Malmo Sweden (Nordics Part V)

Malmo Sweden (Nordics Part V)

Malmo is the last stop before starting our journey home. It wasn’t on the itinerary until the day before, but I was excited to be in Sweden for one more day. I had yet to visit a grocery market in Sweden and now would be able to stock up on a few spices to bring home. 

While I have been on several multi-country/city trips with Bill, this last stop left me feeling exhausted from all of the movement.  Over the last fourteen days, we had flown to Switzerland, taken the train to Italy, and back to Switzerland before flying up to Stockholm to visit family for the weekend.  From Stockholm, we rented a car to drive through my family’s hometown and ended up in Copenhagen for 36 hours, before driving back to Sweden for a night. From Malmo, we drove back to Copenhagen, and flew to Geneva for two days before coming home.  Experiences like this leave me with personal growth and a new perspective, the gift of a lifetime. 

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Vastervik Sweden (Nordics part III)

Vastervik Sweden (Nordics part III)

We have been to Switzerland, Italy, and Stockholm.  Now it's time for a road trip.  Due to a tight travel schedule (this is a business trip for Bill), we are driving from Stockholm to Vastervik and then to Copenhagen. Spending the day seeing Sweden's countryside.

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Three Days in Stockholm (Nordics Part II)

Three Days in Stockholm (Nordics Part II)

I'm so excited to share Sweden with you! But first, let me share something that happens often... a hectic travel day. Transport to the Geneva airport took double the time. We ALWAYS take the train, but someone coordinated a car for us (a major no no). The driver ended up driving on the shoulder for about half of the trip.  Weaving in and out of traffic.  Later we learned this was all due to the Geneva Auto Show.  We arrived at the airport 60 minutes before takeoff.

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Home: A Swedish Holiday

Home: A Swedish Holiday

Hello Friends,

My mother's family is from Sweden. My brother and I are half Swedish.  An important fact for this post, which is half story and half Swedish tradition/folklore.

Open my freezer and you are likely to find Vetebrod.  My family refers to it simply as 'bulla', a sweet bread. 

A story...
Last year I became friends with a gal who was born and raised in southern Sweden. In addition to being runners and career women, we are both Swedish.  We spend a lot of time together.  Predawn running, discussing daily life highs/lows, books, etc.

Over the last year, I have realized I wasn't raised with Swedish traditions, and often wonder HOW is this possible?! CAN it be possible? Our friendship has created curiosity, often leading to researching a story, folklore, or tradition. My childhood memories include Limpa, cheese, lingonberries, caviar, knackebrod, lutefisk, pletta, raggmunk, meatballs... plenty of Swedish food but sadly it did not include long-standing Swedish tradition.

This brings me to yesterday.   I joined my friend, and her children, to attend a Swedish Christmas Market and St Lucia celebration.  I was hoping to find Dala Horses and straw ornaments.  I didn't know what to expect but was surprised to see gnomes everywhere.

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