Christmas & New Year

 

 We went to the cinema together. Saw "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"

 A short but sweet visit to Sundsvall to my cousins' family home. Got to do some story telling for E - my cousin C's handsome son.

 D got to experience really cold temperature in Sundsvall. A new record for him : -13! Playing on the ice was also something he enjoyed!

 Out in the cold

E opening his X-mas presents. The wrapping paper was probably the most fun present.

 Another first experience for D. My cousin's loved one, P, is showing D how to do it right.

 Turns out even I had been good, so I got something from Santa. A Santa that surprisingly looked a lot like my brother

 For New Years I went to Spain to enjoy the festivities with D's family

 My New Year's outfit

Unfortunately this is the best pic of D from New Year's eve that I have. But take my word for it: he was very handsome.

A touch of Christmas

Yep it's that season again. Christmas will be here in 3 weeks and today is the 1st advent which, in Sweden, means you light the 1st candle of the advent candle holder. I made sure my flat got a touch of Christmas yesterday. It was a Christmas tree mat that worked perfectly as a table cloth for my round table. My trained domestic goddess eye spotted it directly at H&M home. Oh season of joy!

Ham season is getting closer...

Poor little piggy!

I say this every year but - I can't belive Christmas is almost here!! I am looking forward to a bit of quality time with my family and friends if they are in town - Stockholm time it is. Like D describes the Swedish Christmas: "You eat like a pig! All day every day..." I must admit it's true and the irony in this is that the main dish on the Swedish Chritmas table is - a pig... A nice and juicy ham eaten with sweet Swedish mustard...lovely!

God jul! (= Merry Christmas!)

Home in London again

Christmas Eve in Haninge with my parents and brother
The view from my parents' house

New Years Eve in Palma

David and his two beautiful sisters Aina and Lara

With friends in the restaurant Ca'l dimoni - The Devil's house (in Majorcan Catalan)

We arrived in London safe and sound. Quite a pain free trip back. I'm so happy I was able to spend my Christmas holidays in two very special places - Stockholm and Mallorca. I got what I needed: some time to relax and spend quality time with family and friends. Check out some of the pictures!