Yowza, three weeks flies by when you are having fun! I’ve been full up with all kinds of things. Mom and Sarah arrived on November 4 and we had about 3 days before Sarah left for Ireland, into which we crammed pottery painting, thrifting for night stands, and various other activities. I worked half days that week, and then we had the weekend, where we took mom to brunch at Torna Hällestads lanthandel (with Karin and Anders), and the following week, I worked from home every day, so that mom wouldn’t be by herself. We had massages, and met up with the kids, and then had Friendsgiving to prep for as well.
Our annual Thanksgiving bash went swimmingly with 28 people and a houseful of laughter, great food, and good company. Of course, we didn’t take any photos at all, but I’m going to write down the list of people and what they brought, just for my own posterity:
- Anders, Liz, Martin, Karin, Theo, Elsa, Signe, and Grandma Linda: turkeys, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and spaghetti squash
- Debbie and Ola: sweet potatoe casserole
- Angie, Kristian, Alex, Rebecca: green bean casserole
- Emily and Pema: cornbread muffins
- Suzanne, Karolin, Alex, Adam: brussel sprouts, cranberry sauce
- Barbara, Paul, Kathryn, Nicky, Mushti: dressing
- Camilla: ice cream
- Lisel and Martin: pumpkin pies with whipped cream, black olives
We had great fun sitting around the kids table late talking and laughing. It was really nice. Sarah came back on Monday afternoon, so we went and picked her up at the airport. She had a massage the next day, and then managed to get another one 2 days later. I had the week off, and Karin spent the entire week at home, which was great. Unfortunately, Anders was gone from Monday until Thursday for work. We met up with Martin and Theo on Wednesday for sushi and then had Debbie, Ola, Camilla, and the kids home for for dinner on Friday as well. Anders made THREE awesome lasagnes from scratch and Sarah and I threw together two excellent salads.
It snowed a couple of days ago, just a dusting, but the streets in our neighborhood stayed white and frozen and then yesterday it snowed again: picture-perfect snow, but it made for some chaos in the evening when Karin went to get Martin, and the others were coming, as the highway closed down and all the buses were cancelled. I was very grateful to Debbie and Ola for taking Martin home to Malmö a second time, and double grateful to Ola who actually shoveled our walkway when they arrived, because we hadn’t even thought about it, and the snow was actually nearly 6 inches deep! DRRR.
Today was beautiful again, blue skies and sunny, and I went out and finished off the shoveling in the sun, which wasn’t easy as it was quite heavy hard-pack snow. But SO pretty with the sun shining on it.
Mom and Sarah left early this morning, with Karin along to Copenhagen. Anders drove them all, as he was going down to Skanör again to meet his sister and do some more sorting at Ingvar’s house, so I have had a very quiet day: reading, cleaning, doing laundry, relaxing. The guest beds just have to be made up and the house will be back in order. We actually decorated the house for Christmas during the day on Friday so it’s very mysig right now. We’ll get the tree in a couple of weeks or so, but I wanted the house to be festive for the dinner yesterday.
I’ve done a lot of Christmas present shopping this past week, and feel like I am a good bit along the way to done. Still have some major things to sort out, but I feel like I’m on track and it’s not even December yet, go me! Anders still isn’t home but I’m getting hungry so shall stop writing and figure out dinner. I had turkey leftovers for lunch and there isn’t much left of that, which is good, as I’m ready for something else!
Being alone all day in the house was weird, though, I have to say. I miss Sarah and mom already.
Mood: relaxed
Music: The Feeling—Love it When You Call