Read this in swedish

Introduction:
Today I’m sitting outside under the pavilion, writing. Breakfast is beside me, and the last cup of coffee for the day serves as a drink for my sandwich. A sandwich with avocado and cucumber from our greenhouse. That cucumber really tasted like cucumber – not like those watered-down green sticks from the store.

In this moment, life feels simply delightful and beautiful. The sun is shining, and the sky is clear blue. It’s been so long since it was this blue. I don’t even feel the slightest breeze – everything is just still, lovely and full of flavor. At least the sandwich is.

My plan is to spend this day in the slope at home, in the garden. We’ll see how much energy I have. I’ll do what I feel like, and then I intend to enjoy this sunny day in my own way – by just being and doing almost nothing more than soaking up the sun.

Hanging laundry is, of course, a must on a day like this. As soon as my husband got out of bed, I went and removed the bed linens. They’re drying in the sun – which is where linens truly belong, at least in my world. They smell so wonderful after being hung outside, and it’s such a lovely feeling to be able to hang laundry in the fresh air.

The Right to Sleep Clean and Safe

That – hanging sheets outside, smelling their freshness, and going to bed in clean, sun-dried linens – should be a human right.

There are children, even here in Sweden, who don’t even have proper bedding in their beds. Children who have never experienced the feeling of being freshly showered, then crawling into a clean, freshly made bed with duvets that have aired or dried in the sun.

It should absolutely be a parental responsibility to give a child the opportunity to feel those things. To feel clean, safe and cared for. That sense of security often lives in the smallest details.

Garden Evening Vibes

Already yesterday evening, the weather showed signs of what today would bring. It was warm and light outside. My husband and I both got into the mood. We spent some time walking around the garden.

He worked on his things, and I removed overgrown lettuce, picked some freshly harvested carrots and hung another bouquet of oregano to dry. I checked on the tomatoes and cucumbers – something has happened, because the flowers that were supposed to become cucumbers have withered and died.

The cucumber flowers have started to wither before turning into fruit – any idea what could be causing it?

Education for the Little Ones – with Joy and Care

While sitting here in the sun with my coffee in hand, my thoughts turned to my neighbor. She’s one of those people who truly make a difference – quietly but meaningfully.

On her YouTube channel, she creates short educational videos for children. Small clips where she talks about the body, the environment and animals – always with a pedagogical intention, aimed at young children.

What’s especially wonderful is that she includes questions in her videos – questions children are meant to answer. It’s thoughtful, playful and inspiring. You can feel the care and genuine intention behind it. A channel made for the little ones, with a big heart.

Click on “Video” to watch the films she creates.

I’m going to continue this day right here – with the sun on my back and the scent of freshly dried laundry in the air. That’s enough. That’s more than enough. I wish you a beautiful day, where you get everything you need from your hours.

Carina Ikonen Nilsson

“Live today, right now. Yesterday rests in history, and tomorrow is waiting somewhere in the distance. Right now is what matters.”

Reflection

It’s in the small things that the big ones live.
A sandwich with cucumber from the greenhouse.
The scent of laundry in the breeze.
A child’s voice answering a question in an educational film.

It may not look like much to the world –
but to someone, it’s everything.

Question for you

What does your perfect summer day look like – the kind where nothing really happens, but everything feels right?
Feel free to leave a comment below – I read every single one.
And if you prefer, you’re welcome to contact me privately.

Here are a few things you might reflect on:

  • What everyday moments mean the most to you right now?
  • Can you remember the last time you climbed into sun-dried sheets – how did it feel?
  • What simple luxuries do you think all children should experience?
  • How do you create a sense of safety in the small things – for yourself or others?
  • What gives you that true summer feeling?
  • Do you have a quiet place of your own where you can simply be?

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