- Annika Alexandra

It's nearly 5pm and it's pitch black outside. The fire is burning in the kakelugn and my cat, Leiana is falling asleep on the couch. This morning I spotted a black and brown stripy cat. Leiana waited patiently to meet her new friend. The next time I looked out the window she was gone. Off having adventures with her new mate. I pray for kittens.

Today my Dad came with freshly baked lussebullar and I made us mulled wine and oatmeal for breakfast. Our first mulled wine together this year. In Sweden it's called glögg. It's one of the best smells I know. The smell of Winter and Christmas. He is currently at the dining table working on his wildlife conservation project, tapping away on his laptop while I tap on mine sitting on the sofa.

I'm so grateful for his help today because after breakfast we spent about 3 hours moving all the wood that is still outside into the wood shed. If I don't get the wood dry asap, it will be next Winter's wood stock and I'll be stuck with expensive supermarket wood this Winter. We moved around 3 cubic meters inside. I'll have to finish the rest tomorrow before the rain comes on Friday. I'm so grateful for his help. It took more time than expected and is a few full days of work for one person.

I love talking to my Dad. We always have great conversations about life. All things spiritual, relationships, nature, gratitude, and finding the balance between the emotional and practical approaches to life's challenges.

I feel like the past days have been a mix of wood and worries . I have been processing some things emotionally the past two weeks and it's always a challenge to show up online when you feel not at your best. But at least I feel safe to express that here. I feel I have been going through some moments of healing in recent days, which is why I haven't been posting the past days. It hasn't been anything negative, just big breakthrough moments where you heal in a big way, shift your perspective, and end up seeing things in a new light. It's like the clouds part and the sunshine of clarity comes into my life again. Can you relate to this break through moments? They are always the hardest yet most rewarding, aren't they? 🙂

*Been feeling so tired recently. These short winter days really make me want to sleep*

There is a thick layer of frost outside and everything is sparking in the light. Last night was the clearest of nights and I could see a thousand stars. It was 2 in the morning and I felt like my soul took a deep breath. Then I saw a shooting star. I stood mesmerized by the beauty and was filled with gratitude. It was so magical I could have stayed out all night. But my feet started to freeze as I stood outside in my wooly socks.

Leiana seemed curious why I was still awake and eagerly followed me up the stars to go to bed. We now have a routine together. She sleeps in my bed at night and it's the coziest feeling. I no longer need an alarm clock. She wakes me up 6:45 on the dot.