Sweden holidays 2012 - Part 5: A week in the Swedish Archipelago

Out of all the things I miss the most from Sweden living in Switzerland (not counting people), is the sea...... For me, no environment can really compare to the one by the sea. It fills me with such tranquility! I love waking up and falling asleep to the sound of the waves, feeling the sea breeze on my face, having salty baths and in the evening, having these baths after a hot sauna! ...and last but not least, I can't get enough of all the stunning sunsets!!

I guess you could say my feelings for the sea is comparable to what the Swiss feels about the mountains....

Here's the photo blog from our week in Gräddö:

The waking up view, just outside our cabin....not every day, but those with sunshine ;)

Serious sibling talk? ;)

Caroline and Chris, defying the water temperature! As you should in summer time in the Archipelago =p

Relaxing on the pier

A classic Swedish dish on the pier at sunset: Smorgastarta (a kind of sandwhich cake)

One of the many amazing sunsets

Chris and I

Caroline

A jump for joy!

Fires in the evening to enhance the atmosphere (and keep mosquitos away ;))

Splash

Danny reading his book on the pier outside our cabin

....we had visitors! Omar, Josefina and their son Mateo came out for the day! 

....and we had burger lunch =p

Chris

Caroline fixing her fishing rod

Danny

My mom and Kalle came out for a day and here we are all going in to the sea after a HOT sauna =)) Sooooo refreshing!

They brought freshly picked Chanterelles and we used them to make a pasta dinner.....

Maybe not entrely easy to see, but there is a seal passing by out there =))) This is actually the first time I ever saw one in nature like this.... Two years ago, I heard them but never saw them.

Yet another stunning sunset view.....

Just one more photo blog post to go on the topic of our Sweden holidays, which will be about our final night and day at the cabin, a kind of family gathering ;)) Coming up soon!
xox

Sweet sweet life.....

A live photo update from one of my favorite spots by the Lac de Joux. 28 degrees in the air here with a nice, warm breeze and I'm listening to the sound of waves on the lake, touching the little wooden pier. The water is fresh and cooling, but not cold. The baby kicks are strong and frequent and my heart is filled with love!! My skin is getting overheated so am just about to take the plunge! I love this more than words can possibly describe... Photos might do the trick better ;))

Wishing you all a lovely Friday!!

xox

Days like these are precious treasures.....

I spotted these little lovely, delicate heart-shaped petals while walking... 

We woke up a bit late this morning, probably around 10:30-11'ish, using the fact that it's weekend and that we had no plans and while having breakfast, it was already 24 degrees and full sunshine with clouds so few and tiny that they didn't give any shade whatsoever. 


The afternoon was spent outdoors, walking around in our stunningly beautiful area and it was so hot that we decided to take a dip in the little mountain water brook, just close to our house (It was freeeeezing cold, probably not more than 15 degrees (MAX) but made us feel as good as new!). This was followed by  a, much warmer, bubble bath with facial and hair mask (just for me in case you were wondering ;)) and then a great Vegetarian Fried Rice dinner, cooked by Chris, on our balcony. An absolutely amazing way to spend the day!!


Here, a little update of what's happening currently and as of lately ;))

Currently, I'm........

Our view of Lac Leman (Lake of Geneva) this afternoon

Happy about: That summer is finally here!!! Every day is simply amazing!! 
Disappointed about: It would be impossible not to mention football here! I'm disappointed (not angry) that Sweden lost against Ukraine and England in the Euro 2012. It's true that we didn't play great in these games, but neither did our opponents frankly speaking, so in my opinion, it could have gone either way......a little bit of luck wouldn't have hurt and it never seems to be on our side in these kinds of tournaments.

The Raspberry cake from our landlords that we enjoyed, with some vanilla
ice cream for dessert! In the background, our own Raspberry bush, doing
quite well I must say =))

Thinking about: Right now, how to be able to get what we really need for the baby and not getting caught up in all of these absolute must-have-shopping-frenzies that all these baby magazines are inspiring you to go on. Have.To.Stay.Strong ;))
Listening to: Since we're sitting on the balcony, right now it's the sound of distant crickets, birds and cowbells (and Chris making the occasional comment about some airplane news he's reading in his favorite magazine ;)) ..... So lovely!!

Looking forward to: Everything!! =))

Eating: This amazing Raspberry pie/cake that our landlord baked and brought for us (while it was still warm I might add ;)). Sooooo yummy!! I'm pretty sure we have the best landlords in the history of mankind.

....surely not the warmest bath I've ever had, but nevertheless, amazing!

Watching: Alternating between this screen, the view from our balcony (great, green fields with a blue sky background) and  trailers for a few movies that we might watch later (right now, it's between "Safe house", "Jeff, who lives at home" and "21 Jump Street").

Wondering: How to celebrate Swedish Midsummer this year! It will be especially strange without the traditional Swedish Snaps! Not that I ever really enjoyed it, but it's just one of those traditions ;))

Planning: Things to do with my dad and his wife when they come to visit us! They arrive tomorrow evening and are staying here for 2 weeks. Will be fun!!

Feeling: The warm summer evening breeze in my face and our baby kick, frequently and LOTS! ....and I love it (besides the occasional kick on my bladder!! Ouch!) ;)

Inspired by: .....as you may have noticed, the weather!! Summer makes me feel like anything and everything is possible!

Thankful for: Being able to work less now so I can properly take care of myself and the little life growing inside of me. Strange feeling though for someone who always prioritized work and have worked at least 100% since 1998 (OMG!!!!!).

Remembering: The gorgeous afternoon I spent by the Lake of Geneva yesterday on a picnic blanket. It was especially lovely since I had the whole area more or less to myself and was then joined in the afternoon by my dear friend Greta who also joined us for BBQ, Mojito's and football in the evening. More of this pleeeeeeaaaaase =p 
Here, some snapshots from yesterday afternoon:

Summer in a bowl

Summer on a fork

Pure enjoyment caught on cam ;) 

My spot. Not too shabby I must say ;))

Wanting: Many MANY more summer days, just like these ones!! 

I hope you're all having a wonderful Saturday!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!! .....and if your team is lucky enough to still have a chance in the Euro 2012: May the best team win =))

xox

The feeling of Summer

A sweet, warm breeze blows by and softly strokes my face. The sun hits my eyes as I walk out from the shadow beneath the massive oak tree standing tall by the side of the road and it hits me hard, yet kindly......all the way into my heart. 

 There is a smell of freshly cut tall grass on sun-drying in the air! As I walk on, I see butterflies dancing in the air over the fields of barley, which are now dressed in multicolor. There is green, yellow and lightly golden with proud, brightly red poppies sporadically spread. I hear the sound of lawnmowers in the distance, the sound of buzzing bumblebees near my path and the sound of summer birds cheerfully twittering above my head. 

My skin is humid, a bit sticky even, and lightly tanned with a hint of freckles. I smell like sunshine and warm salt. I am thirsty and I daydream about lemonade, ice cream cones, soap bubbles, sun riped strawberries, running barefoot in the soft, green grass and jumping into the refreshingly cold lake.

It is impossible not to feel overwhelmed of happiness! It is magical! 

It's everywhere and all around! It's in front of me and inside of me. 

IT IS SUMMER!

xox