The light is back

Yes, finally. At least the light is back, you can really feel it. It is earlier light, at the end of the day it is much longer light and even during daytime it is getting slowly better. The sun is already climbing much more higher as in winter, so the days are less dark and grey. It has been a long time already. We started already 5 months ago. I used a lot of blue energy light to keep the mood upp. Even my plants got some extra help to get healthy through winter.

On the first of Februari it is Imbolc, the celebration day of the Celts. It is the moment the light is coming back. The godess Birgit stood symbol for the party of light. The sun is coming back and days getting longer for half a year. The Celts lived very close with nature, in the rythm of nature, mostly agricultural. They followed the sun and marked the time of year on a wooden stick. This is was also a to do list. What jobs to do in which season. In winter season (where the days are shorter as the nights), what started beginning of november with the Festival of the light called Samhain, it was mostly keeping busy with handcrafts and slowing down a little. Reload for the activities next half year. The new season started end of April. It is still celebrated in Sweden, being the celebration of the spring. It is called Valborgsafton in Sweden (also known as Walpurgisnacht in Germany). 

Photo de Charlie Sivlér sur Unsplash

Climate wise it is a very short season for gardening in Scandinavia. When you are lucky you can start early in spring but it can be frosty till the beginning of June. I remember a holiday time in the Norwegian mountains. In June the animals and plants come out of winter and have only three months to flower, set seeds as a guaranty for next generation. End of August there can be snow and frost again. 

In The Netherlands they have a much longer season. Of course situated more South and having a sea climate, a big difference. With a little luck you can start in your garden in March and the forst can come till half of May. Here in Sweden we have a land climate. That means it takes longer to wake up because the earth takes longer to warm as sea. 

This season it nearly hasn't been winter att all. Second time, like last year. It's still like having a very long autumn. Suddenly we got a surprise, one week with coldness and snow. We could even have a walk on the lake. We heard the typical sound of the ice, wonderful to experience. 

But it is a pity, it disappeared as suddenly as it arrived. Next day it was the normal grey and around 4 degrees again. Business as usual again. Hope to see you in spring, whenever it will start. Next step is less grey, more sun and above 5 degrees 🙏. 

See you next time!

Countdown for Christmas

It is nice to close the door for a while and go inside, waiting for the winter times. Not to be busy with other people or things. But just enjoying your own time. Doing the things you didn't have the time for before or in summer (because there is always something to do in a house on the countryside with a big garden). Time for traveling now and having good times meeting your dearest and nearest. Go out to enjoy a nice winterday with some sun. Go on the frozen ice when possible or making pictures from snowy trees. Or time to travel, having good times with family and friends by the fireplace.

It's also a very good season to clean up your house. Because when you get a bigger house your will get more stuff immediately, specially when you have been living there for some years. Like we, soon nearly 10 years 😏. So last weeks I started to sort out my stuff. It gives a good feeling to get rid of things you do not really need. Maybe I can sell some things in early spring. I want to keep the things what makes my feel happy or keep my busy in a pleasant way.  

For me it means creating nice Christmas decorations by myself. Of course not by buying cheap plastic things from China. I've have got a lot of decoration stuff from the years before. You only need some natural materials for the base. In the Netherlands I used to give workshops flower decorations, all year around but special in Christmas time. 

I love to create a Christmas feeling, to warm yourself with. I started a long time ago. When I would celebrate Christmas at home I started already early in november (when the weather gets dark and boring) with decorating my house, outside and inside. It makes me so happy. Just being busy with your hands. Feeling the creative flow in your body and getting out of your head. Forgetting the time...

I found a lot of traditional Christmas stories in Norway. The start was made when our friends moved to Norway and we had the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in the Norwegian way. The food was cooked in the tradition way, so we had dinner like much Norwegians. We ate pinnekjøtt and svineribbe with beer and aquavit aside. Or like the tradition to take care of your ancestors outside of your house by offering them some rise and a drink. Or to the birds around the house, some food in form of a bun of corn called a Julenek . I really love them. I still think we can learn a lot of this traditions. It's a way of getting through the winter they found out a long time ago. Just go with the flow and be creative. Reflect on the last years experiences. Find some me time, real quality time. Find what feels good for yourself. Never mind the world around you, it will go on turning any way. Better you feel as good as possible. 

That's really me time. No hurry, No worry. Time to slowdown. Like the animals do. Just taking the time to have a very long sleep in wintertime. It would fit me too.

The garden is totally asleep now. Even the weeds stopped growing. I'm lucky I managed to go weeding in autumn for a long time, so nearly the total garden was done. Only the gravelpath needs still some attention, maybe I can fixe it in between partly when we have a single good day (not to cold or wet). The first servere frost arrived last week, only some days. Till that moment, there were some tough guys still flowering but now they are finished. The plants are back in the ground, making new roots for next season to grow and flower again.  For now the garden season is closed. 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. 

Lights in the dark

Most of the people know Rudolf the red nosed rendeer, of course. Influenced by all the american films and videos. But for those who don't know... The rendeer pull the sledge with Santa Claus through the universum to bring the presents all over the world. So that;s why we see their sculptures everywhere in Christmas Time. These ones have been seen in Stockholm City. They put a big effort in Christmas lightning and I want to recommend it to every one, it's worth visiting. 

But did you know the story about the Christmas balls? The one you can see above is a very big old fashioned one, called witches ball. They are about 15 - 20 cm diameter. You can still find them on antique markets. In former times they put them in front of the windows to scare the witches by the glitter. Maybe that's why we still have Christmas balls in the Christmas tree.

As you can see they created a nice lightning of Christmas balls in Malmö. Actually they made a couch in it, so you can sit in it for taking a selfie or picture. 

Beside of the Christmas Balls they made a fantastic lightning in the central park too. With endless presents, bells and hearts in the trees. But also rabbits and rendeer of course. For now I just want to wish every one a very good new year. Or like they say in Sweden "Bra Fortsättning". With beautiful nice travels, chances to meet new people and possibilities to discover.  Don't forget, it is not about making as much money as possible. 

Christmas Time again

 

Finally we are there again, the last week before Christmas. Last dark days. And they have been very dark, after the snow disappeared. It felt like the evening time every day. But now on the way to the light again... Next Friday the days will be longer again, before we know time will be running and it will be Midsommar again 😁.

Before I close this year on my blog I like to wish every one a very nice time together with family and friends. And even the ones who are not that close this year, just know, there is always some one for you, you are always in some ones heart. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. See you next year!

Typical winter magic

 

It's Advent time. Every week one more candle to burn till we have four burning the last Sunday before Christmas. Only some days to go before we get more daylight again. It feel like time flies in some ways (Though the very dark days could go little faster when yo ask me...). But anyway, soon another year is gone. I really hope you can enjoy these weeks, together with friends and family. For me it's ok to get inside more and enjoy the warmth inside. Take a book to read, a very sweet film and prepare the house for Christmas visitors. Maybe even think about last year, before I start planning for next year. 

We've been visiting some places of Lingonställen last weekend with my neighbor friend. We bought good meat for Christmas at Kastebergs Gard and a special natural Christmas present at Lamm och Lera in Lagan. We also planned a short visit at the original hometown of Ikea, in Älmhult. A very small village in the middle of Småland where most of all companies belong to Ikea or are working for Ikea. Such as a Ikea of Sweden (including the Design Company), Ikea distribution, Ikea hotel, Ikea Congres Centre, Ikea Museum, Ikea Fyndis (special offer area) and finally also a normal Ikea store. They serve the traditional Julbord these weeks and it looked very popular because people were queuing to take part of it. We didn't taste this time, I'm happy we just had a quick visit. 

On the way to Älmhult we passed a very nice lighted marketplace in Liatorp. We went there for a visit on the way back. We visited both the loppisplace you can find beside of the postbox for Santa Claus and had a very nice fika in a Smålandsk atmosphere. We even trained our Smålands dialect...

Some weeks ago we were surprised by the spectacular Northern Light from my home in the western part of Småland Sweden. Of course we live in the woods, so there's not that much disturbing light. No streetlight, only around the houses. But I didn't know I just needed to walk about 200 meters to be able to spot it. Last winter a went to another lake in the neighborhood. I think I was very lucky too, it could have been in the middle of the night too. Now I just went out in the beginning of the evening, looked for the north, waited some minutes and the Northern Light show started. I even managed to make pictures with my mobile. 

Before the snow I managed to make a wonderful picture of the beautiful frozen winter lake. Mostly when it's frozen, there is also snow. But not this time, it was perfect black ice! Only shortly, before I could try out to skate is was covered with snow. When I finish snow shuffling around my house and drive way, I didn't have the energy left to clean the ice too for a skating lane. 

I made a sort of workplace inside, because of the coldness and snow outside in November and December. After autumn, I just can't wait preparing for Christmas (before the first of Advent). I could spend all days making Christmas Decorations. To decorate my house inside and outside, to try out new things and make some decorations for the people around me. Even my friend Petra, who was some days in Sweden in the neighborhood (only one hour driving one way 😜) visit me to make something together. Because we both like it so much. The result was a very nice natural green Christmas star. 

Jullingonrundan 2&3 december 2023

 

Sorry, we are closed. It's too cold outside for gardening. But there are many colleagues who open their doors in wintertime, who like to see you. They join the lingonrundan. A network of small companies on the countryside in Western Småland. The weekend of 2 & 3 December some of them will join the Jullingonrundan. 

Obs: Please check their homesides for opening 😉times before driving...

We like to see you in summer again. For now, in these dark days, we prepare for Advent & Christmas time. We put on the lights in the darkness outside and enjoy the quality time inside. 

Of course we hope to start gardening again soon, but I'm afraid it will be March or April before we can start. Hope to see you soon. Can't wait....

 

For now I like to wish you a cosy First Advent time with family and friends. Enjoy the wintertime 😄

God fortsättning

Afbeelding van Dorothe via Pixabay 

God fortsättning...Tack det samma!

That's what they say here in Sweden in januari (what I learned last weeks from my neighbors 😉). It means: all the best for the new year. Thanks, same to you!

I hope you all had a really good free time with family and friends. Lot's of laughter, relaxmoments and warmth. Experiencing celebrating by tasting new or traditional Christmas recipes and played some old fashioned table games together. Maybe you have got some dreams in mind for the next year.

We enjoyed the very nice frozen world and snowy times just before X-mas, it was beautiful. I'm so glad we still have the memories. Later we got really challenged by the weather. It started raining before Christmas, till now. Already more then 3 weeks with very dark cloudy days and lots of rain. In between I only saw some sun twice - for some hours. It very hard to wake up in the morning or to stay awake during daytime when the darkness feels like it's evening time. Even worse, your body system will slow down even more and your brains are not in the mood for doing anything 😴. The good news is though that all the water wells in this neighborhood finally are filled up again for the first time in some years (Many around us still had problems in summertime). The ground waterlevel is normal again, the level in the lake is high.

Next week it's Blue Monday, the most depressing Monday of the year. I can understand why they call it like that. All the joyful times seems to be far away now, next holiday are far away too and there are a lot of must do's now. The days are still short and dark. This rainy weather isn't helping to make it more comfortable. So if your not in the mood for wintersleep or simply don't have the time: Come on and let's bust the blues... 

• Keep active outside. Go outside as much as possible. Take that walk in lunchtime, even when it's raining (you only get wet). Outside it's much more light then inside your house or office.
• Move. Start with your body exercise, join an internet side for a fitness or yoga session at home. 
• Ignore. Try not to look outside too much (things grow bigger when they get attention) and keep busy with something you like.
• Make plans.  Plans you really enjoy and can look forward to for short- and long terms.
• Set goals, to fill up your next days to start with. With funny things, new challenges, a try out hobby or something different you just never did before. When you enjoy it it will fill up your next months too, because you will forget the time. 
• Keep dreaming. Like me, I'm longing for spring. I can't wait for the plants to come out again and starting growing for the new season. I'm dreaming about new creations to make one day. I'm making planting plans, thinking about the jobs to do and preparing inside for sowing seeds. So if real winter doesn't want to come anymore let's start dreaming about spring soon...😄.

Let be spring soon 🙏

For now it's already dark again (around 16 o'clock), time to start my yoga session of the day. We went outside during lunchtime for some kilometers walk, worked on our projects and did our fitness session. I hope you will find your way too! 

PS: I've been writing about winter blues before, so if you want to have some more tips or information you can find it here. 

God Jul & Gott Nytt år

 

We wish every one reading this blog a very nice Christmas Time, where ever you are or with whom. I wish you all the warmth you need 💖, with all you're nearest and dearest in the the neighborhood. I will burn some candles for all those who can't be close just now.... We only can hope for better times 🙏

See you next year! With love Brun 😘

Take your chance for special Christmas presents

Last time to go out and visit one of the Lingonställen in your surroundings this year. I've been looking at some of these places, they really offer nice and special presents. Take your chance!

Stegaryd Sjöbygget is closed this time of the year but we warmly recommend the places who have opened this time. You can find places of your interest here: Lingonrundan Jul 26-27-11 & 17/12/2022

It's really worth your visit! 

But next year we like to welcome you again in our garden for a coffee, a cake or some plants. All homemade of course! Depending on the weather we will open soner or later in spring, Vi ses!

First of Advent again

Start of the Christmas Time in Sweden. And I can say: It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

In the shops it's totally Christmas, as well on the streets in the city and the private houses along the road. Only some weeks to go. Hoping for some snow to come.

I've been very creatieve last time (I was inside anyway 😜) and I have been working on Christmas decorations to create a real Christmas house. I like working with natural materials of course. I like them very much (the ferns, the mossa and pine cones) but it's also so difficult to buy suitable natural decorating stuff and very expensive too, when it is possible to buy it at all. Beside of that the assortment on the countryside in Sweden is very small, in the cities it is much better. 

For me it's always the best time of year. I like to decorate, to make new creations, to use new colors. It's like party time packing out all boxes with Christmas stuff. With a good herbs tea (filled up with pomorans, kardemomma, cinnamom and fresh ginger). a fresh baked almonds cake and a warm fireplace the ideal start of this time. When you need some inspiration, have a look on my earlier posts about Christmas decorations. And of course Pinterest is a good source to find extra inspiration. You can find me there too!

Meanwhile we take the time to visit some Lingonställer in the neighborhood, worth recommendation. Late Sunday afternoon there's the yearly Julskyltning in Ljungby. It's sort of partytime, with Christmas market, opened shops, Santa Claus and time to put on the lights of the enormous Christmas tree. 

We wish you lot's of luck next weeks. I know in working times it is always the most busy time of the year. We try to keep busy in the dark, starting to count down for Christmas....only 4 weeks to go.

By the way, we got just a little sun last week (just before going down again). I saw it on the perfect spot, at lake Flyxen. See you soon....😏

Typical november days?

Strange times, every thing keeps growing... So I have been cutting the gras again by hand, the robot was already in wintersleep so I did it myself. It is the beginning of november.... some years we already had snow. Or we had very grey days, below 7 degrees. But til half of November it was daytime 10-12 degrees. 

The birds start singing again, we even saw some flying around with nesting materials 😂. We are lucky too.... we have been sowing gras , its already growing. It looks totally green right now. We still could plant, also on the new empty places. 

Later it got a little more cold, no sun at all anymore and very grey, misty and wet as usual in November. Real Småland colors. Must difficult time of the year for us. It feels like being dark whole day, getting a little light late and very early dark again. Your body doesn't wake up anymore and wants to sleep all day. We tried to be outside as possible to get more light but we still needed our blue light again, to keep fit. We fixed all the before winter jobs, like closing the watertaps, empty the rain barrels and protect some special plants. I was very happy i could place them in one of my neighbors places for winter time. We also spread a lot of compost around the whole garden, covered by a leaf deck. It protects the plants for the frost and it creates a mulch layer for next year, so the ground won't dry out that quick. One of the last jobs was to clean the gras form leaves,which we managed, just in time.

Suddenly winter came and we got some very cold nights and snow. Beautiful, it really lights the days here in Småland. I really enjoyed the days outside, cleaning the paths (no more fitnesstraining needed now 😅) and making pictures from the snow, sending to friends and family. It is so beautiful, it filled my heart with so much warmth. And you know what? The good thing is, less then 5 weeks to go and the days will get longer and lighter again.

Time to start with Christmas decorations soon, let's put the music on....

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

Advents Time is coming closer

Nearly time to go out and visit one of the Lingonställen in your surroundings. We are closed this time of the year but we recommend the places who have opened this time. You can find places of your interest here: Lingonrundan Jul 26-27-11 & 17/12/2022

It's really worth your visit! 

Very recently I saw already a glimpse of the Santa Claus office somewhere....Did you see it too?