Here We Go

H&M Home launched their Christmas today (how early is too early?). They know their stuff, there's no denying it. Our first Christmas campaigns are coming out in a couple of weeks. I've found myself thinking about Advent and how to do things a little different this year. Are you there yet?

The Kind Of Mother I Am

Blanka and Wilhelm found their baby journals yesterday (another reason not to clean the house too often: everything looks very interesting and inviting afterwards). And they were delighted at first and not so much after a second when they realised that the books were more or less empty. "But Mommy, why?" Not my favourite words in the world. But what am I supposed to tell them? "You cried so much, blessed child of mine, that my head wasn't properly screwed on for the first six month of your life?" Or "You see, as child number two there really wasn't that much focus on your daily progress, my hands were full, literally speaking." I opted out for the "Hohum, tiddlepom, oh what's that out the window?"

Maybe one day I'll print this blog for them to read instead. A baby book of sorts. With a little editing.

Change

On Thursday, as we walked home through the woods, there was a new smell in the air.
The day was cold and beautiful and suddenly the comforting smell of mushrooms and wet leaves was gone.
Blanka asked me to stop and together we turned our faces upwards under a big fir.
"It smells like Christmas" she said. And it did.
But even more it smelled like winter.
We hurried home in the bright sunlight and lit a fire as we came in.
Friday morning the ground was covered in snow.

Oh Happy Day!

My heart is full.
No, my heart is flooded!
I'm singing. I'm bouncy. I'm a bloody puppy!
Oh, how great to be a puppy.
This picture has nothing to do with this.
But look at him.
If I've done nothing right or good in my life,
at least I had a hand in the making of this boy.
And that, my friends, makes all the difference.

Will get back to you on the puppiness.

And It's Sunday

Friday afternoon we left the city too late and got stuck in traffic, but after the initial oh no's we really didn't mind. We had m&m's and Bleecker Street and the world was our oyster.
It's a good thing to have the world as one's oyster once in a while.
Mariefred and the B&B was just what the doctor ordered. We celebrated by buying gifts for mom and the children, like we'd been gone a long time, not just overnight.
It was a good break. A much needed one, I think.
And tonight when I put Blanka to bed she said "Ah, it's good to have everything back to normal again." and fell right asleep.
I hope we can keep a little of Friday with us in the week to come.
In the middle of everything back to normal.

Thanks for reading. I hope yours was a good one.

I Had To Tell Him

He was making all kinds of plans for his afternoon, meetings here and meetings there and drinks there and did I want to come up to the office just to say hello and something else or other. So I had to tell him. He was very happy. So tonight we're staying here, leaving the city this afternoon when work is done and Friday begins and the weekend is long and full of all things good.

Open up them engines, let them roar,
tearing up the highway like a big ol' dinosaur.

Conversation

Mary: When you were, say nineteen, what was the one part of your body that you knew you "had"? You know, like one part you could always count on. That wouldn't let you down. You know, that let you get away with things!
Me: (thinking hard) Umm, my ass?
Mary: (checks me out) Yeah, yep. Yes, I can see that. Yes.
Me: How about you?
Mary: (acting all surprised) Me?
Me: Yes, you. Gimme a break.
Mary: Umm, yes... I guess for me it was, umm... My whole body.
Me: (stunned silence)
Mary: Well, you know...
Me: (stunned silence)
Mary: But it was! Sorry! It was!
Me: (not having to check her out) Yeah. I know.

I would hate her if I didn't love her. Oh, and she's six months pregnant while uttering this. With child number three. Would definitely hate her if I didn't love her.

Dear Elfrida Fallowfield

With a name like that, how could your shoes be anything but?

A Good Night

I sang my baby to sleep. He wasn't tired, he wanted me to read something, read some more, tell me a story, sing for me, sing me something new. So I did. Not something new, but something he hadn't heard in a while.

God bless mommy and match box cars
God bless daddy and thanks for the stars
God hears "Amen" wherever we are
And I love you.
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
And my love will fly to you
each night on angels wings
Godspeed

That's a good song. Good night everyone. Sweet dreams. Godspeed.

Dear Darling

(Yes, I borrowed this from somewhere and I can't remember where. This is so not blog protocol, and I'm feeling very guilty. Please forgive me, great powers of the blogosphere. I will make amends.)

Bit Of A Blur

There are too many things going on right now, I can't focus. I have so many things to write about, but each day end up writing nothing instead. It's just that kind of week, no, weeks. But I miss this space and can't stay away for long, even when I have nothing to share but incoherent ramblings. So, my apologies. And here goes:

• Blanka is going through a religious phase. Today she made a crucifix out of her arm and a packet of bacon. "Look! It's where Jesus lived! But now he's dead."
• I'm reading Life Of Pi again and so far it's not the best idea I've ever had. (Don't get me wrong, I love this book. But maybe I shouldn't read it again? Ahh, again with the focus.)
  
• Driving lessons aplenty, six only this week. Will it ever happen? The license, I mean.
• New tenant moving in next month. Our first guy. Fingers crossed.
• Jesper's found a store that sells Reese's! Not Peanutbutter Cups, but still. I'm pretty much in heaven.
• My mother and I shared a glass of champagne yesterday. An excellent beverage, if ever there was one.
• This photo is from August 13th and a lovely dinner under the apple trees. Hej Sanna!
• Wagamama is opening in Stockholm. Imagine my joy! Wagamama and Reese's in the same week.
• J's reading the new John Le Carré (hullo!) and he's taking forever. This might be a good thing though, if my brain's not even up to composing a blog post, maybe Great Literature should wait.
• Philip Pullman is in Stockholm and my dear friend Lisch is having dinner with him tonight. I've given her a book for him to sign. Please please please make him do it! Have you read His Dark Materials? Congrats if not, you're in for a treat.
• I'm on the sofa that once stood here. I have a cup of tea and the aforementioned Reese's and there's a fire burning.
• And one day I will tell you why I can't focus today. Or maybe I won't. In any case, I hope to see you here again.

Love and thanks for reading,
A.

Remember This?

This is exactly what my makeup looks like today.
Note to self: If your husband suddenly notices your blusher, you're probably wearing too much.

Gotland Continued

They were the last days of summer.


They were the last days of many things and beautiful in many ways.



I look at these pictures and feel like they were taken years ago.


But they weren't.


They're two weeks old.


Two weeks old.


They make me wonder what the next two weeks will hold?

Life List Continued

Since last time I've actually grown my own vegetables. It was even better than I imagined. And I'm working on the "learn how to drive" part. Today I'd like to add the following:

• Buy a good camera and learn how to use it
• Live close to nature (preferably some kind of English nature)
• Write for a magazine
• Hold a lecture (not to my children)
• Learn how to sew

What's new on yours?

Homestead Happiness

We finally have a gate. A homemade one! Superdad made it. He and Jesper installed it (hard work if ever there was any). Am over myself with joy. Tallyho!