New start of 2017,

It has not passed many days of 2017, just a first week, but it has been nice so far for me. Week has been started with work and Thursday evening, we packed our car and took our small fur boll with us and drove to west coast. It was nice to see our friends again.

On Friday morning, after a good breakfast. Me and Sally took a morning trip and enjoyed a nice and sunny winter morning. After our round, we took a visit to a local coffee roastery. I had before once got to taste a good coffee from there and got a hint to visit it. So, I took a chance and ringed the bell on the door, since they have no ordinary opening hours and if they are home, then they will open the doors. Guess, who was a lucky one - little me :) This was one time, I had luck with me and they were at home. So the owner open the door and I could come in. After bit more than a hour, I could admit, that I was in a bit of heaven - coffee heaven. In Kränku in Gotland, I am in a bit of tea heaven and now I can say, that in Slöinge, I am in a bit of coffee heaven. Most of all, I was really happy over that opportunity. Just that they took their time one bank holiday day, is remarkable. Something, what you do not see every day and time. Also, that they were willing to show their place. Another thing, what you do not see very often. Usually people are afraid, that business idea will be stolen and used by someone else. That is not a issue on my case. I just have a interest for coffee. It is for me interesting, just to get to know more about it. Something like we got to know in one of the Lions Zone meeting about chocolate. Love to learn, new things.

To visit Slöinge Kafferösteri, was a moments for myself. I am very happy over the possibility to see the roastery. It was a new and interesting experience for me. That was giving me a lot of good emotions. The tips for how to make a good coffee, so that I could get out all good taste as well scent, was interesting to know and was good new knowledge for me. Something I took with me and planning to fix it somehow. Most interesting was see one of the coffee brewery method. It looks out as a bit of chemistry lesson, but he explained that coffee tastes really good.  So, perhaps something to try and taste on my future.

In the evening, me and Sally took another long walk outside. We really enjoyed this nice winter day. We enjoyed to see that place in the evening light as well and took some pictures. After trip, was time for dinner and later bit boardgames and an old Swedish movie. Just a beautiful Friday.

Today morning on the other hand was totally different weather to wake up. During a night, snow had fall in down. The cold had left, it was around 0 degrees. Suddenly winter had arrived. Me and Sally, was the 2 ones, who was really happy. We love the snow and winter. Only it could be colder. Would love it much more with minus degrees and snow only :)

Before, we started our trip towards to home, we had to visit a ice-cream shop. All the problems, will be solved with a little bit of ice-cream <3 :) At least some of them. Coffee with vanilla ice-cream, was a perfect solution for one nice Saturday :P At least in my world :P
After that we drove further towards home. One more stop on the road was to visit Tommy´s cousin and his lovely family. It was nice to see them again. Also much has happened since we met last time.

I have noticed, if you are having a good times, when time just flies. Even in that case - time just passed and we needed to leave them all and drive back to home. We had some miles ahead waiting for us. Hopefully, we can visit them soon again.

Finally back at home, we had bit to do before we could take a evening and just to relax. Take short moment for ourselves. For Tommy with book and TV,  and for me, with computer and bit TV as well.
It has been active and good weekend so far. Tomorrow, for me it will be planning for next Lions year and prepare for new upcoming week. Another week, what having interesting things with it and a lot of new happenings. Something, what I am looking forward to.
I hope, that all of you are having a good weekend so far and can take most out of it.
I wish you all a wonderful evening,
                                                           Love,
                                                                      Ingrit

Summertrip to Germany,

On the morning of 16th of June, started me and Tommy together with one other member from Lions Club Jönköping a trip to Germany and to Minden.
We was invited to Minden by Lions Club Porta Westfalica, who is a friends club to Lions Club Jönköping. We were invited already last year to visit the club and take a part clubs journey, but when was my health, what was put a stop to the trip and to other planned trips as well. So, this time we tried to do everything, so that we could participate the clubs journey as well for us, to meet the members from our friend club. The roots goes back for so many years and it would be sad, if the clubs would loose that connection.

After 12 hour on the road, we arrived to Minden. Hotel was placed in quiet area even thought that bigger roads was quite close to it. We got really warm welcome, when we arrived and after we settled into the rooms, we went down and met some members with partners from Lions Club Porta Westfalica and got something to eat. After that was football match we looked and some beer. Germany - Poland. The game ended 0-0, even thought that Germany was close to goal, couple of times.

After good night sleep and good breakfast, it was time to meet other members and enjoy the trip together with other members and their partners. First visit for the day was company Bayer in Leverkusen. It was interesting to get a insight about that company. We all have got the contact with the company one way or another way. Outside of the buildings, they had a beautiful Japanese garden.

After that visit, we went further to Cologne. We visited Panorama and on top of the roof, we got a overview of Cologne city. I really liked to see it and enjoyed the view. After that took we walk towards hotel. Hotel itself situated near by Dom in Cologne. Nice and fresh hotel. After arriving to hotel and before dinner, me and Tommy went to fast shopping. Since next morning we had exercises on the schedule in the morning, and I had forgot my training tights at  home, so, I thought to shop new ones. It took bit time, but I found at least and we hurried back to hotel, so that we could change the clothes and get ready dinner.

Dinner on Friday evening was in restaurant Früh. Good beer and good traditional german food. The beer in glasses was not more than 0,2 l, but it was always kept fresh. Interesting experience. After good dinner, we spent bit time in the city with part of the group. By walking by the houses, it felt like we are in old town in Tallinn.

After the glass of beer, then everyone went to back at hotel, me and Tommy took a small walking by the Dom of Cologne. It was magnificent by the evening lights.

Next morning, the ones, who wanted, could to some exercises. Gesine had planned a nice morning training for us and we, who was there, really liked it. After that was time for well deserved breakfast. When bit food was filled the stomach, we were divided to 2 groups. One group visited cellars in the  Dom of Cologne and other group the towers. Me and Tommy divided us and he saw cellars and I the towers and saw the beautiful city again. It was so nice to see the city from the top of the tower. Totally interesting and good experience.

After this visit, was time for lunch. This time we got a pizza. It felt good to try a different food. We took different food every time and shared between us, so that we both could taste some different dishes.

After lunch, was shopping time or some other activities. Free time. Me and Tommy took a walk around the city. Bought some presents to my father-in-law and sent postcards to our families in Estonia and Sweden. A small tradition I have had since I started to travel abroad. After our free time, we decided to join with others and listen the organ concert in St. Peters church, but we could not find the entrance. That church was built quite interesting way and later came out that it only had a small door, what did not look at all as church doors, we are used to see in churches.

In the evening we had a dinner in another local restaurant. Beer was ordered on that restaurant by special bins and could be choose between 3 or 5 liters. Another interesting experience for us, who had not seen those kind of things before. We had wonderful time in Lions spirit. Lots of good conversations and laughs.

Sunday morning after the breakfast, it was time to pack the bags and make us ready for leaving the Cologne. Before we started our journey back to Minden, we had city-tour with bus. We saw many places and got to know information about the city.

After that, we visited Carnival museum in Cologne. A tradition, what has been kept alive since beginning of 1820-ies. That tradition is still alive, even thought that there has been discussions about to end it, but people does not want that. Total length of carnival equipage is 7 km and usually held in February. Interesting was that some of the equipages are destroyed after the parade and will be build up again during autumn, just before new carnival. After that visit, we started our journey back to Minden.

It is very impressed how quickly the city has been built up, since on the WWII it was 70% bombed down. Some pieces perhaps did not fit into the city picture but it looked nice anyway.

On Monday, me and Tommy got the guided citytour in Minden centrum. We saw a part of it and it was interesting as well. It came out that local Cathedral has a long name, but everyone who lives in the city knows the church just by name of Dome. So even local people got to learn something new.

After good lunch, Tommy went to buy something local to his dad, since we wanted to thank him, that he had Sally with him, during our trip and I was driven to one Lion member, who first fixed my ankle, since I sprained it. After that we drove to Imperial Wilhelm 2 monument. We were very lucky to have one member with us, who knew so much of history and also about the are. We got to see view over Minden and over Porta Westfalica. After that we were invited home to one Lady Lions. There we could speak Swedish language. She had been learned it on the evening course and practice it in Sweden every summer. In the evening we had last dinner together with some of the members and their partners. After that good dinner said we goodbye for this time, since next morning after breakfast, me and Tommy started our trip back to home. In the morning we said goodbye to other members, who had came to hotel to wave of us. Hopefully we will see them soon again. If not next year, perhaps on year after that or year after that.

That trip to Germany was very interesting, it gave us a lot. We saw much, we learned much and we enjoyed good time with members from Lions Club Porta Westfalica. We really loved that time and also enjoyed our vacation together. It was really good time and gave so much memories. Memories, what will take us back in those times, when we are looking pictures or thinking of those times. One thing is sure. That trip was our first, but not a last.

Have a nice afternoon,
                                      Love,
                                                 Ingrit

An active weekend,

Another Sunday evening has arrived and Monday morning is not very far. It has been a very good and quite active weekend and I have enjoyed every moment on it. Those kind of weekends I would love to have more.

Yesterday morning after we woke up, we took a trip to Ulricehamn. It would had been a crime not to go out on that wonderful sunny weather. So plan was to take a walk by the Åsunden and when visit my very good friend. That was exactly what my soul needed. It feels always so good to see her and spend time with her and just to talk and have a cup off coffee.

Before coffee break we visited city park. Much smaller than in Jönköping, but same cozy and also has those small old buildings. It was just fantastic to see some new places and just enjoy free clean air. As I told before, would have been crime to sit in on that kind of wonderful sunny warm spring day. Same time I could spend bit time together with my husband and once in a while it is well needed and it had quite a while since we had our trip last time. I also did not want to go alone, since it is not something the doctors have advised.

After a good walk and playtime in park we went in to have a cup coffee and get bite food before we started to drive back towards Norrahammar. A good bite of spongecake and biscuits :) Nothing hits homemade. Will see, what I can offer back on Thursday when Josefine comes to Norrahammar and to Jönköping. It will be hard to beat those good biscuits. So, I have to found out something good as well or I can nicely ask my husband to bake something good for us since he is actually very good on baking. Thank you sweetheart for the wonderful time with you. Always so good to see you and to talk with you. Can't wait for Thursday. Would like to have it already.

After we came home, it felt like spring had really arrived to our garden. So many flowers had started to bloom.  It was just a beautiful moment in my opinion. Daffodils, crocus and mini iris. Spring feeling just what it is needed once in a while.

 

Yesterday afternoon we also decided to open barbecue season. Mmmmm. I was in food heaven. For the first time in my life I made my own barbecue glaze and it came out very good. So I decided that it will not be just only one time I will make it by my self. From now on, I will start to make every time my own glaze. Even my husband loved it and it tasted bit this and that and result after barbecue was just amazing :) The evening was finished with a good film and company. The Hobbit was showed in TV and we decided to look at it.

Today was a sleeping morning, since we had to turn the clock. Spring time started officially, but weather outside had forgot how spring should look out. It has been raining quite a much today. Nothing at all to compare with the weather from yesterday. So it has been a perfect day to make some chores, what has to be done but also some, what I enjoyed to do.
After we came home from city and shopping, we finally mounted together a small greenhouse, what I got from my husband on Tuesday. A perfect for me to my small cultivation of flowers and other plants. Hopefully on some weeks I already can see a little bit how the result will be. Since it is first time for me to do so many plants by my self, when my expectations are not very high, but hope dies last, I have heared. So, I am happy to see how the end result will be. Of course my husband has to have some green fingers during summer, when I am not att home on a one month period. It will be interesting to see how it goes.
So, I have really enjoyed my weekend. Soon will new week start. Short week, since easter weekend, but as well very active week for me.  Some visits and coffee breaks, same time new subject at school starts and of course my oral examination in law.
I hope that all of you will also have a wonderful new easter week and will enjoy it as well as enjoy last hours of Sunday evening.
Have a nice evening!
                                 Love,
                                          Ingrit

New week, New month,

I can see that time just flies. When you are doing something and you love and like it, then time just goes faster and faster even thought that it still goes on same tact as usually.
It has been time with Lions meetings, I have have traveled in Gotland, met my friends and studied as well.

In Lions I have had our board meeting. Day after we had regional meeting and latest in the weekend I spent a  day with partners in Lions while their husbands was on meeting in Jönköping. It has been good hours I have had possible to spend and most of all, that has been giving me a lot. It is always good to meet a persons I do not know, but also people I know already. I love to be a part of Lions, since it is very giving and in the same time I can be part to help others. It also has helped me with my integration here in Sweden.

I also followed with my husband to Gotland when he had is business trip to there. For me it was first time to visit Gotland. When we was on our honeymoon in Öland and visited castle in Borgholm, then person who worked there told me that nature in Öland and Gotland is same as it is in islands in Estonia. I can say that it was almost same. At least enough that my homesickness got a bit relieved. Difference was all those stones, what was in Gotland. Those kind of stones we don't have in Estonia but it is bit sad, since those was magnificent. I saw so many wonderful places, spent a lots of hours out in nature, climbed and took a long walks. My pour dog was so tired in every evening while we was there. On Wednesday after I had checked out from hotel, I spent several hours to look around in Visby. It is the  only Hansa city in Sweden and that is bit surprising since Sweden is old country and has history way long back, plus Sweden is much bigger country when Estonia is. Estonia in the same time has 3 Hansa cities. Overall. I loved to be in Visby. If to visit places outside Visby killed my homesickness in one way and to visit Visby it self killed homesickness on the other way. I felt like Visby was Tallinn, just much more pressured together.

I had opportunity to visit a good tea and coffee shop. I have got tea from there before from my husband, so now when I had a possibility by my self to visit that heaven and heaven it is. All what you need for a coffee break, you get from there - tea, coffee, cups, treats, marmalade and so much more. Heavens name is Kränku. If you want to get part of good tea and coffee, when just visit their homepage.

The other thing I tried while I was there was a saffron-pancake. I got to know that it was typical for that region and something that everyone should try. It is traditionally served with whipped cream and blackberry marmalade. Last one is also very traditional for Gotland since it seems that only Gotland has those berries. All in all I liked it and with tea from Kränku, my coffee-break was perfect. Just what I needed before our trip back towards our home in Norrahammar. I must say, me and saffron, I just love it :) So that saffron-pancake was really something I loved it and I got even recipe back to home, so I will try to make it home as well. Just love it.

I also have had quite busy time in school during those weeks, I have been not wrote into my blog. Had oral examination in Business Economy - Specialization. I am very satisfied with my grade. Got the next best grade, only small disappointment was that if I think of word specialization, I think that we get deeper knowledge of the subject, but it was just 2 subjects put together and still in the shallow touching of the subject. Well now that subject is over and law has been started. First test and assignment have been handed in. Test went quite well. Result fro the assignment has not graded yet. Hopefully soon I will that grade as well.

The best call came still yesterday. For a while ago I wrote that I was on trying pass for crossfit training. Yesterday I got a phone call from one of the boys who is owner of the place. They were interested to know that I have decided after the last time I visited them. I told that I want to join with them. Usually they have a course on-tramp to all new beginners. The new group started on Saturday but when I could not start with them, since I had Lions errand to do. We discussed also bit about it and we came to the conclusion that if I am interested to join them, when they will sit down and talk bit with each other about to make a special program for me. I got very happy. That does not happen very often that gym takes consideration the persons condition. They do and that  made me feel very sure that I have chose right. I will get to learn bit different program instead what is suitable with my shoulder. That felt actually most positive that they took my damaged shoulder to the consideration and still I am welcome in their locals. That made me feel warm in heart. Just liked the feeling. So, now I have mailed some dates and times for us to meet and I can start to train again. It will be perfect since first run is already on 2 months. Perfect for little me.
Now it is time for lunch and after that preparations for Lions members meeting in the evening. It has been a wonderful other half of February and hopefully my march will be perfect as well. I plan to have it at least as good as possible.

Have a lovely day!
                              Love,
                                       Ingrit

Wonderful winter day,

Today was another wonderful winter day. Nice and sunny and very mild outside. It was just a perfect day to take a trip first to Ulricehamn and later to Borås. Perfect day to try my new jacket from Peak Performance. Loved it. Passed perfectly today.

I had never been inside in Ulricehamns centrum. Even thought we have passed the place really so many times, that can't count it. So, today I had a chance to see bit that city as well. Nice small and cozy city in my opinion. Liked the lake view and I believe that in summer it is much more nicer when all colors are out. Since it will not be last time I will visit the that city, then probably you will see more pictures from it in my blog.

After Ulricehamn, we went to Borås. Usually with that city is also that we have passed it or visit the shopping center Knallerland.  Once in last summer I was in centrum a short time, but today I spent several hours there. We visited shops and made some shopping, we had good Asian food for the lunch and shortly before I left Borås, we had a good cup of coffee. Borås seems to be also very nice city, what has quite much to offer. I liked the old touch the city has, but I would not like to live there. Still too big for me and I am the one, who loves to live in smaller and more quiet place.  It is always good to visit it anyway and there will be more visits. Before there was one clothes shop I liked to visit, now I have founded a jewelery shop with several Scandinavian designers. My Pandora collection was complemented by a pair of beautiful earrings. My tea collection was complemented wit a new tea taste. Tomorrow after a training, I will enjoy the cup of good tea. It smelled at least good. Have not had possible taste it yet.
Only disappointment I had today was, that after all the distance we walked and walked, I did manage not to get more than just 6500 steps. We can say that we walked very much. But it was a counter in telephone, so I actually do not know, how right it is. Hopefully tomorrow after my training, I can manage to get my minimum 10 000 steps :) If not, that is not a big deal either. I know that I have made my best and that counts in the end.
Next meeting with my best is also booked in. Another good chat and good time will be soon spend. I love it. Now it is time for me to enjoy my evening and look bit TV and prepare my mind for tomorrows training. Have never been on that kind of training before, so, I feel that I have challenged myself again. It is not suprise for me anymore. I have done that before and probably my brain will continue with it further as well.
Have a nice evening!
                                  Love,
                                            Ingrit

Viking ship Sigrid Storråda,

In Saturday me and my husband together with two of our friends had opportunity to sale with viking ship Sigrid Storråda. We left from harbor in Läckö around 12 and was back again after 2,5 hours.
It was amazing and interesting trip. We had opportunity to see Läckö castle in other sides, what we could not have seen before. We also saw beautiful landscape in Sweden and just enjoyed good time. We got bit historical background how the ship was came around almost 20 years ago and we also got self opportunity to paddle that big ship. After that it it was not anymore surprising that in the viking time, it took bit time to sale with those boats. All small details was needed to be in place and everyone had to been in the same tempo, since the short time we could try to paddle with 18 persons in a time, it felt that ship did not go much further. It felt like all took quite a long time. But it was fun to try it. For our surprise, the waves from viking ship was not so big. What affected more that ship was waves from other small boats and scooters.
After our adventure in Värnen, we went to Spiken, so that we could see does we can find something for the evening. No luck there, we went further to Lidköping and bought wish in there, what we barbecued later in the evening. I had never had haddock before and I can say that it tasted really good. I made small mistake with it, but next time I will know better :) We learn from our mistakes or how?
It was a wonderful day with both friends and family. Thank you for a good time!

Love,
          Ingrit

Trip to Lidköping,

For some days ago, we talked to go and visit my father-in-law in the countryside. Plan was good and when came even an idea that we should go perhaps and take a small trip to somewhere. We had some places on our discussions and my father-in-law promised to look the local newspaper, that perhaps there is something interesting, what we could go and see.
Yesterday, when we arrived to countryside we talked to a take trip to Lidköping. Since weather has been as it has been, when we talked about to look how it is today and decide in the morning will we go or not. In the meanwhile, I remembered that someone had talked about one 50-es style cafe  there and I got an idea to try to find out more about the place. I could not to come what was name of the place and where I had seen it, so I asked bit around and quite soon I got to know about the name and after that everything else was very easy for me :) I showed it also to others and we decided that we will take a trip to Lidköping. Visit market, some brand outlets and as last thing before we drive back to my father-in-law the cafe, what raised interest on me and curiosity.
Today morning after breakfast took we drive towards Lidköping and visit market and some shops and after as my small reward Nostalgeek Cafe in Lidköping. This cafe has interior from 50-es. It has both shop and cafe in the same place. I liked it, but in the same time, I really like some interior from that time range. It was interesting. In my side, I knew already, what I will want to order - Strawberry milkshake. It was something I had missed since I moved to Sweden and in the same time it brought back memories from Estonia, then I and Sussie had doubble strawberry milkshakes :D The service was good and I felt that we was treated well. Owner game and talked with us and offered to Tommy and to my father-in-law refill for coffee. It was really good experience. Exactly the one, what all costumers would like to get, when they are going to some service place. I really can recommend that place. I know that I will visit it definitely again. You can read more about Nostalgeek in their homepage or just visit their facebookpage.

Have a nice evening and until next time,

Ingrit

Autumn out in nature,

In Sunday I spend some time out in nature again. This time I took my camera with me. It has been a while, since car accident, I have not had that opportunity to do it. I have not been aloud to use my shoulder that much and since system cameras are not the lightest on their weight, it has been hard.
So, this time I took my small compact camera with me and enjoyed really to take some pictures. Here is the result:

Enjoy this wonderful autumn and it's beautiful colors. Have a nice day and hopefully soon I can visit nature again with camera.