Early Morning Discoveries

3 mars, 2018 / Leya / 23 kommentarer

Early morning, and our private guide arrived again.

Today we went to see the snow sculptures and some interesting shops and cafés.

There was an outdoors movie, the award winning ”Sameblod”. Luckily we had seen it before, so it seemed unnecessary to sit down for some hours in -20 degrees C…

After some researching, we found there were no snow sculptures this winter – only a playground and a maze. But they seemed much frequented!

Emma guided us to her favorite store, a paper shop with lovely cards, pencils, parcel papers and origami. And more – plus a lovely lady behind the desk.

Some hours later, there was a sudden need for warming up toes, fingers and cheeks…and we ventured up to ”Nya Konditoriet”…

…an old patisserie, opened in 1927 and still looking almost the same.

Very tasty – and their team won the Nordic Pastry Cup in 2017! The old chandeliers and decorated windows totally won my heart. Brought back something of my childhood.

Gammlia – Umeå

2 mars, 2018 / Leya / 15 kommentarer

A beautiful place for showing Västerbottens cultural history – Gammlia. The word means ”the old hill”, or ”the old mountain hill”.

We spent a lovely hour here, walking through the area, enjoying the old houses and snowy surroundings. My favorite kind of fences everywhere.

Good walking

Colourful houses in the sunshine

Take a close look at this one…isn’t it Santa Claus over there…?No – a skier!

Who would not fall in love with Helena Elisabeth?

The church has got an interesting story as well.

– 20 degrees C – gives you the opportunity to preserve things just as they are…

…but only as long as the cold stays.

Last Year’s Roses

23 februari, 201823 februari, 2018 / Leya / 8 kommentarer

Snow is softly falling and I am feeding the birds. They sit waiting among last year’s roses.

New Fuji Camera – Old Apple Tree

20 februari, 201821 februari, 2018 / Leya / 29 kommentarer

My old apple tree is slowly dying

He has always been there, as a Warden Spirit, long before we bought this house

He is greatly loved by moss and lichen – and the birdhouse is always inhabited

The old tree is hosting many species, many worlds

But, last year, only one single apple managed to grow on these moldering branches

This spring might be his last one – what will happen to all his guests?

Wordless Wednesday

14 februari, 201814 februari, 2018 / Leya / 4 kommentarer

A White, White Walk – and Nostalgia

4 februari, 2018 / Leya / 22 kommentarer

Some fluffy snow last night made for a lovely family walk today.

I love it when there are layers of forest colors and different tree species collaborating.

They live together in harmony and they create harmony in the minds of us walking by.

On our way back to the starting point, voices rang from the meadow where my children used to play in the snow as kids. We heard a young family with two children. These two had climbed the fallen giant (see the header), pretending it was a ship. I stood listening to them, smiling. My son too. Then he said: ”I wonder when we start losing that magic ability…it should stay with us forever. I am sure we all would feel better inside.”

My camera battery was gone – so this shot is with my Samsung phone. I can still hear their laughter. And marvel at the very size of that tree. And – their imagination.

Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Outdoor – Walks or Roads

1 februari, 20181 februari, 2018 / Leya / 20 kommentarer

Outdoor – Walks or Roads for Cee’s challenge. Please join in the fun!

Driving a (to me) new road, I tried the GPS we got from a friend this Christmas – I am old fashioned…never had one before – and it lead me to a dead end street. The road was closed. At first I was disappointed…but, looking out of the window on my left hand side, I saw an iron fence, and behind that, a path twisting and winding through a beautiful landscape. Of course I had to walk that path – and Totti did not say no.

Having accidentally found this lovely hiking path, I plan to return in spring (if I can find my way back to this spot…) – would love to see the beeches green and the water merrily sing along with the birds.

Oh…Which one?

26 januari, 201826 januari, 2018 / Leya / 7 kommentarer

I happened to overhear this couple in a store in Dublin, Ireland – about the difficulties of choosing the right cap… Somehow, this is of course a human dilemma that hits us all sometimes…which one should I buy?

In Sweden almost everyone my age is familiar with a famous humour dialogue with Gösta Ekman and a newspaper salesman, about which evening paper to buy: Aftonbladet eller Expressen.

Unfortunately Gösta Ekman passed away recently, but his legacy is that of a giant in the Swedish comedy genre.

I cannot post the dialogue, since it is only in Swedish, but chose this clip instead. Among all his movies and comedies, Ekman invented his own, middle aged, clumsy figure called ”Papphammar”. Papphammar is the average man, who sometimes wants to try new things…with not so very great success.

Gösta Ekman did all his ”stunts” himself, and his body had to take a great deal over the years. Our greatest comedian, actor, director. We are grateful for all his unforgettable gifts to us.

Thursday’s Special: Once Over

25 januari, 2018 / Leya / 17 kommentarer

Paula, at Lost in Translation, always surprises with new, inspiring tasks. This time I am not sure if I am doing what she is asking for…but I will give ”Once over” a try.

This old tree has been my friend for many years. I have passed by him almost every day, walking in the forest. Every season I admired his clothing and majestic appearance – so I have got many, many photos of him.

Last year he began to seriously decline, and just before Christmas, I realized he had finally given in. The youngest branches sticks out to the right from the top, and during summer, they lost their leaves. So, I knew what was coming. I am grateful for all these years and all the photos of him – he has been standing there since my childhood days.

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