For weeks I have meant to join this challenge, but being busy with my job, the restoration of our house, being a grandmother for the first time and other family obligations, time to actually write something let alone make decent photos has been rare.

Here are the questions for this week:

If you had to move to a country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why? 
What color would you like your bedroom to be?
What makes you Happy? Make a list of things in your life that bring you joy.
What inspired you or what did you appreciate this past week?  

My partner is Norwegian. So it is likely that we would move to Norway if we didn’t like living in Germany anymore. I like Norway’s nature and the possibility of taking long walks in the mountains or going on fishing trips. I like the sea, also when it is rough. Norwegian people are friendly and easy going, the lifestyle is relaxed and Norwegian homes are usually very, very cozy. But still, since I have spent my holidays there for the past 17 years I would prefer  another country, something new to discover,  Canada or Australia and perhaps New Zealand. I also like the East coast of the United States and have heard that it is beautiful on the West Coast.  Canada I imagine to be a mixture of US and European culture, Australia appears to be relaxed, lively and a big melting pot. New Zealand impresses me with it’s variety in nature, and the US I have always found fascinating.

Sea – houses in Norway:

No matter where I live, I like my bedroom to be cozy. I prefer light colors, a light green for example with some beige and light wooden furniture and of course, a wooden floor.  Snuggling in bed after a busy day, a good thriller waiting to be read on the nightstand, the dog already deep asleep and snoring in its corner gives me a feeling of peace  and happiness.

The morning walk with the dog, very early in the morning, most windows still dark, coming home, having a steaming hot coffee are two more good moments of the day. The smell of a cinnamon and vanilla when an apple crumble is baking,  cuddling my little granddaughter, walking through all the colorful leaves in the streets, having a long chat with my friend are some more things that make my life rich and happy. Painting, gardening, working on something that interests me are other moments of happiness and contentment. Walking on the beach, hiking in the mountains, swimming in a lake, physical activities feel good as does watching a good film or having a heated, but stimulating  discussion. Life is full of good moments, and as the years go by, the appreciation of all the good things life is offering grows.

It might sound stupid, but I came across a program on TV, where people were buying rather unattractive houses and turning them into really beautiful homes. I usually don’t watch that kind of stuff, but for once I got really caught up in it and it gave me lots of new motivation to carry on with the restoring of our house. It’s been dragging on for so long that now and then I feel really tired and afraid that it will never be finished.