The cottage was damp and cold, frost bitten, and even though my brother had turned on heaters a couple of days before, it was still a bit chilly inside. I quickly discovered that the water filter was broken so we had no water in the house. So typical. Not a great start... While the kids set the table for take out pizzas, I walked down to my brother's place and filled up bottles with water for brushing teeth, doing dishes and filling the tea kettle with. I was annoyed, needless to say... I thought: "This is it. I'm selling this place. It is more work than joy." But after Nelly Bo lit up the fireplace and we all cuddled up in the bed sofa, watching a movie on our lap top, I once again fell in love with this place. With or without water, we had a wonderful two days of just chilling. Sleeping late in the mornings, going for long walks and hanging out in silence. Just all different from home where everyone tend to return to their own rooms and shut doors. Here you have no choice but being together. It is so small. We played cards, read magazines and books and watched movies at night. Before leaving I filled out my 5-year diary as usual, taking notes of the weather, the problems and the activities. It is always fun to look back on in the future.
Next stop was my younger brother's place to enjoy a New Year's dinner, chatter and champagne bubbles. All the kids were gathered and within seconds the activities in the house were in full swing; cooking, baking, slime making, racing tricycles, wrestling, holding snakes (!!! not me!!!), chasing cats, nibbling on treats, drinking wine, sneaking a hug from my Mum, laughing out loud over and over again, eating, talking some more, watching fireworks in the pouring rain... We had a lovely time and ate wonderful food prepared by my brother Thomas. It was a tired bunch that withdrew into beds in the wee hours.
Next time I'll share our third stop on this trip: Winter Wonderland in Järvsö. That will blow you away... It certainly wowed me. So so pretty...
Kärlek
Annette
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What wonderful happy fun photos, it sounds as if everyone had a fantastic time. The cottage is a magical place I think, even without water. Glad you had such a lovely time. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteHi Annette! All looks lovely and the little crochet mat under the candle has a twin living in my house in Cape Town where the sun is shining like a fire(!) at this time of year and the days are long...
ReplyDeleteLove your blog!
Love these pictures, wonderful family time! And that slime, such a universal kid pleaser!!
ReplyDeleteLove.
ReplyDeleteАннет, у вас очень красиво и уютно!
ReplyDeleteWe will be in our friends summerhouse by lake vanern in late May. So looking forward to it. We are taking our youngest grandson with us. It will be his first time on a plane too. I love the place, have so many photographs taken over the years. How lucky are we ?
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of you and your Mum!
ReplyDelete~Dana