now I made it official!

I can imagine how it is to move back to the US: I did it once, from Sweden back to Canada. But it was only me, not a familly, and here in Switzerland I have way more stuff I use to have then...

By the way, my favorite item to be won is the Swiss Cook Book. I love cook books! I already have one about spätzli (in German), found a second hand one here about Quebec cuisine (!), just bought one in France during our holidays, but most of my collection is in Canada:( Plus I have to learn more about Swiss food, since I do love food...

Have a same trip back home!

M&M said...

I'm sorry to see you go and too bad the timing didn't work. I wish you all the best with your move back. Your blog has been a great source of information about Swizterland and being an expat. We are already enjoy the benefits of living in central Europe with visiting North Italy and Southern Germany all within the same week. Zara is sending her greetings as well, ciao.

Hoppy said...

There's only four things I want from Switzerland and two of them are here already. Love to all.

vudean said...

I want some chocolate, cause I LOVE ME SOME CHOCOLATE :) And the rattle would be cool since we got another little one on the way (any day now(?)

vudean said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
vudean said...

...I am now officially a "follower" of your blog... but I guess I always have been :)
So will this blog continue when you return? I can't wait to see what kind of exciting things you get into back here. And what will the blog be called?

Lisa Kidd said...

I can't believe you are coming home soon!! And, that is better than a giveaway;) I would jump up and down for any of your gifts - I am a chocoholic, muesli obsessed, wannabe chef, who spends a lot of time grocery shopping at wegman's. Haha. I don't have use for a rattle yet but it would be awesome to have when I do have little ones. I have LOVED reading about your travels from the very beginning, and have been a follower of your blog since you first moved! Good luck with your packing and I'll see you in a couple of weeks!!

Heather said...

I'm now officially a follower, although I've had you on my Favorite Blog roll for a while now. :)

Heather said...

And I'm most interested in the chocolate of course, though the bag sounds awesome as well!

Unknown said...

I didn't realize I wasn't already a follower! Sorry about that!

Chris V said...

Can I have more than a few favorites? I'd really like the rattle since the wooden toys are ueber expensive in the US and the Migros bag. I have cloth shopping bags, but a new one is always welcome to the collection.
Oh, and I already had you in Google Reader, but just "Followed" you.

mrschlosser said...

I am an anonymous follower. :o) Love all your selections. Best by far are the Migros bags. They're the perfect size for carrying twelve-packs of soda by the way (a tidbit I learned from my NJ days when grocery shopping was done without a car). I'm in Switzerland for the duration and am quite picky about my musli (mix of Aldi and Migros -- things get complicated when one doesn't like nuts and is trying to be healthy), so my fave would be the durable (code for usually loud) wooden toys. So sad to think of you leaving....

ikkinlala said...

I'm an anonymous follower.

I'd most like to have the chocolate because, well, that's one of the things Switzerland is famous for.

I hope your move goes smoothly!

Ted, Izzy, Jules and Viv said...

Chocolate! Yes! That's what I want most, but I can't actually enter the contest bc of my upcoming move to Spain. We're selling everything before we go!

I love your blog and hope you continue it when you're back in Baltimore.

Smooches!

The Cutes and Scoots Show said...

Following now because I'm too busy and sometimes oblivious - ha - to have realized you had this item up on your blog already. Can't help but follow a fellow Lehigh '02 blogger!

I, too, love wooden baby toys! Too bad our dog tends to enjoy the way they feel between his teeth as well! ughh I had to stop replacing them because they were being destroyed as quickly as the kids could play with them! And they all do have an appropriate place other than the floor in our toy room. Gotta get a new dog next time instead of new wooden toys.

oh and yeah, who does NOT love chocolate.

I guess I might add that I have more reuseable bags in my trunk than I do sand toys and we live just miles from the beach! ha.

Oh well. Guess great Lehigh minds think alike!

Have a great last few days/weeks in Swiss country and safe trip back to the US. Can't wait to see what you do with all the extra space when you're in a real house with a yard and out of a flat! :)

grammie said...

Great idea. You choose the best
of Switz to share.

Just want you both to travel
safely and be here soon.
Your babies are doing great
and they get lots and lots of
hugs, kisses, and raspberries :)

L & H
Gammie

Lady Muck said...

Awww to Hoppy's comment. :) Made me cry a bit. We're missing your girls already - don't know what state we'll be in when you and Brian leave!

I won't enter the competition being that most of the prizes are already in my cupboards... So many deserving entries, how will you judge it?

Sharon said...

Hi - bet you have lots of strangers crawling out of the woodwork on this one -- I have enjoyed reading your blog (follow in my reader) and dreaming of returning to Switzerland ... what a great opportunity you've had and what great use you've made of it. I imagine the experience will change your life forever ... and influence how you live upon your return ... I see lots more fun day trips and other travel in your life (it's a big country after all) ... Last time I was in Europe Migros bags and Cailler Frigor bars (MMM) were among my top souvenirs ... the chocolate is long gone ...and I'd love to have the latest designed bag (or two since I really have no use for a rattle anymore). Best wishes for a smooth transition home.

Paige said...

Love bags and cookbooks! Can't wait to see you all when you get back- safe travels!

Susan said...

Hi Mrs. Mac:

I was away (in Italy!) and didn't enter the contest. But since I still live in Zurich, it's o.k. Today me and my dog were walking in Horgen and I was wondering if you were already gone. Thanks for blogging; it's been fun reading -- good luck and God bless as you re-enter life in the U.S. of A!