On the 9th day of December...

We have arrived in the UK for our Christmas stay with our Scandi family over here...and we have INTERNET!...YAY...I was getting a little worried as it's been 4 days since we arrived and I had the SLOWEST dongle in ALL the Country...

Mum is walking SO brilliantly...I am amazed at the difference between our Summer visit when she had both hips replaced to now...just wonderful.

Little miss J is enjoying the fact that the weather is VERY similar to in Canada right now here...LOTS of snow and Sunny skies this morning.

Missing Mr.R...but he'll be over just before Christmas...

HUGS to you all and thanks for your patience...I can now visit you more often and leave little comments...because even though I visited your blogs...I was not able to comment as it would time out as I pressed enter...so frustrating...

Until tomorrow...we're off to see Santa and his Reindeer.

Char.x

cousins...cousins

we don't get together often...but enjoy our time when we do...that's Cousin Ulla in the middle holding little Ludwig and Cousin Lars(her brother) on the end in the blue...

Mr R and little Ludwig...the Happiest baby you've ever met...he's adorable!

after filling our bellies with a yummy BBQ...we all went for a walk..or took the little ones for a walk...

I adore this photo of Uncle Lars and our girls...

this was neat...I'm sure it was built in the 60's...it looks like a Mushroom and has a hole in the centre. The acoustics are amazing, we had so much fun stamping feet,screaming,chanting and clapping under it.

Hopefully we'll see Uncle Lars again soon...and wish Auntie Ulla, Kristian and little Ludwig a wonderful and safe trip back.

this afternoon we're heading over to friends to celebrate little G's 7th Birthday...he's a HUGE fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey Team...so I painted a custom Once Upon a Time for him.

Have a lovely Monday!

and OH...I nearly forgot...

I have a B.O.G.O offer on my Esty Store prints until the end of May.

(if you don't see one of my prints there...it maybe because it's not been listed or has expired...just email me and I can re-list it)

Until tomorrow

Char,ON

in the MIX...

my Mum's Swedish and my Dad's Danish...

I made a new Flag for them...

Danes and Swedes have a LOVE-HATE relationship...a little like the Brits and the French...

My parents are travellers...always have been...this year has been a hard year for them, as health reasons have haulted either of them being able to just pack up and leave.

My Dad goes today to his specialist to see WHEN and IF his operation will be soon...it's been too long of a wait. I really do feel for him.

Mum, well she needs a new hip...and she's seeing a specialist tomorrow.

They built this house 10 years ago...it's warm and welcoming...I know they love being there...but they need a rest, it's been a long Winter.

So...sending them this Bird of Hope and Travel...praying that their health gets better and that they can use those wings to fly again.

I fell asleep on the Sofa shortly after finishing this last night...so I will continue this evening to visit you all.

Have a great day...we're getting a snow storm today! YAY!!!!

Char,ON.

Scandinavian STYLE...

these are a little bit of me...who I am...raised by 2 incredible people,my Mum...born in Sweden and my Dad who was born in Danemark.

As soon as we could walk...we were in clogs...they were our outdoor shoes...easy to slide on and off...I guess it helped my parents always know where we were too, they're kind of loud.

I went through a period in my Life not really knowing who I was...my parents were Scandinavian...I was brought up in England...with traditions so foreign to all my friends.

I loved our traditions...so by the time I was 16...I was Danish...to anyone who asked. We spent Summers there since we were small...I adored my Grandparents...the food they cooked...the parks they took us too....the neighbourhoods felt SO right in Danemark. The people SO friendly.The language so natural. A proud Scandinavian...

It felt good to have this upbringing...and I hope our daughters will feel SOME of what I learnt from my Scandi roots....the food, the traditions...our values towards many situations. More than ever I find myself explaining things to our 5 year old. Stopping her in her path...battles which I hope she'll appreciate when she's older.

Some days as a Mum, staying at home, can be tough and challenging...but I wouldn't change it for the World and I am SO very blessed to be fortunate enough to raise our kids and be home with them.

When my parents were last in Danemark, I asked them to pick up a pair of Sanita's for me...I love them...they're a little noisy when walking around our quiet naighbourhood...who cares though? Not me ...

So...my 20 minute sketch...which I wanted to try to keep that "free" feel to them...because the years when I wore clogs the most were in my early 20's...and I felt free and travelled like a bird...good memories!

Do you have certain Shoes which bring back memories?

Have a good evening...sleep...day...

It's been a productive one.

Char,On

A reminder: ALL items in both my Esty stores will be shipped FREE of charge, Free Shipping runs for the whole moth of FEB. (fabulous FEB)

WISHES...

Oh my...this frustrates me....I had written a long post and was so thankful just for the pure fact I could even post about today....and then the connection gets lost...and I loose my whole post! Other than the pictures thank goodness!!!!
This will be short...as it was long...and now I am sleepy....forgive me.
Above is the view from my parents kitchen window...my dad raised the Swedish Flag today.
My mother came from a town just North of Malmo...she grew up loving and working in the fashion industry and learnt how to weave...and this is how she came to leave Sweden....following her elder sister to Ireland, who is a very talented Textile designer.
My sister's son Morton, sitting on Mum's lap...aren't they a beautiful image. I love this picture.
My Mum is amazing...so creative and talented.Happy Birthday again Mum!
She's 67...needs a new hip....and will hopefully admit to needing one sooner than later!
Doesn't she look good though for 67!!! Well done Mum.
Dinner:: Stuffed Chicken wrapped in prosciutto with porcini and portabello mushroom risotto, green beans and a spinach salad on the side.
YUM.Can I say YUM even if I made it myself?
Boo was supposed to help but ended up going home early...she has a sick bug...poor her.
WOW...we sound like our family is not very well...

Dad's in today for his Biopsy...fingers crossed.
Thank you again for your prayers and kind comments.

HUGS...until tomorrow.
R, I miss you tonnes.

Char,ON

Spring chick...

Well, I did manage to finish it before 12 midnight...but not post it.
I'm behind one watercolour...today will be a busy day...taking the girls to Dance and then heading downtown for a date with my husband(so looking forward to it...nothing to wear-as usual).
This Spring Chick ...inspired by my Mum and her Swedish roots...I had doubts to whether the very bright chick would work, but I'm happy with the outcome.It's a very luminous painting...and would light up any room.
I'm tired and must head to bed.
Until Sunday I do believe...
Thanks for visiting!
Charlotte,Ontario