Have a Fantastic New Year

  
 
    Photos © Aina - Modern Country
 
 
 Hi everyone, hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday break.
 
We had some really good days here in the south east of Norway. I can`t remember a lazier, nicer, more "eat yourself out of your home" time ever. Both cats and people have been purring. It has been pretty cold, some days -15 and lots of twinkling snow were falling. Our neighbour made a huge scary snowman. I almost drove off the road the first time I saw it. Made my husband laugh out loud. Well, the snow has gone but when it fell it was thick and lovely, in the back garden the bushes were laden. Had a nice walk with our Dutch visitors, they took a lot of pictures. Norway is beautiful they said. I agree. I am happy to be surrounded by all this.
 
Thank you for your new year`s wishes, and your gentle words, for all your kindness, for all your compliments and support,  for Inspiring me with words, images and all your fabulous creative work. It means a lot to me that you take the time to come here, I am grateful for finding friends all over the world. Looking forward to another year, it will be my 6th with Modern Country. Utterly amazed how time flies. Wishing you all the best for the new year, let`s make the most of it !! 
 
 
" Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself.
Go forward and make your dreams come true "
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
 
 
Much Love ~ Aina
 
 

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 ~
 

Simple Christmas

 
 Image source : Soon Remembered Tales
  
Image source : Ambiance & Cocon /  Tongue in Cheek
 
 Image source : Shelterholic
   
 
Image source : unknown
 
Image source : Marie Claire idees 
 
Image source : La Sciere
 
 Image source : Sköna hem / Biskopsgården

Image source : Craftily ever after


* It`s all about slowing down, enjoying what you have, making the most of enjoying the company of friends and family. Celebrating the things that matter most ... *
 
 
- Quote,  new favorite magazine : The Simple Things
 
 ~ Aina ~