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Freitag, 30. Dezember 2016

Farewell 2016

I understand why people think that 2016 totally sucked. David Bowie, George Michael and Alan Rickman went to heaven. So did various other celebrities and it's a shame. Then Donald Trump got elected president of the United States. Big bummer. Some days before Christmas a terrorist attack hit Berlin. Thousands are starving in Aleppo. Life is a bitch these days. And we are right there to live it.

But for me, personally, this year has been just the best. It was the year of NO symptoms, none at all. It was the year I went back to teaching and earning some grand bucks. It was a normal year, with ups and downs, okay. But normal is just wonderful.

Some other highlights of my year:

In January, we celebrated my birthday with a birthday breakfast in our favorite café.
In February, we celebrated carnival and the kid enjoyed their confetti guns. (I am not a big fan of February though.)
In March, we celebrated Easter with family and went to the traditional Easter carnival.
In April, my German blog had its comeback and we cheered on BigL at the track and field competition.


In May, it got warm and we brought out the pool, had lots of ice cream and wore flipflops.
In June, summer kicked in full forced and we enjoyed days on the porch, fun at the pool and the smell of sunscreen.


In July, summer break started and we headed to the Dutch coast for our annual summer getaway.
In August, DH and me went to the summer festival to see my muical love Milow perform. It was super hot and we sang and danced along and had to drink loads of water.


In September, BigL started his new school, which was pretty exciting. Also, summer came back with high temperatures and we had many BBQs before summer came to an end. AND Little L turned
unbelievable four years old!!!
In October, we enjoyed lots of early fall sunshine and spend a lot of time in our garden, because the weather was just so nice.
In November, we celebrated St.Martin's day and BigL's eleventh birthday. Eleven!!


 In December, the days got so short, but were filled with twinkling Christmas lights and candles. We ate way too much candy, had a great Christmas and are looking into the New Year with hope and love.

Have a great New Year's Eve, everybody and a happy new year! Love from my family to yours, Sanna

Montag, 26. Dezember 2016

Christmas 2016

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

How did you celebrate the holiday? Our Christmas was loaded with traditions and was just wonderful. On Christmas Eve, we went to church to see BigL perform in the nativity play. He was Joseph and did a great job. We then spend Christmas Eve with my SIL and her family, which was just wonderful.



On Christmas Day, we got together with my part of the family, which included good food, more presents and happy kids.


Today, we decided to stay in our PJs (the kids) and do just NOTHING. We played with new toys, had a game of Monopoly and ate a box of fine chocolates. Then, I decided to kick out the tree as it lost loads and loads of needles. It made me crazy. And then I thought if I brought the boxes for the ornaments upstairs, I could also get rid of all the other Christmas stuff. So, we are done with Christmas. Everything is stored away in the basement, the f***ing tree is on the porch, I predict, it will stay there until we start spring cleaning in three months or so.

Christmas is done, now I can officially start planning New Years Eve. We are having friends over, which will be so much fun. I am really loooking forward to it. What are your plans?

Dienstag, 20. Dezember 2016

In my part of the woods

Hey everybody,

what's going on in your part of the world? In my part, a terrorist attack happened. On a Christmas market. A lovely tradition of Christians to celebrate the season. To be honest, I am not shocked. We have seen this coming, right? It was just a question of when this will happen. And last night it did.

I am shocked about how the right wing politicians use this for propaganda. I am shocked about the hatred that people show against refugees. I am shocked about how our chancelor Angela Merkel is attacked. I am with her. All the way. She is not to blame. The refugees are not to blame. The muslims are not to blame. There is only one person to blame. That idiot who drove that truck. Period.

Am I afraid? Nope. Not a bit. I am mad as hell. But my reaction will be more love, more laughter and more tolerance. I will not stop going to christmas markets. I will not stop dancing and singing at festivals. I will go on living my wonderful life in a free world.

I won't let those motherfuckers control my life. They wont get my life. Never ever. I have a responsibility for my kids and I will do everything to protect them, but I cannot make them stop living as well. I remember, when I was a teen in the Nineties and made trips to London like twice a year. The IRA was pretty active these days and my mom always prayed for me to come back safe and sound. She didn't want me to go, but at the same time, she couldn't make me stop living my teenage years. It was the right thing to let me go.

Terrorist attacks are a risk we are living with these days. We have to accept that and keep on fighting for what we believe in. Freedom, peace and love. Spread the love. Be humble and kind. Fill this world with your sparkle and laughter. This is what I will do. Join me!

Love, Sanna

Freitag, 9. Dezember 2016

My New Life

Sorry for not posting earlier, but I had to handle my new job and life and everything that comes with it.

First of all, we celebrated Big L's birthday on the last day of November and he turned ubelievable ELEVEN years old. Just two more years until the teens. I cannot believe it. Time really flies. It was a great day with cake and gifts and balloons. Just perfect.

A day later my new/old job started. I expected anxiety and everything that comes with it, but nothing happened. Just nothing. Surprisingly, I had no problems getting up in the middle of the night and everything went smoothly, so I had a good first day. My class is very nice and willing to learn, they make it easy for me. It took like five minutes to be back in teaching mode and from the very first second, it felt like I have never been away. I am so blessed to be healthy. It's too good to be true and it makes my heart burst with gratitude and joy.

We are also getting prepared for the holidays. The decorations are up and so will the tree this weekend. I am really looking forward to blaring Christmas music while we sip punsch and decorate the tree. it's so much fun. Unfortunately, we only have space for a small tree and Little L already informed me that he wants a big one such as everybody else. Uhm, nope.

My new life after PPD really is wonderful and I couldn't be happier. I am thinking about the last years' Christmasses a lot lately. I remember four years ago, when I was so very sick that I spend the day with my parents, who tried to keep me from killing myself. A year later, I was still sick and spend Christmas Eve at the clinic. Big bummer. Another year later, I was just released from the clinic and it was hard, but I made it. Last year, I was back to life. It was wonderful and merry and we actually celebrate the 1-year-anniversary this month of me being symptomfree. I think a lot about those who suffer on Christmas. i think about those in the psychiatric ICU. How desperate and lonely they must feel. I think about those for whom the days of Christmas are the worst days of their year. Christmas can be wonderful and bright, but it can also be the hardest time ever. I know, cause I've been there. I know, because I haven't celebrated Christmas with my small boy the first two years of his life.

Please do me a favor. If you know someone for whom the Christmas days are hard, make it better for them. Send a card or give a hug or say a prayer. So will I.

Merry Christmas!

Donnerstag, 24. November 2016

Back on track

Remember my last post about how hectic and stressful life is at the moment in our home? Well, it was too much for my depressive self.

The last weeks were packed and our weekend was full of activities from morning till night, so when first depressive symptoms showed up, I gave my long shift this week to a colleague and got myself some rest. I did the housework without a hurry and just what had to be done. I took long naps, finished my second Christmas book and spent time with the kids at home. We had cookies and tea and watched TV or read Christmas books. It was lovely. And just what my restless soul needed. It took two days and all symptoms were gone.

I am lucky to have this "control system" within me. My body shows me when it's enough. I am forced to take breaks and rest my soul. It is imprtant for everybody, including you. We need time to re-energize. We need the time to do lovely things or just hang around home and take naps. It's so important and we should remember to do so, even now before Christmas.

Most of you are having a hell of a week, I guess, with Thanksgiving coming up. Take time to rest. Put up your feet and watch a lovely holiday movie. I will do so more often. So should you.

Happy Thanksgiving! Love, Sanna

Donnerstag, 17. November 2016

Supermom

Life has been chaotic and hectic around our home and I am not happy about it. The kids both caught a cold, but they are dealing with it very differently. Little L is just his happy self, while Big L is suffering big time. He even had to be picked up at school yesterday. (I think, he wanted a day off, because at home he was fine.)

I am working crazy hours and much more than I usually do, like every single day. It sucks. I am so hapy, when I am back to teaching and doing my 15 lessons/week. There's a schedule and no more swapping shifts and coming in on short notice, because someone is sick or stuff like that. Plus, I will be off all weekends. Lovely. I am going to see my new (old) boss next week to talk over the details of the paper work. And I will meet my co-teacher, who is a retired professor. That will be interesting. He will be teaching two days, I will be doing three days a week. But I am the tutor of the class, which means a bit more work at home, but I don't care.

Apart from that, there's the usual business like swimming class, sports and parent conference day. I am really excited for that, cause Big L has changed schools this summer and I really wanna know how he is doing. I am pretty astonished about how much more learning we have to do now at the new school. Especially his English teacher is so strict and giving loads of homework and vocabulary to learn. I sometimes wonder how the other kids are dealing with that. It takes a lot of time and effort to keep up with vocab and grammar.

So, long story short...I hardly find time to blog or read. The Christmas Reading Challenge and me did not have a good start this year. The first book was a bummer. The second started out pretty good, but with all the craziness around, I just managed to read twenty pages or so. I'll keep you updated on that.

Have a nice day! Love, Sanna

Freitag, 11. November 2016

Farewell

I saw the cranes moving South today. I know they are on their way for some time now, but it was the first time this fall I saw them. It means that winter is coming and that makes me a bit wistful. We had such a good summer and I am sad to see it go for good.

It was the summer, when I had NO symptoms of depression. The summer I became 100% healthy. Fact is, that I feel good for about a year now, but that feeling of being me again, a hundred percent, just came during the last six months. Everything that makes me unique is back. I really feel like my old self and -surprise- better than ever before. I have learned so much about me and my way of life. I have changed. I came out of this stronger, more positive and so full of love.

It was the summer I danced at the music festival, the summer I dipped my toes into the North Sea and the summer I felt the joy of being alive. Honestly, it's so good to be alive! And there I thought I'd never say that again.

And then came fall with beautiful weather and the leaves popping bright with colours. It was the time for fall walks and late summer/fall BBQs. Our fall included a visit at the pumpkin patch and our living room make over. In the evenings, candles are lightning up our home and tea and cookies are served.

I am sad to see all this go. The garden furniture is stored away. The leaves are falling and have to be swept. The cars are prepared for winter.We are wearing winter coats and boots. There is no denying, winter is around the corner.


But then, it is also a lovely time of year. We have a lot of family birthdays from November until January, so it is a time of celebrating the life of loved ones for us. It is the time of Sankt Martin (today!) and then Christmas is coming. I love the twinkling Christmas lights and curling up on the couch with a good Christmas movie. New Year's Eve is special and I am already planning on decorations and my outfit will be spectacular this year. Stay tuned! A lot of loveliness is coming up!


Montag, 7. November 2016

It's beginning...

...to look a lot like Christmas!

I am just waiting for the first Christmas TV commercial to appear. They are late this year. ;o)

picture found at weheartit.com

I have done the first shoping for gifts and the wrapping paper is ready to turn these gifts into beautiful little packages. I have plans for the advent decoration and everything is shopped for the kids' advent calender. Only three more weeks until the first of advent, you know.

I also started to check ot New year's Eve decorations. Yes, I am crazy like that. I am planning on making it all black and gold, just beautiful and classy. We are not big with celebrating NYE, but I want our little get together be special.

Maybe you got it, maybe not. But I just love the holidays! It's a time of coziness and family get togethers, the time of secrets and I love to dress up and get to wear lovely dresses and my NYE crown. I really am into that special time of year. I will go ahead and show you some of my favorite books for the holidays these next weeks, because this has to be shared. Also, I will keep you updated on decorations and baking and stuff.

Stay tuned! Love, Christmas-crazy-Sanna

P.S. The red cups will be back in three days!!

Montag, 31. Oktober 2016

My Halloween

First of all: Being at home with a sick kid is soooo boring. We are dealing with a stomach bug in our home and nobody is really interested in the Halloween decorations and candy (obviously). This was just the same on Valentine's Day, when I had helium balloons and made heart shaped muffins and Big L was throwing up the whole day. Good times.

Also, I am mad as hell as I was responsible for opening the store today and with sick kids this is somewhat difficult. But the company was not able to organize someone to cover my shift. Big bummer. I then found a way but it was not the best solution for me or the kids. The next time that damn store is staying closed. So what. Not my problem, right?

And then I realized, that there probably won't be a next time. I am going back to teaching in one month from today. Wohoo! I am so looking forward to it!

Now, at dinner time Little L is much better and chewing on some corn chips and sipping caffeine free coke. I'd say the worst is over. Let's hope for the first night with no throwing up and a good night's sleep. Nothing stresses me more out than kids with a stomach bug.

Have a great Halloween and for all the Germans, a great day off tomorrow! Love, Sanna

Dienstag, 25. Oktober 2016

My Style - Fall Into Fashion

Fall Into Fashion

Fall Into Fashion by misbehavinangel featuring an anchor purse


Here is the newest edition of My Style with items I love and wear/use this fall. I hope you like it.

Montag, 24. Oktober 2016

Back to Business

Monday morning. Ugh! Nobody needs Mondays, right? Today is the first day of school after fall break and we are expecting the math test back, so let's see how this went. Big L says, it was pretty good, but that does not mean it actually was. *g*

How was your weekend? Ours was really good, the right mixture of getting stuff done and laid back. I started reading the first Christmas romance, which turned out to be more chick-lit. But that goes pretty well with my anglophile self. I hope the review will be up by November, 1st.

We also cleaned out the bedroom, which was our room for hoarding all kinds of stuff. now it is neat and clean and I love it. We visited church for the final service of kids week, which was just wonderful. It really touches my heart to see hundred children worship and praise the lord. And as every year, I think we have to go to church more often. Let's see how that works out.

We are heading into this very busy week today, which kind of stresses me out before it already begun. I have to work a lot and mostly long shifts, which means Big L will be home alone when he comes from school. It usually is not a problem, but I would like to be there to welcome him home. To make lunch and talk about what happened in school and how his day went. Plus, we have different appointments this week, at the pediatrician with Little L for his annual check up. At the dentist, all three of us for check ups and I lost a filling. Good times.
Then there is Little L's swimming class today and I have to work a long shift on Saturday. It's a six-days-week and full of things to do. I cannot wait for Sunday!

This will be much better comes December, 1st. Maybe you heard the news before, maybe not, but I will go back into teaching then. I will work three days a week and be always home when the kids return from school or daycare. I will be off on Mondays and Fridays, which means a four-days-weekend and three days of work. And I am getting lots of money for that, too. I am so looking forward to it!

Now, go have a great day! Love, Sanna

Dienstag, 18. Oktober 2016

The Christmas Reading Challenge

Hey peeps,

we are in the middle of October, which means I am getting ready to start the Christmas Reading Challenge on November, 1st. It's pretty simple: I read as many Chrismas romance as possible within two months and blog about it right here. This blog is being active only during that period of time and everybody is invited to join me. This year, I am looking for readers, who'd like to write reviews about their favorite Christmas book, preferably romance.

So, if you like reading and you are into Christmas, please feel free to email me or contact me vie facebook messenger in case you wanna help me out. Everybody is invited!

Also, I am still looking for book suggestions, so you can leave your favorite Christmas reads in the comments. Thanks a lot and happy reading!

Love, Sanna

Montag, 17. Oktober 2016

Winner announcement

Hey peeps,

I asked random.org for the winner of my giveaway and it found someone! The giveaway was open on this blog and Instagram and was open for one week until midnight Monday morning. And the winner is...

... Iris !  

Congrats! Please email me you adress (or send me a PN via Instagram)  and I'll ship the lovely stuff as soon as possible. 

Have a great week, everybody! 

Freitag, 14. Oktober 2016

Book review: The Cottage On Pumpkin And Vine


I have a great suggestion for you, in case you like seasonal reading and anthologies. I only bought this book, because one of the stories is by Kate Angell, my all time favorite romance author. While reading, I realized that it is not only romance, but totally fits my enthusiasm for reading stuff that fits into the season.

During summer break, I read books which take place on the beach. During winter, I read Christmas romance. A Halloween book was something, I really needed right now. Well, there you are.


The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine is set in Moonbright, Maine on Halloween Eve. In the town's little B&B, there is the annual Halloween party taken place, which is said to make wishes come true on this one night only. This year, it happens to be full moon as well. For three couples it will be a night to remember. A night full of spooky creatures, black cats, tarot cards and candy corn kisses.

As always, I just love Kate Angell's writing. Fast-paced, funny and greatly developed characters. She often writes short stories for anthologies, and sometimes, I am really disappointed by the other writers and/or their stories. This is not true for this book. Although you can tell by the writing, that three different authors wrote the stories, they are cleverly adjusted to make it a series of stories in the same setting. I read all three stories with pleasure.

Really, you should read it. Right now. Cause Halloween is around the corner and this anthology will make you want to celebrate. Happy Reading!

P.S. Please remember to enter the giveaway! Only two more days! Go right here

Mittwoch, 12. Oktober 2016

There they are!


Oh, what a lovely week we are having so far! We are in the middle of fall break and we are enjoying ourselves a lot.

We started with a trip to Ikea and the living room make over. We got rid of all our dark brown furniture and replaced it with white, which is just so lovely. Look.


Then we spend some time at home to relax, read, watch a movie. We had my parents over for coffee and I made a NY cheesecake, which was so yummie. Today we went out for breakfast to a lovely café with family. Now, DH and Big L are sorting throught his millions of Playmobil pieces to sell them at ebay before Christmas. It really is a great task. Not!

I am using the free time to sew and fill up the shelves of my little online shop. I am happy to announce that the first calenders for 2017 are available! Go and have a look! (Link on my sidebar.)



You can buy stuff from all over the world, shipping is world wide. For questions, just write a private message.

Also, don't forget to enter the giveaway (click)! I am shipping this stuff to wherever you are! It's free, so join!

Love, Sanna

Sonntag, 9. Oktober 2016

Giveaway


Hey you,

how was your week? Mine was chaotic and hectic and ended with a trip to Ikea and the living room make-over. But I am so happy about the outcome. I will post about this later.

Today, I got something for you! To celebrate the comeback of MisbehavinAngel, I am giving away some cute things for us ladies.



It's a set of pens in pink, white and mint and a lovely washi tape. Plus, you will receive one item from my shop, a lovely coffee wrap for your coffee-to-go cup. You will never again burn your finger tips. You're in?

All you have to do is this:
  • Leave a comment under this post.
  • Share this post via facebook or twitter and/or link me on your blog.
That's all. Invite your friends to play. The more, the merrier! The giveaway will end next Sunday (October, 16th) midnight, European time.

Good luck! Love, Sanna

Mittwoch, 5. Oktober 2016

Halloween Cookies


Hey cutie pies,

I promised to blog my favorite cookie recipe for Halloween and here it is.

You need:

250gr confectioner's sugar
200 gr margarine (yes, no butter!)
300 gr all-purpose flour
1 egg
some milk

For the dough, mix the margarine with the egg yolk. Add flour and 100 gr of the confectioner's sugar. Beat at high speed until you have a soft, but solid dough emerges.

Roll and use cookie cutters to cut out Halloween shapes. I use these (click). They are of a great quality, dish washer proof and easy to handle for kids. Plus, the price is just amazing.

Bake at 180° Celsius until the cookies are light brown but still a bit soft. They will get crisp while cooling down. If you bake them too long, they will be dry and nobody wants a dry cookie, right?

When they are cooled off completely, you can add the frosting, which is made of

1 beaten egg white, 150 gr confectioner's sugar and a tiny little bit of milk until the mixture is smooth and good to frost. I also add some sprinkles in black and orange for the Halloween feeling.

Done. Now go and prepare some nice coffee or hot chocolate and have a bite. Happy Halloween month!


Montag, 3. Oktober 2016

In my world...


... everything is just fine. We used the long weekend for a visit at the zoo, a day in the woods and also some good old nap time. It was the perfect mixture of action and laid back.

I also squeezed in some time to sew and get stuff done for the shop. And I shopped like mad at the fabric market. I found cute new fabrics for Little L and nice stuff for the 2017 calenders I wanna make.


We hardly saw Big L (my big boy) over the weekend. He had a sleep over at his friend's house on Saturday and on Sunday that friend stayed overnight with us. It was fun for them, but now that it's Monday evening, he is sooooo tired. I predict he will fall asleep early today.

I am looking forward to these next days as I am off until Thursday, when I have to work a short shift. I am planning on getting more sewing done and hopefully will be able to upload the new stuff to the shop as soon as we have figured out the problems with my phone. That is SO annoying. More for DH though, who is dealing with it.

I also wanna blog my favorite cookie cut outs recipe for you, so that you can do Halloween cookies soon. Ours are all left by now, which is amazing as we made them three days ago and it was some dozens. They are that good, ya know.

So, have a good start into the (short) week. For us, it's the last week before fall break. I am so looking forward to that.

Love, Sanna

Freitag, 30. September 2016

It's looking...


... more and more like MisbehavinAngel right here. How do you like the new template? I used to have a custom made template for my blog before I gave up blogging right here, but I somehow lost it in the world wide web and I have no idea how to get it back.

And - drum roll - you can now find me at misbehavinangel.com and you will be re-directed to this website. That's all we managed so far. But I think that's good for now.

On other news, we got a long weekend ahead with Monday being a public holiday. There are no plans so far, which I kind of like. Oh, that's not really true. I am going to take the kids and my mother-in-law to the fabric market tomorrow and make sure to find cute fabrics for coffee wraps and calenders, which I want to be in the shop by November, 1st. I am off for six days and I am planning in getting some sewing done. Maybe I'll start tonight with cutting the fabrics I still got in my pile.

Oh, just because someone asked: I am NOT doing book covers, as German and American books have different measures. If you want one, contact me and I'll make it a custom order. Just email me or send me a private message via Facebook messenger.

So, the rest of Saturday, Sunday and Mondays are free. Yeah! I wanted to do some baking with Little L (my small boy), but as we both had a day off today, we already did this. I will post about it later.

So, now excuse me. I have to watch The Smurfs now. Stuff you do on a Friday night, when you are a mom.

Happy Weekend!

Dienstag, 27. September 2016

Hello Again!


Today is a big, big day for me! MisbehavinAngel is back!!

Bad news first: During my absence, my domain was used by someone else. Bummer! So make sure to use the correct web adress when you wanna visit me. I am working on getting my misbehavinangel.com adress back, but that's a bit of difficult. Until then, you'll find me right here. Make sure to pop in from time to time. And I will also post new entries on facebook.


Apart from that, there will be no big changes. I will blog about my life as a working mom and about my big passions. Reading, sewing, knitting, gossip and Tim McGraw. I still love the color pink and I am mad about instagram (my username is misbehavinangel). I also haven't lost my deep relationship to coffee, cake and nailpolish. You will find all that here and more.

Now that Christmas is around the corner, I also thought about stocking up the shelves in my little online shop. You will get news when new stuff is available.

I am so looking forward to connecting with you again and to start all over new. It feels good to be back and oh yeah, I am!

Love, Sanna

Soon

The Angel will come back soon!