Zimtsternen

First step of the Swiss Zimtsternen is done. Tomorrow I will let them sit in the oven for a few minutes and then they are ready to be eaten.

Christmas candy

Last year I was pregnant and very tired at this time of the year. I managed nothing but work, basically. Baking and making candy for Christmas was out of the question, apart from in Oskarshamn, where Matts and I made candy together. My mother came and helped me out with cleaning and baking while I was working.

This year I have a baby and I just cannot start any big projects during the day, even though I really want to. Sometimes I try, but the joy of baking fades away as Inga's scream pitches higher and higher notes. So far I haven't done any Christmas baking or candy. But I have grand plans! So maybe, but just maybe, I will make those Zimtsternen tonight and the Safron buns on Saturday. And I might even make one, two or even three kinds of pralines. Just to get that Christmas feeling.

I'll keep you posted if I succeed...

Hugs and kisses

I never was a hugging person. I don't recall hugging my friends very often when I grew up, but I was very annoyed when my sister tried to hug me - our needs in that respect were very different. When I moved to Uppsala to study, however, I "learned" that hugs can be a nice greeting ritual and slowly I got used to hugging at least some of my friends when we met and when we said goodbye, more and more comfortable with it in the years.

To go from hugs to kisses, as in the cheek kisses common in Switzerland seemed a bit too much though when we were moving to the small country in the middle of Europe. Three cheek kisses every time - oh man, how would I cope with that? But my worries turned out to be needless. After a short while the kissing bit came quite natural. So natural that I, without thinking about it, greeted one of my best friends in Sweden with three kisses instead of a hug when we were visiting around Christmas...

How was this possible? The answer is easy. Cheek kissing is not as intimate at hugging since you simply don't come as close to the other person while kissing as you do in a hug. It's easier to keep the distance, so to say.

During our years in Switzerland we met people from all around the world and we greeted our friends in different ways. Sometimes it was tricky to know if a kiss, a hug or handshake was appropriate, but with time we found our ways in the greeting jungle.

And now? Here I am, back in Sweden, re-adjusting to the hugging culture. I think I'm doing ok...

The new star

This year we sadly had to replace the Advent candlestick that we had in the kitchen last Christmas since it doesn't work anymore. Instead I bought a new standing star that brings the Advent feeling into the kitchen.

Books

I haven't been reading in a long time. Last fall I read a lot, but then, from November on, I worked too much to have the inspiration to read. And then Inga came and all I have read since has been magazines - occasionally. But now, the urge to read has come back, vivid and strong. I started reading th Twilight books a couple of weeks ago, and now I have visited the library homepage to see if any of the books on my "want-to-read" list are available. And I plan on going to our local library tomorrow...

Changed plans

I was all set to go to church this morning - and even on time for a change! Make up was on, dresses were on both Inga and myself and Inga was ready to go in the stroller. I was just putting my boots on when Inga puked all over herself. So we are staying at home today, hoping it's not the winter vomit disease, but just a slightly upset stomach...

Chai Latte

After actually vacuuming and wiping the floors I treat myself to a homemade Chai Latte made on tea I just bought in the tea store earlier today. It's the first one I ever made so it's not perfect, but still yummy!

Inga likes it too...

Summer memories

The winter is here. Outside it's white and snowflakes are flying around in the air. The sun hides behind clouds, but the clouds aren't thick enough to completely block the sunlight. It's simply beautiful.

This summer we went to Öland, the second bigges island in Sweden, situated right outside the east coast of Småland. It is a beautiful place. At the southernmost point, one of Sweden's most known lighthouses stands, Långe Jan. I have been there once before, but then it was closed. This time, however, we were able to climb the stairs all the way to the top. The view is beautiful.

Beneath the lighthouse, naturum is situated. There are several naturum in Sweden, and they all educate the visitors about the local plants and wildlife. Around Långe Jan there's an ornithological station, so it's mostly about birds in this naturum.

A new start

It's been a long time since I wrote something here now. The time just doesn't seem to be enough these days. But it's all about priorities. At least mostly. Recently Inga has been very "mumsy" and I haven't been able to be further than about 50 centimeters from her, but this is about to change now. And I have some ideas about what to write about here so I just need to get started.

Old shoes out, new shoes in

Yes, I know. I haven't been updating this blog in ages. The reason? I have been wearing out my shoes by all the walking I do nowadays! :-) Since the stores here mostly sell the black ones (despite the fact that these shoes come in like ten different colors) I tried my luck on-line instead. And yes, I found a pair living up to my color standards. On-line shopping vs. regular shops 1-0. The shipping was free and really fast - I ordered the shoes this Monday and today, two days later, I could pick them up at a nearby grocery store. On-line shopping vs. regular shops 2-0. But, unfortunately, I could not check the manufacture date on these shoes and they turned out to be only five months younger than my old pair (that I bought last spring). On-line shopping vs. regular shops 2-1.