last days & first days

The holidays are over. A is back to work, I am writing, the girls had their first day back in kindergarten today, and everything feels quite good. We went to a big party for New Year's Eve with lots of kids, lovely food and fireworks just outside the window. The girls never stayed up for so late before, I think they both loved it, although they were exhausted at the end. I don't like New Year's Eve especially much - but I do love these first days of the new year. I know it's symbolic, but it feels good to enter something new and clear your mind for good, new thoughts. I never make New Year's resolutions, but this year I have one major wish in mind that I don't have much influence on: I hope for less days of illness for little Molly - something that will be good for all of us.

In 2014 we will have something new going on for this space, I am quite excited about it, and I hope soon to show you more.

All the best wishes for all of you that visit us here. You know that I like simple and banal things, and it means alot to me that others care for it too.

1. & 7. Molly has discovered the magic of an iPhone
2. Green
3. Wrapping presents just before Christmas. Frida Viola helped me stamp the cards with her new stamp set ['Jul' means Christmas]
4. Peek-a-boo behind the three
5. Beautiful packaging on this very good chocolate from Chocolataria Equador in Lisbon
6. From my birthday in December - best carrot cake ever

our christmas

I don't think I have ever been posting so little throughout a month as this December. It passed so fast, and we have been so busy and quite exhausted too. We did manage to make our Christmas as usual, and it turned out just as cosy, fine and warm as it should be. Frida Viola was excited all of the month, and Molly has taken in all the new great stuff with big enthusiasm. She has just the right age (she is 2 by the end of March), and she has been breaking my heart more than once with her cute, openminded and immediate way to experience and comment on everything.

1. Quilted angel vest my mom made to me when I was little. I remember how much I loved it.
2. Molly in a quiet moment.
3. Gingerbread Lucias for my girls.
4. New beautiful dress from Anïve for the minors.
5. Tivoli at night.
6. December 24.

*Merry Christmas to all of you*

Lucia Day

I can't believe another December week just passed. It seems as if there is some extra event on the schedule every day. Friday was Lucia Day and both girls participated in the procession in their kindergarten. It looks so very adorable, and each year I try to catch the moment with my camera but totally without success. So this year's photos are post-procession, depicting two very tired (and proud) lucia girls wearing my grandmom's old lace dresses.

*december*

it's snowing outside, A is out with some friend, the house is very quiet, the girls are lying close to eachother in my bed, and I am thinking of what to bake and do during december. The month has just started but it passes so fast, and we have so much we want to do. The christmas stockings are up, there's a little gift each morning. Last weekend Frida Viola and I baked some gingerbread from my mom's old recipe, and today we opened the boxes with christmas ornaments.

What are you baking in december?

Hanna Konola's joulukalenteri

Hanna Konola's Christmas calendar - a pleasure in December as always.

lavu & hay

time flies away at the moment. Molly just spent another week with illness but this weekend she was up and well again, and yesterday we all went to Aarstiderne's Christmas market. It was a clear, cold and beautiful day and we had a good time climbing in the straw bales and warming us with hot drinks in the big lavu tent.
I love days like this - we were all tired when we went home, but at the same time a full day outside with as much light as possible generates some good energy in these dark times.

the harvest market - not so many months ago when it was still warm and late summer.

most cosy day of the year

With my mom and my sister's family we have a pre-christmas tradition. Each year in late November we meet from one day to another and all we do is cutting, gluing, painting, talking and eating A's freshly baked waffles. I love this weekend - and so do the kids. This year I was impressed on how focused they were. We sat around that same table for hours and they were all engaged and happy with it.

1. waffles are good
2. my sister with her blonde girls
3. old & young - my mom's patience with the kids is admirable
4. paper ice crystals

Christmas Days

Some photos from the last couple of days at my mom's place. The girls have been happy, excited - and tired. Hope you all had some good and peaceful days.

Merry Christmas!

Finally at my mom's place - just before the blizzard set in.
It has been snowing all day, and we have stayed inside. Above is my mom's homemade marzipan for Frida Viola: little balls with blueberries and pink and yellow marzipan coloured with beetroot and turmeric.

Merry Christmas to all of you.

my home today

1. A moon to Molly to go with the cloud.
2.+3. My birthday present - ohh, I am looking so much forward!
4. My mom's felted and embroidered acorns.
5. Soft baubles - good for curious little fingers that tampers with the tree!

the tree

Filled with memories and stories.