Excitement early Monday morning

Yesterday morning, Monday Nov 25th, a cargo ship hit ground very close to the coast of Torsö, just 10 minutes from our town, Nogersund. Christer had just taken Elin to school in Bromölla and called me to see if I wanted to tag along to see the accident.

No one else was there, but the coast guard out on the ship and on their own vessel. Chris and I walked around taking pictures and talking about the excitement. We realized that Listerlandet, the part of the region where we live, would later that day be very crowded with journalists and photographers. Right at that minute, I was the first one to catch it. I send a few pics to a newspaper and they quickly responded. They called and asked about the grounding, which Chris got to tell them. Both our names ended up in the article along with my photo. That was not the first time I get my photos published like that, but it's the first time I get payed.

Until we meet again… A big hug!

Swedish meatballs

Ever since Mom got sick, my Dad had to take over the kitchen and other house duties. When Mom died, almost two years ago, he was already used to it. He manages quite well and cooks all kinds of food. When I cook something special, like food that are best made in large quantities, I always take portions to him. Today, I made a big batch of Swedish meatballs for him. Not that he can't make that himself, but the minced pork was on sale in the grocery store close to where we live. Rather than just bring the meat to him, I decided to make the meatballs first. Now he can just take as many as he needs from the freezer and boil potatoes or macaroni to go with them.

Until we meet again... A big hug!

The Love of my Life

I've had many male friends in my life, but not very many boyfriends. I haven't been picky or so, just not all that interested in having a relationship. I enjoyed being single through most of my youth. The relationships I did have didn't last very long. I got bored or felt tied down very fast. The four years with Elin's dad was by far the longest until I met Christer. I was a single mom for almost 8 years and was fine with it. The HE came into my life.

Chrille (Swedish nickname for Christer) is a year and a half older than I am. We grew up under similar conditions and even went to the sam High school, but we never actually met until June 2006. He had been working with my Dad since 1994, but he never knew I excisted. We first met at a small party before going to Sweden Rock Festival. Chris was going to be the driver.

I wasn't feeling very well that evening, but wanted to see a couple of the hard rock bands playing at the festival. I tagged along. Chris and I started talking about the fact that we had so much in common but never had known about each other before. Chris dropped us off outside the gates and told us he only had time to drive one turn back at midnight. He was on call, so if we wanted to stay until the end (1.30-2am) we had to find another ride home. Since I had a terrible stomach ache, I decided to catch a ride with him.

The car rides to and from the festival led to us talking via text messages during the next double of weeks. The World Cup of Football (soccer) was going on, so that common interest was a great topic to make us get to know each other. I stopped by his house a couple of times, to visit, and I guess we got more and more fond of each others company. By Midsummer (in that year, June 23rd) we had just stayed good friends. On Midsummer's Day, June 24th, we crossed that line and from that date, we're a couple.

In a month, Dec 24th, we've been together for 7,5 years, which is the longest relationship either of us has ever had. We've had our ups and downs, but mostly it's been up, up, up.

Chris is the greatest guy. I love him so much. He's been so good to my daughter from the first day he met her. He really loves her like his own. He's kind and considerate. He puts everybody else before himself. We have so much fun together and even though we don't always see eye to eye, we can always find a good solution. I wouldn't trade him off for any other guy in the world. Chris is perfect for me.

Until we meet again… A big hug!

The Wedding photographer

I've always loved to take pictures. Most of my family and friends know that. The past few years, I've even taken my hobby to the next level. I get paid for it. 

November 9th, I got the huge honor to immortalize this beautiful couple's wedding in Asarum, Sweden. I think the pics turned put great and the bride and groom were ecstatic.

Until we meet again… A big hug!

Father's Day

Today the Swedes celebrate all the Daddys. I've cooked dinner in Gualöv and spent time with my Dad. The best present for someone who has everything.

In time for coffee and apple pie with vanilla sause, my brother turned up, bringing huge chocolate cupcakes. 

It's Soccer Sunday on TV, so all heads were turned towards the small flat screen in the kitchen. 

We had a nice time. With Mom in heaven, I try to make the best of it for Dad.

I love you, DAD ❤️

Until we meet again... A big hug!

Not feeling so good

It's been a while. I know. I haven't had the inspiration to take pictures or write, and I've also been quite busy with work and doing stuff around the house. My love, Christer, is working his last shift today, before going on a four week vacation. Yes, again! During the last one, we went to the USA. Now it's time for another one. Boy, do I wish I had his job. I'm sure going to put him to work at home.

This week, I haven't gotten any hours at the store. I guess most people are back from vacations and sickness. I have to wait for the phone to ring. I hate it. I want to work. But then again, I woke up today, with a sore throat. Not very sore, but yet, sore. Maybe it's my turn to get sick now. There's no time to get sick. I have so much to do and I'm asked to photograph a wedding on Saturday. I can't be sick.

Until we meet again… A big hug!

Colours

The colours of this season are amazing. Everywhere I look, there's "fire". Beautiful!

The Asters in my garden are purple and blue, which is a wonderful break from all the yellows and reds. 

Some of the summer flowers are still going strong. Roses and oxeye sunflower shine bright outside my window. Lovely!

Until we meet again... A big hug!

Autumn is here

Fall (autumn) has been beautiful so far. Warm and sunny. Most summer plants in the garden are still in bloom, side by side with the autumn flowers. It's lovely. 

Since our days are getting shorter and shorter and we'll soon get really cold weather, I don't plant a lot of pots, like I do in spring. I only have one or two on the steps up to the house. Just a little something to make us and others feel welcome. You are welcome too. 

Until we meet again... A big hug!

Dad

Mom passed away in January 2012, after batteling Cancer for almost a year. She didn't get to celebrate her 66th birthday. She didn't get to enjoy her retirement. 

Dad still lives in the big house in Gualöv. He's doing his best to take care of it by himself. It's far too big for one person, but he doesn't know yet, where he wants to live in the future. 

At the moment, Dad has an infection in his leg, and can't walk very far or fast. His leg swelled up like a ballon and he's now taking penicillin and pain killers. 

Christer and I have been helping him around the garden with lawn mowing and planting. It has to get done before it gets colder. Right now it's very comfortable. 

I've also brought left overs to Dad. He cooks a bit on his own, but the real family home cooking isn't the same when you cook for one. I gladly give him food from our kitchen. He's grateful. 

Until we meet again... A big hug!

Stocking up for winter

The Rowan trees are packed with berries. That means we're getting a tough winter. We need to stock up with fuel pellets. 

This morning we started our winter supply. We bought a pallet of wood pellets, which will last a month. We need at least four pallets. 

Each pallets contains 52 sacks. Each sack weighs 35.3 lbs. Christer loaded it all by himself and got his daily workout. First into the car and on to the trailer, then down to the storage room in the basement. Good boy!

A pallet costs $315, so we'll buy the next one in two weeks, when I get my wages. 

Until we meet again... A big hug!

American Goulash

If you say "Goulash" in Sweden, everybody will think of Hungarian Goulash, the original. 

I first stumbled on the American version during my exchange student year in Nora Springs. Joan made it and I loved it. Since I didn't like cooking then, I didn't memorize or write down the recipe. Every  vacation I then spent in Iowa, I asked for Goulash. I did the same this time. The first day at Joan's place, I wanted this dish and we got it. So simple and so good. 

Today I've made a batch. Christer's working and Elin's in Bromölla, getting ready for the Fashion show tonight. I'm going there later. When we get home, we'll have Goulash for late supper. 

Until we meet again... A Big Hug!

Bedtime

So you think you're going to sleep here?

Until we meet again... A Big Hug!

Old faithful

The sun's shining and the temperature's above normal for this part of the year. It's a perfect day for a car wash.

Christer sold his Ford Mondeo last fall and bought an old Volvo, "Doris". He loves Doris. She's older than Elin, but very faithful. 

In a few minutes Doris is spotless again. 

Until we meet again... A big hug!

Company in bed

Christer is working. He'll be gone until Wednesday night or Thursday afternoon. It all depends on if I can find time to drive the 30 miles (one way) Wednesday evening to pick him up. My car's in the auto workshop, so I have Christer's car. I need it to take Elin to school every day. 

I don't sleep alone when Christer's away. I have both Elin and our cat Ozzy in my bed. Elin likes the girl talks we get and sleeps on Chris' side of the Kingsize bed. Ozzy, the youngest of our two Birman breed cats, sleeps on top of me. I can't move. He's quite big and very furry. He's our baby, even though he's a year and a half. 

Until we meet again... A big hug!

Square eyes

After three months without TV (well, Elin watched a lot in the States) we're now with dish and channels again. 

Elin's thrilled to be able to watch the teen shows on Disney again. Chris loves Discovery and other nature channels. I'm happy to get Grey's anatomy, Hart of Dixie, Criminal Minds etc on the TV screen. 

Series, movies and sports... We're ready to welcome fall and winter. But, please, not yet...

Until we meet again... A big hug!

We want more

In a few hours, we've been in Sweden for a week. Elin's back in school and is working hard to catch up with everything she missed during the first two weeks. Christer started working Tuesday, which was like any other day, except for all the questions. His colleagues wants him to have a presentation of the trip on their next staff meeting. They are quite interested. 

I started working yesterday. Since it was my first long vacation in over five years, I thought it would feel more strange to be back. But after a few minutes, everything was back to normal again. 

With a lot to do around the house, it might take a while until the next big trip to another country. But to maintain the travel feeling, I've booked a Berlin weekend at the end of November. I've never been there, so I'm looking forward to that. 

Until we meet again... A big hug!

Bambi and friend

Sweet visitors in the village, close to our house. The photos aren't very good. It was getting dark and I couldn't use flash on them. They would get scared.

Until we meet again... A big hug!

Finally...

... I'm going to get this blog started. It's for all of my English speaking friends everywhere in the world. Some of you are already visiting my main blog, but now I'm going to serve you with stuff just for your eyes.

Yesterday we, me and my family, came home from a 3,5 weeks long vacation in the USA. We're tired, but very happy. Not too happy to be back and facing the everyday life, but very happy for all the things we got to experience during our trip. We got got see what we wanted and meet the people we longed for. We're so fortunate.

I will show some pictures from the trip. Not all. Just a few. Not today. I will do that soon.

I will show pictures from our home. Many. Not today. I will do that soon.

I will tell you about me and my family. A lot. Not today. I will do that soon.

I really want to get this blog up and running. I wanted that for a long time, but it wasn't until this trip, that I found the energy to do it. I found that there are people in the world that actually want to see me and know more about me. That gave me a boost.

I hope I can make you curious enough to come back. I might not write every day or every week. I might not write much every time. I will write when I have something to tell. Something that I think you might be interested in.

Until we meet again... A big hug!