Swedish Uniqueness

In light of Leap Day, which only comes around every four years, I discovered some unusual things about Sweden, and many of them make a whole lot of sense. For example- the shopping basket at the grocery store has a handle that unfolds and wheels on the bottom. Why don't we have these in the US? Brilliant I tell you!



Also at the grocery, there are self-checkout scanners. You take one with you around the store, scan your items as you pack your bags, and then connect scanner to machine and insert card for payment. No waiting in line! Oh, one other efficiency item I love is that you have to buy the plastic or paper bag at the checkout. And you get money back when you recycle cans/bottles. I think the King and Queen must be tree huggers :)



It is quite cold for infants (anyone!) to be outside going from place to place, so they are bundled in these sleeping bag sort of things. They can zip it right over the head like a mummy sack when it's really really cold.


Fiat is a popular car all over Europe, but this one has eyelashes!



And black toilet paper... have you ever heard of such a thing? I don't really understand the purpose of it, but it made the bathroom seem pretty darned fancy! And yes, I put a square in my pocket because it was that bizzare :)



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Icy Day in Stockholm

We saw lots of ice today! First, we woke up to a fresh blanket of snow. Then we met Eva for lunch in Marievik, where she works right by the water. It was frozen over, yet beautiful!



Then we took a ferry to the Vasa Museet, a museum with a 400 year old ship! The ferry just plowed right through the gigantic ice chunks- all i could think of was the Titanic! And we walked along the waterfront and saw lots of interesting people, architecture, and food.












Then we went to see Henrik's favorite hockey team (Djurgården) play a big game- and win! I had never been to a hockey game before, but it was exciting! And a bit chilly, I might add ;)


And to top off the amazing day- we went to the ice bar! The entire bar is made of ice, even the drink glasses! Admission fee includes fur-lined, hooded parka, gloves, Absolut vodka cocktail, and 40 minutes in the 23-degree ice cave... We lasted 10 minutes since it was just just a few degrees warmer outside. Brrr!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Southern part of Stockholm

These cobblestones have been here for over 400 years- incredible! Just a typical street, nothing fancy... Even though there boulders jutting out the sides. Everything here is old and cold, but so intriguing :)
We stopped for a photo op at the park- this is one of the very few places I've seen, so far, with trees and maybe even some grass when spring comes!




To finish off the day, we paid a visit to this unique little parlor...


Henrik's good friends from school have started a piercing boutique with a specialization in body modifications, such as split tongues, implants like stars under the skin, scarification, and suspension, where you have hooks inserted into your back and hang from your skin. It was quite an experience to see this place, although we did not partake in any services, for the record ;)



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Old Town- Gamla Stan

We spent the day sightseeing downtown. What a beautiful place! The city is made up of many islands- this visit was to Gamla Stan, which translates to Old Town. (click on map to enlarge)




It was chilly with the wind coming off the water! Notice the ice chunks floating in the river, brrrr, the temperature was just above freezing (1-degree C).




The buildings were built in the 1600's and vaguely remind me of Charleston. This alley goes up a long flight of stairs, and only about shoulder width at the very top. Good thing Swedes are slender folks!




Cobblestone streets lead you throughout the city. Lots of walking! It's a good way to keep warm :)




Henrik enjoyed a mid afternoon snack: kabanos korv med bröd (spicy hot dog on tiny bun) and trocadero (Swedish ginger ale)... Then he took me SHOPPING!
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Swedish Breakfast

I could eat like this all day, everyday! Wheat sourdough bread, creamy butter, asiago-like cheese, and tube cucumber slices. Complete with orange juice and buttermilk topped with blueberries.




Henrik and Eva also had French-pressed coffee and boiled eggs with caviar- I had to photograph the cute egg holder, never saw anything like it. I don't think I have eaten an egg in about 20 years!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

First day in Stockholm

What a day! After about 15 hours of traveling, and less than 30 minutes of sleep, we're in Stockholm! Sweden is so incredibly cute- it looked like a Dicken's Village from the plane. Lots of the buildings are painted red and there is SNOW!!




We took the subway to the grocery, stocked up on vin (wine) and öl (beer), plus some groceries for dinner. Everything is smaller here, everything. And so interesting! So far I find Stockholm to be very "climate conscious" as I read on a billboard in the airport. The efficiency of everything is quite sexy.



This trash shute is located in the stairwell of Eva's apartment- it goes straight from right outside her door, down three floors, and out to a big can with a bag, where the trashman can collect everything from the whole building lickity split.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Dogs to Dogsitter

Step one of Swedish trip- Mav and Shebe to the Dogsitter! Thank you for sharing your fenced-in yard and big dog companionship to keep my furkids occupied :)

Beer Garden

I've been hoarding brown and green beer bottles in my garage for months for this project! I needed an edge to keep the pups out of the flowers and saw this idea on Pinterest (if you're not familiar- it's a crafty little site with so many ideas you'll spend the whole day "pinning")...

The project was several phases: first, drink beer. We started with 75 bottles and learned real quick we needed friends to help! Next, remove labels.




Fill with sand and insert in ground. This part was not as fun as emptying the bottles, haha!

New Faucet!!

One of the most fulfilling home improvement projects yet! Henrik and his handy work installed a brand new kitchen faucet- bringing me out of the 1970's and into the don't-have-to-bang-on-the-handle-to-get-the-water-to-shut-off club. I very much appreciate it, as I'm sure crawling into the cabinet was less than invigorating!

Happy Hour

We met some friends for drinks- half Swedish, half Naplese: Henrik, Sarah, Jamie, Eva, Joy (Jamie's Mom), & Eva (Henrik's Mom)