year 2011 in summary

Exactly one year ago I made a short list on my blog about things I was proud of or what had been new in the year that had gone by. I thought of making a similar list also this year. Though i feel this year's list is going to be harder to make, I'll do my best in summing up the year 2011. 

The year 2011 was made of:

Welcoming new friends and saying goodbye to old ones. 

Jumping into new adventures.

Beginning my studies, although i still don't know what i want to study.

And as last year, leaping from a previous stage in life into a whole new one.

Have a great year 2012! 

Yuletides

It's been a while since my last update. I meant to post some pictures of Christmas candies I made the last time I was in Kokkola, but forgot my camera there so I couldn't upload any pictures until now. So this time I've got a lot of pics to share ;) 

First I want to share some things that are important to me in Christmas 

First and for most the birth of Christ is the number one thing. This Chistmas I've heard some talk about whether Christmas is a Christian  or a pagan celebration, but for me it doesn't matter as long as you respect your traditions. 

I love spending the holiday with my family and my dearest friends who all are actually scattered around the world. This specific holiday we all have gathered to one place and I have the the great opportunity to enjoy everybody's company.

As a last thing I want to mention the atmosphere. There's just something special in the air when you light some candles, sit by the Christmas tree and listen to some carols. Do I need to say more?

This week I have been preparing for Christmas eve by baking lots of cakes and candies. Here's some picture of my makings this week

 These candies I made the last time when I was in Kokkola

Our dog Miska waiting for his presents and keeping watch over the tree

Christmas is coming..

I just wanted to share a post now when it's the wonderful time of advent. The Christmas is right around the corner and we don't have many decorations up yet, except for this star hanging in the window.

I'm for the weekend at my mom's place and I can really feel Christmas when I'm here <3

My place

I'm finally starting to get my apartment ready.  Here's two pictures of small details ;)

Longing somewhere

I wonder whether it's the darkness outside and the cold wind blowing from the sea or the fact that I haven't been to my dear island in a long time that's making my soul feel gloomy and sentimental.
Probably it's the darkness that causes what we call the ''autumn depression''. I forgot how it felt, since I decided to skip the depression last winter and spend it in a warmer and more sunny place.

A few hours ago I was watching photos from my time at the island and I could feel my heart starting to pound when I quickly made the decision in my head to move back to the island. Then when the thought passed as fast as it came, I fell back on earth and realized that I'm at the beginning of my studies, and that it's impossible for me to move anywhere right now.

I guess I don't have any other choice to make my every-day-life easier than to wrap myself up in a cozy blanket, drink a hot cup of coffee and eat plenty of chocolate and put some candles on and watch my favorite series in the TV.

Restoration

There has been a lot of thoughts going through my mind in the past week or so.
What came to mind today was the word restoration. I think it's important that we restore the things that has gone somehow wrong in our lives, whether it is a broken relationship or a bad-gone decoration of the home. We need to fix the things we can and accept the things we can't change.

I borrowed the picture from this site:
http://mellodyy.blogg.se/2010/september/

Greatness is a wonderful word. You don't need any other word to finish the sentence. Greatness is enough.

I've been temporarily living in another apartment than my own. It's getting fixed after something that appeared to a flood. Will get new flooring though. When I get to move back I'll start to redecorate the apartment and post some pictures. I promise.

Last weekend i spent in the lovely city Umeå in Sweden visiting my dear friend. It's been a too long time since I last saw her. You can read more about our adventures in Tenerife on my old blog: http://matildaenespana.blogspot.com/

I bought the most wonderful baking book full of great recipes. I planned on starting to bake the whole book through, an inspiration I got from the movie Julie & Julia

Lyxiga cupcakes och läckra kakor -
Bakverk från berömda Hummingbird Bakery i London