Please excuse the mess...tryin to give the blog a face lift but not having much luck, thanks blogger (not)

something new

A spontaneous trip to Expo, resulted in some pre-planned shopping in the form of new window plants, and  as befits a spontaneous trip, a spontaneous purchase of cushions for le boudoir. Lovely. Now if I didnt have a broken chest of drawers (it has one of those fold down bits on the front that fell off its hinges and hit Maia's ankle, typical!) then the bedroom would be looking rather spiffing I say. If you then look past the ironing that is waiting for me until the evening and the exercise bike. Plus a sewing machine - all temporaries. 

Sometimes I wish I had a fourth bedroom to make into a hobby room/junk room. Where it doesnt matter what it really looks like. Where the exercise bike and sewing machine can gossip idly under layers of fabric, lace and randoms not honored with a proper place, without the organised chaos infringing on the rest of the house. A proper laundry room too, where I have space for washing and drying and keeping clean washing until it is ironed is also on the wish list. Preferably, as we are now speaking in wishes, the room would be divided up. On one side, the laundry bit, and the others a dressing bit, filled with everyone's wardrobes. So that bedrooms stay clothes-clutter free and there isn't too much effort to put the fresh ironed stuff away. Keep on dreaming eh! Well perhaps this is something to keep an eye out for when looking for a house in a few years, or start designing our own dream abode...

I have actually been spending a rather large amount of time day dreaming about having our own house. Something that seems like the ideal in the throes of summer, when patio doors can be left open and the fresh air consume the house. I have an itch to bring in more natural materials here at home, a more rustic charm than the shabby chic that is becoming somewhat tiring and too flouncy. It would be so much more fun and rewarding designing and decorating our own space, being able to bring in what we want and have our own little oasis in the hectic-ness of life as a young family

a new week

So here comes yet another monday, another new week and another countdown until the daddio is off for a couple of days. Yet this time it is different. The daddio is actually off for 3weeks! *jumpsupanddowninexcitement*

Me being the tyrant that I occasionally am (or so my husband would have you believe), have worked my poor man hard this weekend. He's had to put up candle shelves, wall lamps and bunting in the girls room and some mirrors in ours. I made him help me with the sewing machine.Those things and I do not get on! I thought if we borrowed one from the Wattses, that is from the 90's rather than the 50's, the machine and I would get on better. Alas, no, and I fear this sewing machine lark is more about the connection the thing has with its owner, Or anyone else but me. The things conspire and plot my downfall as we speak, and as proof I have a mangled yet still presentable cushion cover nestled in my sofa. The shame. I'm a planner, not a maker. I do things, not make them it seems...

I wasnt all horrid this weekend. Yesterday we went out to a little cafe by the Nydala Lake and had a lovely hour chilling out with the girls who were in good spirits (about the only time yesterday). Unfortunately, miss Maia is just like her mamma, and now has two huge, red, hard lumps on her thighs from mozzybites. We must be very tasty. Like their own personal brand of heroine haha. All joking aside, its a pain in the butt.

project sew

Well, well, well! Finally, I have gotten everything to fall into place. It's taken me long enough, but I've found the material I wanted, managed to get hold of a sewing machine, and even roped Mark into doing sewing for me. He likes it, me..not so much. I would rather be cutting, pinning and planning. That suits me better, but if needs must I can turn my hand to the machine too ;) We only got as far as actually making ONE cover last night, before we decided that utilizing our child-free time would be much more to our advantage, ie sleeping.

Feeling lovely and refreshed after a good night undisturbed kip, the only exertion today has been the food shop. Since getting back we've been busy just being, and finally getting some lamps, bunting and shelves put up that have been waiting around for like forever. I could now chill out and enjoy this saturday curled up on the sofa with a film, or I could even carry on sewing. But nay, I am going to get on that bike and have a very sore butt by the morning =D

TGIF & Todays outfits

I do love a bargain, I do. Like these fab shorts- 99kr in the sale at Indiska, and the only thing to follow me home yesterday. If I hadnt have bought that silly exercise bike, then my arms would have been overloaded with gorgeous printed and jewelled dresses and tunics, scarves, wine glasses, cushions, throws and tablecloths. Indiska has it all in my eyes. Has.it.all.

Here's the kiddlets only moments ago, playing with the extra chairs brought up for dinner last night. It was the first time in a long time that both me and dear husband got to eat at the same time, without interruptions or someone wanting feeding too - we actually ate past bedtime hehe. Very pleasureable indeed! But  once that first glass of wine was consumed and I fell into a food coma, that was it. Snoozy head on and in bed just gone 9pm. Tonight we're having dinner at the parents and the mini Wilsons are staying over tonight so once they are in bed we're hot footing it back to ours and jumping into bed with a movie. Thank God Its Friday peeps!

Anyhoos, I am nippin off to the kitchen to see what healthy naughtiness I can come up with as we're having fika at ours today. Im thinkin raspberry muffins - surely that will count as part of my five a day?! ;) The weather is thoroughly wet, so I couldnt think of  better way to spend it than with lovely friends and muffins =)

50 shades of PINK

When the heck did my house get so pink?!

mischief makers

Now that I have two daughters with a thing for being in the kitchen, I wonder how long it will take me to train them to do dinner? I will start easy, maybe a spagbol first? Here's hoping they take after their father with a love for cooking. Between us, me and the daddy can produce two super bakers-come-cooks to rival Nigella, Jamie and Delia, and sit back and reap the rewards mua-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Or, altertnatively, I can take the usual route, and hold onto them as long as possible. Let my kids be kids & allow them blossom and flourish to their own fantastic persons and hope they appreciate what we have given them. A bonus would be to see them get even more enjoyment from eachother as they grow up. My little mischief makers.

mamma's little helper

The last 3 months there appears to have been a transformation with Maia. She's gone from toddler to little girls it feels. And she's a real mini-me, in the sense that she does, or wants, to do everything that I do. She's feeding Lily, hoovering, doing the dishes, laying the table, helping to cook food. Since her cousins have been and gone, she's helping to tidy up her toys which was a nightmare to get her to do otherwise. Result!

A favourite role play at the moment is making tea and sandwiches for us in her kitchen and serving it to us. Or, going for a walk around with baby in the pram, with her change bag hanging on the handle and shoppin underneath in the basket. Should poor baby lose its little hat, mormor needs to help mini mamma put hat back on baby and tuck baby in again. My heart melts. We can occupy ourselves when Lily is asleep with making bracelets and necklaces. Making and wearing her own designs is very fun, and the last week I have even allowed her to wear some necklaces she got for her christening and first christmas, and you should see her beam with pride parading around with a alspand (read halsband = necklace).

My little darling, how and when did you get so big? 

whinging and a prayer of the day

Dear lord, please give me strength to see me through the day

To deal with tanrums, tears and teeth in a loving motherly way

Give me the patience to shame a saint, because dear lord, thats one thing I aint

Lend me some energy and willingness to play, to enjoy each moment of this summers day

You know what the day will bring when you are woken up at 4.47am by whinging. Crying and upset it one thing, whinging another. At least in this household. The whinge at that time of the morning (or anytime) just means hell. Trials through out the day to wear out even the most resilient of minds lay ahead of me. Oh and hey, doesnt it just happen to be on a day where we are going out for picnic lunch at the lake with the Wattses? Of course it does. And, isnt mamma totally worn out too even though she went to bed before 9pm? Doesnt everything always happen at once? Yes of course it bleedin does haha.

That is what is going to make this day something to laugh about next week. As the icing on the cake there is no bread or milk to make sandwiches or tea for the outing, meaning I really should be ready NOW to go out to the shops first and head to mother dearest early to prepare the picnic and not just swing by and pick up Alex, Michelle and Frederik. But so far, only I am dressed and the swimming gear is at least packed.         I best get me skates on....

my house, my home

This little beauty followed me home last week. I found it abandoned, sad and surrounded by ugly commercial desks circa mid 90's. My heart was bleeding- I had to save it! Thanks Returnbutiken for another fabulous find!

After much deliberation, I have decided against painting it white. First off, we already have white walls. The warmth from the wood is a welcomed break in the paleness and I think it may even lose a little of its charm taking it from its original state. Though saying that, with it being white it would give it another charm altogether, but until I am completely 110% sure, I aint doin' nuffin. Plus, we have a drinks cabinet that matches rather lovely with it and makes a mix-matched set. Genius huh.

Today's project is to sand and hopefully start painting our new pre loved dining chairs. Currently black legged and backed, with an oak seat, the plan is to paint what is black white to tie it it with our white dining table. I love pre loved!  I'm all for abit of individuality and character to your furniture and not leaving it to chance that you get a house with some. For me, my  house needs to be cosy, relaxed and an easy place to be with my nearest and dearest. Somewhere that fills me with inspiration and love. Thats what makes this house  my home.

lemon tasting and burning skies

This past weekend was one for firsts.My first first in the list of first is that I willingly went out with an aim to go look at cars. Second first being the Wilson family sampling the delights of eating an evening meal out together all four of us. Thirdly first, as you may have guessed, Lily got her first taste for lemons. The pictures are rather misleading, as she actually really liked it haha. Bless her, she's a cracker for pulling faces that one!

Old American cars from the 1950's, lovingly restored to their former glory, dont quite have the same glory when you are sheltering under a shop awning from the rain and the normally big crowds of people gathering for the cruises are whittled down to almost nothing. But still, when you have had a nice meal with great company its still very much a successful evening even if the highlight wasnt as was hoped. There be always next year, and the year after, and then the year after that so I am sure I am going to be feeling the vibes and bopping along some point to the funky retro-ness that is.

pic borrowed from here

It was a good thing we had such a chilled weekend really, this week has been hectic. More visitors arriving in the shape of Michelle and Frederik, and tomorrow Nana heads back to the UK. So really, I ought to get myself to bed as I'm heading over to mothers early to see her off before she heads for the airport. I know I will kick myself for saying this, but I am somewhat looking forward to the evenings getting darker again - I find it ridiculously hard to go to bed at a sensible time when the sun shines all the time...lame as excuse I know. But hey, if I didnt stay up until the small hours savouring the light that is, I wouldnt be able to take photos like this:

friday feelings & pralines

Nothing feels as good as this. Half  lying on top of the bed with the window wide open, smelling the summer rain, and listening to a bit of Norah Jones in the background. Friday feelings indeed, good people of the world. Friday feelings!

It's not a total doss evening, I have actually made my own marbled chocolate pralines. I even went above and beyond my beginners status and plopped in a hazelnut or two. Having just sampled one, I can tell you they most certainly are delicious, and now that I know that I dont totally suck as a Chocolatiere I'll get some better quality chocolate to do it next time. Probs end up working out more expensive than buying the darn things, but where's the fun in that?? This she says having been to hell and back with frustration, grating up 400g worth of chocolate super super super fine and hurting poor fingers, and then realising it was actually rather akward constantly stirring melting chocolate sitting in a bowl in a pan of boiling water X2 (for the dark and white chocolate). 

I've said it before, but domestication just does not seem to become me. Y'know, the bits that are essential like cooking = total BOREDOM to me. Baking is fun. Cleaning I manage ok, better than some, worse than others, lagom as we say here in Sweden. Homemaking, rather than housewifing befits me more appropriately methinks. And seeing as we are speaking of making I shall mention that I have an upcoming project, or three, that require a sewing machine, fabric, lace and fabric paints, Homemaking stuffs. There are some poor cushions on our sofa screaming out for prettier covers, and its something I have been wanting to do for ages but just not had the right inspirations. Now that I do, I just have to make poor hublet take me to the shops tomorrow, but saying that maybe leaving him and the kiddies at home would be the best and make for uninterrupted glorious browsing at Ohlsson's Tyger alone. Smart aren't I.

Anyone else have any projects on the go?

golf balls, marbles and sand

In 9 weeks and 2 days Lily turns one. A whole year old, crikey! Then, dear friends, it is truly back to normality as I will return to work, kids will be in nursery and the real puzzle shall begin. Byebye to the 1000 piece puzzle we've been laying since the start of maternity leave, hello 3D multi-tiered masterpiece special edition puzzle. Hello indeed.

Years and years ago, I remember getting an email about a professor talking to his students. He had an empty jar, some golf balls, marbles and sand...

Without saying a word to his students, he removed the lid of the jar and filled it with golf balls. When no more golf balls fit he closed the jar with its lid. He then asked his class, “Would you say that the jar is now full?” His students observed the jar and concluded that the jar was indeed full. 

The professor then proceeded to open the jar up and started inserting marbles into the jar. The marbles started to fill the gaps between the golf balls. After sealing the jar, he asked his class once again if they thought the jar was now full. The class concluded that the jar was indeed now full.

The professor opened the jar a third time and started pouring in sand. Obviously, the sand started filling the gaps between the golf balls and the marbles. He then sealed the jar and asked his class a third time if the jar was full. His class chuckled and replied in unison, “Yes, it is now full!”

The professor opened the jar and emptied two small cups of coffee in the jar. The liquid had completely filled the gap between the golf balls, the marbles, and the grains of sand. He then began his lecture.

“I hope you realise that life is very much like this jar. The golf balls represent the important things in life, like God, family, loved ones, health, things that you care intimately about. If we lost everything else in life, our lives would still be ‘full’. The marbles are the other things in our lives that are important, but our happiness shouldn’t depend on them. Things like our work, our house, our car, etc. Finally, the sand represents everything else; the small stuff.

“If we were to have filled our jar up with sand first, there we wouldn’t have had enough room for the marbles or the golf balls. If we use all our life and energy on the small stuff, we won’t have any room for the important things.”

After a brief moment of silence one of the students asked, “Professor, what does the coffee represent?”

“Ah, I’m glad you asked,” replied the professor. “It means that no matter how full your life is, there is always room for a cup of coffee with a friend.”

25

A birthday is a birthday. A day that is all yours, attention and gifts to be lavished, however great or small, and the best thing of all, is that you get to decide what to have for dinner.

The old saying goes that age is nothing but a number, and my age is never something I have really thought about. Getting to 16, then 18 were milestones that were longed for, and then 19 came, 20, 21 , that was a another big one, but to be honest I got more swept up in the hype of it than actually excited for being 21. In fact, my 21st was rather low key, Mark took me out to dinner, my brother met us out for drinks, and dear mother in law cooked a lush roast and got a cake. Perfect.

At 22 I became a mother, and I got married. At 23 I moved abroad for the second time (albeit back to Sweden that I left at  age 10). At 24 I was mamma to two daughters, with a husband, in Sweden, with my Volvo. A shiny, pretty white Volvo V70 sport infact, and a pain in a$$ to keep clean.

By my reckoning, the only thing I have left to cross off on the list "Things to do in order to become a fully fledged out-and-out adult" is to buy my our own house. And guess what...that is still some time away lol.

Crickey, I have been busy enough eh, and now I think would like a little time to just land and grow more into myself as the adult that I am, the mother that I am, and the wife that I am. All quite different parts of me, yet very much equal in importance. So ponder as I may, and worry about what it means to be a grown up and become older, I am now heading to bed to catch up on some beauty sleep. Oh, and slathering on some moisturiser to keep my youthful dewy glow *sarcastic*

please note my super cool pose at 25. Oh so mature ;)

moose farms, beaches and happiness

Life is for living. I'd bet a million quid on the fact that most of us have used this phrase at least once in our lives. To live is to breathe, and smell the sun drenching everything in warmth. To feel, every colour of the flowers, the grasses and the skies. To live is to be, taking the time to stop, look around and appreciate what you have and love it.

taken whilst picnicking at Älgens Hus, Bjurholm

Today, like everyday, we have been so busy it is untrue. Unlike last week though, so far we have avoided A&E. We ended up there twice with Maia, once for high temp and next to NO food or drink and no weewee's or poops for 15hours (scary) and a second time with severe swelling to face and limbs with a rash, that went as quickly as it came, and practically disappeared whilst we were sat in assessment. Strange. Thankfully, we were at a BBQ where a friend of our hosts is soon to be a qualified paediatric Dr, thinks Maia has slapped cheek and not a severe allergic reaction. Thanks GP and A&E for nothing. When we inquired about how/why this allegic reaction (the rash) was coming and going at such random times and circumstances, we were met with a shrug and sent on our way. Anyhoo, Im over it...

So, yes. Busy, busy, busy. We took a trip out to Älgens Hus today to see the Kings of the Forests. The kids weren't really all that interested in it, but it was a nice day and we had a lush picnic out in the sunshine and the girls were all lovely behaved. Sort of. Good considering they werent fussed on the mooses and just wanted to run around and scream which wasnt so nice for the baby mooses who were only at most 3weeks and youngest 1.5 weeks old. Didums.

After a quick turn around of dinner, it was shoes on again and off to Revet  for evening play at the beach. Wishful thinking it would turn our little angels into peacefully sleeping beauties before their little heads even touched the pillows. But it was a valiant try and very very fun one too, Mark releasing his inner merman and James Bond, dunking of some over eager children in the water who then realise that maybe it wasnt so fun lol. Little cuties. I am awed at how well they have taken to eachother and play together, considering they were all but strangers when they first arrived. Blood is thicker than water they say, and maybe there is something in it...

 Someone once said, that happiness is wanting the things that you already have. Its so true.  Cheesy, I know. But still. A happy thought to leave you with, G'night!

just a quick hello...

Bejeezaz, Friday has come round mighty quick. An eventful week will make for fast passing of time I guess. We have fitted in visits to A&E, a water adventure park, Nationaldag celebrations, BBQ on the beach in the drizzle, removal of wisdom tooth and possibly another doctors appointment on the horizon today. Oh, and we are due for a BBQ and play at Nydala Lake Adventure Park with the Wattses and the S-A's. Jolly good stuffs!

So not much time to update at the mo, bu hopefully I will find some later on this evening when all kidlets are conked out and sleeping peacefully after a fun packed day <3 Enjoy the photos instead from Gammlia Open Air Museum where we went on Wednesday and then later at Revet for a BBQ

Cracknells on tour

Shoot me down for sounding a fool, jumping the gun and jinxing us from here to Kingdom come, BUT, the house is surprisingly quiet with five children in it. In this very moment, Lily is snoozing, Rebecca cuddling mummy in sofa, and Bethany, Megan and Maia are drawing at the dining table.

 Yes, ok, its only been one full day, but still. Things are going great. Logistically, we've had to tweak things a little here at home and have moved out all of Maia's toys into the ''Office'' corner of the living room, still very much a concept idea, and very much on the hunt for *the* desk. Difficult, as we have polar opposite opinions as to what this ultimate desk looks like. Mark wants classic scandinavian chic, and me, chic of the shabbier kind.

So far, we have enjoyed an afternoon at the beach, and last night's bedtime went ten times better than the night before. Fingers crossed things go the same way tonight, or even better (dare we hope?! ). Today Kerry, Rebecca, Lily & I are off to a loppis, so I best get me skates on and get dressed- leaving in half hour! 

three lifetimes

My gawd. It is wednesday tomorrow. Shite. Here is me sat thinking how slowly time is goin (today I feel like I have lived three life times) but the new weekend is closer than the last, almost anyways.

Speaking of the weekend, t'was a pretty darned good one if I do say so. BBQing Saturday and Sunday, spending the majority of the time outdoors, and playing the 'Im so special card' on the seventh day, seeing it was Mothers Day here on sunday. Poor Husband. He played along so nicely, bless him.  Love, love, love. But if I can be as shallow as to say, one of the bestest best bits was getting a lovely big parcel from the mother in law, with a seasons worth of clothes for M&L. Maia loved her wetsuit, and Lily the teabags. Bit of a fail there, but I love her innocence to clothes for the moment. I am sure that in say 5 years, that will have changed. Oh dear God.

Today we went to nursery with Lily, to have a look around the place and meet the other children who are starting in the autumn. I was pleasantly surprised how comfortable Lily was when we were there, and not jsut with the surroundings, but with the staff and also the other parents who were there and the children. If I am honest, I have been a bit concerned she may not be as chillaxed as Maia starting förskolan, seeing as we have been to so few baby groups, compared to going at the least weekly with Maia. But my littlest lovely is a Wilson for sure, and I feel very proud to have two happy, secure and cheeky little monkeys to call my daughters. My daughterS! I was only just getting used to saying I had a daughter, never mind saying the plural lol.

Anyhoo, bed is calling, sleep is washing over me slowly but surely, but I am trying my hardest to keep my eyes open and paying attention to the GCB season finale. I ought to just give in, it would make thursday come alot quicker and squishy lovely cuddles with three of my favourite nieces. My other two favourites I will have to squeeze doubly hard in December <3

hello world

It will never cease to amaze me, how little sleep Maia seems to be coping with. And, I will also never realise I need to keep my mouth shut and not jinx things. Like talking about how great things have gotten regarding sleep with Maia, less wake ups in the night, later waking in the morning...and BOOM! 3.30am. After only falling to sleep at 22.00. Battles of wills, frustration to max, and me walking out for 10mins and going for a drive to clear my head.

Anyways...far to busy living life to blog atm! The summer is here, we are out and lapping up the vitamin D, making up for months of darkness and cold. Its not just the good weather to blame, but we have had an awfully busy week too. Today, thankfully, is the last of it, and its time for Maia's first physio appointment. To say it is a relief that at the moment she is symptom free from JIA, is an understatement. Here's hoping the autumn & winter doesnt affect her too much, if at all...I can pray at least. I NEVER want to see my beautifully energetic and active daughter reduced to a quiet shell, so stiff and unwilling to move, and in pain.

This time next week this house will be 4 people richer - the long awaited arrival of dear sister in law and her brood of lovelies is only days away. Two long years and one new niece later ( a new one for each of us haha), it will guaranteed be a tear-fest when we see eachother again. I cant blimmin wait! I cant imagine what it would be like seeing EVERYONE again at christmas?!

The borrowing of little Alba went as well as could be, a few tears from all three, a lot of dummy swapping and many giggles, and cementing the fact that we do not want another child lol. Two keeps us busy enough, and I dont want to lose the novelty and the enjoyment when we have little borrowers here for the day. It is something I imagine I may struggle with if I had three of my own haha. Over exposure to something fun is never good ;) It is most certainly a day to repeated - Ruaridh & Astrid you have a fab daughter!