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!
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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!

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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.

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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)