Hej! I've been a bit out of touch, but it isn't because it's been gray and I can't pull myself off the sofa...this is a great delay. WE HAVE GUESTS! Jeff's brother, David, arrived on May 2nd - the first of our 6 glorious weeks of visitors. I will write more later, when I'm not heading to Gunnel's for a herring feast, or packing for a long week-end in Greece (yes, aren't I living the life!?). For now, I wanted to let you know that the next blog is from Jeff's Mom and Aunt (Joan and Jan), who traveled with Jeff [View Full Entry]

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For all the complaining I did about the gray days this winter (and fall and spring), I can't sing the praises enough of our weather the past two weeks. Trees are leafing out, bulb flowers are in full bloom with daffodils found around nearly every corner. Birds that we can't identify are singing songs we aren't familiar with, it seems to be the universal "Song of Spring" trilled in Swedish Bird. We aren't being lulled completely in to believing our last 62 days will be all sunshine and happy birds, the forecast says rain is on it's way. However, we're making [View Full Entry]

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Jeff's time in the lab is dwindling, and the benefit of that is more time to explore. He's been training to run the Stockholm Marathon (so one of us has gotten fit this year!), and has had many "foot miles" to explore this area. One of his favorite discoveries has been Särö Västerskog, a nature reserve that was once a summer place for Sweden's Gustav V. Just 3 1/2 mile from our place, it's a great hike over rocky trails and through woods that are remnants of the typical natural forest that used to grow all along the coastline. Jeff and [View Full Entry]

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Spring has arrived in Sweden, she's shaking out her glowing locks, flashing blue skies, putting her face to the sun and is whispering in my ear, "don't get too comfortable, you're a short-timer here". Looking back over the winter months, I find it hard to believe that Sweden is endearing herself to me. The winter gray was brutal, the short days felt like the longest days of my life. I'm a Minnesotan, so I know the the hope that sits in your heart as you wait for Spring to arrive, and I never cease to be amazed when it actually does. [View Full Entry]

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Before I tell you about Paris, I want to let you know that you can view the photos better by just clicking on the first picture in this blog and then paging through them...you'll get a bigger picture! I can admit this now that I'm home, I was scared to death to go to Paris. Jeff didn't join us on this trip for a couple of reasons, but primarily because it is the most expensive city we were planning to visit this year and we just didn't think Jorgen could handle the walking. I had serious anxiety leading up to this [View Full Entry]

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We've seen zoos before, of course...but each zoo has it's own unique charm and characters - and the Berlin Zoo is no exception: Zoo Highlights: Baby Elephant...12 days old. You don't see that everyday. Koi Pond...the koi swim up to you and want you to stroke them! Monkeys...a mama monkey with her baby on her chest swings down in front of the window, ROLLS in front and throws her arms open like "ta-da". When I lift my camera, she looks right at me and covers up the baby. No paparazzi photos! Huge Orangutan...sees me with the camera, walks right up to [View Full Entry]

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I'm having a hard time getting this blog organized in my head, we saw SO much in our two short days. Rather than write a long story, or give a history lesson (which I would surely do poorly!), I'm going to TRY to be concise and just give you the highlights, along with a lot of pictures. Day One - Thursday: We departed Kullavik shortly before noon for the 12 hour journey. Three hours to the ferry (plus an hour in line), six and half hours on the ferry, two+ hours drive to Berlin. We arrived at the home of Chad [View Full Entry]

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This blog is coming to you mostly in pictures and one great video. I was asked to participate in the stations of the cross at our Swedish church, Kullavikkyrken. I was given the role of Maria at Golgotha and assured that I simply had to look sad. That translates, I can do sad. I have to admit, though, that during our dress rehearsal, I was expecting Ashton Kutcher to jump out and yell "you've been Punk'd" in Swedish. It was one of those moments where I looked around me and thought, "am I dreaming?". Well, it was the most fun I've [View Full Entry]

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No, we haven't gone back to Italy...I simply realized I didn't do the Verona blog. A gross oversight, since that was one of our favorite days in Italy! I nearly didn't go to Verona, because that was the morning that my hip/piriformous/sciatia issues really made themselves known. I was in a lot of pain, and I knew that if I stayed home there would be enough room in one car for everyone. However, listening to that voice inside my head that said, "when will you ever get the chance to see Verona Italy again", I decided to go. So, we loaded [View Full Entry]

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Today I had a field trip with Gunnel and an American friend who moved to Kullavik shortly after we did, Perrin. I'm not a shopper, but I do love things for the home, so our destination was Ekelund, "Master Weavers since 1692". Yes, you read that right, I didn't transpose...1692. They're good. The fact that they are located in a town called Horred was simply a bonus. I actually received an Ekelund table runner from my Mom a few years ago, a beautiful pattern of aspen leaves in black and gray tones...I never dreamed I'd be in the very factory where [View Full Entry]

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