Mood board aka Mother board....

Good morning all,

The first notes for this blog I've written at "a stolen hour" sitting in my garden. Only for a short while though because we're in the final stage of smarten up the flat of our son , so a very good reason!
Tomorrow he will be moving out and instead our still to do list reduces it seems to expand... (though my son sometimes thinks otherwise)... so still much to do!
Writing this blog is for me not only sharing pictures, experiences and thoughts but also sharing emotions and there's a lot going around for me in that department at the moment...

I've still got mixed feelings about the first son who is moving out, but I think every mother would recognise that feeling. Above all I'm very happy he has got himself such a nice place and just around the corner as it is in the same village!
What also helps is that he involves me a lot about when decorating his first home, indeed he's such a dear and clever boy ;-)

His girlfriend asked him a little while ago if he already had a mood board and his answer made this mother extremely happy.... I don't need a mood board because I've already got a mother board!

So we went shopping.... together at the shops and his mum also @Pinterest

A small collection of ideas... for example to decorate the living room, entrance
 and balcony. Gradually I found out he most loves lots of
(dark) wood, beige and brown tones ( just like his mum!). 

Buying the flat was quite a financial issue so the interior had to be done at a low budget. Fortunately Ikea turned out to be the shop where all his needs and wishes could be bought within the budget. And we came home with this basics.....

a. SÖDERHAMN footstool-Replösa beige  b. SÖDERHAMN 3-seater-Replösa beige
  c. BORGFINN table legg  d. ARV crockery plates  e. JÄRA lampshade
f. STOCKHOLM-side table  g. VIKA FURUSKOG table leaf

And the following colour scheme....

Times are really changing and the little boy has grown into a adult man. As long as he knows
that whenever he needs advice or anything else his mum and dad will always be there for him...
And what that mood board concerns, look what his girlfriend got him...

I think it will be in good hands.... ;-)


Guess I'll be having a very busy (and maybe a bit emotional) but contented weekend, enjoy yours!

Anita xo

Spring is in the air....

Hope you've enjoyed the last beautiful days. What a lovely weather it was and a joy to be (at work) in the garden!
Last week it seemed like nothing even happened , but with the higher temperatures of recent days there is suddenly much movement in the garden....

a blackbird is taking his daily bath....

I'm so glad that the couple great tit has again taken up residence in
 their summer house....

In the pond, the frogs are very busy courting each other. The last
 days I only hear frogs croaking and splash of males chasing a female.
They have already produced many spawn as you can see....

Not so long ago the faded flowers of the Hydrangea arborescens
 ''Annabelle" were beautiful covered with snow and they are still
very beautiful....

but they must make the way clear for something wonderful ....

.

nature buds....

finally no more frost....

therefore the pots can be filled again....

All this gives me so much joy and energy.... I hope it does the same for you!
Enjoy the rest of the week,
Anita xo

A little Spring at home...

Good morning all, I hope you've had a nice weekend. I woke up this morning with a chorus of singing birds, a great start of a new week. It seems now that Spring really has started.

Unfortunately I'm still recovering from a nasty cold that has kept me in the house most of last week :-(
So my plans to take some spring-like pictures outside ..... well I've got my hopes up for this week!

Therefore only some pictures of  "a little Spring" at home...

Hope you'll enjoy Spring and wishing you a nice and sunny week,

Anita xo

Easter and chocolate cake....

Hope you've had a nice Easter. Mine was busy with my work, a nasty cold and our son his new flat!
The first son to leave the parental home...
And yes, I'm thrilled for him but it also makes me feel a little sad.

So time for some therapeutic baking. Not only to get my mind of things but it's a festive moment, receiving the keys of your (first) own home.... so cake was required!

I baked a chocolate cake, after all it's scientifically proven that chocolate makes people happy ;-)

You will need:

375g chocolate (at least 70% cacao) in pieces
225g butter in lumps
6 eggs
200-225g cane sugar
2 tablespoons mix for spiced cookies
icing

Here is how I've done it:

Melt the chocolate with the butter in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Stir until melted.
Mix the eggs together with the cane sugar to an light and fluffy substance and then the mix for spiced cookies  through it.
Stir the mixture gently through the chocolate mixture. Don't stir to much because it should be just mixed.
Scoop the mixture in a greased (and some flavour to prevent sticking) baking tin of approximately 24 centimetre diameter and bake in 20-24 minutes just done in a preheated oven at 180 degrees.
Let the cake cool down in the tin and sprinkle with icing before serving.

Hope you'll enjoy my "recipe for some happiness"... it worked for me!

Have a nice week,
Anita xo