summer rain

Today we had rain fot the first time during this stay. And when it rains up here, it seems neverending. Frida Violas and I went out searching for smooth stones to paint on. A baked us some waffles and they were very good with the rhurbarb marmelade. At 4 o'clock the sun was shining again and the land surrounding the house was quivering with dew, bugs and dancing little baby frogs. They say we will have rain again tomorrow.

We found this very beautiful gas stove at today's flea market. It will be perfect for the kitchen up here after the old wood-fired stove has been removed. I just hope we will be able to find the right replacement parts to make it function. It dates back to 1960.

Eksjö

Every summer we have to visit the nearby beautiful Eksjö. The town is awarded for its many old wellkept and listed wooden houses. We don't do anything special when we come there, just walk around and look at the beautiful facades and signs and have a coffee or an ice cream at the local pâtisserie. The town might be slightly touristy but it doesn't really bother us since we spend so much time alone up here that a little life in the streets just is a welcome change.

Last photo is from a really nice vintage shop, Tuppens Antikt & Inredning. It doesn't have a website, but it is situated at Norra Storgatan 17. We found some nice hooks and a little closet for our new bathroom - but I could have brought the whole shop with me home.

lush & green

So much green around us here. And so many lush and pretty gardens. Both the wild and overgrown ones and the more tamed and cultivated ones. The Swedes are really dedicated into gardening, it seems. Our own garden around the house here is huge, wild and untamed, just as it should be, with many secret places for the kids to discover and play.

Three first photos are all from Sevedstorp, also known as Astrid Lindgren's Bullerbyn. A cosy place to visit with the kids.
Last photo: this little girl was happily reunited with her beloved pillow that was lost for two days and finally refound today.

blueberry pie

Days are passing quietly and quickly at the same time. We have visited some flea markets, we have picked some blueberries and baked a really good pie, we said good bye to some guests, we started up several projects on the house that might never be finished.

1. Little doll from the flea market.
2. Blueberries.
3. Little cute vintage dress for Molly, also from the flea market.
4. Early morning light.
5.+6. More blueberries.

unrestricted

This year we are so lucky with the weather. We take a swim in the lake each day and try to plan as little as possible. The kids are enjoying the unscheduled and unrestricted time too. So good to see them unfold up here. Tomorrow there is a flea market and then my mom will come visit us - besides that we have no plans at all.

Sweden

Our vacation has started! And ohh, how wonderful it is to be up here...

Lena Corwin for More & Co

I love Lena Corwin's Wild, Natural, Free fabric for More & Co. It comes as a smock, a kids' smock and a tote. It's airy and summery and reminds me of the meadows with wild flowers nearby our Swedish house where we will soon be going. And the little model, of course, reminds me very much of my own little Frida Viola :)

Sweet Treat - extras #3

And the last extra photos from my picks for teak tray weekdays, theese are from sweet little Sweet Treat, a local coffee shop that I love to visit.

Dora - extras #2

Theese are some extra photos from my guest post at teak tray weekdays from beautiful Dora. Read more about this nice shop at teak tray weekdays!

Some favourites from Dora:
this light chain for the backyard
beautiful brass moon and galaxy from Oji & Design
and this sofa that I would love for the porch in Sweden

Sofiebadet - extras #1

I thought I would share a couple of extra photos from the three Cph places I chose for teak tray weekdays. These first ones are from Sofiebadet.

Browsing around I found these old photos, from when Frida Viola and I went to Sofiebadet. I remember I was pregnant with Molly and it was such a nice feeling to sit in the tub with my little girl.

pre-vacation

Our vacation hasn't started yet. Frida Viola's & Molly's kindergarten/nursery is almost abandoned by kids already on vacation, but my impression is that this is almost the best time of the year to be there - they do special things with the kids and have much more time for the few kids left. While we wait for it to be our turn for vacation we try to make it as summery and cosy for the kids (and ourselves, of course!) as possible - with lots of ice cream & swimming in the sea (mostly the kids!)

1. Frida Viola brought some nice little creations with her home from kindergarten the other day. This is a castle made out of a disposable coffee cup and a plate. Maybe a DIY idea for a rainy day...?
2. The dress I made for Frida Viola at Marapytta's sewing school :)
3. Frida Viola at the sea - this year she is swimming and swimming and has no fear of what so ever...
4. A little doll she made.
5. At home after the swim.
6. A couple of sweet new little dolls from the thrift store for the girl's collection.