When I was 16 and going off for my high-school exchange year, I really wanted to go to California. To Los Angeles. I was totally smitten with Hollywood and I pictured myself as a future lawyer (clearly, too much L.A. Law had been consumed) living in Beverly Hills, with my very own pool boy. I…
Category: Pictures
Review – England by train
Before we start, I’m aware the heading is somewhat exaggerated, we weren’t even close to half of England, but bare with me. Our journey started, as mentioned in previous post, in Manchester. Something we realized was somewhat unnecessary when the itinerary was final. But as said, Manchester is grand and a trip there is not…
And just like that
it’s over. Or really, for him, it’s a start of something new, something different, exiting and sometimes troublesome. But, its not the end. It’s the beginning. To watch your children graduate is special. Yesterday it was our youngest’s turn. Graduation is wired, as you remember your own. Regarding the weather- the gods were on our…
Prom
Time again. Last time was three years ago. Same venue different kid, different lady. Not much to talk about. I was worried about the weather. It turned out to be a great evening.
Italy 2025 🇮🇹
The Mr and I, with two friends, went to Italy. To Puglia/Apulia for a long week-end. The weather was not really what we expected and that made it harder (to not say impossible) to sit outside. But memories were made. I conclude them as:
Dog = happiness
We must be more happy. We dog people. Juni sleeps in our bed (of course). And how lovely the sunggels are. I feel in my entire body how good it is for me. It’s soothing. Her warmth, her soft fur, her breaths. Studies do show that dog owners are happier and are less often depressed….
It’s June
Well, it’s March, but we have June (Juni as her Swedish name is, meaning June). We picked her up today ❤️. All since we said goodbye to Buddy in August last year, we’ve been thinking about it. Getting a second dog. I will not lie, the last time with Buddy required us to walk them…
Life
In the bigger perspective life is daunting right now. But here. In my backyard with spring weather, it’s grand. Absolute grand.
A Moment of Gratitude
While sitting by myself in the candle light by our dining table, playing tranquil Swedish Christmas songs, the dog sleeps peacefully on the sofa and the boys in their beds (the Mr is off to work). I reflect over how I feel in this very moment. Except for missing my dad (who loved Christmas) I…
An End of an Era
Motherhood, what a journey it is. Our trip to NYC made it so clear to me, that my boys are adults and “we” are now something new, something different, something I haven’t fully understood. I have always striven to get independent children. That’s why I have made sure that they can handle the basics of…
The Value of Creativity
In our current economic system, efficiency is everything. Things should happen fast and with an OK result. But the result is always subordinate the time and cost it takes to create the result. Why isn’t the creative process valued? I’m thinking what the process does with the creator. The feelings, thoughts the possible added outcomes…
Stop it, just stop it now
No I’m not talking about the scolding happening at the other side of the pond. I’m talking about life. Tuesday our little one (who turned 18 little over a month ago and thereby is an adult in the eyes of society) got his driver’s license. In Sweden you don’t get to have a driver’s license…
The Best
Friends from kindergarten, middle, junior high and high school came together this weekend to celebrate our common friend turning 50! Me and friends turning 50 is great, even if I have a hard time comprehending this fact, we are so young. Over the years I’ve told about my best friend in the blog and I’…
More grief
2024 is not turning out to be my best year. Dad this winter, Buddy yesterday. He has been on our radar for some time. After all he was over 13 years. Over the last year we’ve seen an old man a slowly aging and with a disintegrating body. An arthritis which was subdued with medication,…
Physical & mental movement
We hear it almost daily, that our kids (and many adults) don’t get enough exercise on a daily basis leading to all sort of negative things. Many times before, I have proudly told you (yes, bragged), what an outstanding person I am, who not only exercise regularly but I do it so very early in…
Light blue light
Today I took our little girl down to the beach after dropping F off at the train station. What a beautiful morning it was! The sky was light blue and pearly. It was just another day to be happy to be alive. How good of me to enjoy it! Now it’s more an everyday grey,…
A good start
The old year ended and the good year has started well. We managed to stay healthy (feels like we are almost the only ones, Covid19, flu and colds march through humanity around us). We have altered sleeping in the sofa with work and I managed with in the first week of the year to go…
Wanting more
For the Mr’s 50th birthday we were off to Edinburgh for a long weekend (Thursday-Monday). The four of us. A Scottish friend of mine advised us to stay in the city as we were only being there for 3,5 days. She was (naturally) right. So we have to come back for more of both the…
Breaks
I must realize that breaks are important. I’m the master of efficiency. But I have fooled myself to think that it only comes with me sitting in front of a computer. When I allow myself to break free and take a break, usually a walk with the dogs so many good ideas and perspective land…
What we’ve done so far
During my husband’s vacation we have been to two concerts. Very happy we had the Swedish 80’s pop boy band Gyllene Tider prior to Coldplay’s. It would have been hard for any other concert to measure up to Coldplay. The Music of the Spheres Tour is AMAZING. But it was nice to have the boys…
Redoing
When it comes to interior design I’m not much for changes. When I’ve found the way I want things they tend to stay there. And replacing what I have just for fun, is something neither my wallet or my respect of the environment would tolerate. But yesterday I replaced one of my favourite pictures, taken…
In Italy we…
Well, to tell you the truth we mainly drank and ate during our trip in Italy. I also worshiped all the wonderful exteriors this country (and now my camera’s memory cards) is FILLED with. We had some plans before leaving. Visit to a home chef, wine tasting by e-bike and a local guide in Verona….
Why it’s been quiet
Because I’ve been busy traveling Lombardy and Veneto with the love of my life. 30 years ago we hooked up and the Mr was determined we should celebrate this grandly by going to Italy. Years ago he went to Bergamo for training camp with one of his teams. He has wanted to go back ever…
The nicest thing I ever heard
Yesterday at the municipality’s business festival (which I believe has the best location in Sweden, Norrvikens trädgårdar), I ran in to an old acquaintance and former board colleague. We talked about the years that passed and how the kids are getting older, but that I don’t think Sam is ready to move out. Then she…
Being a mum (parent)
Facebook reminded me about a memory. Today 11 years ago Fabian and I had one of our recurrent FFFs – Friday Fika with Fabian. Maybe it was these weekly visitis to the different cafés in the area that lay the foundation for today’s relationship. Still, much of my time is spent on being the housekeeper…
Cherry blossom
My absolute favourite time of year. Spring. When the cherry trees blossom. LOVE IT. I have some kind of obsession that I must photograph them E.V.E.R.Y year. Well it’s done now. But knowing myself I will be out there again soon.
New season is on
Two weeks back the training matches started for F. I have promised both him and myself to take more pictures this year. It’s fun, because the boys apparently likes it and I often get the question if the camera will join.
How a mother knows
Two times in half a week, I’ve been able to tell there was something going on, just by looking at my boys (to other peoples defense, my children are the worst liars). But it’s nice to know that we are that connected and that they trust me to be honest once I ask.
From us all to you all
So it’s here, Christmas. Yesterday was spent with my parents just because we want to be home and safe on Christmas Eve and not stressing, something we deciderat long before we had children. I wish all a safe and good Christmas and for 2023 I hope for more common sense with everyone everywhere. We’re now…
Only five to go
Today is Fabian’s last day of the term/semester. Only five more to go then he too, is out of school. Can’t be reminded often enough how fast life goes. Yesterday was our annual Christmas cooking eve. For years we have forced the boys to be present in the traditional meatball making, now I think they…
Winter’s coming
This post I should have written a week ago. Now winter is here and according to the weather reports gone by Monday. It would have been great with a white Christmas. Today it was -18 C when Sam drove from work around 7 am. When walking Tesla (yes, with my studs) it was only -15…
I’m not alone
Had lunch with a friend of mine. We talked about life and what’s happening and came to the conclusion we share an issue. We are both mother’s of two sons in similar age, not that I think that our offsprings’ gender has too much to about our common dilemma, which is – our ability to…
Season’s over
Today Fabian and his team played their last game for this season. A win. It’s been a tough and educational season as they played the top league. Now training continues as it does until Christmas comes. You gotta love football.
How I wish…
… I was a manson (gender neutral word for a person that could be any person but most likely is a man). Then I could walk around life with no idea of anything not directly connected to my own (as in me) life. Things around the kids (birthdays, friends, shoe size, schedules etc etc) or…
Play date
So her best Ridgeback friend is down at her summer home and we were invited to come play. Great times!
Trying out the new camera
Bought myself a new mobile phone the other day. Haven’t done that in four years. The camera is really an upgrade and since the kids don’t want to model, I go for the little princess.
The Friendship Inn
Last week it was Gothia Cup, the largest football youth cup. Fabbe’s team was there. His first time. As the mother I am, and can be. I took my work computer and camera and logged in at The Friendship Inn. Once again my childhood friend opened her doors for me and lend me a bed….
Time for someone else
The Mr and I caught up time with a “date night”. Football was on the agenda. The Mr is, as you are well aware of, assistant coach for Halmstad bollklubbs (HBK) boys aged 16 and have season tickets. We took the train (so strange, but good for us to skip the car) and then I…
Paris report – Day #2
Today we went in the opposite direction – towards Champs-Élysées. The mission was the same. Find a good deal. If the findings were, I’m not the one to tell. But I understood that the PSG jersey was. Even-though it is last season’s model (and most possibly therefore it was a bargain). I feel unbelievable blessed…
Paris report – Day #1
I must say Fabian is somewhat modest when his uses the word “good” in his review of the day. At one time he was saying that his mind was spinning of the huge supply especially as it’s combined with a sale to up to 50%! We stated our day at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. From there…
And the little one ❤️
Last day in junior high for this lad. I just can’t believe what time has done. I know I sound like a broken record but I just don’t. I’m so proud of both my boys.
Too little attention
She thinks she’s gotten too little attention lately. The human children eating all the lime light. so, here she is – our little princess/diva. And our four legged prince.
Check ✅
An immense milestone was reach yesterday for our first born. Driving license. Oh they joy. It has been a somewhat struggle, but he kept the spirit, with strong support from his partens (primarily his mother I’d say). For me as a parent it’s paradox feeling. Happy for his success but also worried for the fact…
Fun times
My biggest inability as a mother has been playing with my children. Lego building there has been some of and and cuddles and watching films. But imaginary games, not so much. Another thing that has been around has been board games and playing cards. The latter one is one of the most common things we…
Our princess
She’s so precious our little princess. Love her to death we do.
Spring
In a couple of weeks (if just the temperature will rise some more) our garden will peak. Our cherry blossoms are divine. DIVINE.
Maundy Thursday’s egg hunt
I think I have a small hunch to why, we in our household, have the Easter egg hunt on Maundy Thursday. In Sweden kids dress up as Easter witches on Maundy Thursday and goes “trick or treating” (or just treating – meaning walking around the neighbourhood asking for money or candy) before leaving for Blåkulla….
Good Friday playdate
Once upon a time Good Fridays were just like like we call them in Sweden Long Fridays. Because you couldn’t do anything and TV and (more common at the time) radio was just depressing organ music. This is what I’ve been told by my parents, I wasn’t born in these bleak times or at least…
Louise Dock 