I wrote the following blog just two weeks after we returned...that was almost 2 months ago. I've been using the excuse that I wanted to add some good photos, but that's just an excuse. It's the last one and then the adventure is truly over. I'm not sure I'm ready for that. Like most things, the memories get better with a little time and distance. Our friends, the Marchionne's, fellow Americans living in Kullavik, posted a blog today with their latest adventures set to ABBA's Mama Mia. I cried the whole time that I watched it. That was probably a little [View Full Entry]

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In one of my first blogs, I said "it's one thing to say you're going to live in another country for a year and entirely another to actually do it", or something like that. Well, we did it. We're home, we're safe, we're grateful. I wanted to share some re-cap and re-entry thoughts with you. I blogged about my unsightly tooth gap, weight gain and bad haircuts. I've decided to live with the gap for awhile. If I don't look in the mirror, it doesn't bother me at all! I got a fantastic cut and color from my local stylist, Brenda, [View Full Entry]

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When I was little, my Mom frequently said those words as we returned to the farm following an adventure…and an adventure might have been a trip to the local pool, the doctor or the grocery store…that didn’t matter. I loved when she threw that bit of whimsy onto the end of a trip and I still think those very words when I drive into the farm where I grew up. Home again, home again, jiggity jig. We left our flat in Kullavik on June 30th, escorted to Mark and Kacka’s home by Gunnel and Anders, another great member of Kullavikkyrkan (aka [View Full Entry]

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In our eighteen years of marriage, Jeff and I have moved a lot. Emma moved seven times her first seven years. "Good bye" is not a foreign language for us. We are SO excited to go home, but that doesn't make "good bye" any easier. Rather than dwelling on that word, I'm just going to share some of the events surrounding those words. These past few weeks have been unseasonably gorgeous. On more than one occasion, we've been told that June is typically gray and rainy in weden. Not wanting to sound like the spoiled American, I keep the following comment [View Full Entry]

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It's quite possible that our Midsummer didn't have enough drama to really suit Shakespeare. This is another long post, but I hope you find it easy to read. Midsummer is celebrated in many countries, however, it's the Swedes who hold fast to this particular tradition that welcomes summer with great fanfare. We were lucky enough to land amongst a group who were willing to share their celebration with us. This entire year has been filled with strange (and divine) coincidences and connections, and this weekend was no exception. Back in November, we attended a Thanksgiving dinner at the hom [View Full Entry]

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If the sun shone in Sweden year 'round, I would never have gotten lonely. I don't blame people who don't want to visit during the dark winter days, if given the chance, I would have packed my bags and been out of here during that time. Neal not only survived a winter vacation to Sweden, he really seemed to enjoy himself...but Neal's not your average traveler. In the past six weeks, we've had four "day" guests, eight "longer term" guests and more fun than we thought possible. As if having guests wasn't good enough, six weeks passed in the proverbial 'blink [View Full Entry]

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We've had guests since May 2nd, my sister and her husband have just left after one of the most fun weeks of my life. Just a quick "guest list", as much for myself and remembering. David Jeremiason (Jeff's Bro), Jan Jeremiason (Jeff's Mom), Joan Day (Jeff's Aunt), Chelsea - Valerie - Andrew (GAC students who spent a Monday with me while Jeff was in Norway), Kristen & Rob Johnston (my Sister & husband). Right now, I'm doing laundry and our dear friends from St. Peter, Mary and Lydia arrive tomorrow morning...oh, and a co-worker of Jeff's will be here this week-end, [View Full Entry]

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Most of you know that I hail from a large family. It could go without saying that I've missed them this year, but I've said it already and it's a fact. I'm the 8th of 9, and number 9 is my little sister, Kristen, two years my junior. We had our share of battles when we were young, stupid stuff like "you used my brush" - normal stuff for sisters. We grew out of that, fortunately, and now I'm her biggest fan. She's got 5 kids and has grown up to be an amazing, beautiful woman...my sister and my friend. The [View Full Entry]

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I just returned from a long week-end in Greece with my husband. Living in Minnesota, it sounds impossible to just pop on over to Athens for a week-end get-away...however, it's not only possible when you're living in Europe, I highly recommend it! Before you get the idea that we're living the high life over here, let me just say that a lot of things really fell in to place to make this trip happen. First, Jeff's Mom and Aunt Joan have been visiting for the last 3 weeks. When booking their tickets, Jan (Jeff's Mom) suggested that Jeff and I plan [View Full Entry]

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Greetings from Joan and Jan who are enjoying beautiful Scandinavia! Along with Jeff & David we recently headed to Oslo to begin one of the popular “Norway in a Nutshell” Fjord Tours. Traveling by rail from Oslo to Myrdal, we experienced our first look at the spectacular Norwegian scenery. The Bergen Railway, traveling through the Finse area, rises above the trees to an altitude of 1222 meters. We were plunged into darkness at numerous points as we traveled through mountain tunnels and snow tunnels. The slated snow tunnels were built on the sides of the mountain to keep the snow fro [View Full Entry]

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