So when you’re in the middle of changing jobs and a thousand things are swirling in your mind at once, planning and replanning, letting go and making space inside yourself for new things, and feeling a bit sad about the letting go, it really helps to have a son you love being with—one who even goes out for coffee with you because he sees you really need it. I know these mornings have a different meaning now, because a teenager’s focus is very different from that of a little boy, but that’s exactly what makes every one of these moments priceless…!

Moments from Mother’s Day, a kids’ day hamburger outing by the Danube, Easter celebrations, and favorite spots for morning coffee in Budapest, Vienna, and along the Danube in Vác. Plus a little bit of this and that, captured by my phone:

If you’ve moved to Vác and have a long weekend granted by the calendar, it’s definitely worth visiting this charming little arboretum. Even if you haven’t moved to Vác but love plants, or if you don’t have a long weekend but can spare some time to recharge, I wholeheartedly recommend this leafy, branching destination! It can be explored thoroughly in 2–3 hours, with time for a coffee from the super friendly snack bar. This planned duration includes jaw-dropping admiration of the blooming cactuses, tuning into the inner world of the greenhouses, and wandering lost among the countless paths—only to find yourself again. And what did a plant-loving mom feel during…

The best part of this birthday season is that my kid and I celebrate on consecutive days. Now that he’s old enough, he can pass the birthday celebration baton at midnight, which has become a really lovely tradition 🙂 My birthday is quieter than a teenager’s, but what makes me happy is getting a little extra time from an increasingly independent young person, more than on an average day. So today started with a melange breakfast by the Danube, continued with some duck watching, and ended with a little wandering on the cobblestones of Vác. The “excuse” for the stroll was to pick up a stylish glass jar to transfer…

So here we are, 13 years after I met this new person, after learning to distinguish the nuances in his voice, discovering his moods and feelings, then his worldview and stance on every aspect of life. After 13 years of shared experiences, billions of everyday moments, on this birthday all I could think was: more, more, more of this person—let me see what extraordinary thoughts will sprout in his mind, what path he will take, what gifts life will still bring him. When I think about how he has been so far, it always blends with how he will be, all that still lies ahead of us. And after all…

– Ljubljana – The holiday season didn’t want to pass without a fight (influenza and other such “delights”), but in the end, we decided not to let New Year’s Eve slip away… …sending kisses from 2024, all the way from Ljubljana! Dated: Jan 10, 2025

And yet, here we are—there really was a morning when I opened my eyes and, still half-asleep among the pillows, murmured, “Merry Christmas..!” Our home was winking at us with Christmas lights, and that Christmas tree, reminiscent of an Andersen illustration, stood quietly as we sat down for dinner, and I kept stealing glances at it. The more exhausting the journey to this moment was, the happier it makes me now, as I lie tangled up with the boys on the couch, contentedly closing my eyes and savoring the feeling of having truly arrived. Dec 26, 2024

And here we are—I’m sitting surrounded by the scent of freshly baked cookies, laptop on my lap, all the cleaning and gift wrapping done. I’m watching the new warm-glow string lights on our Christmas tree (the ones I always hesitated to replace the old set with, but always wished for), and I can’t help but melt into the feeling of being fully present in this moment. So much has happened this year, and I’ve had to stand strong in so many places. Now, for a few days, those noisy demands quiet down, and only my family and all these delicious sweets remain. I already love this whole feeling in advance!…

– Vienna – The end of the year at work was filled with exceptional challenges (perhaps I’ll share more about that in a separate post), so every peaceful moment spent with family feels like a true luxury to me. This Advent season coincided with refurbishing Ru’s room (but no worries, we bought the missing Allen keys, replaced the missing furniture parts, and dealt with all the usual little life hiccups). After work, as a tired mom, I was either assembling furniture at home or cleaning windows one by one every day, making sure nothing got left out from the routine of cleaning, shopping, and everyday dinner cooking. I’m sure many…

Although there was a reason for our long August weekend in Vienna, beyond the necessary agenda we tried to make the most of spending time in a wonderfully livable and especially welcoming city. Without aiming for completeness (such as Dino’s cocktail bar or the Prater), I did capture a few spots. When the cold and rainy days come, I will love flipping through these pictures… Dated: Sept 15, 2024