Welcome to the Weekend coffee share! Can I get you a cup of coffee? Or perhaps a cup of tea? How are you? What is the weather like in your neck of the woods?

Today is officially the last day of my winter vacation, of course there’s still the weekend as well. It has been such a delightful three weeks of doing exactly what my daughter and I wanted, nothing more, nothing less. It’s been rejuvenating. My daughter likes to sleep in, so I had all the morning and up until lunch time completely to myself, almost every day. We’ve spent the afternoons and evenings together. I like our new apartment even more now when I’ve spent some quality time in it. On a couple occasions we had relatives visiting (that was somewhat challenging for my daughter). When my brother visited the other day he brought a hand-made tapestry that we believe my mom and our dad purchased on a trip we took to Alaska 1981.

It used to hang on the wall in the house we lived in as very young kids, and now my brother wanted me to have it. I am not exactly sure what to do with it yet, but I appreciate the gesture.

A wintery picture from our town, Falun.

During the winter vacation there’s been many walks in winter wonderland. We have lots of snow! There’s also been a few bike rides in the snow.

Remember when I showed a photo of our main square before Christmas? When we had a beautiful Christmas tree, but no snow..

I visited the library a few times during my vacation and I also spent lots of time reading the books I borrowed. Right now I am reading Into the forest by Jean Hegland. It is about two sisters living alone in their Northern California home, set some time in the future. I’ve learned that the book became a movie, I will watch it after finishing the book.

I’m reading it in Swedish.

I’ve also listened to some books. One of them was Rich dad, poor dad, by Robert T Kiyosaki. I read the paper version of the book many years ago, but decided to listened to a newer version of it. I believe I got more out of it this time. I find it especially interesting since my daughter on the spectrum might never have a regular 9-5 job, but of course I want her to do well in life and try to teach her as many valuable life skills as possible, economic literacy being one of them. I may not agree with everything he say in the book, since I do not live in the same type of society, but many advices are very useful.

My daughter likes to talk in the evenings, and I try to both listen and challenge her ways of thinking when appropriate. I love our conversations. She has a beautiful mind. During our conversations we often crochet together.

A few days ago I started to make a bedspread out of leftover yarn, only using different shades of blue. I need a longterm project that lasts many evening conversations.

Perhaps you’ve noticed that I’ve blogged every day so far 2026? My intention is to share one photo a day of something I am grateful for, to keep me in the right mindset. What are you grateful for today? I would love it if you join me in this daily gratitude practice.

Thank you Natalie for hosting the weekend coffee share.

Maria

22 responses to “Weekend Coffee Share – The Winter Vacation”

  1. I love the colors of the bedspread, lovely! It’s so wonderful that you and your daughter have so much quality time together, Maria, that is so precious. Is she speaking Swedish more fluently now? The tapestry is beautiful, I can tell that it is an Alaskan tribe tapestry. I look forward to seeing your posts!

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    1. Thank you John! I am grateful for all the time I do get to spend with my daughter, it is a priority. She speaks Swedish, but prefers English. I hope all is well in your world.

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      1. I’m glad she can now speak Swedish, I remember how she struggled with it, I would too with any new language. All is well here, thanks! We are at the opposite of the summer heat now with freeze warnings and temps only in the 50s which isn’t really cold compared to Dalarna. Befre ya know it the heat will be back! Have a great weekend! 😊❤️

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  2. Your yarn colors look so pretty together! I read Rich Dad Poor Dad over the summer and I did find it quite interesting… even if I haven’t really put any of it into practice.

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    1. Thank you Joanne. Blue is my favourite colour. Rich dad poor dad is an interesting book indeed. I wish someone had given me those lessons as a kid. I do think choosing an education is slightly different in a country where it is free. What did you find most interesting?

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      1. I was really intrigued by his approach to investing in property: I would never have thought to offer so little/so much less than a property was advertised for.. though I have read he is billions of dollars in debt which would make me so nervous.

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  3. Hope you have a fantastic year ahead with lots of good coffee, books and conversation.

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    1. Thank you! And right back at you! Coffee, books and conversations are some of the best highlights of life :)

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  4. The handmade tapestry is beautiful! The evening with your daughter are precious. It is good you talk. It is so important.

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    1. Thank you! I am very grateful that my daughter enjoys spending time with me and actually talk to me. Most of the time she says things that my logic would never would have told me.

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  5. I’m glad you’ve had a wonderful winter vacation and quality time with your daughter. Your crochet project looks beautiful. Thank you for your weekend coffee share. Have a great week ahead!

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    1. Thank you so much Natalie! Have a wonderful new week!

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  6. An enriching start to the new year! May you have many more enjoyable evenings, doing crochet and sharing time with your daughter.
    btw, I bought the R. Kiyosaki board game (like Monopoly) that teaches the concepts in the book and my eldest son (who has ADHD) took to it immediately. He is now 37, has his own business, and understands investing, assets, etc. That game was a good investment! 👍🏼

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    1. Thank you Eliza! I played the Money flow game once with some friends, and I have been thinking of getting it for my daughter. There are several versions and I am not sure if I should get the kid version, or not. I have only tried the adult version. I am so happy to hear that your son had such great use of it!!! Wonderful! Well done mom!

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  7. Beautiful crocheting. We are at opposite ends of the globe and very warm here at the moment. ☀️

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    1. Thank you! I am always amazed talking to friends on the other side of the globe, it is hard to imagine summer at the moment :) I hope you are enjoying your summer :)

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  8. JenniferAlison Jones Avatar
    JenniferAlison Jones

    I love the colours of your wool. I love crochet but not when it’s hot as it is here. Well done on blogging every day. It’s not easy but a great challenge.

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    1. Thank you! I too enjoy crocheting more during the cooler months :)

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    2. I tried to comment on your blog, but Substack doesn’t work well in my area. I wanted to say that I think you are wise choosing to intentionally spend your time doing the things that are meaningful to you.

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  9. The tapestry is interesting, and what a fun piece of family history.

    I love that your daughter sleeps in. My boys are typically up by 9, so I get a few hours to myself in the morning before chaos ensues. Haha.

    Happy Saturday, Maria.

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    1. Thank you! I might have figured out a spot for the tapestry. I am going to give it some more thought, but I think I know where I want it. Have a wonderful Saturday!

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  10. It sounds like you had quite a good winter vacation. I’m so glad you got to spend quality time with your daughter. Not having read much of your blog yet, I didn’t even realize she’s autistic. I am too and cannot work at all. One thing I’m forever grateful for is my Dad teaching me basic money literacy. I’m still overwhelmed by large sums of money though or more complicated investments such as when my wife and I bought our house. I think you’re right about the system being quite different in countries like Sweden and the Netherlands with a relatively good public sector from the system in the United States.

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