Wednesday, August 28, 2013

The Last Days of Summer




As some have noticed I have not been writing much over the summer. I had looked out my kitchen window throughout the long winter and thought, "wow I will have so much more to write about during summer time". Although most Swedes would tell you they are most proud of their country in the summer, you will also find that you can't get a hold of most of them during these months because they are simple outside enjoying themselves. I have to admit that at this point I have become much more understanding of why it is that businesses in Sweden have abbreviated summer hours with no excuses. It is just too wonderful outside to even think of spending a moment doing anything else but  bask in the sun as long as you possibly can.



The air is humid and the sun is strong. The forest is green and wild berries of various types ripen in stages that stretch out the whole season.



I swim in the lake most everyday and we barbeque and eat salads fresh from our own garden on the veranda almost every evening.


These are days of long, slow walks and good times with friends


and family


   

  These lazy days spent on the lake where I pack a little picnic of wasa crackers with cheese and a bag of frozen grapes have been so totally peaceful and effortless. On most of these days my friends who live in town have been on vacation for weeks and weeks at a time. Usually when I go down to my spot to lie in the sun, there is someone delightful lying next to me without having to make much advanced arrangement.







So as the sun goes down earlier and earlier with each passing day and I start to notice that the heat in the air cooling, I am doing my best not to despair but to savor my memories of my lazy days of summer. Once again, I am sorry I have been out of touch but I just needed to experience the Swedish Summer for myself. Tack!




Saturday, August 3, 2013

Dog and Dahlias


Today was so hot. I did little but give water multiple times to my some of the best gifts my husband ever gave me, my dog Peete and my many dahlias that are planted in the front yard.



They come in different colors and sizes but they all look wonderful together, just like they did on the tables at our wedding many years ago. Now they bloom in the front yard of our first home here in the southern Swedish countryside.They are so unapologetic, bright, bold and different, just like my husband and I.





Peete follows me like a shadow as I go out into the sun to water these rebel blooms throughout the day. He acts like he is helping me by smelling the blooms. Sometime I feel really bad that we don't have an actual job for him around the house, except for chasing flies and being adorable.