Slowing down..

Photo © Aina - Modern Country
 
Last Christmas we went on a (spoiled ) 4 weeks trip to The Netherlands. We stayed at the fabulous castle TerWorm for 2 romantic nights, visited countless antique shops and markets and did the last Christmas shopping in Maastricht. We also enjoyed the (oh so jummy) classical "Limburgse kersenvlaai"  with thick whipped cream, in Valkenburg. It was a fun and memorable trip. This year we are slowing things down. After a pretty hectic few months it shall be nice to rest our feets. Although I love travelling with my Dutch husband, I am looking forward to spend a quiet holiday with friends and family. I have missed them immensely during the years I lived abroad, and I am now so utterly happy to have them nearby. Finally.
 
 
5 ways to slow down and enjoy Christmas :
 
- Keep it simple
- Just breathe
- Don`t go overboard on gifts
- Better to give than receive
- Slow down, cut yourself some slack, give yourself a moment. Feel the cool Christmas breeze, gaze at the beauty around you and be grateful for everything that you already have.

 
Have a great start to the week everyone. 
And thank you for stopping by and leaving me messages, I am grateful for all of them.
Glad to see a few men here also, from Sweden, USA, and recently I got a new blogfriend in Normandy. Please stop by "A Normandy Kitchen ", Ivan`s blog is such a good read. He makes great dishes, has a lovely home and now and then you might follow along on a day trip also. Last  time we went along to beautiful Paris.

  ~ Aina ~
 

27 comments:

  1. Heel begrijpelijk dat je het dit jaar prettig vindt om lekker thuis te blijven bij je familie en vrienden. Ik kan mij nog zó goed herinneren dat je schreef over je reis door Nederland, inmiddels is dat dus alweer een jaar geleden. De tijd is omgevlogen...

    Lieve groet, Ingrid

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  2. great advice!

    smiles to you.

    michele

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  3. Hello Aina,
    OMG thank you for the mention, that is so sweet of you! I was just thinking about writing what good and sound advice you give... and then I saw may name!! I have been cooking all day (new canapé tests!) and making a few decorating bits for Christmas!
    Wishing you and you husband a great start to this week - such a fun time of year!
    All the best Ivan

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  4. Hej Aina.
    Tack för allt det fina du bjuder på i din blogg. Det är alltid så fin läsning med många vackra inspirerande bilder.Gillar också dina linnetextilier.
    Vänligen Ann

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  5. Good ideas for slowing down and enjoying the season...
    Ciao for now...

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  6. 14 days to go...we do slow down darling.....at home...but in the shop...pfffff....but after Christmas i have a week free from work...i love that week !!...liefs van mij...xxx

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  7. Yes, yes, yes...slow it down, savor the moment!

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  8. I'm keeping things simple this year, so I can enjoy more time with family and friends. Wow, 4 weeks of holiday last Christmas? That's fabulous! And yes, I'm really enjoying Ivan's blog. I discovered it late summer....his recipes are divine!!
    Happy December, Aina!
    Cheers from DC,
    Loi

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  9. underbart vacker bild och fint budskap:))

    Kram goingen och ha en härlig fortsättning på veckan:))

    kråke

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  10. Lovely thoughts for all of us Aina. Thanks for reminding us to to slow down and take moments for ourselves and appreciate all we have. I'm going to go and check out Ivan's blog right now! :)
    Karen

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  11. Ønsker deg fine desemberdager Aina :)
    Klem!

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  12. Hello Aina!
    Thanks for the tips!!!
    Ler!
    Kan behövas!
    Kramar Kathrine

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  13. Thanks for all the advices! I really need them! I'm moving across USA from Virginia to Massachusetts "New England" and didn't decorate for Christmas this time!! I'll have Christmas with my sister, my husband and son. Moving is hard even during Holidays!! But have the chance to live close to family (my sister is the only family I have here in USA)is the most gratefuly blessing....

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  14. Thank you for nice comments om my blog! Simpel christmas, not easy christmas. Make your own creativ tuch and do few things properly and by yourself. Happy Christmas!

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  15. Åh, jag fick något helt underbart på posten idag!!! Ett stort tack och jag önskar jag kunde skicka en kram lika vackert inslaget som ditt paket var! Stjärnorna är helt ljuvliga så att jag nästan tappar andan var gång jag tittar på dem. Det hade du inte behövt...
    Kram till dig /Liv

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  16. Vacker bild Aina och så sanna ord!!! En riktigt GOD JUL önskar jag dig sörta bloggkollega, njut av julen, i DIN takt, det gör jag
    <3 Mari.

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  17. Have the most wonderful and Happy Christmas Aina.
    Love and Hugs Lynn xxx

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  18. Så kloka ord och vackra bilder =)

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  19. Hejsan vännen,
    Jag önskar dig en jätte skön jul med glädje, värme, kärlek och några julklappar är inte heller fel förstås:)
    Varm kram Gerda

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  20. Ønsker deg vakre gode romjulsdager! :)

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  21. Have a wonderful Christmas time Aina!
    Monica

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  22. Wonderful words to see at this hectic time... and wise!

    thanks for visiting my blog!

    all good things to you in 2013..

    a bientôt

    Kit

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  23. Hello Aina,
    I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you a very Happy New Year - may all your dreams become real...
    Best wishes Ivan

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  24. Slowing down ... I must think about it !
    Have a very happy new year , Aina !
    Friendly
    Flo

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  25. Ja, sant det Aina, viktig å nyte de små enkle ting.
    Håper du har kost deg i jula med familien din. Ønsker deg en fin siste helg i 2012...før det nye året setter inn!
    Klem

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  26. wow, I really like your blog and photos, ofcourse! so cozy!

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A big «thank you» to all of you, the devoted or occasional visitor, for leaving me messages or just a short note to say Hi. Your words always finds the movement to give me a magical day!!

A friendly hug,
Aina ~ Modern Country