Tiny gems, graveyard flowers and neon crosses.

In the middle of nowhere, not close to any larger cities and off the beaten path we found 3 or 4 or 5 of these medieval little gems...

and suddenly I remember coming to Canada for the first time and wondering where all the churches were...a pink neon cross on a plain house was a culture shock then as much as seeing this is to me now, 10 years later.

...we lit candles for missed ones...

...admired the tiny details on every surface..

...and tried to explain to a couple of toddlers why you can't pick flowers off graves..

Minea's Swedish Birthday Celebration

I just stared at this picture for 10 minutes trying to figure out what Minea is holding in her hand (it's a square taco shell!) moving on...

Since we were all together for a week in the cabin we decided to have little birthday party for Minea. We hung flags and balloons in the trees and made a train ice cream cake that I was extra pleased with. 

"How are we going to get all this stuff back home" is what Venessa is thinking here.

Minea got spoiled as always. Eating ice cream and running around barefoot is pretty much the perfect way to spend a sunny (windy) afternoon.

Magic light, wood floors and childhood memories

Our annual family cabin (more like giant house) week is the highlight of the year for me. A whole week away with new sights, long dinners and of course unlimited family time. This year we really lucked out with this place, I mean...I can't even explain how much I loved this place. The light was magical, at any time of day, the surrounding fields with the old stone walls used to keep cattle from escaping in the old days. From the huge fruit trees (I can only imagine what they look like in full bloom) to the old creaking wood floors and the earth cellar carefully built up on rocks. I wanted to move here and live happy ever after, amen! 

I don't think this pile of sand was meant to be a sandbox for kids but that it became!

a rare moment of them not fighting

I mean...the light! 

little cousins big world

the light!

My brother drove down from Stockholm a couple of days after his 30th birthday so a big feast was to be expected

evenings like these are what childhood memories are made of

did I mention the light?

Somewhere in the ruins...

Hello 1287, billowing oak trees and glittering moats

we spent a day with the whole family exploring churches, country stores and ruins

and taking a few snapshots of my beautiful pregnant sister

the things this kid has seen already, I can't wait to show her more of the world

you make me feel things old stone walls

Rose hips, empty beaches and neon bikinis.

Another cold and windy day ahead but we had our minds set on a beach walk. And some boat sightseeing. 

I almost prefer this, an empty canvas, not yet painted with beach towels and neon bikinis and inflatable beach toys. 

I will never tire of this view, whether she's dressed in grey or blue.

Grassy sand dunes with wild rose hips is the perfect backdrop.