Mindful exploring, through the eyes of a viking daughter.
Maria is a teacher, minimalist, avid gardener, explorer, photographer, author, blogger, and crazy horse girl! She just returned home to Sweden after 8 years in the US. She grew up in the mountains of northern Sweden, outside a ski resort. For a while in the 90’s she seriously thought about becoming a snowboard PRO, but she decided to follow one of her other passions. She became a baker and worked as a baker for 9 years until she decided to go back to school, to become a teacher. Maria has a BA in Early Childhood Education. She has enjoyed being a kindergarten teacher, preschool teacher, nanny, 4H leader, tutor, and horseback riding instructor.
Thanks to her grandma Agnes, she entered the magic world of photography when she was five years old. Maria’s gypsy soul has taken her to 48 US States, and most countries in Europe. You can find prints of Maria’s best photos in her gallery. She loves horses. At one time she had 17 rescue horses in her pasture. Observing wild horses in the wild is one of her favorite activities, camera in hand of course. In 2013 she published a book with some of her observations. In November 2019 she published her second book The Desert Around Las Vegas – A Guidebook To Amazing Day Trips In The Mojave Desert. You can follow her adventures, projects, and photography via her blog.
My mission is to share zen strategies; and encourage a healthy lifestyle, with a close connection to nature and animals, using my photos and stories as the medium for inspiration. – Maria Jansson
© Copyright 2017-2019 sagittariusviking.com. All Rights Reserved.
A word of caution. All your adventures are on your own risk. Anyone participating in an activity mentioned on my blog is responsible for their own safety. I am not responsible in any way, if you choose to explore any of the destinations, or activities mentioned in my blog.
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Now this is exciting! I really love this new venture of yours and especially the zen/minimalism connection, way cool….no, super cool! I have been personally working towards minimalism in my own life, not just things but a new perspective on life and all it entails. Looking forward to seeing where this blog will take you, and us! 😉
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I’m so happy to hear that Margaret! I kind of had a feeling that we shared more than our love for beautiful nature 🙂
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yes, indeed!
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Hi Ms. Zen, Thank you for following my photography blog, Jane’s Lens. I hope you enjoy my work. What a great idea for a blog and I wish you lots of luck. Looking forward to reading more posts about NorCal zen life!
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Thank you Jane, I have been following your blog since you started blogging, with my other blog (that I no longer have.) I love your inspiring photography. You always keep improving yourself, it is very inspiring. Maria
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Oh yes! Hi! I didn’t realize you were one and the same! Hope you are doing well.
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So inspiring – and inspired!! Living well is surely the one purpose we have. Love to you from England.
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THANK YOU! Yes, the moments passes so quickly, better be in them 🙂 Namaste
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I look forward to reading your blog posts.
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Thank you Colline, likewise 🙂 I hope you’re having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!
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Dear Maria, thanks a lot for following my blog. Hiking is so relaxing, especially with the beautiful landscapes that you can observe. California looks great on your photos. Hopefully one day I can visit it as well.
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Ooooh yes, hiking is very relaxing 🙂 It makes me very happy to share the experiences, and the beautiful landscapes with you. We went to McClouds Falls today. It was the first time for me, and they were marvelous. Going to share the experience in my next post. Looking forward to learn more about your adventures as well.
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Thanks so much for following my blog!
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Looking forward to see more posts from you!
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Thank you for stopping by and following my blog. Our lifestyles is similar. I look forward to your posts 🙂
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Thank you Sheryl!
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you have stunning pictures on your blog 🙂
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Thank you so much! My apologize for getting back to you so late. I somehow missed your comment, but it made my day to see it this morning 🙂
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Happy to know you are happy 😃
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Its great to know you!! Even i believe in minimalism! And also growing my own food. We still live in a city. I grow a few Veges in my apartment Balcony. Haven’t moved to a countryside yet! Your Blog Inspires me! Thank You for visiting my Blog! 🙂
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There’s so many cool things you can do with a small garden on a balcony as well 🙂 Very good to meet you Reema 🙂
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Thank You Norcal! 🙂
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Vilken underbar … värld du tar oss till här!!!!
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Så glad att du hittat hit 🙂
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Är du svensk???!!!!
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Ja, men jag bor i Kalifornien nu.
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Underbart …. !!!!! Vad jag förstår från Dig blogg … stortrivs du. Trevligt att “se” Dig!
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Tack, Ja det gör jag verkligen. Det har inte alltid varit så, men nu älskar jag det här. Ser fram emot att se Svensk-influerade inlägg på din blogg 😊
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Har själv bott utomlands – Seattle, Victoria … UK och Irland. Vet att man måste liksom leva in sig på vissa platser. Mitt hjärta är mycket blå-gult, så välkommen till mitt värld.
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Då vet du precis vad jag menar 😊 så är det verkligen. Stor skillnad mellan att turista och bo utomlands.
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Ja, man måste ta seden dit man kommer … håller fullkomligt med dig. Man måste anpassa sig och ibland kan det ta sin lilla tid. Glad att du trivs nu och har funnit din plats där över.
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Så sant, så sant. Tack 😊
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This seemed like the best spot to leave this comment. I really like this new theme you have chosen, it’s very clean and not at all cluttered, which I think works well with your content. Also, I really like the purpose statement. The one thing I would suggest is looking to see if you can have links open on a separate page. For example on your art print page, it links to your work, but the viewer would have to click the back key to get back to your blog. If it was to open on a separate page, they would close your prints, but still have your blog open.
Cheers!
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Thank you! That’s a really good thought about the prints. I’ll have to look into how to do that. Good point! I appreciate it. Have a wonderful weekend!
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I’m so envious of your horses. I always wanted a horse but have never done anything about it. I think it’s great to connect with those beautiful creatures. As for a hot air balloon ride, I highly recommend Bagan, Myanmar or Cappadocia, Turkey! 🙂
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I’m so terribly sorry that I missed your kind comment! I do appreciate every comment so much. Now I got reminded about your beautiful site, so that is a good thing. I hope you are doing well, and living life full of splendid adventures 🙂
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WONDERFUL
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Thank YOU 🙏
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Your German Sheppard is beautiful! I the pictures of the horses you shared too. Great post, thank you for sharing.
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Thank YOU!
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Thanks for checking out and following my blog. Your photos are beautiful!
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Thank you so much! Your blog is very inspiring, and I can relate to a lot of the things you write about. A simple lifestyle closely connected to nature and animals truly brings happiness. Keep up the good work!
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This is a great blog. I live in Northern California and feel we are very lucky.
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Thank you so much! Yes, we are indeed blessed to live in this amazing place. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Please feel free to come back soon again 🙂
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I will. Every thought of making a Youtube vlog with all your adventures?
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I have been thinking about making one with rescue horses, and mustangs I work with. At some point 🙂 Have to figure out some kind of interesting angle to it.
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I think you have your angle right there. That would make a great Youtube Channel. Horse lovers would love it. You just show your work and the horses process of healing and trusting a human again and so on…
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I might just do that. I actually committed to a new rescue horse yesterday. She will be coming home next week. Thank you for your encouragement !
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See, you have a show right there!! Then you could get funding and support if more people know about you and the work you do. I have no idea what I’m doing and my camera is a cheapo with 5 minutes recording time. I’m having fun! I’m helping others, inspiring, playing. Doesn’t have to win the Film Festival. 🙂 We don’t realize how important what we have to offer is. I really, really think so many would love this.
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Awe, I will look into how I could make it happen. Thank YOU 🙏
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