Christmas in Denmark

We had a wonderful WHITE Christmas in Denmark. As usual time went by way too fast, and I did not manage to see all of those I was hoping to see. Nevertheless it was great to hang out with the family, play with the nieces and nephews and eat a lot of (Danish) food. We left Denmark with even heavier suitcases than when we arrived, and are currently R E L A X I N G in Northern Iceland. We are on an equally tight schedule in Iceland, but Bjarni is down with a stomach flu, which has resulted in a small but much needed breather.

Pictures from our Danish Christmas days:

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Count Down

The countdown has begun for our holiday back home. We leave on Monday (the weather better behave!!) and can't wait to see everyone again. First stop is Denmark for the Christmas days, and then off to Iceland for New Years. This will be Silja's first trip to the land of ice and fire, and I know Bjarni can't wait to finally show her to relatives and friends up there.

Until Monday we will be busy with old friends visiting from Denmark. They were suppose to arrive two hours ago, but are currently waiting in transit due the crazy winter weather. So let's hope they are able to get here soon. I have been looking forward to their visit for long.

Some pictures from the past week, where the cosy Christmas gatherings and the stressful shopping really kicked in.

1. Christmas party with the Baby Club

2. Drinking Glühmost with sweet Kerry at the Christmas Market (Altes AKH)

3. Wrapping up presents (Little Miss Curious were done playing by herself and had to partake in the activities by the table.)

4. And this where I'm at right now: trying to figure out how the heck we are going to fit all our warm winter clothes, baby stuff and family Christmas presents into two suitcases and not exceed 2x20kg. Hmmm...

I'm not sure I will be able to post more in the following days. If not then HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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Baaah

Found this little fellow at one of the Christmas markets and had to take it home with me.

Peekaboo

At the moment nothing beats the fun of removing a piece of cloth from the head. :)

I took Silja to the swimming pool today for the first time (at Terme Wien by the way, what a great place!), which was a lot of fun. We haven't heard a single peep from the crib after putting her to bed at 18.30. ZZzzz...

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Christmas Spirit

Lots of snow prevented us from going anywhere this past Friday, so I made a bunch of Christmas cookies and admired the advent calendar I found at one of Christmas markets in town. I'm enjoying this month with all the Christmas preparations more than I have for years.

PS. Look! Bjarni made it snow in here too... :)

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Cafe Phil

Hanging out with Venezuelan and Brazilian friends at Phil, my all time favorite cafe in Vienna.

Happy 1st of december! Here it has been snowing since morning.

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A Weekend of Celebrations

We had a super busy, but very nice weekend with good friends and LOTS of food. Saturday Michelle & Alex hosted a Thanksgiving dinner, where we stuffed ourselves with all the traditional Thanksgiving dishes. Good stuff! Thanksgiving is my favorite American holiday, and I'm happy and thankful we got to celebrate it even though we are now back in Europe.

Sunday was Bjarni's birthday and the first Sunday of Advent, so we invited his colleagues + spouses and kids over to celebrate both with waffles and glögg (mulled wine, Scandinavian style). When people left it had started snowing... Ayy, and that fits right into my growing Christmas mood.

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Mobile

I have for long been meaning to make a mobile to hang by the changing table, but couldn't figure out how to hang it from our very high ceiling (it is out of reach). I ended up going for something I could simply hang on the wall, and made this cloud mobile (inspired by these beauties) out of some of the felt I got to make for Silja's Halloween costume.

Next sewing project will be a sock monkey... Let's see how that goes.

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Friday Night

Playing with Silja and finally watching the old British movie The Third Man, which takes place in post-war Vienna. One of the best things about fall and winter is candles! It's a Scandinavian must during the dark seasons and oh so cosy.

The blog got a much needed face lift. I hope you like it.

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Italy II

It's a bit messy, but wanted to post the pictures all at once

Morning walk along one of the shopping street in Viterbo

Saint Peter's Church in Vatican City; Silja checking out her own reflection in the big mirrors of the hotel and the BEST tiramisu we had in Rome (take away as was the rest of our dinner that night from a nearby restaurant so the princess could get her beauty sleep...)

Cappuccino break

Finding peace and tranquility in Villa Borghese. Ahhh...

and finally Bjarni throwing a coin in Trevi fountain to make sure we come back some other time.

(Note to self: Remember a picture with all three of us in it next time...)

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Müesli

I am sooo enjoying my maternity leave, and the fall weather fits perfectly with reading good books and trying out new recipes. After last week's Italian adventure it feels great to take it slow here at home.

Yesterday I made my own müesli, which turned out really good. (The recipe can be found here - English version in the bottom..)

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Italy I

We are back in Vienna after six days in Italy, which was mostly sunny, relaxed and charming but at times and to no surprise also challenging with a small baby. We spent 4 days in the small historic town Viterbo north of Rome, where Bjarni participated in a workshop, and Silja and myself enjoyed the change of scenery with lots of walks in cute old cobblestoned streets and lots of naps back at the hotel (yep, naps for both of us!). After Bjarni finished the workshop, we headed to Rome for one and a half day before flying back to Vienna. Rome was too chaotic and noisy for little Silja (and the mommy, who cares a great deal about those naps that are necessary in order to avoid a cranky baby). Also it was surprisingly difficult to get around with a stroller.

Anyhow, it was my first time in Italy, and I'd love to come back to explore more of the country some other time. I took so many pictures so more will be posted here as I try to organize them.

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Happy Halloween

A picture from yesterday before heading to the big Halloween party with the baby club. There were sooo many adorable baby costumes. Unfortunately we didn't take any pictures.

In a little bit we are leaving for Italy. Arrivederci Vienna. Hello tiramisu, cappuccinos, pelligrino and pizza (- and by the way, I hope that when we return my knowledge on Italian cuisine is bit more nuanced..)

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Baby Update: 3 Months

Yep, Silja has hit the three month mark. She is now full of smiles and funny sounds. She is holding her head quite steady even though it is still a bit wobbly. She is (sometimes?) rolling from stomach to back, though it seems to happen more by coincidence than intention. She got her first vaccine (Seeing the doctor was lots of fun until she gave the injections - then the fun was gone. Completely.) Dangling toys are way more fun than those laying next to her, and hanging out in other people's arms and looking at their faces is very interesting!

Our sweet little girl will venture out on her 2nd trip outside of Austria this weekend, when all three of us are heading to Rome, where Bjarni is to participate in a conference.

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Offline Fun

We have been without internet for an entire week! Yikes... A technician is supposed to come and fix the connection tomorrow, but now the damn thing is strangely working again all by itself.

Without online access we have had to turn to other means of entertainment, and it has been surprisingly nice! Whenever Silja has been sleeping and I'm done with my other Hausfrau (!) chores, I have been fumbling with a big puzzle while catching up on my favorite podcasts. Ausgezeichnet!

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Saturday is Market Day

I love the markets in Vienna! Here are a few glimpses from our local Hannover Markt on a Saturday, where we stocked up on fresh produce and bought the sweet and sparkling wine Sturm (currently in season) to later enjoy with friends. Prost!

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