Ibland börjar en husbilshelg i Sverige långt innan motorn startar. Så är det den här gången. Gardinerna är nytvättade. Vardagsrummet känns plötsligt mer harmoniskt. En helg väntar på att fyllas med både stillhet och små äventyr.
Fast vi inte ens lämnat uppfarten ännu, började resan redan igår. Inte med att köra iväg, utan med de små förberedelserna som sätter stämningen. Jag plockade in lite saker i husbilen – inget stort, men sådant som ändå behövde komma på plats.
Sedan fick jag för mig att köpa gardiner. Nya, fräscha gardiner. Och inte bara det – jag fick också för mig att tvätta dem innan de ens hunnit hängas upp. Stackars maken fick hjälpa till, trots att han var trött efter jobbet. Men nu hänger de där, i vardagsrummet, och hela rummet känns annorlunda.
Nya gardiner – upphängda direkt från tvättmaskinen. Våta gardiner torkar rakt och släpper in precis lagom med ljus.
Farmors bord står prydligt med en duk i samma tyg. Inga högar, inga ritblock – bara ett tomt, vackert bord. Det är en säregen känsla, eftersom bordet oftast är både avlastningsyta och ritplats. Men idag bestämde jag mig: ska jag rita, får jag gå ner i källaren och hämta upp ritsakerna. På så sätt slipper vi hörn i hela huset som förvandlas till arbetsplatser när andan faller på.
Farmors bord – för en gångs skull utan högar och ritblock. Klart för en helg med mer stillhet än stök.
Så här brukar det se ut fast värre. Så här ser bordet oftast ut – fullt av vardagsliv och pågående projekt
Nya gardiner, nytt lugn
Det blev nya gardiner även i sovrummet. Helt nytvättade och fortfarande våta när jag hängde upp dem – mitt knep för att slippa stryka. De torkar rakt och fint på plats, och rummet känns plötsligt både luftigare och fräschare.
Men det här var egentligen inte ett inlägg om gardiner, utan om att vi redan idag ska iväg.
Tillbaka till Hanatorp
Vi fick nämligen inte nog av Hanatorp, så vi tar en sväng dit igen. Makens bror är där, och de ville hänga lite. Jag vet inte vad kusin vitamin har för planer i helgen, men om de är där kommer de definitivt få ett hej.
Eftersom det här blir sista helgen innan skolan börjar, känns det extra fint att åka ut. Därefter blir det bara fredagar eller lördagar, beroende på hur trötta alla är.
Helgens plan
Den här helgen tänker jag därför njuta. Mysa. Blogga. Och såklart fortsätta utveckla Oskar-serien. Kanske blir det några rader till där, mellan kaffekoppen och kvällens solnedgång.
Just nu läser många också…
Mitt i den här helgen, mellan kaffekoppar och små äventyr, tänker jag fortsätta skriva på Oskar-serien – om en pojke vars skolvardag berättar mer än ord kan säga om livet med NPF. Kanske vill du läsa den, eller upptäcka några av de andra populära inläggen just nu:
Var hittar du din stillhet? Är det vid havet, på en camping, i soffan med en kopp te – eller kanske när du ger dig själv tid att bara vara? Skriv gärna en kommentar och berätta.
Reflektion
Det är märkligt hur små saker kan ändra känslan i ett helt hem. Ett par nya gardiner, ett tomt bord, och plötsligt känns det som att jag skapat mer plats – inte bara i rummet utan också i huvudet. Den här helgen vill jag ta med den känslan ut på vägen. Låta den påminna mig om att ibland räcker det med små förändringar för att ge livet en ny riktning.
Mellan raderna – min röst
Det här handlar egentligen inte om gardiner, Hanatorp eller ens husbilen. Det handlar om att skapa utrymme för det som betyder något. Om att välja bort lite stök för att kunna njuta mer av nuet. Och om att ge sig själv tid – både hemma och på resa – att bara andas.
”Gårdagen har redan lagt sig till ro i historien, morgondagen väntar längre fram. Men just nu – det är här livet händer.” – Carina Ikonen Nilsson
Friday again. I’m sitting here with thoughts spinning – should we take the motorhome LVL² out this weekend, despite autumn storms, or not? I want to go. However, at the same time, I want to stay home. The season is drawing to a close. Nevertheless, there’s still time for several more trips before winter takes over.
A warm welcome to you who read my blog – malix.se. It brings me joy every time someone finds their way here and takes the time to read my words. Today, I offer a post that smells of autumn storms, tea, and motorhome thoughts.
The first storm of autumn
This motorhome weekend (if it turns out to be an LVL² weekend) might bring autumn storms and tea in the van. It has been very windy here this week – truly stormy. Even though the wind has calmed down a bit, the curtains on the porch still sway. Furthermore, the weather app says it might blow again this weekend.
When it was at its worst this Tuesday, the wind grabbed the roof of the porch, knocked over chairs, and gave me that anxious feeling in my stomach. I don’t like when nature’s forces grow so strong that I barely dare to go outside.
When you watch videos on TikTok from England – the storm is even worse there. Naturally, that doesn’t ease my worry at all. Now the wind has calmed. Still, I think the autumn storms arrived a bit early. They really could have waited a couple more weeks before dropping by.
Motorhome or cozy weekend at home?
I asked my husband what we should do this weekend. So far, I have no answer. Maybe he’s simply tired after his first workweek following the vacation. I can relate – sometimes it’s just nice to stay home.
But then the thought comes: soon the motorhome season is over for the year. Our motorhome LVL² and I aren’t quite finished with each other yet. We’re in the final stretch now. However, if the weather allows, there might still be many weekends left – perhaps even into October.
A trip to the sea would be lovely – to feel the wind, and maybe even take a swim as the waves roll in after the storm.
Tea, wool socks, and longing
Tea has always been my little everyday luxury. In the motorhome, it’s bagged tea. Nevertheless, it still tastes just as good – perhaps even better, when the cup steams in the small living space and I sit there, enjoying a cozy moment with a warm drink.
Soon we’ll be entering that season when tea, candles, and wool socks become part of everyday life. When the evenings are darker than bright and you can snuggle up with a fire in the basement and a pot of tea beside you. I almost long for that. At the same time, I want to hold on to the last bit of motorhome feeling just a little longer.
Friday feeling
So here I sit now. I want to go – I want to stay. I want to feel the wind by the sea, feel the old sea rolling – I want to sit at home with tea and glowing candles.
Lerkil in the wind
Maybe this is what life is. Longing, waiting, and the small moments of now.
We’ll see what the weekend brings. It could be motorhome LVL², or just a cozy weekend here in our little village. Perhaps the sea, perhaps home comforts. And you know what? Either way will probably be good.
Alfred is coming to visit
In a little while, little Alfred is coming to visit. He chose grandma over a day at after-school care. It warmed my heart that he wanted to come over. He’s chosen the day just the way he wants it to be. And that means a trip down to Grandpa’s stash of little candies.
When I told him Grandpa might only have cheese puffs and snus, Alfred thought that maybe Grandpa really ought to stop and buy some chocolate today.
Between the lines – my voice
I don’t always know what I want, but I know I want to feel. Sometimes it’s enough just to sit still in the in-between – between going and staying, between the wind and the tea, between dreams of the sea and the reality here at home. It’s not hesitation. Instead, it’s allowing life to be both.
I’m not in a hurry. I’m not trying to create a perfect weekend. Rather, I’m simply trying to be human – with longing, messy thoughts, and a cup of tea in my hand.
Reflection
It wasn’t the decision that mattered. Instead, it was the space before it. The breathing, the thoughts, the desire to both go and stay. That’s where life happened.
I realize that longing itself is a part of life. Waiting for something and feeling the anticipation is almost as lovely as when it actually happens.
Here comes a little Ozzy. Imagine that he got to experience this before he left for the other side. It’s so beautiful it’s almost impossible to describe – it just goes straight into the heart. It’s one of those moments you don’t just see, you feel.
What do you think?
Do you have a place you always long for in autumn?
What would you choose – a quiet weekend at home or a short motorhome trip?
Is there a song or an artist that makes you feel everything a little more, just like Ozzy does for me?
Yesterday rests in memories, and tomorrow lies ahead in the future. It’s here in the now where we experience, feel, and can actually do something. Problems waiting over there can’t be solved today – except perhaps by trying to prevent them from becoming problems in the first place.
This post is about a technical issue that suddenly got fixed, about the curiosity that drives me – and about camping experiences that have changed. It’s a story about listening to your gut, claiming your space in your own story, and sometimes simply letting go of what no longer feels right.
Did you read the post I wrote about the KonMari method? I shared it yesterday, but the SSL issue got in the way. Here’s the link to the post.
Me and My Stubbornness – and Maybe a Bit of AI
Yes! It’s working again. The SSL certificate is finally in place, and the site is secure. Whether it was Loopia who solved it or me – with some early morning energy and the help of AI – I honestly don’t know. I tinkered and tested, curious as I am. And suddenly… it worked.
No one from Loopia has called me back yet, even though they promised. But that doesn’t matter – now it’s secure, and I’m happy.
The ADHD Gene That Won’t Give Up
I think it was my ADHD gene kicking in. That stubbornness. I don’t give up when something feels like it should be fixable. And sometimes, yes – it actually is.
Thank you, curiosity. Thank you, restlessness. Thank you, the drive to understand even when I don’t fully know what I’m doing.
One Last Time in Vallersvik?
This morning we woke up at Vallersvik Camping. We’ve gone there every year, but now… no. I think this was the last time.
It felt like motorhomes are no longer welcome there. We asked for a spot down by the water – where we usually camp. But apparently, that’s now only for caravans. We were sent up to the top of the campsite. Tight space, no room, no charm.
The first pitch we got was so small we didn’t even fit. We had to switch, but the new one wasn’t much better. We barely had room for the awning – and the clouds above were heavy with the promise of rain.
Higher Prices and Less Hospitality
The campsite has raised its prices significantly. But the service hasn’t followed suit. The toilets and showers are far from high standard, and the staff we met yesterday were not accommodating. Which one might expect at this price level.
The sea, of course, is still there. But that’s not thanks to the campsite.
Honestly, seasonal campers should be placed higher up – it’s us short-term visitors who pay more. And we want to feel welcome. That sense of welcome was missing – and we heard the same from other guests.
Goodbye Vallersvik – Hello Trollhättan
We left early this morning. Now we’re at Stenröset Camping in Trollhättan. There’s plenty of space, a large motorhome pitch, and access to a pool. The little guy loves pools – so we’ll soon be swimming. I’m about to change and jump in.
Yesterday, though… the sea was magical. The waves crashed around us, foamy and wild. No jellyfish, over 20°C – and a feeling of freedom in every breath.
But sometimes, you choose what works best for everyone. And right now, that’s here – with sunshine, a waiting pool, and enough room to breathe.
Closing Words
Some places change. Others grow. I’m taking the memory of the waves’ power with me – but I’m leaving Vallersvik behind. Maybe for good.
AHA
I’m not looking for perfection. I’m looking for a place to stand still. And sometimes, that means leaving something behind – to find your way home somewhere else – in yourself, in the present, in new waters.
Maybe it’s exactly when you let go of how things used to be that something new can show up. Stenröset isn’t new, really – here, you know what you get. The facilities are clean, the staff is friendly, and the welcome is real – even if you arrive with a motorhome. Here, everything is just as it should be.
Yesterday has already settled into history. Tomorrow waits further ahead. But right now – this is the moment we live and breathe in. – Carina Ikonen Nilsson
Today’s post will be a short one. It’s a travel day. We’re leaving at 8:00 AM – and I’m far from ready. First, I need to conquer the mountain of laundry waiting to be folded.
A Day in Mourning – with Ozzy in the Speakers
Yesterday didn’t go as planned. The laundry that was supposed to be folded stayed in a heap – a quiet reminder of what never got done. It turned into a strange kind of day. A day of sorrow, with Ozzy Osbourne’s voice filling both my speakers and my heart. I wrote a blog post, just like I always do – and of course, it was about Ozzy. Read my Ozzy tribute post here
Tight Pants On – IKEA and Elgiganten Adventures
After writing, we headed to Uddevalla to do some shopping. For some reason, I ended up in my tight pants – it was that kind of trip. First stop: IKEA. We bought new drinking glasses, a frying pan, and three lovely jars from the Gladerlig series – the same series our plates are from.
Next stop: Elgiganten, where we made one of the best purchases in a long time – a countertop ice machine! Now we can pamper ourselves with ice cubes in the heat, whether we’re at home or on the road in our motorhome.
Swimming, Pancakes and Packing
Groceries done, we headed home. My husband cooked while I took the kids to the lake for a swim. When we came back, he had prepared pancake batter, so I got busy frying. The pancakes are coming with us today.
Borås Zoo and Hanatorp – and Then We’ll See
Today, we’re off to Borås Zoo to spend the day with our daughter and her family. After the zoo, we’ll stay overnight at the nearby campsite. Tomorrow, we’ll head to Hanatorp to visit my cousin. After that – who knows? We’ll let the road guide us.
But First – the Laundry…
Now I really need to get going. The laundry pile won’t fold itself, and we’re supposed to leave soon. No long post today – life is calling.
Yesterday rested in sorrow – but today, life keeps rolling on.
What about you?
Do you also have days where grief sneaks in – even among the most ordinary moments? How do you shift from heavy to light? From mourning to movement?
Reflection
Grief and everyday life dance together in this post – laundry and loss, pancakes and memories. Sometimes the writing is the breathing space between it all. That’s where I land. In the now. In both softness and strength.
Yesterday has already laid itself to rest in history. Tomorrow is waiting in the distance. But right now – this is where life happens. And the laundry won’t wait. -Carina Ikonen Nilsson
This morning, I wrote a long post about Ozzy Osbourne – a tribute to a living legend. But now I’m sitting under our awning, outside our motorhome, with a cup of coffee by my side. The air is still, and it finally feels like I can breathe.
We’ve arrived at the campsite where we’ll spend the weekend. Getting here, though? Well… let’s just say ADHD and packing don’t always mix well.
Cleaning Chaos and Tomato Distractions
This morning started with a mission: clean the motorhome. It hadn’t been properly cleaned since we got back from our long trip to northern Sweden. The floor definitely needed some love. But I got sidetracked – something that happens more often than I’d like to admit.
I was working on my blog, tweaking things, writing about Ozzy. Time flew. When I finally looked up, hours had passed, and it was already late morning. So I grabbed the mop bucket and started organizing the motorhome.
But then… I remembered a TikTok video I saw. Something about tomato plants and how pruning them gives a better harvest. So off I went – into the 40-degree (Celsius!) greenhouse, sweat pouring down my face. I trimmed leaves, cut off branches, tied up straggly stems, and made a giant pile of tomato scraps for compost.
And that’s when I remembered: Oh, right – I was in the middle of cleaning the motorhome.
There were cleaning supplies everywhere, half-packed bags, and tools lying around like a scene from a mild domestic tornado. That’s ADHD for you – jumping from task to task, all with great passion… but very little completion.
From Mayhem to Markis
Just as I stood in the middle of it all, my husband called to say he was on his way home. Cue: panic mode.
Throw everything back in place. Shower. Pack. Breakfast – kind of. Take my medication. Get dressed. Grab the laundry. And then – finally – get into the motorhome.
We stopped by a shop for the last few things, and then hit the road.
And now, here I am. Sitting still. Under our awning. Coffee in hand. Nothing more to do but write… and soon, grill.
ADHD – More Than a Buzzword
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) isn’t just about being ”distracted.” It’s often about having a fast brain, full of ideas, impulses, and emotional reactions. It can feel like living inside a pinball machine – one bright idea leads to the next, and everything seems equally urgent.
For me, it means diving headfirst into projects, then forgetting what I was doing 10 minutes ago. It’s messy. But it’s also part of who I am – and sometimes, it leads to moments of surprising joy. Or tomatoes.
Callout – What about you?
Have you ever started cleaning and ended up gardening instead? Do you also have a brain that jumps from idea to idea? How do you handle everyday chaos when your thoughts move faster than your to-do list?
Reflection
It’s probably not the smartest idea to leave everything until the last minute. And it’s probably even less smart to forget that I have ADHD while doing it. But most of all, it’s just… life. My life. A little chaotic. A little sweaty. But somehow, it works.
A Little Tip! I’d love to share something sweet from my neighbor. She runs a YouTube channel where she creates short, educational videos for children – playful, fun, and perfect for early learning at home or in preschool settings.
Click the image below to go straight to the video!
What’s on your mind?
Do you recognize yourself in the moment where cleaning turns into greenhouse gardening? Do you also have a brain that sometimes runs its own race? How does your everyday life respond when everything happens at once – structure or chaos?
Carina Ikonen Nilsson
”Live today, right now. Yesterday rests in history, and tomorrow waits out there in the distance. Right now is what matters.”
Support My Writing
If you enjoyed this post and want to support my work, feel free to use the link below. Every little bit helps me keep sharing from the heart. Buy me a coffee or support here »
Stay Connected
Want to follow more thoughts, memories, and everyday reflections? Subscribe to the blog. No noise – just words from the heart.
Share if you’d like
If this post moved you – pass it on. You never know who might need it today.
We use cookies to optimize our website and our service.
Functional
Alltid aktiv
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
