I have always been dreaming..

..of constructing a pond in my garden. Today, I found I had one! Without any effort!

The neighbouring fields are waterfilled (with an abundance of playing birds) - so now I have a sea view too! Well, the snow is now melting rapidly in this part of Sweden and I am happy to have a house rather elevated next to the church and not too much of any flooding problems. (The church was traditionally built on the highest spot in a community - and I am next door.)

It didn´t take long after the snow melted.. Some small brave flowers had been dying to wake up..I call them "the early risers!.

These pictures are from Friday in my garden.

A mild and sunny day..

..when the garden furniture was brought outdoors and the first cup of tea was had in the blazing spring sunshine..Now we´re talking!

It is not easy..

 ..getting dressed on when you are only 18 months old!

  Thalia, with a quite mature, serious expression on her face. Maybe sulking? Grandad Dag

 just returned from Washington and sent me these photos of my darling granddaughter Thalia growing, growing..over there far away from Sweden and her grandma!!

Now..I sulk and yearn..

 

Trying on Dad´s suit. More fun than those pink knickers,indeed!

The best of all: Playing with Dad when he returns home from work.

Have you ever wondered..

..about the origins of Easter Eggs?

 For centuries, eggs have been part of our easter traditions...they are symbolic of new life and fertility, and are representative of resurrection. I found this informative site on the web from where I also got the picture of the pretty eggs above:  

The history of the easter egg.  I´ll make my own any day now and have actually bought some sheets of leafy gold to glue on the huge eggs  bought from the neighbouring farm. But deep inside, I dream of somebody turning up with a gift of a real Faberge egg! Oh, never give up your sweet dreams! (No matter if they are somewhat...)

g.

These are beautiful Russian Easter Eggs inspired by the work of Peter Carl Faberge, the world famous Russian jeweler and purveyor of elegance to the Russian Court and the Tsars.
The Lilies of the Valley Egg is one of only two Faberge eggs created in the 'Art Nouveau' style. This egg was made of enameled gold, diamonds, pearls, rubies and crystal. The surprise consisted of three oval miniatures of the Czar, in military uniform, and his first two children, the grand Duchesses Olga and Tatiana. An Imperial crown of rose diamonds and rubies surmounts the egg.The Faberge Rosebud Egg, part of 'Imperial Treasures: Faberge from the Forbes Collection.' The Rosebud Egg, was presented by Czar Nicholas II to his wife, Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna and its value is estimated at $3-4 million.

FROM RUSSIA, WITH LOVE: Viktor Vekselberg, the third richest man in Russia with a personal wealth of $6 billion, recently bought the largest private collection of Faberge Imperial Easter Eggs from the Forbes family, at an estimated $120 million. 

Vekselberg, in a patriotic gesture, returned the eggs to Russia. He said that the collection represents the most significant example of Russia's cultural heritage and "is a lifetime chance to give back to my country one of its most revered treasures. See all the beautiful eggs on  "The world´s most expensive eggs" ( where I got these photos with the text.)

The star piece of Viktor Vekselberg's collection is the $24-million Faberge
    " Coronation  Egg"                                                                                                                    

                                Its surface is enamelled translucent yellow with bands of laurel made of gold. Opaque, black-enamelled Imperial eagles appear where the bands intersect. Each eagle has a small diamond on its chest.The Easter surprise within this egg is a miniature coronation coach. The coach frame is gold, the wheels are platinum, and the windows are crystal. An Imperial crown with rose diamonds surmounts the coach. 

Now. That´s what I call easter eggs!

 

 

FOR

 

 

 

  

Congrats America!

I just love this oldie..

..from the New Yorker (Of course!)

Mid March..

..and winter is still on..

There is an imminent need for flowers..

And colorful veggies..

Making new things like two silk pillows..

There is still a need for light and candles..

..and to pick up (for a dime) and bring home pretty stuff like this needlework at the Red Cross flea market ..

 

Cooking in the cosy kitchen. Yes, uncorking a bottle of bubbles, too..

Or: Cuddling a sweet Dalmatiner snuggled up on a cosy Gotland sheep skin. Soon, very soon we hope this winter is over and we will regain an outdoor focus again! But..alas! This morning there was more snow coming. Please STOP! Enough!

Notions of winter..and a fox dashing across the ice..

M/s Vindöga breaking ice in the Stockholm archipelago. 

This is the relible ship that has brought us to the island of Sandhamn in the Stockholm archipelgo hundreds of times over the years. Not the most comfortble of boats - but a reliable partner and sturdier than most. She was built 1978 and operates in the public transport system. 650 hp, single propeller, 27,5x7,2x3,25m and can take some 180 passengers. By the way, I haven´t seen so much ice in the archipelago since early childhood´s ice breaker trips to Sandhamn with my parents during winter holidays! I am still fascinated by this sound  of heavy ice cracking..(Recorded in March 5th 2010 and published by Carljesper on Yutube)

Notions of spring..

Days are getting longer and heavy chunks of snow are falling off the roofs with roaring thunder..

Time to check on the lovely Easter paraphernalia..

Why does it look like a tear in her eye?

Is it because it is still winter? But some of us try harder! (This is by my sister!)

Bringing out the sunchair ..starting humbly with one.

Beautiful sunsets at 5.30 PM. Alas!

One of my favourite scents of spring is the sweet fragrance of daffodils. "They actually smell yellow!" (as probably Muppet it-is-not-easy-being-green Kermit would have had it!)

 Easter welcoming!

Waiting in rows for the eggs brought from the neighbouring farm..

Jane Eyre - the 1944 film version

I have been looking for the 1944 film version of Jane Eyre with Orson Wells and Joan Fountaine for quite some time. Last night I vas happy to find it on...yes..You Tube! Of course you had to piece allt the parts togther but what the..! 

Once more; to almost die for that glance in Orsons eyes, for the "Rebecca" like intrigue, and Joan´s eternal innocent, shy smile! What I didn´t  know was that a very young child actor Elizabeth Taylor played a small part in this movie. Here is the short clip with her, pretty as a doll:

Happy birthday Malcolm!

 Mille´s first steps in Sandhamn some years ago..

On the beach - Trouville, Sandhamn,some years later.

Mum´s digital drawing after a photo of Malcolm´s first year at Brahegatan, Stockholm..
Who is on the T-shirt?

The fastest shooter in Saltsjöbaden!

A happy guy in tartan slacks..

Growing up. Summers in the archipelago..

Moving to Zimbabwe and bringing Swedish customs to Africa..

Holiday break from Speciss College, Harare, Zimbabwe. Mombasa, Diani Beach..

Living and working for many years in Paris left a certain impact..

Business trip to the Dead Sea..

Meeting the love of his life, Hinda, at the World Bank in Washington. Moving and working there.

Getting Married in Sandhamn ..

 

Becoming a father in Washington!

Malcolm and Thalia.

Happy, happy birthday my dear son and I´ll be seeing you soon!

Mum