Childhood thoughts and another gift

On my way back home I was favoured by fortune to ride in one of those old train wagons. They're very rare and replaced by the (in my eyes) rather charmless modern models. Even though this one is not the oldest version yet, it reminds me of my childhood and travelling long distances by train when visiting my grandparents. Grandpa came all the way from his hometown just to pick me up at the station where I was waiting with my parents. Once inside, I stood on the upholstered bench, wistfully in anticipation, and we both waved my parents goodbye. 

I must have been only 3 or 4 years old, but I still remember the smell of the brownish upholstery. And how I felt so wonderfully taken care of by my grandpa, who started cutting small pieces of apples for me with his pocket knife on those little foldout tables. I remember wondering about "Aschenputtel" (the german version of Cinderella), and if she really lived in Aschersleben, a little town our train always passed through. Even though grandpa is gone for many years now, I still wonder. In a more grownup and mature way, of course.

Back home I finished this little birthday gift for a friend of mine. A while back I made a cotton bag for her in a very similar design, and she fell in love with the anchor patterned linen. The zipper pouch fever has gotten me a few weeks ago and I've been through so many tutorials to get the hang of how to make these. They're so lovely to have for little bits and bobs and make such a wonderful present.

Wrapping and singing

I've been wrapping presents all evening long yesterday, and Mada has been of great help. She attentively folded gift wraps (using the weight of her entire body) and thoughtfully pulled on strings to tighten bows I made. Or undid them so I could redo them again. It took me a lot longer than it usually would, but it's worth the amusement when watching her being so excited about the simplest things.

Long story short: A parcel will be on its way to Belgium very soon!

Other than that I will be gone for a few days to enjoy choircamp with a few old friends. Making music and being with the ones you love is a terribly good mixture. I spent the last of my school years at a special musical institution, including a boarding home. The friends I've made there are still the closest to my heart. And even though we're scattered all over the country and aren't in much contact during weeks and months, it's always as if we've just met a few days ago. Priceless.

Enjoy the rest of your week! I hope you'll have lots of sun.

Back home

It has not been a pleasant trip. I call it trip on purpose, not holidays. I have learned many things during these 10 days, and wouldn't miss the experience. There's one thing I can tell you right upfront. It doesn't really matter where you're going. It depends a lot on your company. More than you think. There are of course places that may somehow inspire you, or your expectations of them motivate you so much you simply get into a good mood automatically. But share your travels with someone who figuratively doesn't speak the same language as you do.. and joy and relaxation only comes with tremendous effort.

There are still a lot of things to be liked about Norway. Like the odd feeling you get looking at the clock and noticing it's past midnight, yet bright outside. Or the landscape, of course, Staring at the enormous rocks of those fjords makes you feel so tiny. And they've been there all along. And they'll be there still after you've gone.

I also enjoyed fishing, and we were lucky enough to angle a young codfish. It was so exciting, since I've only been fishing once in my life, as a little girl, with a little self made fishing rod, using breadcrumbs as a bait. I've been told real pro's don't use breadcrumbs. But they do work, don't they?

This carrot cake in a small café in Alesund mended my heart. It was simply delicious, and sharing it with someone I care for and could rely on during this trip, wiped away some of the worries and sorrows. 

The way to someone's heart is always through his stomach, they say. I tried that with a heavenly apple cake, made with an apple sauce you prepare a day or a few hours before. 

It was beautiful. It was tasty. It was juicy. It didn't work. The heart thing, I mean. Maybe one day it might, but it will take a whole lot of cakes.

 

After a long and tiresome ride home I was delighted to see my little garden had grown and survived my absence. Some tomatoes of quite some size were waiting for me. My first ones ever! I am so excited and afraid I could do something wrong before they are really ripe and ready to be eaten.

And here's a picture of my lucky clover. I planted it a while ago, hoping it would bring me luck. It's growing and flourishing every day. I know good fortune can't be constrained. But inspired, maybe. A little?

Gone fishing

Source: None via Agata on Pinterest

I'm off to Norway for ten days, so it will be a little quiet over here.

This trip comes along just the right moment, and I'm so looking forward to a nice little break from too many worries about unlaid eggs. July has some exhausting yet thrilling adventures prepared for me, and I'm sure the stunning and calming landscape up there will give me enough strength to tackle my new projects.

I'm just struggling a bit with packing. It might not be as sunny as it is on this lovely picture, so it's mostly jumpers and boots and self knitted scarfs. Wish me luck that the sun might peek out once in a while!

Enjoy your days, see you soon again!
<3