Shame on me!
Cuckoo!
Shame on me!!!
Ive been so busy dealing with life from different aspects I lost track of the dates and completely forgot about my moms birthday.
Her 75th birthday.
First time ever...
Last time ever! (!)
My beautiful and wonderful mom has raised a daughter who completely failed to deliver this time.
The embarrassment and devastation I feel I can not describe in words...
It can only be experienced although its not recommendable.
Phew, how do I make up for this now?!
I mean I have been using the telepathic line as well as the phone line and sent flowers but still...
'I was not there, neither physically nor mentally, during her day.
Shame on me!
(note to myself: put alarm on my calendar to get a notice in time)
What a nightmare...
Today I welcome fall.
Cuckoo!
Today I decided to welcome the fall.
Ive been clinging on to the summer with a desperate hope for it to stay longer but I can not deny the fact that there is a change in the air.
I can hear it whispers from the trees, I see birds and their families moving away and the wind is no longer soft but a little more aggressive and pushy.
Its still warm outside but a slight change in colors are definitely noticeably.
So today I'm welcoming the soon to come colder weather, a glowing nature and good excuses to drink hot chocolate with whipped cream.
I like the idea of crispy air, warm sweaters and boots.
Im also looking forward to more heavy food, lit candles and the silence from the quiet air conditioning.
Monday, the weather and my mood.
Everything aligned.
Yup, today was a good day to welcome fall:)
Tjingeling
Let there be light
Cuckoo!
As a Viking, light is a very imortant ingredience in the pot of life in order for me to feel good.
So when the rooms in my house are greeting me with sprinkles of gold in the morning I know I'm definitely set for a good start.
All those golden rays are slowly finding their way into morning tired eyes, half sleeping brain and are softly waking up my heart by its warming appearance.
'Not so long after,my whole inner is smiling, and this is when I see my kids and tell them good morning.
I guess sometimes they too are grateful for the sunlight because now and then even them are able to squeeze out a smile.
I mean, there is almost no better way to start off the day.
At least for a light starved Viking :)
Tjingeling
Instant love
Cuckoo!
So yesterday I announced our future addition to the family and tonight pictures of the very one arrived.
I just had to share them here.
How is it possible that this little creature could create so much instant love?!
So many bubbles in my tummy?!
From a picture?!
I just can't wait to bury my nose in his soft fur.
Or to be embraced by a puppy's love for life.
Always be greeted with happiness...
And so on...
(will not mention all the work right now though, for now it's hidden behind that cute baby look)
We do have to wait another few weeks before he enters the door to our kingdom but for sure he will definitely be a candidate for the throne:)
Tjingeling
Voff voff...
Cuckoo!
Its official, we are expecting an addition to the family!
This one has four legs and barks though...
Many years of silent telepathic persuasion from my side and more open nagging from the kids finally paid off:)
Our new little member will move in late October and from then on our life will change.
A labradoodle is what we decided on and I CAN"T WAIT!
Just saying...
A lot of work yes, but unconditional love, constant company and welcoming new routines.
Best thing though is my dear other half actually thinks it's going to be fun.
That my friends is one of the worlds wonders and makes this dream -come-true thing even more enjoyable.
Shared joy is double joy.
To to be continued...
Tjingeling
The power of a flower.
Cuckoo!
Yesterday when I sat outside working for a little bit I realized that I had my Friday bouquet just in front of my eyes.
It is so lush and green and all the flowers are competing in being the most beautiful ones.
Just the best "office" you can ask for:)
To have all this beauty surrounding me a Friday afternoon really set my mood for this upcoming weekend.
I actually live in the middle of a giant bouquet!
Live and vibrant good energy.
The power of a flower:)
Its Saturday morning now and I have a feeling this weekend will be good.
Tjingeling
School time!!!
Cuckoo!
Finally the time has come when you wave goodby to your kids in the mornings.
With a big smile in your face.
The time when routines and habits are back in full swing.
Finally the time has come when the house turns quiet and you are able to finish a thought.
When there suddenly are a few hours where you can allow yourself to finish your own never ending battery so that you later can recharge fully and meet the world ( read kids) as a new mom.
Finally the time has come when the reality is challenging the kids again and that dreamworld the summer is, just becomes a wonderful aftertaste in your mouth.
I feel so grateful being able to indulge in both those worlds although this new school year is extremely welcomed...
'Now my holiday starts...
Tjingeling
Beach fun
Cuckoo!
What is better to do a sunny Wednesday than going to the beach?!
To squeeze out the last few drops of the summer is done best at the seaside if you ask me.
The smell, the sound from the waves and that feeling of freedom that immediately comes with endless beaches and water.
The creativity followed the kids all the way to the beach too.
They prepaired and put in a lot of time and effort to set up a little store at the beach with handmade signs all over the beach to show the way to their little store.
Unfortunately the interest did not seem to match their anticipations but with that eagerness, determination and follow through they showed us, the moms were more than willing to buy something from their selections.
To give the girls something to start with...
'And to keep them smiling:)
With spring in the legs, sand in between the toes and the body wrapped in sunshine and a salty taste from the waves I guess we could say we still got a little taste of paradise.
Not too bad for a Wednesday:)
tjingeling
Lazy day.
Cuckoo!
The sun is shining in our lives, the heat embraces us in a gentle way and the wind is caressing and cooling our hot bodies.
But Bella needs a pool to feel completely satisfied.
Luckily we have found another pool where we not are being told of all the time:)
At this place they jam the music, focus on friendliness and that the kids should have fun.
The life guards play with the kids, encourage them in the water and let the kids be kids.
And when the swimming quote is filled and its time to leave that place a happy daughter and a smiling mom is walking out those gates without having been told off, yelled at for wearing wrong shoes or been swimming in a wrong way.
A lazy day sprinkled with gold!
tjingeling
Detoxing. Again!
Cuckoo!
New day, new week and new start!
Sugar detox is about to begin.
I can not believe I'm doing it again though.
Just love sugar!
I think I'm born with that white poison running through my veins and that is why it seems impossible to get rid of that craving.
But, it's not good for you I heard so I'm giving it another try.
So the challenge right now is to make a bowl of oatmeal ( among other things) look tempting, be mouth-watering and irresistable to your tastebuds ( without sugar) and hope the detox will last at least to lunch:)
'wish me good luck!
Tjingeling
We are family!
Cuckoo!
I feel a need to be dwelling this "bird leaving the nest" theme.
So what also hit me in all this was all the good thing we experienced as a family.
We suddenly seemed so united, so tight and so supportive of each other.
All of us!
Everyone helped to set up the student room, everyone joined in for the smallest errand, and everyone went together to all those activities our oldest wanted us to join.
One for all, all for one.
That teamwork, the commitment and the obvious in being there for him just got my heart to overflow.
The longing for my son will of course always be noticeable in the family but he is alive, he is in good mood and somehow this separation made us all aware that WE ARE FAMILY!
We have each other!
And we wI'll always be there for whatever direction life takes us.
That is a good feeling.
Tjingeling
The time has come...
Cuckoo!
So the time that I've been both dreaded and excited for has come.
The time that will be a huge step for my oldest son...
The time has come for him to leave the nest.
(View from our hotel room)
For two days now we are going to create a base for him, a home away from his old home and a place for him to grow on his own.
Keeping us busy will also keep all emotions to behave but we will see on Sunday when it's time for us to leave...
So time to get going and start the day before the tears are...
Tjingeling
Back in the USA
Cuckoo!
So we are back!
Only writing a short update to give you a sign of my existent.
I swapped my parents for my own family, my down jacket for dresses and sandals, the countryside for a concrete jungle and my summer bubble for reality.
Not too bad either:)
A small welcome commite ( hubby and daughter) greeted us with a banner and gifts.
I must say then it was not so painful leaving Sweden behind:)
I have gained almost 5 kg ( 10 pounds) during the summer but since I believe it's mostly love ( I wish) I will use it to distribute small portions for future extra needs If Sweden is calling…
Yup, ready to get back in business with a heart full of love, a mind full of memories and surrounded by the best people I know:)
Did I say I'm so grateful?!
Tjingeling
Happiness in a vase
Cuckoo!
Only a few days left now and I'm walking around in my house squeezing out the last drops of the summer atmosphere.
I realized I did not have time, desire or inspiration to do anything about coziness this summer.
I added new furniture for my little terrace but that was it...
'All throughout the summer I made sure I always had fresh flowers though:)
So when the sun has been shining with its absences the flowers have filled the gap with both uplifting energy and also added a sense of warmth with its vibrant purple colors.
I only wish I could get a sun tan from them as well…
All flowers are good.
Picked in a garden, in the free nature or bought in a store.
Mix in green leaves and there will probably be enough for another vase.
An easy way to get a feeling of some happiness.
Especially a rainy day like today.
Try it!
Tjingeling
A trip to the top!
Cuckoo!
With the purpose of getting two lovebirds out for some fresh air we headed out to one of my favorite places for outdoor activities.
It kind of have a magical impact on everyone passing through that fairytale forest.
Rocks are jumped on, tress are climbed and hills are being run up as quickly as possible.
No matter what age...
Sometimes you need help getting up but if you have a strong big brother there is no problem even when you aim for the biggest tree:)
When most of the trees were climbed we were also up at the top and were greeted with an endless view of the surroundings.
Whitch of course needed to be documented by everyone in our company.
I could not think of a better way to spend a Sunday :)
Wellness for both body and soul!
tjingeling
Where did the summer go?
Cuckoo!
I only have a week left here in my little paradise in Sweden.
A week!
Where did the summer go?
The pictures below are from our first week here (7 weeks ago) and the day welcomed us with a promising blue sky, fields of flowers and an embracingly summerish temperature.
We would have the whole summer ahead of us.
And now that summer is behind us instead.
Usually I come here to stop time.
This year it did not seem to work...
'I really try to catch all those moments but today I almost feel it has been too many of those.
Like I will not be able to cherish them all.
So my last week here will go in the snail's sign.
I will experience, smell and feel every single day left here in small portions and slow tempo so I have a chance to digest...
And I'm not only talking about cinnamon rolls:)
Tjingeling
My sisters...
Cuckoo!
Now all my sisters are gone for this summer.
Its the same procedure every year.
Two weeks filled of laughter, ice cream, cousins, beach, "scootering" and love.
But also tears, frustrations, exclusions and irritation.
Facing all these issues are of course very painful but luckily, since we are sisters, everything is kind of wrapped in a soft blanket of togetherness, understanding and love which makes it easier to heal...
And then we are back to laughing again:)
My sisters!
They are like different kind of beautiful roses that together makes a rose garden!
Tjingeling
Kittens, antiques and carrot cake.
Cuckoo!
The other day me and my sisters took a little trip out in the Swedish countryside to go visit a barn filled with antiques.
To the kids delight they also had kittens.
And to the moms delight they served home made carrot cake and other goodies:)
They did not have so many things that appealed to me so focus steered in to the directions of the kittens.
So cute, so small and so unpredictable.
From cuddles to scratches so to speak:)
But it was a sunny day, sisters and cousins around and I was served a tasty carrot cake.
A perfect way to spend a summerday!
Tjingeling
Another birthday.
Cuckoo!
My oldest son went from 18 to 19 years old today!
My beautiful, soft, sweethearted, stubborn and quiet son.
My annoying, intellectual, teasing and loyal oldest.
I can not tell him enough how proud I am that he is what he is (!).
How he irritates me, worries me, makes me laugh, cry, think and react.
This wonderful young man celebrated his 19th birthday today.
I can just say "wow".
And pat myself on my shoulder 😜...
Tjingeling
Bread love
Cuckoo!
While some in our family are focusing on becoming a bike heroe another one ( read me) seems to only be focusing on food.
At the moment I'm obsessed with all that beautiful bread that I can't find back in the US.
Organic and ecological, stone-baked and made with different flours, seeds, oats or nuts.
Not to mention the sweet section of the Swedish goodies.
My favorites are cardamom or cinnamon buns and blueberry bread...
The smell that surrounds the fresh-baked bread just taken out from the oven ( even bread from the bakery) and the way it wraps my kitchen in a homey and friendly hug just beats everything else.
The slice still warm, so the butter with sea salt melts, a cup of tea and i have the most perfect start of the day.
With less than three weeks before heading back im nurturing both my soul and my bread tummy with all these goodies as much as possible.
So much that I'm actually developing like a dough-like ring around my waste...
'Tjingeling
