Midsummer foods etc.

First published on June 26, 2020. Here it is again a year later.  Happy MidSummer Guys. Me? I am doing my summer cleaning!!

Its been a week since solstice and mid summer celebrations (which we did not have this year).  The longest day is behind us, but we will not  notice as much until late august when it gets dark at around 10 p.m. and light around 5 a.m.  Even then days are longer for us.  This goes on till about September but from end of October it changes rapidly.  

Above screenshot is from Google's search page.  I might not keep this post up for  long, since am using different ages from other sites.  Even though I make no money from the blog, I want to bring order and do it all right.

Following are images from the handle @Sweden they have the best information about Sweden and swedish traditions. Midsummer foods, like all summer foods are light, and bubbly.  Also a family and friends time.  

This is my pic, from town. It says Harrys for delicious company.  The reason I took this picture is because how summer is reflected in the windows....enjoy.....I have several stories around summer and how Sweden in summer is just 'profusion' (an expression I read in this book titled 'Fishing in Utopia' read it--if you are interested in knowing about Sweden of the 1970s and 1980s.  Have a great weekend folks...

Love and Laughter: The best medicine

 

Have some strange days, months, longer.   In that confusion of much work & deadlines, and finding direction--had to do the things that one needs to do to live. For example groceries.  For all he time I have lived in Sweden, I have not bought a car. Partly because almost every summer I spent home.  Being with family, trying to ensure I was there for my mother and being a part of my nephews lives. 

So on this day I was at the grocery store when I saw this woman and young girl hugging in the middle of the grocery store.  I stared.  Then I smiled. They smiled back and continued hugging. 

I walked away to another refrigerator.  But my heart needed to talk to them.  I turned around, "mother and daughter?"

They nodded.  I smiled, and brought my hand to my heart and then walked away. 

A few minutes later, I just asked. May I please take a picture of you, And may I please put this up on my blog.  They nodded.  Then came the stupid camera person part---for the original moment was not there. "Can you hug please?"  

They did.  No, not like that, like you were hugging actually, close and with broad smiles. 

They did.  Its such a warm picture.  Even though it is just a copy of the real moment.  

It truly brought joy to my heart.  Gave me a reason to turn my head towards the amount of love that exists in this world. On my way back, I met Sorina, my beautiful neighbour from Romania.  In my excitement, I showed her this picture. She said, "Oh, that's Isabella.  She used to live behind my house but has moved to another neighbourhood now".

Another reminder.   Happiness is always closer than we think.

Thankyou Universe!

Goodness Goes On

 

A young couple, midsummer, sun and goodness.

I was standing at the bus stop, counting the minutes left for the next bus.  They are a little slow in summer when university students are rare.  COVID has added other issues.

I saw this young couple with a garbage picking stick, walking, talking and cleaning the unruly grass as they walked and chatted casually.  I stopped them, 

Excuse me, are you doing this just to help the area stay clean?

They nodded and blushed.

May I please take a picture, I pointed at my phone.  Yes, they nodded.

May I please put it on my blog.  They looked at each other and nodded.

May I please know your names and put them too. Yeah, ok.  Johan and Ingrid they said.

Very Swedish names.

So glad they shared their names. I will remember them forever.  Johan and Ingrid, will be connected to this image of a citizen's duty. 

And a very Swedish practice of taking pride in the place you live in.  Do a little extra than needed.  Nothing wrong in going for a stroll, but even better if you take your garbage picking stick and contribute to the cleaning of the area, as you go about your walk.

Remember from last year? A similar story? (Click Here to Read)

That is my Sweden.  Thanks Sweden. Thankyou!!

Grannare (Neighbours)

My beautiful neighbours.  This is a short post, I will return to this and update it--as it should be.  The lady on the right, closest to the camera is a good friend and has been very helpful.  The young man sitting diagonally opposite is her son who has helped me SEVERAL time with 'handyman' work.   The man closes to the camera is whose house it is.  I often see him sitting outside and-eating and I always wave a 'smalig maltid" Bon Appetite to him..  He waves back and always with a smile. 

The lady on the far right is in the neighbourhood --we always smile at each other, but have not talked much 

I was returning from grocery shopping when I found them sit-in.  They offered me wine and cheese and snacks,. Ofcourse i do not drink --we talked about life and neighbourhood and jobs and life. Just like friendlily neighbours should be. 

Oh and the handsome dog also belongs to my friend and her son....and his name, a fitting one....for just look at him...is HERO...

I am very lucky.