Things are changing

[@cindyhunter166]

Fall is my favorite time of year. I live the sound of the leaves blowing, the crisp air and all the colors.

[@MaureenAstrid]

While it is still very warm here in the Netherlands I so hope fall will come soon. I find myself in a new phase of life too, shifted to a more introverted stae of being. Not knowing where it will bring me so I have to trust this process. ❤ I hope fall will bring you beautiful things and the opportunity for a cozy new home if you decide that's the right path. ❤ thank you for your wonderful video

[@supertroop211]

Maria thank you for continuing to share these adventures of yours! It’s always such a treat to periodically “stop” by to check in. Hope the both of you are enjoying this great northern adventure!!! Sending best wishes and only good vibes from somewhere sunny!

[@Mariaandtheforest]

Thank you for checking in Ethan ♡❤️. Really look forward to hear more about your new sunny home! Bendik says hi ♡

[@brendavale5464]

Hoping for great success for Bendic! Happy fall!

[@Mariaandtheforest]

Thank you Brenda ♡

[@janinafisher101]

I didn't really realize just how tall Bendik is until I saw him have to duck through the doorway! I'm so glad that things are coming together for you two now, with Bendik having finished his work for this commission (fingers crossed!!!), and you have your tour and a busy summer. I agree that the summer has flown by. My goodness what a mess that terrible flood left behind. I, too, am happy to welcome fall (it will be the end of all the horrible bugs we have where I am). Wishing you guys a really good tour. I look forward to see where you will be going! Every trip around Norway is fascinating for me.

[@alwayshiking_]

You're a brilliant youtuber. It's amazing for how small the populations of Norway and Sweden really are, just how many brilliant youtubers and artists they produce. And artists (like yourself) with depth and introspection worth listening to and absorbing. I think if I could structure my own escape to Europe, it would somehow involve seeing Aurora sing in Bergen, Hazy wherever he lives (if he performs), Hiking with Eric Normark in northern Sweden and then attending one of your foraging lectures/classes. Throw in some northern lights in Tromso and that would be the best vacation ever. As regards your 12:19 Pandemic Comment: It's not over. We are living in the Pandemic World where the masters of the universe decide when and how much they will infect us again with some other designer bug to kill and culturally divide large swaths of our populace. If you want, you can imagine the Ukrainian War (in ways we can't really understand) as part and parcel of the new Pandemic World politics. My guess is that eventually that war will expand to include more Americans in Europe and more European countries under stress.

[@FrenchCountryLife]

Happy to see you Maria! Me too I feel summer flew by so fast and I wasn't present as much as I usually am. I am happy that with fall comes a calmer and quieter season. Be well and thank you for this beautiful video!

[@clairemasson8872]

Another beautiful video ❤

[@lesyakrysenka7665]

Hello, Maria! I just wanted to share that I turned 30 this summer too 😊 And I also want to buy a house with my husband in the countryside as soon as possible, because we have little daughter (she is 9 months), so we would like her to grow nere the nature with good air, water and everything, not in the big dusted city. So I can really understant you, the money matter is so complicated, all the more that I can not work right now, because I raise a child, but I think that things will turn right in life somehow) As I thought about you, maybe if you would buy a house, you both would not be able to travel not only because you would not have money, but because the house would need very much of your time and attention at first, so you would be so happy for the first months to just be there and settle every thing down, so don't worry about lack of travelling, maybe your priorities will change that way too, as you said in video 😊

[@Hannahclarehudson]

I feel the exact same way, I’ve never looked forward to winter so much in my life ❤

[@jayantiiamonico6966]

Always nice to see/hear from you! Happy belated 30th birthday! Xx

[@Mariaandtheforest]

Thank you!! 😊

[@purrsephone2904]

Thanks for this lovely video. Good luck to both of you with all the projects you have planned. 🪶

[@vickiebasu1080]

I like the questions that you pose along with the depth of your reflections, and, often these are things that all of us of all ages ponder. Keep in touch with that energy that makes life fascinating for you.

[@LP-ck6qx]

I live on a small homestead in the American mid-west. Once you get crops in the ground or animals in your care, travel can become very hard to arrange. Although many have a very idyllic idea of what it is like, the reality is that it is a tremendous amount of work and commitment to ensure that everything in your care is thriving. Sometimes you can find a caretaker to come in during your absence to keep things moving along, but that can be costly and in spite of copious instructions, no one else will care for your responsibilities the way you would have. That said, it is perfectly okay to homestead for a season of your life, knowing that when it is time to move on with other plans, you can feel great about what you learned during your homesteading experience.

[@StashaA.]

Thirties are the best! Looking back I felt mentally and physically the strongest and all the insecurities from the twenties were slowly fading away. And having your own home (as I call it my "base") totally makes sense. I travel a lot and always have a need to go back to my base where all my books are lol. A place where you can recharge your batteries. 🏘

[@forever3797]

Bendig has such a chill old man vibe - he seems like a very peaceful guy.

[@Mariaandtheforest]

Haha, he really is 😁

[@jackiewheaton4199]

Best wishes, Bendik.Fall is going to be lovely.

[@luannianke8110]

I love watching your videos and hearing your voice. High quality and so calming with beautiful scenery.

[@manomenon1]

Good video and i wish you good luck in all your lives

[@ashildlvasborgersen4865]

❤❤❤mye kantarell i år!🥰

[@Mariaandtheforest]

🥰🥰🥰

[@Welshstreets]

Like your video Maria.I totally identify when you talked about moving around as a child and not being able to call the places you lived home.I moved away from Liverpool to Cardiff which is in South Wales(Capital of Wales)when was 11yrs old.Lived away from Liverpool for 20yrs and lived a very nomadic life.Im back here in Liverpool now l,moved back almost 16yrs ago now.I think it's one of the worst thing that can happen to a child.You seem like you're in a good place now,keep up the good work.Oh yeah,I love Norway been there a few times and would love to try the Norwegian version of Scouse,pronounced SKAUS,hope I've got that right,cheers!!!!👍👍👍

[@Lisa-nv6lx]

I experience all four seasons in my area, and I definitely go a little bit crazy "gathering for my nest" this time of year. . . echoes of a survival instinct that winter is just around the corner.

[@Mariaandtheforest]

exactly! Fall really gets that instinct going 😂

[@veronicashipley9123]

Hello again Maria ☺. There's a saying in the UK - if it's not brock (broken) don't mend it! So if you're happy and have good community and neighbours don't worry about renting for now. You're also near your art studio and art community too. When stripping small berries, use a fork along the the stems and strip them rather than pull off one by one, it's quicker. And plum pips come out easier if you cut the plum around the middle, rather than length wise ☺. You're garden has been looking good this summer. I love your e little kitty. My two kits 🐱🐺 are such good company since losing my beloved husband. Take care of each other Sending love, light and Autumnal Blessings 🐿🦉🦌🍂🍁🐾🐾xx

[@Woeschhuesli]

I relate to having moved quite a lot as a child; I was so happy that we found a cute cottage to buy to drop roots of my own, but it was not till I was over 40 and my children were already older, I do kind of wish we got it earlier but that‘s life, it happens for a reason! 🤞Things are looking good for you both! Your 3-legged cat is amazingly agile 😃

[@connieschwarz6023]

You and your husband have done beautiful things to your house! I was amazed! Can you stay there for awhile? You’re such a beautiful old soul Maria !❤️❤️

[@42apprentice]

Don’t rule out somewhere of your own, it may yet come from a different route or opportunity. Loved all the ‘salting away’ of your foraged items. I just had some lovely sea buckthorn juice on a trip to Denmark, and it really helped me shake off a bad cold. Back home we have miles of the stuff on the coast, so I may gather some myself if I can avoid shredding my hands. Good luck with the new tour and with B’s submission. x

[@TheDoutorsimpatia]

I'm just a viewer of your videos and of course a follower of your channel. Congratulations to you and your friends for the video. It's impossible not to watch the whole thing. It keeps your attention from beginning to end. I noticed that the flowers you and Bendik planted are beautiful. I'll be rooting for Bendik in the contest. Until the next video.

[@AshokSaluja-dl3oe]

🎄🌴🏝️🧙 Wow Amazing Location Thenks For Sharing So You Beautiful Cutely Looks ❣️💖🎄🏝️🧙🕺👍🏻

[@amystark5088]

I am healing from a burn injury and am finding your videos so calming while I am in pain. Thankyou so much

[@DebbyRoad]

Oh my gosh…hope you’re alright? Get well soon 😊

[@Mariaandtheforest]

So sorry to hear you are injured! I too hope you will get well soon ❤️

[@linesyverinsen9215]

Aaaah. I relate soul much. :) This summer has been strange and tumultuous, intense and overwhelming, with feelings of disorientation, grief, change and confusion. Not comfortable. The arrival of autumn is such a welcome relief. A simultaneously calming and energizing breath of fresh air. Also a sense of turning over a new leaf, and all the pieces of me that have been rearranging for god knows how long seem to be slowly coming back together. I feel like I can breathe again. I've been feeling that I'm making my way home to my pre-pandemic self. I turned 30 right before the lockdowns. 2020 seemingly halted me and all plans in different ways, I realize I've been in a state of freeze, depression & a sense of lack & fear since, but I feel myself coming out of it and moving forwards. More confident, wiser, with more trust in the universe and myself, despite all the unknown factors. Somehow! It doesn't feel like it's happened by accident. It feels like a conscious choice of focus. Also, questions of belonging, home and life choices are very much alive for me too at the moment, and I love how you use your beautiful videos to air out the challenges. Thank you! All fingers crossed for Bendik! :) I have a good feeling about this. Lots of looooove!

[@needlittlewantless]

12:19 My current thinking is that the pandemic took away certain things which felt integral to me as a person (e.g. reading at cafes, going to the movies, Brazilian jiu jitsu) and that what I learned from this was that these things weren’t actually integral to my Self but rather were things I relied on heavily to cope with and/or avoid other deeper seated issues (e.g. having basically no attachment to my birth parents). So in a way the pandemic cleared space for me to confront all of that and become, to borrow from existential psychoanalysis, my authentic Self, or a kind of parent to myself, or something like that. On the subject of homes, I don’t regret that my spouse and I bought our apartment, but only because it allowed us to save some money, both because our mortgage was actually cheaper than the rent we would’ve paid on a comparable place, and because it allowed us to start building some equity. No place we could’ve bought would’ve filled the holes in my heart. That required inner cultivation and healing, not external accumulation. Whether any of that applies to or resonates with your experience I of course leave for you to judge, but I offer it here for whatever it may be worth.

[@deniiselowal7930]

Thank you ❤

[@frednorman1]

Thanks!

[@Mariaandtheforest]

Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️

[@uwebraun8893]

Hi, thank you for the video. We are having here in the New Forest (UK) the first rainy greyish day, after a period of sunny days. Together with the date (1st September) it really feels like the summer is ending. So, your video is perfect for the sentiment this Monday morning. Good time to reflect and where to go from here, I understand your thoughts. I found it interesting though, that you have avoided THE BIG question for a younger couple... you may have your reasons and I leave it there. All the best.

[@scottiemom7973]

Congratulations to Benedict for getting that done and of course best wishes. Rowan berries are they tart? And your desert looks great what was the cream(?) on the side I am glad you had a good rest this summer💕

[@frednorman1]

I think all young people in first countries are finding that it's very difficult to buy a home. In the UK in the Netherlands and certainly here in the US.

[@Mariaandtheforest]

Yes, it is getting increasingly hard it feels like 😑 but if one really wants it, I am sure it can be done!

[@kevinsheppard6085]

Buying a house, having kids, getting married are all huge life changing and expensive miles stones in life, and there is no right answer as to when is the right time if ever. However unless your super rich you can never really afford it. I turned 60 this year and brought my first house in my mid 20's. If it's any help to you, your right in that it's so expensive (here in the UK too), for a few years every thing does kind of stop whilst you get things together and build a home. But belive me when I say your life wont stop, you will travel again and do all the stuff you do now. Once you get over the intial financial hump things get easier, my wife and I travel a fair bit, and we fully intend to keep doing it. Property will never get cheaper and once you make the leap there will be some sacrifice for a few years, but looking further down the road I was glad I took the pain earlier in life, as it's sure easier now. My son who is 25 is just about to buy his first home, so lots of DIY for me over the next year xxxx I think you need to make sure it's what you really want first, then just go for it. Good luck what ever you decide, and apologies for giving my two cents.

[@bibibacchus8534]

Beautiful video I enjoy every min❤ute

[@martinajunkers4315]

What do you use rowan berries for? I'm very intrigued now. I love foraging and then making my own preserves, red currant, blueberries, bilberries and lingonberries are my favourites.

[@Mariaandtheforest]

I make the powder you see in the end of the video 😊. Not sure what to use it for yet, but I think it can be good with chocolate!

[@MGE9436]

Owning a house will take away your freedom 😮 Enjoy being 30, such a great age. I think Bendik will win 😊

[@bearticboy9297]

Hva slags ert/belg var det du plukket?

[@Mariaandtheforest]

Bondebønner :) har plantet dem selv!

[@vv.0iii]

a lot of changed in my life after pandemic started. and then war (in ukraine). shift is happening to our planet. all is one

[@hollydavid69]

Norway ?

[@Mariaandtheforest]

Yep

[@paolorossi8470]

No way.

[@auroratours6716]

Hmmm.. where to find the recipes for all the things you produce "powered by nature" ??🤭

[@Mariaandtheforest]

I am thinking about making an e-book actually! Will update you all on here :-)

[@stavangerflamenco5385]

fiin

[@Mariaandtheforest]

Du ooog mor

[@ghg152]

Maria! Thank you so much for a new amazing video and that special vibe I get every time I watch it. This week all my fingers hurt after picking sea buckthorn. I love this berry but there's no love without thorns :)) this tree always leaves sсretches on my hands. Then it was time for cloudberries. I spent hours in the forest picking it and admiring the beauty of endsummer nature. All these colours fill my heart with tenderness. Big hi and much love from my northern village ❤❤

[@ROBOTRIX_eu]

[@marcodellasanta9089]

❤ᚠ᛫᛫᛫ HOME is where You TRULY ❤LOVE❤ someone... one woman and one man, one man and one woman... and... I`m crossing the fingers for Bendik to this important competition!