Back in Business

I finally have a lens again!  I received a brand-spanking-new one, thank goodness for 3 year warranties.

Although school has been crazy busy this week, I made sure to make the time to celebrate Farrah's birthday- it was nice to be social for once.

1. Christian and I chilling in the kitchen

2. Farrah's birthday (carrot) cake!

3. wish made =)

4. Farrah and Christoffer being love-y

5. happy Farrah

6. Farrah and Jakob

7.  Christian and I again

What a bummer...

When taking pictures during a walk on Saturday, my lens jammed up and I could no longer zoom out.  I attributed it to the cold (the previous owner warned me that it could lock up around -10), and figured that it would be fine once indoors (it was slow to zoom in and out in the cold before).
Since it was under warranty, it's been taken into El Giganten who sent it to a repair center today...I'm hoping that the damage is covered and will be fixed and returned to me soon (I didn't drop it or do anything to harm it!).
...wish me (and my lens) luck!

Alla hjärtans dag

Pink roses from Christian on Valentine's Day (despite my insistence that we not spend any money on each other)

A Lovely Visit

Hanna, Erik, and little Vilmer came to Linköping on Saturday and we had a great visit.  Lovely food, a lovely walk by the river, and lots of laughs.  I was very bummed to see them go...

1. Erik and Vilmer

2. Vilmer playing in the snow

3. Stångån, Linköping's river

4. ducks and swans in the river

5. the path we walked
6. Vilmer helping Hanna open her birthday present
7. Christian during our walk
8. Hanna

Baby, it's slightly above freezing outside

After I woke up this morning, I became very upset.  For the first time in quite a while, I woke up to it snowing outside.  The last couple weeks have been above freezing (sometimes even 5 degrees Celsius!), and although it snowed at night at times, it always melted in the morning.  However, it's now been snowing for several hours here.  The one good thing I have to say about it is that it does look much prettier outside, with the snow melting, everything that was left was gray and black from being covered in dirt and rocks.  Wish me luck in biking to school this afternoon...

1. tracks my kitty Lester made on the balcony

2. the balcony railing covered in snow that refuses to melt

3. tree outside my living room window

4. Lester enjoying the flakes

5. my favorite tea cup, keeping me warm

Scenes from a Swedish Home

Here are some shots I took in Charlotte and Stefan's (Christian's parents) lovely abode.

1. key in a hutch

2. old recorded vhs tapes disguised by book covers

3. tiny windmill on display

4. Christian in the basement (my boyfriend has dreamy blue eyes, dontcha think?)

5. basement fireplace (so cozy!)

6. fireplace mantle decoration

7. bookshelves

8. playing Sjuton with Christian and his parents

9. glasses

10. playing an old 'memory' game with Christian's parents

Örebros Vattenparken

This weekend Christian and I are staying with his parents in Örebro, visiting with his family.  We went on a very beautiful walk in Vattenparken with Christian's parents, his sister Hanna, her fiance Erik, and their charming little son Vilmer.  Afterwards we had fika* at Naturens hus there.

1. the beautiful landscape

2. family starting their walk

3. Christian on a bridge

4. the only sign of life and color around

5. Christian again

6. Vilmer pointing the way to Naturens Hus

7. Christian and his parents, Charlotte and Stefan having a laugh

8. beautiful centerpiece

9. Charlotte and Stefan

10. Erik and Hanna laughing

11. Vilmer flying

12. Hanna and me

*fika roughly means "to drink coffee" but implies much more than that.  Its is a beloved and ubiquitous Swedish tradition.
visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fika_(coffee_break) for more information