Start of Summer

Photo © Aina - Modern Country

 

 

Hi everyone, thank you for being so patient with me !

Summer is here, I can`t believe we are in June already, can you ? I am so sorry for not keeping my promise to blog more often.The weather has been fantastic for weeks so I have been making the most of it. Painting, doing some carpentry, and working in the garden as well.

 

A couple of weeks ago our apple trees were covered in beautiful clusters of fragrant blossoms. In full bloom, you won`t believe how amazing the smell is! I used every opportunity to walk by and have a sniff. This particularly morning I had been working hard, cutting down a couple of bushy trees, helping our landlord. Walking up and down the garden with branches in both hands countless times, which is quite steep, I was tired and longing for a break. I could not have been happier, having a break here at this beautiful spot. I put up our hammock between the veranda and these charming trees that overlooks the greenhouse. With my head on the pillow I was staring through the shimmering leaves, dangling my feet and thinking about how grateful I am to be surrounded by greenery and friendly neighbours...

 

 

~ Aina ~

 

 

 

Photos © Aina - Modern Country

 

Spring is here !

  

 

  

   

  Photos © Aina - Modern Country

 

I can`t hide my excitement, spring is finally here !! I am so happy !!

The first signs is everywhere to be seen, small leaves on birch, apple, pear, plum and cherry trees. New buds are popping up every day and all the birds are singing their favorite songs, making mornings very cheerful. The cats are exploring and jumping around celebrating the new season also.
 

 It was beautiful last week, how lovely it was to see a bit of sunshine. I spent several of hours out in the garden soaking it all up, taking a few shots as well. Here are some of my favourites. Hopefully you are enjoying these wonderful days also.

 

~ Aina ~

 

Have you seen any signs of Spring yet ?

 

Hi friends I hope you are well and happy.

 

Thank you for reminding me and letting me know that I am missed. I hope I am not letting you down, sorry about the infrequent posts. It will soon change, I promise you !

 

Have you seen any signs of spring yet ? I am waiting impatiently to see any changes. Although it is still cold (during the night about -8) we have been enjoying more sunny days than normal. The light is different, it changes. From grey and cold, the light is now intense bright and a bit warmer in colour. Makes getting up in the morning definitively a little easier ! Here in Norway we barely see any natural light during the winter time, no wonder we are getting a bit out of "happy" energy sometimes.

The benefits of warm and beautiful sunlight are significant for everyone, me too.

 

 

Photo © Aina - Modern Country

 

A couple of years ago I wrote about my little trip to Dyhre nurseries. It was a delightful experience, a beautiful little treasure trove of lovely things to admire. Among the things you can take home are antique French garden furniture, lamps, nice pottery, a huge selection of herb plants ( which I really like ), exotic trees and much treasured European plants like roses and Pelargonium. Small round tables are set in one of the decorated greenhouses surrounded by flowers and vintage furniture's, where you could enjoy your coffee or cup of tea. It`s quirky and charming, and feels very special. I felt really inspired by the surroundings too, set in the beautiful countryside with fields and farmhouses. The nurseries are now closed but around Easter time they will once again open their doors for customers. I am definitively taking another trip back, I need a fresh new Rosemary tree and maybe a couples of terracotta plant pots. They always have a few of those you never find elsewhere.

 

Here are a few pictures from last trip mixed with a few of their own...

( and here`s my enthusiastic story if interested )

 

Photos © Aina - Modern Country

 

Photos © Dyhre gartneri

 

Photo © Dyhre gartneri

 

Photos © Aina - Modern Country

 

Photo © Dyhre gartneri

 

Photos © Aina - Modern Country

 

Have a nice weekend !

~ Aina ~

 

A slow start

 

After catching a terrible flu, spending a chunk of the first two months indoor, finally I can start the new year making a debut at this blog as well. So how are you my friends, are you coping with the winter blues ?

 

Myself are feeling a bit out of energy and a bit depressed about the cold, dark weather. I have to admit, this is the hardest time for me of the year. It`s the darkness, the lack of light that makes it so hard. It feels like it will never ever be a sunny bright day again. Of course I know that`s not true. Although I love winter, with hot stews, woolly socks and the wonderful noise from our wood burning stove, I have trouble keeping my spirit up. At this point Spring seems very very far away.

 

Image source : Maison & Deco

 

To keep me going a bought myself a couple of new books, a new plant for our living room, and I`ve booked a weekend in Gothenburg for spring shopping at my birthday also. That will certainly cheer me up ! I also started looking for inspiration for my vegetable garden/green house buying seeds. Choosing seeds can be a bit of a challenge because I am tempted to try everything at once. This year I will be growing spring onion, chili`s, beetroot and of course a various of sweet and juice tomatoes. Just the though of it makes me itch getting started already. I always get a buzz from watching green shoots poke through the soil. I was brought up om frozen peas (nothing wrong with frozen peas, they are a healthy and culinary success if you ask me) but it is such a wonderful feeling to grow your own vegetables. It is the ultimate feel good experience.

 

Image source :  housetohome

 

 

Where do you look for inspiration when all is frozen and covered with snow ?

 

 

~ Aina ~

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 : Marie Claire idees / Jeanne d`Arc Living

 

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 ~

 

Another package on its way

- As morning dawned all these handmade Antique Linen stars were sent on their way to Corniche Antique In Drøbak Norway. Thanks for supporting my little business !

 

 

 Photos © Aina - Modern Country

 

- Clothespin bags made of rare handwoven antique linen, and another two handmade stars, travelled all the way to south of France. Thank you all my sweet French customers ! 

 

~ Aina ~

 

 

Monday thoughts - gifts and wrapping

Good morning everyone,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the molding issue in the previous post. I am really thankful ! I have decided to start sanding and painting the shelves before we add anything more. I think I will then be able to imagine how it`s going to look like in the end, and then we can take a decision about what to do next..

Photo : Sarah Kaye / Photograpy Chris Everard

 I hope you had a lovely weekend, what did you do ? I made myself a "what to buy and make for my family and friends list". Usually I wait until the last minut. Every year It seems like I have the time in the world and then, whoosh ! However, this year I have started to make some things already.

 

Photo : via  Modern Hepburn

 

Handmade gifts for Christmas are great, they kind of say thank from your Heart. I remember as a little girl, receiving homemade gifts were definitely not at the top of my favorite gifts list. But now as an adult I am able to acknowledge and appreciate the time and energy that goes into anything that is hand or home made. I appreciate when someone takes the time to wrap a gift beautifully too. It makes a gift even more special don`t you think ? Yesterday I read an article in THE PHILLY POST, " The Lost Art of Gift wrapping, who else misses wrapping paper " ? I loved it. The writer shared some valuable points. The last part of the article made me giggle :

 

 

 ~ I gave my mother her birthday presents last weekend. As she started to rip open the first and peek at the book title, she remarked happily, “Oh, good! Just the kind of book I’ve been looking for.” And then she looked at me and added, “And wrapped so nice.”

 

Photo : Roostblog

 

 

 Have a great start to the week, keep yourself warm. 

 

~ Aina ~

Building shelves

 

I am decidedly unhandy, so I asked my husband to help me out with my fabric storage problem. For the faithful reader you might remember me complaining about piles and piles of messiness.Thankfully he said yes, so the last couple of weeks he has been down in the cold and dusty kelder ( poor thing ) building some shelves. Considering he never make anything except the times I am asking him, I am very happy about the result ! Before sanding and painting I want to add something that might help an ordinary shelf look more pretty, a crown molding.



Photos © Aina - Modern Country

 

A: Attach the crown molding perfectly against the top plate ? B: Or a few millimeter above the edge ?

Personally I think It looks prettier to attach the molding a few millimeter above the edge of the top plate, but maybe I have stared myself blind. I think I need your help, what do you think looks more beautiful ? Or is it a right or wrong way to do it ?? I would be happy to hear your opinion !

 

~ Aina ~