A day in Brighton

For our Friday excursion, we had decided to go to Brighton for the day. We took the train down, and started out by walking about in The Lanes.

There was a little bit of shopping being done, lunch was had, but mostly we just browsed, as there was just so much to look at!

Eventually we broke apart and let the girls go shop on their own, while we found a quiet backyard bar to chit chat and share a bottle of wine:

Then we walked down to the water. This is about the only part of Brighton that I actually remember from our previous excursions here when we lived in England. The pier and the boardwalk.

It was a really windy day, pretty - but cooold.

Once we got back to Horsham, the girls went back home, and us Mums stayed up at the Carfax square as there was Music Night. We managed to get a table (as I'm not a fan of standing up and having wine out of plastic cups...) and enjoyed both some wine, and the music.

A great day!

Band back together

Normally we meet up with Anna, Linda and their kids in Sweden each summer in August. We have mostly been in Karlstad since Linda has a big house, but we have also caught up in Skara, Malmö and on Gräsö throughout the years.

This year, we united in Horsham the last weekend of June!
Ever since Anna had her pergola built two years ago in her garden, we have been talking and dreaming about sitting there together and enjoying a G&T, or two!
Ta-daaa!

Linnea and I were back in Horsham in December, so not that long ago. But Linda hadn't been back many years, so she was actually quite emotional while walking about.
So much have changed and the town has certainly grown a lot since we used to live there. BUT, the small-town-feeling is still the same. It is such a nice place and I cherish all the memories we have from our life here, and am happy we get to return and visit thanks to Anna!

Grounding

Scandinavian summers can be wet, cold and miserable for sure.
But when they are good, they are GOOD! Unbeatable.

There is nothing better than sitting outside on one of those long, warm and light summer nights and just enjoy.

One evening we decided even to watch our TV outside, this photo is taken around 10 pm:

I also love being barefoot in the grass. The feeling, the smell, the grounding.

We even had days warm enough we wanted to swim! Admittedly, I only went in for a few minutes, but both Linnea and Lucas are more vikings than I am. Especially Lucas, I guess he has acclimatised now that he lives up here.

Morfar 87

We haven't been able to take part of Morfars birthday celebrations very often, as his birthday is at the end of June, normally before school is finished. Last time was 7 years ago when we had Eid that shortened the term.

But this time we were there, and could celebrate Morfar turning 87! Hip hourray!

We didn't do singing and gifts in the morning, but saved it all to the morning fika. He got only a few gifts, but good ones, like Triss-lottos, something he really enjoys. He also got a very cute 'Hoptimist' that we had bought him in Copenhagen, because we thought it looked like a magician; and a ChromeCast, so that they can watch better TV easier. He also got something exciting that Mormor bought him at Falkängen, see below.

Here's a small movie of what was in the parcel:

For birthday fika we went to the coffee shop Skogshyddan in Lidköping, as it is one of our favourite places. It is really beautiful there right by the shore, they have a lot of space, and a lot of different fika to choose from. It was a really lovely, and warm, day.

I had been longing for a Swedish shrimp open sandwich, and I was lucky, as they had that on the menu!

We saved the birthday cake to the evening. Linnea had made the cake, and Mormor and her had decorated with fresh strawberries, from Mormors strawberry patch.

Happy Birthday Morfar! Grattis grattis!

Linnea Graduation family photos

Throwback to this time last month!

This time we took the family photos at graduation, before the ceremony. It was a long queue of families who wanted to commemorate the big event; and I felt the session itself was rather rushed by the time it was our turn.
Linnea was focused:

Linnea and her big brother. I love this photo. It meant so much for all of us that Lucas could be here for her big dag. I really hope they will always be there for each other throughout the rest of their lives.

The family photo:

Falkängen

Falkängen is situated in Hällekis, it used to be an industrial street that has a long and interesting history. Nowadays it houses lodging and conference facilities, as well as craft shops during the summer months. We have visited many times before, as it is very cosy, and I love having a browse around the many offerings of the craftsmen selling their creations here.

It was another warm day, so of course we had to take a fika break:

We did end up doing just a little bit of shopping, Linnea bought a silver ring and we got a birthday gift for Morfar.

Midsommar fun

After a week in Denmark, Linnea and I continued to Skara while the boys stayed to do Copenhell one more year. We arrived just in time for Midsummer. Celebrating Midsummer in Sweden is another thing we usually don't do, so I really looked forward to it this year, and was hoping that the weather would hold. We started the day with Midsummer cake at home:

I made some flower wreaths for Linnea and myself, out of the flowers in Mormors garden.

Then we took off to celebrate together with my cousin Emma and her family, in Härlunda, just like seven years ago.

This time around I had to dance around the maypole by myself:

Linnea was busy cuddling with Elicia:

Morfar and Mormor also just watched, from the shade:

It was a wonderful afternoon, a very traditional celebration. Dancing around the maypole, games, quizzes, tombolas and so on.

The Midsummer girls:

And Midsummer fika of course!

Back home we continued the celebration with a bit of Midsummer food for dinner, new potatoes and herring, of course!
 

Stegt flæsk

After Tivoli we met up with a bunch of our friends in Frederiksberg for some solid traditional Danish food - stegt flæsk og persillesauce. Om nom nom! Poooork, so yummy!

Sitting outside to have dinner just hits differently back home in Scandinavia. It feel like it's appreciated in a different way, since the outdoor season is much shorter than back home; and also considering how dark and cold it is most of the year. 
A glorious evening!