Happy new year!

New Year’s Eve is a time of celebration, partying all night long, or dining deliciously with friends as we did. We enjoyed  traditional Swedish new year fare at the home of Fredrik’s brother Peter Gyllenhammar, in very good company …

All set for celebration with traditional Swedish
new year food:  lobster and roast fillet of beef

Peter prepares the fillet of beef

Well satisfied

Dessert: lemon mousse

Lalia and Fredrik deep in conversation

Here with Sten, another good friend

I wish all my loved ones, friends, beautiful staff
and valued clients a Happy New Year...

 May all your dreams come true in the year ahead…

Celebrating my beloved son

Twenty-four candles!

Happy occasion for me with friends and loved ones. On Friday night we celebrated my son Jonatan's 24th birthday.

Here Jonatan (to the right) together with
Sebastian and Lena

 

 

 

Happy mother together here with my two Fredriks

 

Happy friends. Here Louise with Sten and Max

Lovely Hanna, currently on maternity leave,
 and Ingemar

One of the younger guests, wrapped up in a
gorgeous warm blanket I bought at...
Singita Lebombo Lodge

So we talked about one of my favourite lodges - Singita Lebombo.

Dinner was delicious and the conversation lots of fun.

Peking Duck for dinner

 

Notice the beautiful rose petals on the table..."recycling" the lovely roses I was given last week.  (A good decoration tip.)

 

Finally we watched Jonatan blow out all 24 candles in one go, and make his wish. We don't know what that was of course...but I hope it brings him endless happiness.

THE CRAYFISH TRADITION

The water has warmed up and its a great time to be on or by the sea. It is also crayfish season in the Nordic area and a good reason for celebration. You don't just eat these lobster-like creatures...you make a ritual of it.

Arriving to the beautiful island of Espskär...

...together with the young generation, that did an excellent job serving and singing

Finns and Norwegians

Ready to sing and enjoy

All set up for a traditional crayfish party

Christian and me - Long term friendship and working relations

Even at a party my deputy managing director
is working via his iPhone

Crayfish ritual in action

A fine example of Finnish freshwater
crayfish (Finsk flodkräfta)

Thank you to Erik and Camilla

A Happy Birthday

On Monday I was celebrating my birthday in a sunny Stockholm by the water at a place called Josefinas.

Red carpet to make everyone feel important and welcome!

My son Jonatan had organized everything from flowers, balloons, drinks and dinner

Relaxing in sofas and enjoying Champagne. Lisa, Hanna and Fredrik.

Max and Neil

Julia and Garman

Suzanne, Louise and Jonatan

Together with Cilla and Lars

Mother and son; Eva and Stefan

An other mother and son!

Finishing the dinner with a beautiful surprise cake

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Village of Flowers

Franck guided me in the village called Bormes les Mimosas, the most beautiful flower village in France, just 10 min from the coast where I was staying
It's full of character and most enchanting smell of hundreds of flowers.

View from the village

Many picturesque small streets and alleys

Great day!

Small local restaurants

Tasteful fish

Vin de Provence enjoyed by Franck

Best salads!

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Visiting Cote d'Azur and Provence

I just spend a lovely weekend with my dear friend Franck, in the small village of Cabasson on the beautiful coast of Southern France.

Cabasson is an area of beautiful beaches and vineyards. I will shortly tell you more about the surroundings.

Invited for a beautiful lunch at the summerhouse of Franck's parents. Very genuine and lovely people.

This is the cake of St Tropez

And this is Rustic, the most sympatic Labrador I met

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Full moon and a lovely friend

Last night entering my beautiful sea view room in full moon at Marbella Club I was met by a fantastic surprise from my lovely friend Mia.

It's not my birthday yet but it feels special to be spoiled. Normally it's me spoiling our Select clients with these sort of amenities :)

 

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Swedish Midsummer

Friday was Midsummer and I was boating with family and friends to the island of Grinda in the Stockholm archipelago.

Louise made beautiful midsummer floral garlands to wear.

Family picture

Swedish tradition; dancing around the midsummer pole

Great views from the Veranda of Grinda Värdshus

All ready for midsummer dinner

Starting with the many different herrings.. and snaps

Grinda view