Christmas in Winter Wonderland

Today is my fourth day back in South Africa after having spent the most amazing Christmas holiday in Norway and Sweden. Do I like being back? Hmm, well, I'll tell you when I've landed for real because as of this moment, my body might be in South Africa but my mind is still in Norway.

This Christmas was all about logistics. My boyfriend and I both having divorced parents is the reason for that. I didn't mind though. travelling around Sweden and Norway to spend time with all the moms dads and sisters was fun. And it was just great seeing all of them again. However, It was really freezing! minus 22 degrees when we arrived at Arlanda, Stockholm was a bit too cold for me.

In the winter wonderland woods of Stockholm

 I normally don't really mind the Norwegian cold, but this time I was shocked. I believe that to be able to deal with such temperatures you have to acclimatise slowly (as in go through a couple of months of Scandinavian fall). Still, I do love Norway, Sweden and the beautiful cold wintertime, and I miss it already.

Kita, Krille's dads dog. She's so cute and playful

Pepperkakebaking [making gingerbread cookies] and a hint of Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner? Really? It surely doesn't feel that way here I'm sitting in my office looking out  the window where the flowers are blooming and the temperature is close to 30 degrees. I've tried so hard to get into the Christmas spirit this year. Decorating the flat with all sorts of Christmassy stuff, made my own Christmas calendar.... nothing helps! It's still hot, humid and anything but cosy and Christmassy around here. 

24 clove-spikes in an orange makes for a perfect Christmas calendar

In a last attempt to get into the Christmas spirit, Tuva and I  made pepperkaker [gingerbread cookies].
A lovely scent of spices covered the flat, giving us a little hint of Christmas.

"Rudolph, the grand dictator of Africa"
In lack of [pepperkakeformer] we got really creative.

It's still too hot though. I can't wait to go home to my beloved winter wonderland this Friday!!

I <3 Africa - Merry Christmas everyone!