“When we moved from Göteborg to the countryside, we rented a cottage by the sea, and we decided while living there that we always wanted to be a bit away from the fast pace of the city. When Wynter was born, we couldn't stop thinking about having our own place to raise our family and grow our roots. We looked for a home for over two years, and lost some that we really loved, and became a bit discouraged. Then, Jonatan's father put an advertisement in the paper looking for a home in the little village we were most fond of, and it worked! We fell in love with it almost immediately because we could see potential at every turn. It was built in 1932, and it's the classic Falu red that you see so often on Swedish wooden houses. There was so much space for the children in the yard and plenty of space to grow food for our family, eventually. Across the street, there are rolling hills as far as the eye can see, and a three-minute walk will get you to a lake or forest. We dream of having our own farm one day, but this place is ideal for us at this point in our journey.”

“I am very much inspired by old Swedish farm homes from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, so you will see a lot of that influence here. I feel like our home is filled with furniture, art, and tidbits that mean something to us, or have an important use in the home. I always want the house to feel inviting and cozy, without having too much. I am also a collector and love finding special treasures, so keeping a simple home is something I am striving towards.”

“I think it may have a bit, without me even realizing it at first. I feel like after children, I wanted calmer colors and to spend more time focusing on what we really needed, instead of what we really wanted.”

Sara wears a vintage Edwardian camisole, and the Fluir skirt from Sisters of the Black Moon. Wynter and Rowen both wear hand-me-downs.

“For our space to make us smile.”

“Probably our living area. It has such nice light in the morning, and feels so easy to be in. We can all pile up on the couch, or have a spontaneous meal on the coffee table. It feels like everyone in the family loves hanging there.”

“I think having artwork from friends or family members around the house means quite a bit to me. Other favorites are our vintage trunks, the rug from Jonatan's grandfather, and I have a huge weakness for candle holders.”

“It is usually everywhere by the end of the day. It doesn't bother me too much. We usually do a sweep in the evening after they've gone to bed.”

“It's a pretty good tie with the kitchen, living area, and playroom. We move pretty fluidly throughout those three all day, and their purposes are often shared.”

“It feels like everything changed, and I almost can't remember what it felt like before. For me, the change has been so rewarding, and the tough moments are just a part of it. Learning so many new lessons every day, and also learning to focus on presence and simplicity, has felt so healthy. I have the desire to teach myself so many things, so I can pass those things onto them. I could have had some more sleep in the past four years, but I think I'll survive it anyway.”

Hello, papa!

“Experiencing those life-changing moments right next to each other, and seeing new places for the first time together.”

"I am nervous about so much that this answer could go on for quite a long time, but this is a daily struggle that I am working on. If I had to pick what makes me the most nervous, it's keeping them safe from harm, and keeping them happy in a really tough world."

“How I started seeing my children in every child, everywhere. If I see a child smiling, I am uplifted, and if I see a child upset I, in turn, feel that way.”

“It was really great, and a good mix of the city and the country. We had dinner at the table every night, went on adventures, and often sang really loudly in the car. I wasn't the most remarkable teenager, and those years were a struggle, but we made it. And, I am really close with my family.”

“The goal is to be very present without being overbearing. I want them to feel calm, happy, loved, and confident. I don't listen too much to what you are supposed to do, or how you are supposed to parent, and just listen to my heart. I feel like Mother Nature is guiding us all very clearly, and if we listen, we can take so many beneficial notes from her. I'm sure there are lots of times when my children wished I would chill out a bit about certain things, like too much sugar. But, overall, I don't set many rules and let each day bring what it will.”

“I have grown to be so similar to my mom. We have always both been very strong-willed and passionate, and I see that blossoming even more the older I get. I know she thinks she was just an alright mama, but I think she was wonderful. I remember her always being there for every event, doctor’s appointment, heartbreak, and more. And, that has been instilled in me and feels so important on my own motherhood journey.”

“Those first few months, you will be sleeping very little and trying to do everything you did before, plus a lot more. Give yourself some grace and let that load off of your shoulders. If you want to, lay around all day with your baby without an ounce of guilt, and sleep every time they do if it makes you feel good and healthy.”

“Have some extra hands on board for the first few months, if possible. And, involve your first child in everything, so that you feel like a little team.”

“I am pretty much inspired by any mother out there doing the best she can for her children—mothers who know the responsibility we have for future generations. Some of my best friends are also mothers, and I am blown away by their strength and perseverance daily.”

Wynter wears hand-me-downs.

Cozy corners, and look at that antique spinning wheel!

“Sleep when they sleep. It's so simple, but can change your world.”

Sara wears a dress from Nuit Clothing. Rowen wears a hand-me-down top and overalls.

“I think the only parenting book I've read is Heaven on Earth. I loved the way that it encouraged open-ended play, seeing our daily chores in a pleasant light, creating different traditions and festivals for each season, and establishing good family rhythms.”

“I wish I was better at time management. I can get pretty dreamy at times, and may spontaneously plan something when I should be a bit more focused on a task.”

“I grew up in Texas and never really experienced seasons. It felt like summer most of the year, and autumn for maybe a few weeks. When I moved here, I remember living in the city during one of the coldest winters in ten years and thinking it was really tough. I stayed inside most of the season. Then, when we moved to the countryside, winter came and the whole sea froze for miles. The sunrises and sunsets were bright orange and pink and purple against a completely white background. It was powerful, in addition to being one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. That's where Wynter's name came from. I have always loved the name Rowan. I think I have for decades. It also fits him now that I know him, and I love the shortened version, Rowe.”

“Wynter is such a sensitive and intuitive little human. His face lights up so much when he is excited. He loves being outdoors, and he is very interested in growing food and flowers. He is so thoughtful, and remembers your favorite things and stories. He is only four, but seems to know more about kindness than anyone else I know. Rowen is full of spirit, and quite fearless. He gives the best hugs and loves to snuggle. He will carry around a flower I give him for hours sometimes. I love that he will read ten books in a row, and never tire of it. He’s so enamored by his big brother, and wants to be close to him always.”

“Wake up and have a really good breakfast, along with some really strong, cream-filled coffee. Go outside early, water the plants and garden, and feed the animals. Take a long hike on a mountain, or in the woods, and forage food. Come home and cook that gathered meal together, and after, play music and dance.”

“I think about it all of the time, and I also think about how it is exactly the way it should be with just the four of us.”

Labyrinth vibes.

“The boys have a bedroom upstairs that they will share for a few years, but they both sleep in our room now.”

“Probably the owl painting by my grandmother and the wooden dinosaurs carved by a friend for Wynter's birthday. I also love their book collection, and how we learned to speak Swedish together reading them. They also have this awesome star machine that creates a starry night and an image of a galaxy on the ceiling that we are all obsessed with, and bring into the big bedroom quite often.”

“I design clothing for, and run a shop with two of my close friends called Sisters of the Black Moon.”

“I went to school and graduated with a degree in history. I worked in retail, and with vintage and secondhand clothing until we started our own shop in 2010.”

“That I get to be home and spend time with our children, while nourishing my creativity and passion.”

“It has ignited quite a bit of drive into my life, as well as urged me to use my time wisely.”

“Maternity leave in Sweden is incredible. The mother and father both get one year of paid leave to be present in the first years of their children’s lives. I cannot think of a better gift. Since I am an independent business owner, this worked a bit differently for me because my company’s success very much depends on the three of us being available, and using our individual attributes to contribute to the whole. We all have small children, and therefore know and understand when we need time away. My business partners are always supportive and loving, and I feel very lucky to be on this journey with them.”

“I would love to spend more time designing for Sisters Of The Black Moon. I would love to learn as much as possible about textile construction and sewing with age-old processes.”

“It is a different formula every day. Because our boys are growing and changing, their daily needs are different, so I try to mold to that. I do as much work while they are napping, or after they fall asleep. My husband helps out every day as well, and we try to give each other time to work.”

“My beauty routine consists of a nice long bath with bath oil, some curl serum in my hair, while it air dries, and a little light makeup if I go somewhere. At night, I use a Clarisonic and 15% glycolic acid moisturizer on my face. I am really curious about derma-rolling, though.”

“My wellness routine is drinking as much water as I can, hiking, and spending as much time working with my hands outdoors as possible.”

“It's a mix of masculine and feminine pieces worn together, as well as pieces that provide comfort and utility. I want to own clothes that I can play in—clothes that are timeless. I want a bit of charm, whimsy, and necessity at the same time. You will see me wearing a hat about 70 percent of the time.”

Sara wears a top from Morph Knitwear and vintage linen pants. Wynter wears hand-me-downs. Rowen wears a tunic purchased at a recent Medieval Festival.

“It has softened dramatically. I have started opening the door to so much more color. Now, the most important things to me when buying garments are durability and quality. I am okay with spending a bit more on something if it will last me many, many years.”

“My Skjörda jacket and Fluir skirt from our shop, my linen Ovate dresses, and good wool sweaters and socks.”

“I love Paul Harden, Elena Dawson, Horisaki hats, J. Morgan Puett, Aleksandr Mcnamis, Ann Demuelemeester, Yohji Yamamoto, Ovate, Nygårds Anna, and Morph Knitwear. I could also collect and wear only antique clothing, and be happy.”

“Aprons and mid-calf length skirts.”

“I mostly shop from our store, and secondhand or antique shops.”

“I love every garment and color palette at Red Creek Kids. It's lots of playsuits and combinations in linen that are meant to last, and meant to be played in. I am really on a hat kick lately—or always—and have my eyes on so many from Your Number.”

“I make time for myself when our schedule permits. Sometimes, we have so many goals at the house or in the garden that those outweigh the need for 'me time'. But, when I do get some time to myself, I will go out for a walk, take photos outside, or take the time to educate myself and work on a project that interests me.”

“It was easy as pie. I fell in love with a handsome Swedish man, and packed my bags. Well, I actually had to wait nine months for my residency permit, but my bags were packed and ready to go the whole time.”

Sara wears a jacket from Sisters of the Black Moon and an Ovate skirt. Wynter wears head-to-toe hand-me-downs. Rowen wears a top by Saxon + SunRa and hand-me-down trousers.

“This is where my husband was born and grew up. It is where his music career is thriving. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else than Scandinavia now. There are deep-rooted traditions and a slower pace that feels vital in this modern world.”

“I absolutely love living here. I love the quiet, calm, and the views. I love how there are new things to be discovered every day.”

“It is growing every year. I don't have my family or a lot of my closest friends here in Sweden, which I consider my village, but we use a lot of Skype and What's App every day. Jonatan's family helps us as much as they can, and Jonatan's father comes almost weekly to work in the yard or fix something with the house, and that means so much to us. We are meeting new people in our village all of the time, and becoming a part of the community, which lends its support in different ways.”

“I miss my family and friends more than I could ever explain. I also really miss the food sometimes. I would give anything for some Tex-Mex, taco joints, and queso.”

“I think now, more than ever, there is such a huge responsibility being a mother. We are raising the children that have the capability to change the world with their kindness, empathy, and strength. I know I also have to try and turn my anger with the current political climate into action, so our children can learn that activism and problem-solving really do work.”

“That we have nature at our fingertips. If things get too chaotic at home, we just go for long walks or gather treasures from the forest, and we all feel amazing after.”

“I always dream of a farm in the Norwegian Fjords. Waking up with majestic mountain views seems like a pretty special way to start the day.”

“In Sjuntorp, we only have a store, gas station, and pizza place. But, in the city close to us, we love going to the Innovatum Science Center, and to the docks to watch the boats pass.”

For me?

“On very special occasions, I love going to Hagabadet, a spa in Göteborg.”

“I honestly don't have the best advice or good words because this is something I work on daily. We have such a different schedule from week to week because of our work, so there are adjustments all of the time. We are learning that lots of communication is necessary for us to feel complete, individually and as a whole. We are also learning to understand how when each person gets what they need, they are so much better for the family. So, this juggling thing is a work in progress, and may always be for us.”

For more on Sara and her family, visit Sisters of the Black Moon, and follow her here and here.