We had an interesting class yesterday at school. A man from the Civilförsvarsförbundet or Civil Defense society came to give a talk to our SFI classes. We learned about preparedness in case of War, catastrophe or natural disasters, plus who to call in case of emergency, similar to our 911. All in all, it was be prepared and what to have in case of the worst. And more importantly, help your neighbor.... Mattias was surprised that they still do these talks but I noticed he quickly pulled out the camp stove and filled several buckets of water when we had severe weather some weeks ago and were worried about losing power for some hours. His civil training combined with military training put him into survival mode. The man yesterday kept bringing up having water and dried coffee just in case. Yes, who can't do without a nice cup of coffee--and also a nice bar of chocolate to go with for extra energy!
It is Friday today. Hanna and I have the day off from school. She's catching up on toons, me laundry and this blog.
Our kitchen is being delivered today and will be installed next week along with other renovation finishing work. My task this weekend is to PAINT like a banshee. The girls are going with Grandma to her farm so we are freed up to have devoted time to do our house work. Our goal is to have the house complete (or in move in condition) before May 9th! That would be WONDERFUL!
Have a great weekend!
Carrie
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
A Spring Day at the Dagis
It's getting warmer in Sweden. The sun is shining more often here and the dreary days are getting longer and brighter. Today's set of pictures show Hanna's dagis. When I picked her up this day she was digging in the sandbox. Some other days when she is outdoors, she uses a saw, hammer,nails and paint to build things in the workshop. Other kids were playing with plants at the water tub. The forest behind the play area have not blossomed yet and things are still a bit brown. The dagis takes hikes in the forest one day a week. The play area outside is worn from play and when it rains, and it sometimes does often, the area gets muddy which makes rubber boats a necessity. The kids spend much of their time outdoors rain or shine. A friend said, "there is no bad weather in Sweden, only bad clothes". Kids are allowed to play in the water if they choose. After, they just go in and get a dry change of clothes. I'm very happy there are patient teachers willing to help out with this process as I know I'm less patient at home! At this dagis, we must have several changes of clothes, boots and outer wear. The first floor of the dagis houses the childrens clothing one one wall, and sets of rubber boots on another plus two well-used drying cabinets on another wall. There are kids aged 16 months old to age 6 that attend the dagis. Hanna is making new friends and loves it!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Spring in the Air!
I have some free time tonight and thought I'd plunk out some things while I have a chance. The last weeks we've had some seriously busy weeks. The weekend after Hanna's birthday was Påskvecka (Easter week) at the school and dagis. The kids celebrated by dressing as Påskskäring (Easter witches), a tradition from hundreds of years ago when some women were accused of being witches and they fled to an island called Blåkulla, on the East coast of Sweden.
After school we had Påsklov, (Easter break) and took a trip to the mountains in Jamtland where Mattias' family has a cabin. While the girls and I have been there many times, Mattias hadn't been there since I was pregnant with Liv. That's how many years? Well she's 6 1/2 now! I was anxious for him to spend time at his beloved childhood cabin as it's a place that we've come to love too. We packed the car and drove along with Ingrid in tow. The cabin itself is about a 12 hour drive from Göteborg so we made the first night stop in Mora, a lovely city in Dalarna, most famous for the Mora Vasaloppet ski race. We actually stayed at a hostel (vandrahem) that is on the line for the race. This was Easter week and apparently quiet in comparison as we were the only people inhabiting the entire hostel. It was great!! After a long car ride, the girls could run up and down the long hallway to burn off energy while we cooked tacos for dinner in the communal kitchen. Off to bed, we realized we had only brought 2 sets of sheets--enough for the girls. Luckily for Mattias and I, Ingrid had ironed and packed two tablecloths so we used those as bed sheets!
The next day we made it to Kolåsen by around 2:30 in the afternoon which gave us time to dig into the cabin since there we many feet of snow surrounding it and to unpack. The girls immediately put on their snow gear and headed outside, which for the most part of the week, is where they spent their time. The cabin sits on a hill which during the summertime is covered with wildflowers. In winter it's snow-racer, skier wonderland! We all enjoyed a bit of something whether cross country skiing, taking wild rides down hill on the spark (kick-sled), or as in Hanna's case, being pulled in the pulka, the same one Mattias rode in as a child. We spent Easter at the cabin and enjoyed a hefty meal washed down by snaps and a sweet marzipan freshly prepared by Ingrid and the girls for dessert. Mattias even took some relaxing time hemming his pants on the sewing machine.
We were not done with vacation yet. The tail end of the trip required a visit to Stockholm for Mattias' Great Uncle's 80th birthday party. Ingrid and Mattias' Dad's cousin, Gudrun, stayed in the apartment and our family stayed at a surprisingly nice vandrahem in the Söder section of Stockholm, just a short walk from the gathering being held the following day. We had pizza at Carl Axel and Åsa's on Friday night and we had time to stroll around Saturday morning before the party. Liv wanted some new pants as a sudden growth spurt has made her pants in to "floods"--something she was not too happy about. After the party we had the car packed and drove again a couple of hours to Ingrid's family farm where we spent the night at her house there. Up the next morning to look at a 250 year old army officer's farm that sits on some family land and needs work and TLC. Because of it's age and historic status it can't be torn down so could be considered a project for someone. Despite the mouse droppings inside, it sure was charming with the little house, small barn and playhouse. Hmmm?
We arrived back to Gbg. Sunday night and got ready for the week ahead. Mattias took this past week off to do some home projects and work and the girls and I got back into the school routine. At the end of the week, today, we officially bought the home we've been waiting to buy! It was the easiest process I've seen as Mattias literally signed only about 4 documents. This week he was already working with the carpenter to start some remodeling--this job yesterday was opening up a wall for french doors from our guest bedroom to the lr/dr area. I dropped Liv and Hanna off at their Grandma's for the weekend and since we have agreed on colors, I will start painting tomorrow. With any luck, we'll move in May.
So, the girls are with Grandma, Mattias is at the other house and I've just finished a frozen vegetarian falafel with chickpeas, a glass of 3.5% beer and a taste of chocolate pudding. Swedes have this fascination with sing-a-long show so I am watching a fairly good edition of one now after the Simpsons just wrapped up.
Think Spring!
Carrie
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Bubbling with Swedish
Hello,
It's the end of another week and today is Saturday. Hanna has her 5th birthday tomorrow and we got home later this afternoon after her kiddie party at a local play place-- the kind with climbing structures and special room for the party food etc. She had 5 of her friends from school invited plus an older cousin and Liv for a total of 8. We enjoyed the afternoon and while it can be pricey to do these things, it sure makes it nice when we don't have to cook, clean and plan and then clean up after it all! Considering our living situation now, there weren't many party options for a small group of wild ones....
Mattias cooked salmon and baked potatoes tonight. We ate the fruit salad and chocolate cupcakes leftover from the party for dessert. He is getting the girls ready for bed as they are wired and tired from the day. Tonight is the finale of the Melodifestivalan--a kind of European contest that will decide who is the most entertaining singer/performer in Europe. Tonight Sweden is deciding their candidate. I haven't watched before but might consider it entertaining to check it out.
Both Mattias and I had a busy week. He was in Uppsala for two nights. He enjoyed a corporate team building event with an evening of go-karting. Little did his team know that he was a former go-kart racer while growing up so this event was just up his alley! Back home to settle more things on our pending new house. We got in there this week to remove some more items from the house and garage, vacuum, and absorb the atmosphere. We discovered new things about the house and took some more look/see's to get the work ideas in place. We are doing some verbal problem solving and hope to get it in place quickly once we settle the financials of owning the place.
I had a great week at school and as they say in Swedish, "Min huvud är bubblar med Svenska"!-- or my head is bubbling with Swedish! The program is really fantastic for three reasons-the method they use at the Kungsbacka Komvux called Suggestopedi; our teacher who is a bundle of energy; and lastly, the classmates. We are all gelling now and have a fun time while learning Swedish. I have been lunching with the Americans/Australians and Romanians, but lately enjoyed a girl's lunch with Yvonne, from East Germany and Farida from Russia. We tease Farida as the "Swedish police" as she enforces that we must speak Swedish while in class and out on breaks. She calls herself "Little Stalin". Another day I broke away from the American and Australian group to have lunch with the Asian ladies from China and Thailand. It is very interesting to hear people's background stories and learn why and how they got to Sweden.
Tomorrow we have a family meal as both Hanna and cousin Linus share the same birthday. He is turning 7 years. It was suggested that I bring calico baked beans and coleslaw to share with the bbq chix and spareribs. There was rumour of some sort of Princess Torta for dessert. Yummy!
More later,
Carrie
It's the end of another week and today is Saturday. Hanna has her 5th birthday tomorrow and we got home later this afternoon after her kiddie party at a local play place-- the kind with climbing structures and special room for the party food etc. She had 5 of her friends from school invited plus an older cousin and Liv for a total of 8. We enjoyed the afternoon and while it can be pricey to do these things, it sure makes it nice when we don't have to cook, clean and plan and then clean up after it all! Considering our living situation now, there weren't many party options for a small group of wild ones....
Mattias cooked salmon and baked potatoes tonight. We ate the fruit salad and chocolate cupcakes leftover from the party for dessert. He is getting the girls ready for bed as they are wired and tired from the day. Tonight is the finale of the Melodifestivalan--a kind of European contest that will decide who is the most entertaining singer/performer in Europe. Tonight Sweden is deciding their candidate. I haven't watched before but might consider it entertaining to check it out.
Both Mattias and I had a busy week. He was in Uppsala for two nights. He enjoyed a corporate team building event with an evening of go-karting. Little did his team know that he was a former go-kart racer while growing up so this event was just up his alley! Back home to settle more things on our pending new house. We got in there this week to remove some more items from the house and garage, vacuum, and absorb the atmosphere. We discovered new things about the house and took some more look/see's to get the work ideas in place. We are doing some verbal problem solving and hope to get it in place quickly once we settle the financials of owning the place.
I had a great week at school and as they say in Swedish, "Min huvud är bubblar med Svenska"!-- or my head is bubbling with Swedish! The program is really fantastic for three reasons-the method they use at the Kungsbacka Komvux called Suggestopedi; our teacher who is a bundle of energy; and lastly, the classmates. We are all gelling now and have a fun time while learning Swedish. I have been lunching with the Americans/Australians and Romanians, but lately enjoyed a girl's lunch with Yvonne, from East Germany and Farida from Russia. We tease Farida as the "Swedish police" as she enforces that we must speak Swedish while in class and out on breaks. She calls herself "Little Stalin". Another day I broke away from the American and Australian group to have lunch with the Asian ladies from China and Thailand. It is very interesting to hear people's background stories and learn why and how they got to Sweden.
Tomorrow we have a family meal as both Hanna and cousin Linus share the same birthday. He is turning 7 years. It was suggested that I bring calico baked beans and coleslaw to share with the bbq chix and spareribs. There was rumour of some sort of Princess Torta for dessert. Yummy!
More later,
Carrie
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Weekend in Stockholm
Mattias and I are rounding out our trip to Stockholm this weekend without the girls who are with Farmor. We are here for part business, mostly leisure. Mattias and I took off to attend a special event for Astrid Sylwan, an up and coming artist (but pretty well established) who has received a significant stipend to travel to New York City for a month to meet other artists and absorb the culture for inspiration. Or at least that's what I think you'd do with a stipend! The stipend was from Carl-Axel's foundation and was presented by Carl-Axel and the artist, Peter Dahl. Peter is a modern day Picasso (literally), and between he and Astrid, it made for an interesting evening to be surrounded by such talent!
Friday and Saturday, Mattias and I had free days. We are staying at Carl-Axel's pied a terre overlooking the city. We got to sleep in and take a coffee and late breakfast in the apartment. On Friday we spent time exploring Södermalm neighborhood where the apartment is located then to dinner at Carl-Axel and Åsa's house some blocks away. We ended the evening by going to a great little British Pub just a couple blocks the opposite direction of the apartment. We thought we got a good bargain on a pint of lager for a little over $10.00 a pint! Saturday, today, we got up and took to the town by foot. Our first destination was Svensk Tenn and it took some time to wind our way out of Soder, through Gamla Stan, past the royal palace and up and down the path by the water. It was a busy shopping day in Stockholm and as suspected, Svensk Tenn was packed with visitors fawning over the ever lovely Josef Frank designs. We had a great time window shopping and rested our legs by having a delicious Lebanese lunch. We took the Tunnelbana back to the apartment and picked up Carl-Axel to go to a building supply store that had a number of kitchen and bathroom exhibits for inspiration. Later in the evening we walked back to CA's house and had dinner, this time joined by Ulla-Britt.
Sunday we'll head toward home but first stop and visit a Herrgård that Mattias' Uncle is interested in purchasing. They want our opinion on the property so we are happy to help out. After, we'll continue driving and try to visit Mattias' Mormor, (Grandmother), and have a coffee and some treats perhaps.
This week Mattias will be back in Uppsala for work and I will have child duty alone for a couple of days plus back to school on Monday for myself.
More later,
Carrie
Friday and Saturday, Mattias and I had free days. We are staying at Carl-Axel's pied a terre overlooking the city. We got to sleep in and take a coffee and late breakfast in the apartment. On Friday we spent time exploring Södermalm neighborhood where the apartment is located then to dinner at Carl-Axel and Åsa's house some blocks away. We ended the evening by going to a great little British Pub just a couple blocks the opposite direction of the apartment. We thought we got a good bargain on a pint of lager for a little over $10.00 a pint! Saturday, today, we got up and took to the town by foot. Our first destination was Svensk Tenn and it took some time to wind our way out of Soder, through Gamla Stan, past the royal palace and up and down the path by the water. It was a busy shopping day in Stockholm and as suspected, Svensk Tenn was packed with visitors fawning over the ever lovely Josef Frank designs. We had a great time window shopping and rested our legs by having a delicious Lebanese lunch. We took the Tunnelbana back to the apartment and picked up Carl-Axel to go to a building supply store that had a number of kitchen and bathroom exhibits for inspiration. Later in the evening we walked back to CA's house and had dinner, this time joined by Ulla-Britt.
Sunday we'll head toward home but first stop and visit a Herrgård that Mattias' Uncle is interested in purchasing. They want our opinion on the property so we are happy to help out. After, we'll continue driving and try to visit Mattias' Mormor, (Grandmother), and have a coffee and some treats perhaps.
This week Mattias will be back in Uppsala for work and I will have child duty alone for a couple of days plus back to school on Monday for myself.
More later,
Carrie
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Weekend happenings
I'm sitting in bed typing this blog and planning to hit the hay early tonight. A friend and I took the train in to Göteborg last night to meet up with 22 other English speaking moms and Mattias drove into the city to pick us up late. We met at a Thai restauarant on Vasagatan and enjoyed a delicious build your own meal buffet. There were four of us whose kids go to the same school and another gal I had previously met for coffee so I knew a few people, but the rest I met for the first time. We are all English speakers and for the most part, married to Swedes, although there were a couple of Swedish natives who lived in the U.S. It was another cultural affair with ladies from England, Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Australia, Canada and the U.S.
Last night, Liv went to a pajama birthday party for a school friend and had a nice time. Hanna stayed home with Mattias and had an evening with cousins while their folks were also out on the town. It was a gorgeous sunny day today. The cousins slept overnight and Mattias cooked an American pancake breakfast with bacon and real maple syrup. Afterwards, the kids played outside on a newly discovered area around the house. Hanna had a play date with a friend and Liv went home with Linus and Johan for more playing. I met the parents of Hanna's friend and had a coffee at their house before leaving Hanna, and then joined Mattias at our potential new home. Mattias and his friends were at Rolf's house divvying up more of his household belongings. It is getting emptier and now we can see better the work we will need to do to get it to our liking, get an idea of furniture placement etc. We are still sooooo excited about moving in and can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I have asked the neighbor to help me with the garden. Rolf was a master gardener so I have big shoes to fill and don't think I can do it on my own. If I understood her correctly, Ulla told me that when the birch trees begin to form buds is when I can prune the rose bushes...oh, so much to think about and the work will follow!
We have another busy week ahead but Mattias and I will take some days together in Stockholm at the end of the week. I will share more about that later.
Off to sleep,
Carrie
Last night, Liv went to a pajama birthday party for a school friend and had a nice time. Hanna stayed home with Mattias and had an evening with cousins while their folks were also out on the town. It was a gorgeous sunny day today. The cousins slept overnight and Mattias cooked an American pancake breakfast with bacon and real maple syrup. Afterwards, the kids played outside on a newly discovered area around the house. Hanna had a play date with a friend and Liv went home with Linus and Johan for more playing. I met the parents of Hanna's friend and had a coffee at their house before leaving Hanna, and then joined Mattias at our potential new home. Mattias and his friends were at Rolf's house divvying up more of his household belongings. It is getting emptier and now we can see better the work we will need to do to get it to our liking, get an idea of furniture placement etc. We are still sooooo excited about moving in and can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I have asked the neighbor to help me with the garden. Rolf was a master gardener so I have big shoes to fill and don't think I can do it on my own. If I understood her correctly, Ulla told me that when the birch trees begin to form buds is when I can prune the rose bushes...oh, so much to think about and the work will follow!
We have another busy week ahead but Mattias and I will take some days together in Stockholm at the end of the week. I will share more about that later.
Off to sleep,
Carrie
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