The Lost Bunny

Here is an Easter Bunny who is looking for the spring. He thought he would be more than prepared with his glittering Eggs stowed ahead of time in his basket. The only thing this Easter Bunny did not prepare for was the fact that on the day before Easter snow would still cover the ground and all the festive flowers he was used to celebrating with.

Today I feel very much like this Easter Bunny. I finally have all my samples for "The Swede Life Shop's" first ever Spring/Summer launch. I have gathered all the inspiration I need to convey what is like to live in the Swedish Countryside during the warmer months. I have all my "eggs" in my basket, now I am just waiting for the snow to melt so I can lay out my picnic blanket and start photographing my products outdoors for the catalog and website. It is truly the most frustrating backup of creative energy I have ever had, and there is nothing I can do but wait!

So as the quarter-sized snowflakes continue to cover the ground, I stay inside and plan ahead...with this much time spent indoors maybe I can complete and photograph "The Swede Life Shop's" Fall/Winter Collection...

Spring Has Sprung for "The Swede Life Shop"

So even though there are still mountains of snow outside, inside my house spring has sprung. For months I have been working on designing my line of house wares called none other than, "The Swede Life Shop".

As long as I have worked in the home interiors industry and have been traveling to Sweden I have dreamed of creating and producing my own lifestyle brand that would capture the simplistic beauty of rural Scandinavian lifestyle. After years of contemplation and hesitation, the samples for that lifestyle brand are completed and I could not be more proud.

In my professional life I have had many titles, but no title I have had has made me more proud than the one I am now comfortable enough to give myself: Textile Designer.

There were times that I thought I would never be able to follow the uncharted path to true professional and creative fulfillment. I am so happy that I have people in my life that believed in me and my dream. So here I go, still on that country path toward my ultimate goal, but now I can see how much closer I get with each and every hard earned step....

theswedelifeshop.com .........OPENING SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Inte Så Roligt

Today, March 20th, we are in the middle of a blizzard that is supposed to last all week. Since this is my blog I am taking artistic license by posting these pictures that show how I truly feel about the weather situation.

 

As sobering as the reality of the current weather situation is, I still go on with preparations for the spring that may or may not actually happen. This Easter we will have my Mother-in-law over for a festive get together even if we have to do our Easter Egg Hunt in a few inches of snow. There are many Swedish Easter traditions and decorations that I am looking forward to posting about.

Winter Has Out Stayed it's Welcome

Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I was doing my best to have patience with this winter and how long it has lingered. I have stayed true to my commitment and I have not complained about the trail around the lake that was still half covered with hard, cruel ice in the month of March. I went about my preparations for spring by going and picking out all the seeds for the garden of my dreams. I have a bike to ride to spring and summer picnics and the BBQ stands willing and able.

I thought I was doing pretty well having patience with a season that has clearly over stayed it's welcome, until this morning I woke up to the scene pictured here. It's March 14th, two weeks away from the egg hunts of Easter, and this is what my backyard looks like? UNACCEPTABLE!?!?!?

Swedish Waffle Practice

Pictured are the Swedish Waffles I made on Sunday. In Sweden Waffles are a big deal.There is even an official Waffle Day coming soon (March 25). I am just practicing so I can make sure I will be able to preform as well as the other Swedish wives on the big day...more on Swedish Waffles coming soon!

The Global Economy for Breakfast

 

This morning while I ate the lovely breakfast you see pictured above I took some time to think about how it was all made possible by the modern Global Economy we live in today.

In the white porcelain bowl made in China is some Turkish Yogurt with muesli imported to Sweden from Germany, topped with Brazilian mango and honey from my Grampa's own beehives (brought back from California with care in my carryon luggage).

The coffee cup and saucer are French (of course) and the coffee in it is imported from Columbia and selected by a Swedish Coffee Company called ZOEGA's (Mezzo blend, one of my favorites).

There is much debate about the Global Economy and its effect on each country throughout the world. While I am sensitive to the effects of the Global Economy, I also think at this point resistance is futile. Instead of complaining about what is and will be, I think we should all think about what we can offer in the Global Economy. Each country and culture has unique goods, and resources that can be useful to consumers all over the World. In my opinion, you can choose to sink or swim in this case, and I personally always enjoy a good swim.