The sun, the balcony, and the very beginning of summer ☀️
Week 18 | April 29 - May 5 | 2024
Hello, love.
I have been excitedly waiting allllll week to write to you today. It’s the premiere of my Weekly Rhythms series - and I could not be more excited to start up this old tradition of mine again.
If you missed my previous letter introducing Weekly Rhythms, then you can check it out here:
To sum up quickly here, I plan to send out weekly(🤞🏼) letters documenting the magic of the rhythms and seasons of my life from the past week. The rituals, gatherings, moments, reflections, and meaning. It’s part documentation for me and part connection with you. Together, it is a simple weekly letter that reminds me to slow down and take it all in, so as not to miss the magic or give into the heartbreak or take for granted the beauty that is a part of everyday life.
I was already super excited that I decided to add this weekly ritual back into my life, but, then, I had such an amazing response to this idea from many of you that my anticipation for this moment, when I can sit down and sift through me week and share it with you, went through the roof. I am so happy to be here. And grateful beyond words that you have chosen time out of your day to meet me here. What an honor it is.
So, let’s get right to this week: Week 18.
Does your community/country number the weeks throughout the year? In Sweden, it is a way to mark time and plan things like vacation and school and such. It was nothing I had ever really thought of when I lived in the States. But, here, we live by the weeks. Anyway. This past week from Monday-Sunday was week 18.
The sun
The sun was strong this week. The season of light is here, no doubt. Days are long, sunsets are late, and the sky is bright from 4:30 am - 9 pm. And that is growing with every single day. I love this time of year. I can feel energy building and buzzing all around me. And, while I feel more alive and alert, I also tend to remain quite slow even as the energy grows. I want to soak it all in and indulge in the warm, bright light that radiates down on the earth. And I don’t want to miss a thing.
The balcony
This week, we opened up our balcony for the season! This is a huge moment for us every year. It signifies long, lazy, giggly mornings and afternoons and evenings of fresh air and outside magic. On Tuesday, after work, I cleaned the balcony floor and the railings. Then, I unwrapped the tarps that kept all of our balcony safe during the long, cold winter. I set out the chairs, puffed the cushions, and brought out the pillows and blankets for those chilly nordic nights.
Now that we have Bear, our cat, we have to keep the balcony door closed most of the time. But, we bought a leash and harness to see if he might want to join us when we are out there and lay in the sun. It’s gonna be a process, but he was a bit curious the other day and, I must admit, it was super adorable to see him peeking around corners and slowly exploring the space.
Last night, we made margaritas and celebrated the first weekend of balcony hangs. I cannot believe that balcony season is finally here!
Valborg/Beltane: The beginning of summer
This past week we celebrated Valborg in Sweden on the last day of April. And, then I marked Beltane on May 1st. We have now crossed over the threshold and the wheel has turned once again - and that glorious summer energy is here.
For Valborg, we invited over another couple to toast in the height of spring and the beginning of summer on our newly “opened” balcony. We sat in the sun, sipped on wine, and talked of summer plans. Then, we headed out for dinner at our favorite bar, Boca.
Boca has been an important place for us over the past 3 years. And we have grown close with the owner and all of the bartenders. We sat at the bar on Valborg night, shared a pizza, toasted one bartender who was working her last shift, laughed and chatted and soaked in life late into the night.
The next day, Wednesday, we were off, so we stayed in bed late into the morning. I wrote my Beltane/May letter to you, and then we went on a long walk around the city, catching glimpses of flowers and buds and the early greening of the trees. It was truly magical.
The rest of the week was a return to work and to daily routines, sprinkled with finding and creating moments of beauty and simplicity. On the walk to work. With morning coffee on the balcony. In the sunshine of my work space.
And, that was my week.
I just want to be sure to say that, of course, there were tough moments as well. In no way, am I trying to document only the good and positive things in my life, giving a skewed and unrealistic look into my life.
This week I had some tough conversations and stressful moments, but when I look back over the week, the things that stood out to me were just the things that I have shared with you in this letter: the sun, the balcony, and the beginning of summer.
It was a lovely, beautiful, season-shifting week. So that’s where my focus has been. Just being present and aware as the seasons change and life unfolds. Who knows what next week will bring, but I’ll be sure to share it with you.
Here’s to wishing you a most lovely week ahead. There is a new moon on Wednesday (Swedish time), so I’ll be sending a short moon mini-letter to you in a few days.
Until then, my friend. xoxo. liz.
My covered front porch is my relaxing place. I have an oversized dog bed for Maddie and we stay outside all day. I work from home now so my office is outside. I hope you are doing well. I enjoy your postings and letters.
How lovely. Your balcony looks so cosy!