Suddenly I remembered all those years we every winter went to Fryksås in Dalarna, and stayed at the Fäbodvall in a typical old cottage from the 19th century – or older. When I look up Fäbod in English, it says shieling/sheeling – small huts were farmers used to spend their summers in the mountain pastures, looking after their cattle.
We used to go skiing in the hills and the dogs had great fun. The children were not that old, so they went skiing with us, but also used the hills for other ways of sliding down on the snow…
And I miss those days. No TV or radio, no electric lights – only the sun and candle light. The long evenings after skiing and playing in the snow, we played card games or board games, and read books together. The beds for the children were still like in the old days, called skåpsängar – in English box-beds or closed beds.
We all loved it. We kept going there until 2010. And do you know – the children never missed their electric gadgets, and neither did my husband or I.
Leya 
Beautiful memories. These times might return.
Maybe…
I admire you, Ann-Christine! You really know how to embrace the winter and love it!
Thank you, Patti! I think maybe you have to be born in snowy countries to do it. What you did as a child often comes back to you.
I like to watch on my tv programs about people living in Alaska. In the wild. Solitude, nature, peace.
Yes, I love such programs too. Some wishful thinking – I’d love to live like that, but I am afraid I am getting too old and comfortable …
Me too. But I enjoy the programs very much.
Lovely memories
😊
Hi my dear… beautiful post with a touch of wistfulness. I so understand your feelings and such a wonderful old cabin. xo
Lovely to hear from you! 😚
Such lovely winter images in Fryksås. So nice to hear of your recollection of winters there all those years ago. Sounds like all of those winters were so much fun, and those memories are timeless. Nothing like handing out with those you love and having a good holiday together 🙂
True, Mabel. Every day there was a feast… always lots of snow and much skiing. Mindfulness. Where I live in Skåne, the snow never stays for more than some days, then rain again. Skiing is impossible.
Reminds me to the times of hiking just with papermaps. Very nice!
I still do that…Thanks!
Stimmungsvolle grossartige Bilder, thanks.
Thank you so much, Ernst! This is an unforgettable place in my heart!
It looks to great. I spent so much of my life without gadgets, without being hooked up to the internet 24/7, yet that seems a different lifetime. Perhaps it’s what the kids need, a dose of reality. Although who’s reality is it?
Good question. But I do believe silence, being bored and trying to live a more simple life is very important. Once the young have tried it, from they are small, there will be a certain yearning for it somewhere…At least that is how it worked for us.
It’s an odd situation really. I crave peace and solitude, but have not installed the same in my children. I think it’s a lack of time really, they are with their Mum most weekends, and I have to get through a week of school and work with them. Yet, every now and then we go down to Devon to see my cousin and there they are cut off really. (No signal in Sidmouth). Maybe I need to work on that next time! You have made me think though. I have had times, like three weeks in the Himalayas, before mobile phones, no electricity. Perhaps the most rewarding time in my life. Yes you have made me think.
I am glad. Everyone will benefit from being content with solitude and quietness. It is not too late.😚
Sounds wonderful, truly having time for eachother, no distractions, just you and the elements. Bliss.
Bliss – thank you – is the word.
Disconnecting from the electronic world is so important, especially when you have such a beautiful spot to enjoy!
True. Everybody should do this as often as they can. And suddenly you get so much spare time!
I worked at a living history museum which was like a re-enactment of 19th century farm and village life here in Wisconsin, where immigrants came to settle. I loved working on the wood-burning stoves, no electricity. It was not open in the winter, though. There was a sauna on the Finnish farm.
The feeling is of great content, knowing you can manage without much of our daily gadgets and electricity. Body and soul like each other and there is a warm flow of real life inside.
Well said!
😊
Beautiful memories and photos, A-C. Made me smile.
janet
😀
So idyllic!
It is – all the old cottages and the beauty of Orsa lake so close. The most fantastic thing is that you rent an old cottage with all the old furniture left and even the box beds.
Precious memories and lovely photos, Ann-Christine. I have similar fond memories from my early years in Norway and appreciate your post very much.
Have a great weekend!
Thank you, Hanne! Wishing you the same!
I love your memories. 🙂 🙂 I’ve never been a big fan of the cold, wet stuff but it looks magical in photos, and in the memory. The best bit is indoors afterwards.
Thanks, Jo! It is like me training…I hate it, but it feels so good afterwards…
Training? Is that something to do with British Rail? I always walk 🙂 🙂 Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
😁
Magical memories and I imagine it had a cosy log fire to sit around.
Yes, there was. So good to the bones after a whole day out in the cold. I’d love to go there again. The children would love to as well! If we can syncronise everyones spare time and vacationes…
Getting together does get tricky as the family grows up
It really does. But if you really want to – it will happen!
Always
That is a fantastic memory to have and hold Ann-Christine.
It is, thank you.
What wonderful memories you must have, A C!
Yes, Sue, I do. But I believe all of us have a box of memory gems. And before you know it, something sparks your memory to dust them off and bring them out into the light again!
Oh, totally agree – today’s post was sparked by a memory yesterday….