• Bewusst Leben,  Sarines Göteborg

    Knitted poofs | How To

    Couldn’t stop myself from searching for a How To on these puppies.

    Picture via.

    I found this one on Knittastic. No idea when or if I’ll get around to this …

    PS: I know I am behind on this trend but I am slow that way. I always have to go through the process of 1. rejecting the hype, 2. getting used to it, 3. liking it just in time for everyone else to have moved on to something else (at which point the process starts all over).

  • Bewusst Leben,  Sarines Göteborg

    What I do when I am not packing | Procrastination

    We mean business. No, not the banana trade business. We mean the business that is packing so we get outta here.

    We got boxes alright …

    Now we just have to pack our stuff. We still don’t know when we’re going to be able to move but when you think about it, packing a little each day would make it so much easier in the long run. „Would“ being the operative word here, since you know how these things go: you start out with a totally sensible game plan, and then you end up putting it off until the last minute, 30 seconds of which will be spent wondering why you didn’t stick with your plan, and what did you do with all that time anyway that you didn’t spent packing.

    Well, let this be my account for at least part of that time not spent packing: obviously, I spend that time on the internet. Looking for inspiration for the part of the renovating process that I am looking forward to the most but which I already realized is going to end up pretty much on the bottom of the priority list of things that need fixing – decorating. Even I realized that waterproofing exterior unfortunately trumps beautifying interior.

    So this is me preparing to get sucked into an alternate universe where things are upside down:

    I am definitely into the style of Jess‘ room …
    … and not just because it basically feels like my own after watching two seasons of New Girl in three days
    Digging the technical drawing of the dandelion.
    I also dig Catalina Estrada’s folklore wall paper art, although I don’t really care for how it looks like it was drawn on a computer. I guess I would like for it to be a little more scrawly.
    Still – pretty cool.
    ***
    ***
    I could go on – but I won’t check out Catalina Estrada’s site for more
    More folklore
    … and more. I wouldn’t want any of our rooms to look like this but I am liking the whole bright-colors-lots-of-ornaments-and-small-decorative-items thing that these folklore style rooms have going on
    Love the wall AND the tiles.
    I could also get down with an idea on the other end of the scale: an all white room with one element that pops out. Not necessarily with china dolls or a cheetah carpet …
    (Another) Future DIY project?
    Very much into yellow lately. I wonder if it’s just a phase or if I could actually live with wallpapers like these for a while … I’m thinking downstairs hallway. To be honest, I have seen these PiP wallpapers in a look book at a store (passing time waiting for the library to open, not that you asked), and I didn’t think they looked that great from up close. Anything that is processed by computer kind of loses it’s soul in my eyes … Maybe I need to draw my own wallpapers …
    Also digging turquoise in general and this baby in particular. Nice job!

    Well, so much for now. How do you spend your time procrastinating stuff? Got any inspiration for me (not in the procrastination department, doing pretty ok there by myself, but in the decorating department)? Feel free to send it my way!

     

  • Bewusst Leben,  Sarines Göteborg

    Indestructible | Plant life

    The deal with the house has felt so right and so real the whole time to me that making the down-payment (this past Monday) doesn’t even seem like that big of a milestone. The house has felt like ours the whole time.

    Not even the fact that we’re still waiting for an appointment with a chimney sweeper (who, we hope, will tell us that everything is OK because otherwise things could suddenly take a turn towards pretty pricey …) can change that. Like I’ve been saying: I have come to the conclusion that I’d rather be excited about things than worried even if not everything is settled yet. If everything works out, then great – I did not waste any time worrying. If things don’t work out – then at least I had those moments of excitement and happiness. Anything can change at any time anyway, so.

    The plants in our apartment, which we once again abandoned for a trip up north, remind me how powerful and amazing life is. If these little guys can bounce back like that, so can I if for some reason things with this house don’t turn out as I imagine …

    Tuesday night …

    … this morning (Thursday).

    They actually looked a lot better already a few minutes after watering them.

    I just didn’t really bother to take any more pictures until this morning.

    ***

    If I can just get one tomato from these I’ll be happy.

    ***

    ***

    ***

    ***

    ***

    Yes, that is a plant pot with the O’boy logo painted on. Don’t ask.

    ***

    More like mourning glory …

    … morning glory!

  • Bewusst Leben,  Sarines Göteborg

    The gap that allows for change to take place …

    … I think that’s what this thing I am in is. Here is the current state of affairs:

    • I now have an indefinite residence permit for Sweden – yay!
    • We’ll be able to have a phone at the house – yay!
    • We’ll be able to have internet at the house – yay!
    • The internet will be old school, very slow, no looking at pictures, only text – meh!
    • The bank is willing to give us a loan for the house – yay! I mean, scary – loaning money – but yay!
    • I have applied for two jobs which I would be super-excited about if I got either of them. Yay! (I know „two“ doesn’t sound like a lot but I am more of a „few-but-put-a-lot-of-time-and-effort-into-them“ kind of application-writer, not the „if-I-write-200-applications-something-has-to-work-out“ type)
    • We are heading up to Sundsvall today (yes, this is a scheduled post), to spend some more time checking out the electrosmog situation in the area.
    • I am kind of freaking out right now. I think it’s the parts of me that don’t want to let go of the old, that are afraid of change, that are acting up now because they now that this is legit. It’s on! I guess I’m just gonna have to ride this one out but I am scared at the prospect of having to face this side of me. Not having any diversions like, say, the internet, will definitely do that: force me to face myself – yikes! Without ever having dared to watch Antichrist, I think it’s what I am picturing this little trip in my head right now. Only I might be both of the spouses. Although, not having any diversions like, say, the internet, will probably give Peter and I plenty room for ugly fights, too. Let’s hope these wannabe house-buyers make it till Thursday – that’s when the official safety dude that’s checking out the house is stopping by. And when we’ll set up the actual contract.

      Cloudberries – more common in the north of Sweden. We saw one at Indian-Per’s. It wasn’t this blurry, though, that’s just me doing a bad job taking pictures without flash. Sorry.
  • Bewusst Leben,  Sarines Göteborg

    Indian-Per

    Last night we visited a former colleague of Peter’s. They don’t call him „Indian-Per“ for nothing: he’s single-handedly turned the farm he bought into a ranch. This guy really has an eye (and two hands) for details. I took some pix, check it out:

    Where there’s an Indian-Per, there’s a tipi … or three … aiming for twelve (!)
    The stables. Indian-Per has two horses and a dog, all three of which are so well trained that they walk around on the property without any fence. Impressive. And adorable.

    Bathtubs upcycled – how cool is that?

    This is actually the view from the terrace, so imagine sitting in one of those bathtubs and looking at this (the sauna, btw).
    And of course, the sauna itself has a great view of the pond, too (which I managed not to capture here).

    So inspiring to meet someone with a vision and so much drive. Inspiration is important, Per agreed – inspiration not to copy others but to become your own original. Well, I’d say he’s got that one down.

     

  • Bewusst Leben,  Sarines Göteborg

    Summary – So lucky | Feng Shui

    Cameron House Feng Shui by tronathan

    In this last part of my little „Feng Shui 101“ it is time for the big reveal. At least it’s big for me. However, I am going to begin with a summary of what I find to be the most important points. So, be patient – or scroll to the end of this article.

    With all these personal Kua numbers, lucky and unlucky directions, and houses with back doors things can get pretty complicated: you and your partner/family members/room-mates very likely have different personal Kua numbers, plus the house has lucky and unlucky areas, which in turn might not match your personal areas of benefit/disadvantage.

    And that’s not even considering that you might be living in a western house that was not built according to these Feng Shui principles, the toilet might be located in the wealth area, or the only physically possible way to have your bed facing is death … And how could knowing this be of any help?! Isn’t it just making you aware of that you’re doomed? Maybe ignorance is bliss …

    Well, that’s not how I read it. From what I understand, it is important to remember that these „lucky“ and „unlucky“ areas/directions by no means equal „destiny“. With the knowledge about these directions, and the knowledge of the Feng Shui teachings, you can optimize the benefit from the „lucky“ areas – and there always seems to be a way to minimize the harm in the „unlucky“ areas.

    If your personal beneficial and detrimental directions do not match the ones of your house, the personal ones seem to be more important.

    And, maybe most importantly for the „worrier“ in you (that includes me, too): if your place of residence is constructed in a very un-Feng Shui manner, do not get hung up on the fact that your toilet happens to be in the wealth area. Focus on the things that you can do and let the rest go. Again, this is not determining your fate.

    Now for the big reveal (for real now): Not only do Peter and I have the same Kua number (7), no – the lucky and unlucky directions of this number are also identical with those of the house (Tui)!!! Once again, I feel like the universe is waving it’s big foamy pointed finger …

    At first I didn’t even realize the match between us and the house, I was too busy drawing the floor plan. Then, when I did see it, I thought that it had to be one of those math problems where it turns out that no matter which numbers you fill in, you always end up with the same result. Then I realized that, nope, if the house had been facing a different direction, we would indeed have a different result. So much for not questioning luck.

    And just for fun (I really don’t know if this is interesting to anyone but me but anyway): here’s a list of the different rooms and their areas/directions in „our“ house (can’t wait for the day when i can drop the „“):

    Bottom floor

    • Entry hall – death: Better than it sounds, since you don’t really use this room for anything, I’ll just put in a bunch of plants, that seems to be a good remedy for most things unlucky. As are toilets, by the way, but I putting in a toilet in each of the four respective unlucky areas doesn’t seem very practical to me …
    • Staircase/closet – loss & scandal: Also cool with that, for the same reasons. We’ll just keep the closet shut.
    • Medium bedroom – obstacles, health, harmony: One of our office/guest rooms. Looking good, face desk away from obstacles, towards harmony. Too bad that the window is facing obstacles, I always want my desk by a window, not facing a wall. We’ll see.
    • Bathroom – harmony: Some might say that’s a waste but, hey.
    • Living room – harmony, wealth, misfortune, long life (and maybe some death): I think we can work with that.
    • Front porch (don’t know if it counts) – loss & scandal, death, long life: plants, plants, plants

    Second floor

    • Staircase – loss & scandal: see above
    • Hall – death: see above
    • Master bedroom – obstacles, health, harmony. We should be able to have the head of the bed towards harmony, so I think we’ll be good.
    • Kitchen – (a little bit of) death, long life, misfortune; with a pantry towards wealth: Well, let’s keep the glass half-full and focus on the pantry in the wealth corner. Long life is where the dining table is placed, so I guess that’s pretty good, too.
    • Mini-bedroom – harmony: Our second office/guest room. I guess deciding who’s going to want which room will be tough – the harmonious but tiny one or the big one with the obstacle area?
  • Bewusst Leben,  Sarines Göteborg

    Lucky and unlucky compass points | Feng Shui

    Compass Study by Calsidyrose

    Before I go into the different kinds of houses and their respective beneficial and detrimental areas (according to the compass tradition of Feng Shui), here’s a brief overview over those lucky and unlucky directions/areas:

    Lucky directions – and their main benefits

    Sheng Chi (Breath Of Life) – wealth/prosperity

    Tien Yi (Heavenly Doctor) – health

    Nien Yen – long life, also in the sense of many descendants

    Fu Wei – complete harmony

    Unlucky directions – and their main problems

    Ho Hai – bad luck and misfortune

    Wu Kwei (Five Ghosts) – obstacles

    Lui Sha (Six Killings) – loss and scandal

    Chueh Ming (Disaster) – death

    Here’s an article, that’s great for a brief overview, if you want to know a little more about these directions: Eight Mansions in Feng Shui.

    This page about the Kua number has charts for each of the nine numbers with the respective lucky and unlucky compass points, and how to optimize the benefits and how to do „damage control“ in the harmful areas.

  • Bewusst Leben,  Sarines Göteborg

    Let it grow

    Our little oasis.

    While we are spending more and more time dreaming about our new home, and especially the prospect of being closer to nature, we still do enjoy our balcony. Especially now that the plants are growing more and more, and you can see a change every day.

    The nasturtium is blossoming, …
    … the morning glory is spiraling its way up along the string I put up, …

    … and I wonder how far they will make it until it is time for us to pack.

    We’re not there yet, though, so in the meantime …

    … we make the best of it. Like delicious, colorful salads.
    The blossom came from our own nasturtium, the little flowery sprinkles you see are an herb mixture by Sonnentor. Love!
    Even when it’s hot outside, I like to drink my „lupin latte“ – also with sprinkles from Sonnentor (Flower Power). I guess that’s what the Swedes call „Adding a gold rim to the everyday“.
  • Bewusst Leben,  Sarines Göteborg

    The importance of back doors | Feng Shui

    Sharma Back Door by tantrum_dan

    Now for the houses and their lucky and unlucky areas. According to the compass school of Feng Shui, there are eight different types of houses, depending on which compass point the back door is facing. (It doesn’t seem to matter, whether your house actually has a back door, it’s automatically the side opposite the side with the front door.)

    The eight kinds of houses and their beneficial/detrimental directions are:

    Kan (back door facing north)

    • most important direction/direction for harmony – north
    • direction for health – east
    • direction for long life – south
    • direction for wealth – south-east
    • direction for difficulties – west
    • direction for loss and scandal – north-west
    • direction for obstacles – north-east
    • direction for death – south-west

    Ken (back: north-east)

    • most important direction/direction for harmony – north-east
    • direction for health – north-west
    • direction for long life – west
    • direction for wealth – south-west
    • direction for difficulties – south
    • direction for loss and scandal – east
    • direction for obstacles – north
    • direction for death – south-east

    Chen (back: east)

    • most important direction/direction for harmony – east
    • direction for health – north
    • direction for long life – south-east
    • direction for wealth – south
    • direction for difficulties – south-west
    • direction for loss and scandal – north-east
    • direction for obstacles – north-west
    • direction for death – west

    Sun (back: south-east)

    • most important direction/direction for harmony – south-east
    • direction for health – south
    • direction for long life – east
    • direction for wealth – north
    • direction for difficulties – north-west
    • direction for loss and scandal – west
    • direction for obstacles – south-west
    • direction for death – north-east

    Li (back: south)

    • most important direction/direction for harmony – south
    • direction for health – south-east
    • direction for long life – north
    • direction for wealth – east
    • direction for difficulties – north-east
    • direction for loss and scandal – south-west
    • direction for obstacles – west
    • direction for death – north-west

    Kun (back: south-west)

    • most important direction/direction for harmony – south-west
    • direction for health – west
    • direction for long life – north-west
    • direction for wealth – north-east
    • direction for difficulties – east
    • direction for loss and scandal – south
    • direction for obstacles – south-east
    • direction for death – north

    Tui (back: west)

    • most important direction/direction for harmony – west
    • direction for health – south-west
    • direction for long life – north-east
    • direction for wealth – north-west
    • direction for difficulties – north
    • direction for loss and scandal – south-east
    • direction for obstacles – south
    • direction for death – east

    Chien (back: north-west)

    • most important direction/direction for harmony – north-west
    • direction for health – north-east
    • direction for long life – south-west
    • direction for wealth – west
    • direction for difficulties – south-east
    • direction for loss and scandal – north
    • direction for obstacles – east
    • direction for death – south
  • Bewusst Leben,  Sarines Göteborg

    Brännö

    On the menu today: inquiries about jobs and bank loans. Important but not as pleasant as the trip La and I went on last week. Probably our favorite destination here in Gothenburg: the southern archipelago.

    Beautiful, featherlike pasture
    Like a down blanket exploded all over the island. In a pretty way.
    Couldn’t get enough of these guys.
    Which was fine, they were everywhere anyway.
    So were these fellas.
    They were helpful, too: pointing us to a future home for La …
    I wouldn’t mind having a friend who lives here!
    Nothing wrong with that view. OK, we can lose the clouds – but we have sunshine in our hearts, so no biggie.
    Yup, same day, same island, same sky. But what a difference!
    So much beauty all around …
    … here …
    … and here …
    … and here.
    Just follow the fluffy white road.