Food and flower fulfillment:)
Cuckoo!
One of the most important thing we always do when arriving to our summerhouse, is to go grocery shopping.
Its part of a routine that brings us closer to our dream and kickstart our summer experience.
And of course some flowers will come home with us from the store before i head out to pick them myself:)
These my friends are not pictures of some random food!
Those are carefully selected items, from the bottom of our hearts and from small incapsuled needs hidden in the braincells of me and the two kids that came with me to Sweden this first round.
Like "filmjölk", ( a sour and thicker breakfast milk), warm smoked salmon and dipping sauces to go with, kids favorite bread and my just wonderful butter with sea salt. A Swedish type of salami, other sausages, a certain type of cinnamon rolls, liver paté, creamy hard cheese, Swedish tea and of course a big bag of "pick your own candy", some Swedish magazines and saft, like a strawberry concentrate you mix with water and a lot more...
Everything on that table represents a dream or something that has been missed and, as a mom, those kind of things are easy to help out with and are definitely giving us a good start of this new adventure of ours:)
Now when the fridge is filled we can move over to the just being mode...
Tjingeling
On our way...
Cuckoo!
So we are on our way...
Away from four years on this big continent on to a small little country up north on the other side of the pond.
Hopefully recent tears will turn into glitter, resistance turn into possibilities and "away" turn into home...
All these boxes are filled with experiences, memories and the well known.
Ready to be set up in a new environment and provide us with a homey feeling.
Like an empty canvas we are going to paint our new life in colors and with lots of details.
It's going to be a painting filled with depth, hope and positive energy.
Yup, this is it.
No return, no regrets...
This is going to be good!!!
Tjingeling
Its happening...
Cuckoo!
Its hard to believe but the day has come when the movers arrived to start packing up things in boxes.
Cardboard and plastics on the floor not to ruin anything, bubble wrap and crates for fragile items and a lot of muscle work for heavy stuff.
I think this has been the roughest and toughest half year ever.
But today when the movers arrived and kind of marked our time is over here, it trigged a volcano in my kids.
While my husband is racing against time across America I'm racing against the kids and all their sadness and anger to remain positive and sane.
Today I felt I don't have a chance to win.
I much rather would have biked across America and then back...
Ive used all my storage of reasons, explanations and positive thinking.
I actually don't know how to recharge.
I only know I have to.
Because I'm their mom, guide and role model.
First I need to have my cup of tea and chocolate.
And then I want to sleep.
But tomorrow is another day!
Let's make it a good day!
Tjingeling
Our jungle...
Cuckoo!
I decided to gather all my remaining plants i did not give away yet into one room.
It turned the room into a jungle...
I love my green plants in every room and seeing them together like this made me again realize we are in for a change.
One little girl seemed to think this jungle was very exciting though and was crawling and sneaking around playing something and with no sofa in the room anymore it also became a perfect spot for a pillow and throw nest among all the "trees" :)
Our signal red lamp has replaced our golden beauty only because the law in this country says you can't leave the house to a new owner with no proper light source. And we wanted our golden half globe to join us over seas.
A gloomy and dark day like today I so welcomed the fire element both in the lampshade and the beautiful sunflowers.
Yup, a day full of plants, pillows and my own Jane ( Tarzan was absent).
Kind of a good day!
Tjingeling
Midsummer dream...
Cuckoo!
Only one more week till I leave this country!
Swoooosch and four years on this continent has come to an end.
Cleaning and sorting out, wrapping up my design projects and distributing hugs to people stopping by to say goodbye. Busy busy busy.
And since I'm here another week I am missing our traditional midsummer celebration that takes place next weekend in Sweden.
Felt I still wanted to feel the inspiration...
( pictures from Pinterest and Sköna hem)
The flowers, the food, the decorations, the flower crown, the maypole, the table setting and all the ambience that comes with the word midsummer.
Long tables with many people around and lots of food and laughs...
Unfortunately a lot of our midsummers are rained away but it still has a romantic touch to it and it is definitely my definition of the start of the summer.
This year I will miss it but I can still dream of that perfect midsummer night:)
Tjingeling
Go Ajax go!
Cuckoo!
There are heroes and there are heroes.
Some are everyday heroes like doctors, nurses, firefighters, the police, teachers and of course moms.
Then there are the crazy heroes.
Like my husband and his team of bike riders.
Over 3000 miles ( 4.800 km) and 180 000 feet of climbing while crossing 12 states.
Such craziness are easily fed by challenges and in this case my husband and his seven team members from RB are doing this to raise money for Save the Children.
Save the Children!
Such a noble and highly important cause.
They have not started yet so this happy posing we can consider a before picture...
Their goal is to raise $150.000 for Save the Children's effort to support disaster relief, to prepare children in the event of a disaster and to eradicate child death due to diarrhea.
But dear people!
There is no chance they are going to make their goal without your help!
Feel free to donate from your heart but in the form of money 😉 to contribute to the team of RB, but mostly to get that beautiful feeling of having a very meaningful role in a child's survival...
Every donation will be matched 1 for 1.
Heres the link:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alexander-lacik-teamrb
Tjingeling
Certified!!!
So I'm finally done!!!
Hooray for me:)
I think my Feng shui with staging and redesign will live a long life together.
And when I'm also a certified color expert I believe I have a "killer" combination...
Right now I'm taking a break though from any schoolrelated ( or actually from everything) things just to focus on sorting and cleaning out our house.
Im telling you, that is a real journey and very mentally draining...
Im sure it will feel good in the end...
Im sure.
Meanwhile my heart is smiling thinking of my nice certification:)
Tjingeling
Certified!!!
So I'm finally done!!!
Hooray for me:)
I think my Feng shui with staging and redesign will live a long life together.
And when I'm also a certified color expert I believe I have a "killer" combination...
Right now I'm taking a break though from any schoolrelated ( or actually from everything) things just to focus on sorting and cleaning out our house.
Im telling you, that is a real journey and very mentally draining...
Im sure it will feel good in the end...
Im sure.
Meanwhile my heart is smiling thinking of my nice certification:)
Tjingeling
Prom night 2
Cuckoo!
So we suddenly reached the time for the prom.
A much awaited but also dreaded event that would mark an ending of the school year but also in our case an ending of the kids time here with another wave of emotions overflooding.
Watching Max and these handsome, suddenly so grownup and, in some cases, even mature kids Ive known for four years now, all dressed up to their teeth and the girls on wobbly legs on too high of heels definitely created a storm of feelings in the mom too...
Look at him!
So much love in one picture!
Max friends still have one more year to go before leaving the nest and that's what makes it so hard for my son.
He feels everyone stays in the well known and safe and he is leaving that safe haven, all that love they show each other and everything he will be missing here for being thrown to the lions...
Anyway, these beautiful both inside and out kids with their future just around the corner have a big part in how Max has formed and will forever have a place in his and my heart and will only be a phone call or a flight away.
Yup, true friendship dressed in tuxedos:)
Beautiful!!!
Tjingeling
A day at the botanical garden
Cuckoo!
Some time ago me and Bella and friends of ours paid the botanical garden a visit.
We came to enjoy this beautiful pearl and also to have a look at Chihuly's glass art.
It was amazing!!!
It's a big garden and we needed to plan our route...
The glass sculptures were beautifully surrounded by matching nature and looked like they had grew like that naturally.
Big happy exclamation marks.
Both kids and moms loved it and shared a day full of memories.
Lucky me that got to explore this exhibition with the best company:)
Tjingeling
Clearing the clutter and some other stuff
Cuckoo!
In feng shui we say it is important to clear the clutter to make room for new energy.
For some reason I have not applied that to our storage in the basement...
I think we started off in a good way by using shelves and boxes but sometime along our stay here we ( read I) kind of lost it.
It became a room perfect to just throw in stuff I didn't want to deal with in that very moment and then shut the door.
Fast:)
But with our move coming up soon we decided to clean out the whole house including this room.
It's a lot of history in that room dating all the way back to my childhood so it takes a lot of time for me to process but our goal is to minimize (!) our container size, so the only thing to do for me is to dig in.
I can't wait for that new fresh energy to fill the wholes in both my house and in my brain...
Doing it with Bella though takes time since she seems to think its Christmas with all these "new" treasures and is kind of working against me.
I sort and throw and she finds it again and picks it out to keep...
Well well we still have a few weeks before it has to be clean, in order and mentally processed.
'It's a tough job but somebody has to do it:)
Tjingeling
Summer feelings
Cuckoo!
I can't believe summer seems to have arrived...
We have so far only have this warmer season visiting us but for a few days now it really feels it is here to stay, and I so love that.
Between everything we have to accomplish before moving it's just wonderful to sink down in the outdoor sofa or around the dinner table on the patio.
I was in such rush to get the feeling of summer i didn't bother bringing all the pillows out...
Pillows in the red color range are otherwise a good way of getting some of the fireelement in that is missing in all the greens in my garden.
And to be able to sit outside having dinner looking out on all that lush and blooming is just the best treat for your eyes and soul after a busy day.
Summer, you are so welcome!!!
Tjingeling
My summerhouse is on sale...
Cuckoo!
Our summer house is for sale!
Our wonderful, peaceful oasis is available for other people to purchase.
A weird, sad and unhappy feeling has taken over my soul.
(Pictures Villan och våningen)
Of course I understand why...
Its just that sometimes my brain and my feelings don't really cooperate.
This summer I'm going to take in every moment, breath in every little gust from the sea and feel every little sandcorn from the beach under my feet.
And I wish that the next owner will experience the same magical feeling of this place that I've done and treat the house the way it deserves.
Maybe I will put a little spell on it though...
But don't tell the new owner:)
Tjingeling
24 hours in Manhattan.
Cuckoo!
Ok, this weekend I had the opportunity to get another break from my usual life.
This time in the company of my beautiful friends.
Together we experienced the concrete jungle, shared some laughs, a lot of love and as always created new memories.
A room with a view...
Love when a hotel room is facing something other than a building or a wall.
Soho, shopping for the men and more laughs...
Lacedress, high heels ( it's me and the Empire State Building 🤣) instead of "pajamas", rooftop bar and wonderful new friends.
Breakfast on another rooftop and some walking in this fantastic city.
24 hours of fast and furious city life, glamour, friendship, food and togetherness.
I feel grateful...
Tjingeling
A lunch to remember
Cuckoo!
Today I was celebrated with a farewell lunch at the club we belong to.
A bunch of beautiful ladies that sprinkled my day with gold...
So much emotions and so many things I wanted to tell these girls but just could not because my voice would not carry me through.
Beautiful women that every each one of them has contributed to my positive stay here and together created wonderful memories.
So much love concentrated around a table...
All this good experience is also why it's so difficult and painful to leave.
I was so mentally exhausted from holding back everything I wanted to tell everyone, but couldn't without breaking apart, I fell asleep in the sofa when I got back home wrapped in the arms of my husband.
One box of cookies with edible prints of me went home with everyone though so when there's a need of some Maria they can just take bite of me:)
Thank you girls for making my day!!!
Tjingeling
Green green green...
Cuckoo!
I love my garden that surrounds our house.
I love the green, the rolling forms that creates such nice flow and the colors that seem to take turns in blooming.
At the moment it is very green though but that only triggers the excitement of what's coming.
Sometimes it almost feels magical...
Like you can expect a little fairy to peek out from underneath a big leave:)
This is one thing I'm going to miss with this house but on the other hand our next garden might offer secret highlights too. You never know.
Positive thinking.
Meanwhile I'm totally enjoying the green flow here.
Tjingeling
A weekend in pictures
Cuckoo!
Spent the weekend on Long Island with family ( big brother is home too, yay), friends, the dog and some sunshine:)
Hubby was doing his yearly bike race from Babylon New York to Montauk on Long Island so as usual we took the opportunity to spend the whole weekend there.
Some in our group I believe had communicated earlier of what to wear this day...
A first timer on the beach.
I had the feeling he could not believe his eyes...
And I could not believe my eyes either everytime he had to do his " business"…
He obviously liked it so much he wanted to bring half the beach home by eating it 😬
Sunshine, friendship, relaxation, rain, beaches, biking, sunsets, new experiences and togetherness.
Everything needs to be included when making memories.
Another wonderful weekend to keep in my heart.
Feeling grateful…
Tjingeling
Happy Mother's Day.
Cuckoo!
Here we celebrated Mother's Day today!
I guess the Americans take every chance they can to celebrate and I love that. Today is another day you spend with family. Restaurants have been fully booked since long and flower stores been drowning in beautiful and creative bouquets.
Even the swedes (us) on this side of the pond have been celebrated. It's kind of difficult not to when everything seems to evolve around this day.
And I loved today too!
The sun was shining, I had flowers sent to me all the way from Mallorca, I had love wrapped in beautiful papers and the kids dedicated their very precious time today to their mom and we just hung out together.
No husband and no oldest son but three others and a dog, that sprinkled so much gold on this day.
I must be the luckiest mom in the world!
Together with all other moms...:)
Tjingeling
Happiness in a vase
Cuckoo!
To be on the safe side today regarding the upcoming Mother's Day I decided to get my usual Friday flowers and then add a few extra bouquets.
I must say I really have given this weekend a beautiful start.
Ok, I might have overdone it but oh my how much positive energy those flowers are passing on.
And all the vibrant colors that so make up for the lack of sunshine we right now experience.
Not to mention the amount of flowers that so will make up for if anyone in this family forgets to send me flower on Sunday...hint hint 😉
Yup, happiness in a vase.
Easy, beautiful and a great energy booster.
Hippy happy weekend
tjingeling
Self esteem and confidence
Cuckoo!
Im not just a mom!
I am a wife, nurse, driver, cook, doctor, therapist, life coach, guide, event planner, daughter, big sister, fengshui consultant, stager and soon to be colorexpert.
Im a psychologist, cleaner, washer, finder of lost things, sockmatcher, cheerleader, and friend.
On top of that I'm also a reader, a writer, photographer, globetrotter, memory keeper, a hugger, a listener and human.
It's an extensive list and can be made even longer...
Looking at this list I realize there is a lot of skills behind those job descriptions.
And still both my self esteem and confidence just disappears now and then and I doubt my whole existence inclusive such silly things like how I am as a person and professional skills.
Usually I just lean my head against my husbands shoulder, squeezing out a few tears while he is confirming his love for me no matter what, but it could be of use to be able to handle this down periods myself.
They don't last long luckily but when they hit me, I wish I could just withdraw from everything.
I don't know if I'm alone feeling this way sometimes but if not, please hit me with your best tools and tips!
Tjingeling
