100 happy days :: day 100

there is something about the low, swampy wooded area at the end of our lake. the trees grow low and rather twisty, turny. even if it's raining or windy, it's always still and quiet there, a sense of waiting hanging in the air, but not a menacing one, more a kind of deep patience. and in the air, there is a vibration of primeval magic that you can feel, but which feels just out of reach, beyond your grasp, but still hanging there, almost tangible. it's in the green. it's in the quiet. it's how it's always still. one of those places where you just feel the magic. and you believe in it, even if you can't quite capture it. and my 100th happy day is a happiness that i have one of those places right here at home and i can go down there anytime and fill up my soul with magic.

* * *

and that's it, that was my 100 happy days project. it got me through a bit of a tough time and i think it really helped. it can be beneficial to take a moment to think about the little things that make you happy every day. doing it makes it a habit. one that i hope that i will continue even if i don't continue it as a post or a tweet. i think one of the things that i found is that often my moment of happiness was a moment of feeling grateful - for sunshine, for a beautiful view, for the time to take the back way, for cats, for a flower in bloom, for noticing in general.

but, in all honesty, it also felt a bit heavy at times. because not every day is filled with happiness. some days are hard and you just want them to be over. and i find myself generally feeling too earnest and righteous and not light-hearted and funny anymore. so maybe i need to find a new project that will help me find my way back to a lighter, more buoyant view of the world.

100 happy days :: day 68

cold, dreary. rainy. but raindrop-clad flowers offer a bright spot. 

100 happy days :: day 61

i'll admit, 40 days of happy still stretch ahead of me and that seems like a lot. like really a lot. but then, tucked away in a box, when i was looking for something else, i ran across the film from my film swap with the lovely shokoofeh. so i put it on the scanner and scanned at higher dpi rate (that takes a long time, by the way) so that i could have this photo printed in a larger format for our upcoming spring exhibition. our theme is reflections and although this is an alternative interpretation of that, i think the double exposure of denmark layered on iran is beautiful and deep and ponderable. the light, the objects, the dreamy quality, all give pause for reflection. and for a moment of happiness.

100 happy days :: day 60

even the dark knight appreciates sculpture in the park.

100 happy days :: day 59

i know the red door was already featured here in my 100 happy days project, but i couldn't resist sharing it again, now that's hung up where it belongs. and there's an area of chalkboard right next to it, so i can write the menu or quotes or whatever i want on the wall right next to it. it just couldn't look any better, unless maybe once husband attaches that big black knob that's there on the stool. it's so perfect, matte black, like the chalkboard. so much happy.

100 happy days :: day 58

a teeny tiny toothy tiger.

what could be happier?

100 happy days :: day 57

when you live in a falling down farmhouse in the countryside that was probably never that nice, even in its prime, it is a pleasure to go somewhere where the house is finished and not only livable, but wonderful and perfect, but still comfortable and inviting in its perfection.

it's a reminder that these things are possible and somehow offers a glimmer of hope that we will get there someday. what we wanted was a project and we definitely have that. and at times, it's not that much fun living in the middle of the project. but we will get there. we too have wegner chairs and lots of candleholders and books. this too will be a wonderful home someday and in the meantime, we can always go for a visit. and that is definitely a happy thought.

100 happy days :: day 56

this stylish little foot bridge, connecting the old and "new" harbors in landskrona was named after my late father-in-law on saturday. we went to the ceremony. the ceremony was a bit strange and confusing and it became clear from the passers-by that the bridge had actually been open for some time, as people kept wandering across, just lifting up the ribbon which hadn't yet been cut. there was also an odd potato-head woman who did the actual cutting of the ribbon. since i couldn't really hear that well and my ability to understand spoken swedish is a limited at best, it was unclear to me what her connection to it all was. perhaps she's the one who drove to holland and picked up (stole?) the bridge in the first place. 

because the bridge looks like it could have been lifted out of amsterdam (and quite possibly was), but pretty cool that it can be raised up so boats can sail through. they demonstrated that with a little rescue boat of some kind, which sailed through and then sailed back, to show us all how it works. another weirdness of the ceremony was that i'm not sure they mentioned peter's four children, who were all in attendance. i would have thought they'd have been invited up to at least be close observers of the ribbon cutting, but oddly, they were not. i was left wondering if those organizing it all had ever attended such a ceremony before.

me, i mostly wished there would have been an exciting corpse lying the bridge, leading to another season of broen, that fantastic nordic noir murder mystery series that's a danish-swedish cooperation. of course, that program is about a slightly larger bridge.  but still, a murder mystery would have added a bit of spice to the whole thing.

as it was, probably the best part of the day was that we had a long wander down to the beach and around the castle grounds. we'd been there a lot when husband's two oldest girls were little, so we did all of the old, traditional things, despite the grey day. it was fun to see the three sisters together, talking and laughing and looking so grown up.

in all, a very nice day, seeing family and having more than one good laugh and toasting to peter broberg's bro (bridge). worth the long drive, for sure.

100 happy days :: day 55

not long ago, an organic boutique opened in town.
fresh, organic veggies from local producers.
frozen organic chickens.
local, inventive, amazing ice cream.
organic flour from a small mill.
awesome fair trade coffee (with the coolest labels) by just coffee.
in short, just what we needed in town.
so much happy.

* * *

this piece, reminding me of what i love about russian literature.

* * *

slow fashion?

yes, please.

* * *

finding this more than frightening.
on both ends - both the problem and the "solution" offered in the piece.
what is happening to the land of my birth?

100 happy days :: day 54

with all the cats around here, you'd think i wouldn't have a favorite.

but i do.

and it's still molly.

she's fierce, independent and wonderful.

and if i could only have one, she'd be it.

she's totally her own.

and a little bit mine.

100 happy days :: day 53

(just ignore that dirty window. the cats jump up on the ledge and muddy it with their paws all the time.)

this is about the return of charlie!

she was missing for a couple of days.

turned out she was locked in the upstairs of the other house, the one above the new kitchen.

husband had been up there doing some work and didn't notice that she followed him.

alas, it took me a couple of days to find her.

she was none the worse for the wear and isn't holding a grudge.

she was a bit hungry, but otherwise fine.

but we're glad she's back.

100 happy days :: day 52

a buffy binge.

and a glass of wine.

and candles.

and netflix in general. it's a great invention.

100 happy days :: day 51

unicorns spotted among the anemone, including one with a very rare golden horn.
 (i think she may have been hanging out with space unikitty.)

but seriously, taking a handful of minifigs into the garden and setting them up and taking their picture is definitely a happy thing.

try it, i'm sure you'll agree.

especially if the light is good.

100 happy days :: day 50

we painted our concrete kitchen floor red.
could there be anything bolder? or happier?
i think not.

and my happiness project is now halfway!

* * *

need to do some weekend getaways to visit these streets.

* * *

how do others see you?

100 happy days :: day 49

sunshine. blossoms on the mirabella tree. oh, and have i mentioned sunshine!! 

so welcome!  so much happy!

100 happy days :: day 48

today's happy: batman-themed moleskines. one arrived at my door today. 

frieda, aka catwoman, approved.

100 happy days :: day 47

homemade nettle pesto.

and you thought nettles were a nasty weed.

actually, they're way better than basil.

especially these new, tender shoots.

(dear google, please stop "enhancing" my photos aka painting them purple.)

100 happy days :: day 46

the blt. with homemade nettle pesto, aioli, avocado and thinly-sliced red onion.

possibly the world's most perfect food. 

100 happy days :: day 45

i know i've already used the baby bunnies as my happy moment.
but seriously, who cannot be happy in the face of this?
every day, i think they're reached peak cuteness and yet every day, they get cuter.

also,
something has shifted. cosmically. in a good way.
i don't know what it is yet, but i'm choosing to roll with it.
happiness is in the air.
maybe it just takes 45 days of concentrated effort.

* * *

this is (pin)interesting and a bit surprising.
and tho' some of them are my own, not all of them are.

100 happy days :: day 44

scanner + bobbaloos + free online gif-maker = today's happy

also part of today's happy - hillary + kittens. the kittens are ready. we are ready. ready for hillary.