In the Moment.

I promised some in-the-moment blogging after having caught you up on my past months' adventures. Funny how life is challenging me further by bringing oh-so-much into my life these days.

Over the past few years I have learned that I have most success in grounding myself by

a) being in nature,

b) taking photos, and

c) enjoying B's presence.

Beautifully, these three coping strategies can be combined... :).

So, I am enjoying them all a lot recently.

Currently I am "in between" being with clients. Accordingly have I taken advantage of the relative calm by moving, nesting in the new environment, taking drawn out mountainbike- and hiking-trips with B every day, picking blueberries, getting a haircut, making scrumptious food, watching movies with a glass of wine for company, buying, putting together and loving my new bed, slowly setting up my personal spaces around The Farm, finishing the process of registring my company, opening a business bank account, organizing bills and paperwork, setting up my winter job, studying Swedish 3 days a week, and connecting with some seemingly sweet souls via online dating (hoping for a first encounter with the sweetest of them this weekend).

Rich days. And after my initial struggle to land my feet after having been on an intense journey with a young man for 52 days have I finally found some moss to plant my feet on.

I've been writing here about my struggles and successses and everything in between for over a year. Interestingly, I have never been this close to actually follow the Sweden To-Do-List. Now, my life actually reflects 1) Learn Swedish, 2) create a home for Buford and I, 3) grow roots. Intentions are my strongest weapon in realizing my dreams.

In the midst of my rather self-centered life (beautifully so) - I get to celebrate movement. Things are for real now. I'm going to travel to Germany at the end of the month to meet up with some people from the company that sends me clients. If all goes well the previous client will join me on my way home and stay with me another 4 weeks before I shift my business into "winter mode" (essentially working 20 hours with a vacation rental place for a full-time salary and skiing tons). Still gotta ponder what adventure we could tackle this time if he happens to come.

But, I have also been contacted by another company that I have been in touch with during the dark winter days last year. When I was grasping for whatever opportunity I could find on the WWW. They wrote that they would love to have me work with a "very troubled girl" of theirs. Apparently they thought of me right away... To me there is a lot of beauty in this. I am given more client opportunities than I can handle a mere three months after starting my business, while not even having advertised what I am doing here! Haven't found the time to even create a web presence cause I am so busy with doing the actually work. I could not have imagined this a year ago... or maybe I did? Am certain that that voice of mine was pretty meak back then...

But now it's strong. And it speaks Swedish a lot. In all kinds of circumstances. And German. And English. And I feel grown, and rich, and strong. Wanna continue with wandering in each direction from my place and find ever more beautiful spots to go with B, and take photographs.

Soon my fire place will be "installed". Cannot wait to spend evenings cuddled up with B in front of it. It's been cold here. Incredible, crisp autumn days. In the morning there is often frost outside. It's crunchy under B's hurrying feet when he seeks a spot to take care of his very personal business first thing in the morning.

The community here is wrapped up in the current moose hunting season. I've had the luck to see a moose a couple of days ago on my way to Swedish class. They continue to amaze me in their stoic beautiful presence. Hope that one didn't get shot.

Thanks for being part of my journey by reading here and sometimes commenting.

Life in Sweden is still a little lonely for me. Lots to decide and ponder all on my own.

But... it's happening. And with mine and B's feet planted a little more sturdily on that Swedish moss does it seem like only a question of time till we're a bit more connected with other humans and their four-leggeds.

Have a wonderful day!

The Farm.

This is it, people... my new base.

In a whirlwind Buford and I left our old house right after our client left. We have spent the last 10 days or so moving our belongings from our temporary house to our new home.

I've even bought a bed in the meanwhile!! (Side note: Kinda crazy that I had to learn at 33 years old that I have slept wrong for all of my life?! From a cute guy at IKEA that "checked me out" while pretending to sleep on various beds? Was well worth it though, cause I now sleep in heaven every night. Thinking I may push a 100 if I continue good stuff like this for myself... Underbart!).

But, back to The Farm.

On the picture above (I took a photo of a photo in the older flat upstairs) you can see all the buildings that are bascially mine. Yeah, I get to be the "rent-in owner" of all of them...!

B and I live in the house on the upper right corner of the picture. The other buildings are an actual stable, a house that's being renovated (not actively, but it looks incredibly promising), quite a few sheds, and several storage places. Everything is in nice shape and beautifully aged.

There is also a swing. B gets a lot of stoke in his eyes when I use it. May try to capture that on "film" at some point for you all.

There is also endless forest that starts right behind our property.

And in the forest there are lingonberries. And moose. And bears. And trails to bike and hike and ski on. You get the picture. It's my kind of paradise.

Am planning to take some current photos of it all today.

Cannot wait to share...

In the meanwhile: Har det bra!

Of Cuddles, Play, and Rowing in the Skärgård.

Welcome back!

Here's a visual of our time out in the Skärgård (Swedish for Archipelago). The Swedes are proud of their islands... I can understand why.

Note B's favorite sleeping spot: The fire pit! Maybe he doesn't need beds and sleepingbags after all?!

Love. This. Shot.

He looks so endlessly happy when he gets to play with the boy.

Sometimes I catch him even though he's speedy as no other!

Paradise, right?

Me, rowing the boat.

More cuddles. There has to be time for that.

Hard worker resting his eyes... :)

Best Idea Ever: Canoe Trip on the Klarälven.

I'm back. For real. Will catch up a little on the past month away over the next few days and then actually do some in-the-moment-blogging. Cause life is beautiful and deserves not only savoring and capturing but also sharing.

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Over the course of a week my client, Buford and I paddled our canoe over 100 km on the Klarälven in Värmland. While a 100 km may sound like a lot of work I can honestly say that this was probably my most relaxed time on my job.

This is how we traveled:

B does most of the work.... :)

... and continues to tease my desire to capture his beauty.

Our first evening out...

... how beautiful!

Seal or dog? Or beaver?

Made the decision to learn myself a lot about fishing. It's too good not to jump on that wagon...

.... mmmmhhhhmmm. That about captures it.

Peek-a-boo! :)

Upside down and totally grounded at the same time.

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Klarälven... you're accepted as a part of my business components.

I'll be back!

Alive, well, and, ... well, busy.

Yes, we made it back in one piece.

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Even though Beefy didn't get to come for the first two weeks due to his paw re-opening.

And despite mosquitos who fought us several times like an army of warriors.

Or the swamps... did I mention the swamps yet?

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We also enjoyed powerful moments when we made it to view points, when we saw rainbows, reindeer, or were invited to eat freshly caught fish with some strangers.

Additional highlights were the B and A inclusion, playing cards, and making scrumptious food.

I got hundreds of photos however limited energy.

Am still on the job and will stay on the job till 8/20. Looking forward to floating down Klarälven on a raft that we will build and ride "a la Huck Finn style" starting next week and to some seakajaking in the Skärgård east of my old stomping grounds down south. Then 3 weeks client- free and on it goes again. In September we plan to hike from Sweden to Norway's fjords.

Yup, life is good.

It's been one year!!

Since I arrived in Sweden and started this blog. Here's what I filled it with:

... freaking out about letting go of the comforts that the States have provided for me.

... being separated from Buford for 3.5 months and 5 weeks.

... finding comfort in sharing Swedish struggles and glory with a wonderful online community.

... getting a brain work out when (attempting to) speak Swedish.

... being fascinated by typically Swedish things like the osthyvel.

... finding, going for, and falling in love with Up North.

... playing with photography, nature, and the B.

... wondering, hesitating, hoping, and leaping.

... taking "trips of a lifetime" on two occasions.

... coming up with my business idea and taking steps to realizing it.

... earning very little money yet still finding ways to feed the Beef and I.

... traveling to the US and Belize for work on two occasions.

... meeting new people, making connections.

... loving life.

Someone pinch me...

I experienced some deeply touching moments today.

As I may or may not have written about here, I will receive a visit from two representatives of a German company next week. They want to see and experience my environment, learn more about my motivation to work with youth, and be interested to find out what specifically I can offer their clients.

A couple of nights ago - during a hike with B on top of our house mountain - I had the brilliant idea of utilizing the 24 hours they plan to spend with me in Mr. Moose's "alpine hut" that he's willing to let me utilize with my future clients during the Phase II I am planning.

When I called him to ask if that's an option and if we could go visit it prior his answer was as usual: "Of course. Wanna go tomorrow?"

We took a little longer than that, and went today.

I don't think the photos below will do my emotions justice.

But: The place is touching me deeply, letting me feel rooted instantly, giving me peace, and letting me trust that the kids that I'll bring there won't be able to escape that energy either (even though they will likely perceive it differently than I do).

There are a bunch of little houses. One of them contains a bastu (sauna) and showers. One a kitchen (open fire place in the center of the room), one three beds. And then there is a well outside. That's where one gathers water by letting a bucket down and dragging it back up. No electricity, fire places in all houses.

In short: My dream.

I was so touched, I almost cried. Not sure what was happening there, but it felt good.

Something about Sweden and their old ways is just really hitting the spot for me.

Well, Sweden,... keep it coming.

Earth Cellars (for Andrea)

Since my arrival in Sweden I have stumbled over some interesting stuff.

One intrigue of mine are what I think of as earth cellars... According to a quick www research they are also called root cellars. Here's the one we have in Paradise:

Sadly it's not in use.

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However, the next two (which I found on yesterday's walk) are... how do I know? There were tracks to each of their doors (and no, they weren't either B or mine).

Aren't they lovely?

And they can be found EVERYWHERE.

I have even entered one before... and this was in northern Stockholm. And it was in use.

Yup, Swedes do sweet stuff such as putting their veggies and fruit and cans and other perishables into earthy lil' wonders.

I kinda wanna live in one for a while.

Talk about being grounded... but no windows :(.



I may just opt for a stuga :).