Gotland Vacation

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed a wonderful time on Gotland with Mattias extended family visiting Carl-Axel and Åsa. Our week was complete with many activities----biking, beaches, eating lamb fresh from the neighbors farm, treating the Swedish folk to their first taste of S'mores to celebrate 4th of July, we drove past several Viking gravesites on the way back from a girl's afternoon out, visited a medieval museum just down the road from Carl Axel's farm; celebrated Eliane's 80th birthday with champagne and a nice meal, relaxing in the sun, playing board games with the girls and their cousins..etc. etc. We really took time to smell the roses, (pun intended as roses were certainly plentiful on the farm and all around the island).

Carrie

Sommarlov

Well, sommarlov, or summer break, really began a few weeks ago when the kids were finished with school but since I've been back in Sweden after my trip to the U.S., the weather has only today felt like summer. Finally, sunshine and blue skies so the girls and I took a trip to the beach. It was still a bit fresh in the water so only Liv went swimming as she loves cooler water. The girls did some crabbing and the usual sand digging before we came back home again. Mattias is suffering from a cold or flu type thing. He picked up some bug from his trip to Florida and has not been well since returning so he did not join us today. After we got back home, Liv was relaxing watching a Hanna Montana video and came to tell us a bird had flown in the house. Sure enough... I wasn't going to touch it so Mattias tried to coax it out. Finally, after banging the windows a few times, the bird found the door. Poor thing sat on the ledge heart just beating wildly and beak open wide--scared to death. Then if flew off. I'd hate to see it collapse on the patio! We don't have window screens in Sweden unless you fashion some up yourself so that is why the bird got in the house in the first place.
We are getting ready for our annual trip to Gotland. This time we'll be joined by brother Jens and family and Grandma Ingrid. We'll take the 5 hour car ride across the country to the East coast and then take the speed ferry for about 3 hours before arriving in Visby. Then we'll hop back in the cars and drive about an hour to south of Hemse. It will be a long day but the girls will have cousins to play with on the ferry so time should go fast. We'll stay on the island for a week which is just perfect. I just checked the weather report (I'm all about weather these days.) and it looks like rain for the first two days at least. Well, there are plenty of things to do on Gotland and since we'll be staying at Mattias' Great Uncle's place, plenty of exploring just around the farm. I'll take pictures!
So it's July and most Swedes are beginning their 4-6 weeks of summer vacation-- Mattias one of them. We are looking forward to many activities on the time off and are looking forward to house guests after we return from Gotland.

More later,
Carrie

Windfall is Coming to Sweden!

We had toyed with the idea of keeping Windfall in Northern WI but decided to ship her back to her original home, Sweden. Mattias finally got the shipping company nailed down and a confirmed shipping schedule. He flew to Ft. Pierce and met Windfall at the marina where he left her in January '08. The first picture shows her being lifted from storage on the way to being set back into water. Lucky for Mattias he was able to get her back in the ICW a couple of days earlier than planned. The marina lift operators were in training and used Windfall as their guinea pig! No catastrophes and Mattias was able to push off on Saturday. The first night he docked in Nettles Island, FL. The weather was beastly hot in the 90's and similar percentage humid, with afternoon storms everyday. Standing at the marina dock in Nettles Island, Mattias and others spotted this twister some ways out in the water. Most everyone stood watching and then wondered if they should seek shelter---like under the tiki hut! It was 5 o'clock somewhere--there--- and the boaters must have been one or two too many Mai Tai's not to get the heck out. But the storm passed and Mattias got a nice photo.

The next several nights Mattias was joined by buddy Ted from MN. He flew down to lend a hand and offer company. They travelled from Sunday-Tuesday night and landed in Dania Beach close to Port Everglades as a final stopping point. Tuesday alone they had 20 bridges to get through. Other than that, pretty uneventful with close to zero sailboats out and some rude powerboaters making huge wakes, knocking Windfall with Ted and Mattias aside. Both guys had their share of heat and humidity with drenched clothes during the day and decided to skip the last two nights aboard in favor of a/c, a cool shower and a hotel. Next day Mattias got her ready for shipment in July. On Thursday, both Ted and Mattias headed their separate ways after a fun journey.

A local FL captain will see that Windfall gets aboard in July for her shipment to Kalundborg, Denmark. The boat will arrive there the end of July and Mattias and friends will sail her over to us.

Happy Sailing!

Carrie

Midsommar Weekend

I had a terrific time in the U.S., first time without husband and kids. This gave me the devoted opportunity to spend time with family, a few friends, travel to Utah for Bev and David's wedding, return to MN to spend time for my nephew's college graduation and my sister's birthday and of course, little league games. It was very busy. Week two I spent with my sister who was now on vacation. I also had lots of time to shop and did so until money ran out! As things are generally more expensive in Sweden than in the U.S, I bought many clothes for myself and for Liv who has outgrown everything, and also lot's of birthday gifts for the girls to give to friends. Luckily I had those in my bag as when I came home, Mattias said Hanna had two parties the next day. He hadn't done any gift prep. What else did I buy...hmmm, dvd's (although the girls can't appreciate Jack Black's humor in Schoolhouse Rock--he was kind of frightening to them); kids workbooks; suncream although we don't need it as the weather is bad and various foodstuff like Ghirardelli chocolate chips, maple syrup; brown sugar; vanilla and salad dressing. So I was over the luggage weight limit but by being nice and friendly, plus a decent tip, I saved myself $150.00 with the nice curbside baggage check man.

So I came home to Sweden and the next morning, Mattias left for work on the other side of Sweden. A few nights later he came home for one night and left for Florida to travel with our sailboat, Windfall, and get her to Ft. Lauderdale to be prepped for shipment over to Denmark. He arrived in Florida on Thursday, spent one night in Ft. Pierce. Lucky for him it was the weekend. The marina crew was training so they could use our boat as an experiment and got Windfall into the water a couple days earlier than planned. She was dry inside and not a scratch outside. That really took the edge off Mattias and he was able to get a 2 day early head start down the IntraCoastal to Ft. Lauderdale. His buddy Ted is flying in to meet Mattias today and will assist and catch up with each other before Mattias flies home on Thursday. The weather in Florida has been bloody hot with afternoon/evening rain. Mattias said he caught a picture of a funnel cloud twisting some 1/2 mile from shore......Great!

It's summer in Sweden but you wouldn't know it by the weather...rain, rain, and more rain, plus kind of chilly by U.S. standards. The ground is really dry here so I guess I can suffer for the environment! It is also Midsommar weekend, the lightest time of the year in Sweden. With Mattias gone it has been a little quiet...we've been two ships in the night. The girls and I spent Midsommarafton at Mattias' dad's house. A delicious lunch with herring torta, different kinds of herrings; fresh potatoes; home smoked salmon and lax; sliced moose and ham with horseradish cream; little ham and cheese pies; chicken skewers marinated in homemade wine; schnapps; beer and of course, a strawberry and cream tort roll up with raspberry filling. The actual Midsommar day the girls and I went to a manor home for the annual festivities. It was very windy that day but we managed to hang on to our paper plates. Girls ate waffles with whipped cream and jam. We danced around the super tall maypole decorated with birch branches and watched a really good magic show. Back to Jan and Britt Marie's for leftovers!

Then today...it was raining the whole day. I tried to get our bedroom in order as clothes are piled to the ceiling. (With a smaller house we have double duty to keep it neat and tidy. I will have more organizing to do as I brought several more boxes over from Jan and Britt Marie's that we had in the small house there). We have a forest just a few houses away from us with a nice path that folks walk thru, ride or run. The horse trail runs right next to it. At night they light the path so it is a well used trail. We took a break and Hanna took my by the hand and said she knew the way as it was my first time. Sure enough, she led me right to the fire pit area where her dagis goes to during the weeks. We spent a good 2 hours walking and exploring. Came home to go to the grocery store and after I made some soup.

After some late nights up since it is so light out at night, the girls had to hit the hay earlier tonight. It is after 10 p.m. and still light out after all. Both have dagis or fritids tomorrow. I am into the Euro 2008 fotboll (soccer to you) championship. It has been fun to watch as underdogs have won several games. Tonight it is Spain vs. Italy. 78 minutes into the game and 0-0.

More later,
Carrie

Late Spring Update

It's been over a month since I've written. I feel like a sloth for having shirked my duties as writer, but want the dear readers to know that we've really been busy on the home front. We've moved into our new home, are wrapping up school for summer for the girls and for myself as well.
It has been great to move into our home, unpack and find a place for everything. The best part is mostly to have a home to call our own since we left the States in September 2007! We went from sailboat to small cottage to a home. With the gradual step up in living space sizes, I've learned that I can really live with a lot less than what we have. Everything from clothing to toiletries to kitchen wear to just plain STUFF! We paired down before leaving the States and will have to store or get rid of more as we just don't have room for all in our new space. Mattias, (man of many ideas), had the idea to open an antique store which is something worth pondering. We have many antiques, I like to shop at auctions so could be a good fit...we'll see.
The girls are happy to have a place to call their own. Their own newly decorated rooms with all their girly things. I am happy that they are happy in the new home. We have all been sleeping like babies back in our own beds. We feel the stress of moving around has caught up with us and now that we can relax, we are tired! We still have a bit of painting in the hallway to finish up, some trim work to do and the kitchen remodel needs to be finished. Then we can get the mud room laundry organized and so on.. So close, but we'll get there.
The girls are winding down school now. A successful first 5-6 months in Sweden. Both girls have adapted to social and school life in Sweden, are on their way to becoming fluent with the language and like the life here. We couldn't have asked for better school or dagis for Liv and Hanna. Liv was in her class performance with 3 other girls. They did the dance to Superstar for the Kaberet event. Hanna's class has been studying farm animals. Handy the cow farm is just across the road from her dagis and the sheep farm is in walking distance away. Today Hanna was to be a sheep for her performance, end of school thing. Well, Pappa is attending that as I am in the States now for several events. (no, not celebrating first trip alone without kids--well, I did have 3 nights alone once). My nephew is graduating from college, my dear friend is getting married in Utah and my sister has a BIG birthday. So, timing is good! Plus a bonus of getting a bit of time with friends so time will go fast while I am here.
Since I am in the States now, I'll miss my end of school events. Our class is planning a picnic at the beach in Onsala. I'm sorry to miss it as I have made several nice friends from class. I hope to have a little fest at my house this summer anyway so we all can keep in touch. I will continue my Swedish studies in the Fall and learned that I can advance a level now! I will really have to put the pedal to the metal after the summer since we will be focusing a lot more on grammar. It was tricky when I was in Junior High, and tricky now....but a good challenge for me!
Well, I had an odd burst of energy after arriving in MN tonight, but suddenly feel tired and have a craving for PEANUT BUTTER! Think I'll go make myself a piece of toast.

Nighty, night!
Carrie

Sweden celebrates yet another Pagan festival

In preparation for Spring's arrival, the kids at Liv's school had a hat parade where they wore their finest/most unusual hats. They cleaned up the area around the school with trashbags and the like and in the end, had a big bonfire. You will find similar activites in other neighborhoods. Right around now, cleaning days have been established. At our new house last weekend the neighbors were busy picking up Spring trash, sweeping the streets, spurcing up the playground, building fences together etc. This weekend, my father-in-law's neighborhood will host a similar event. Us? We'll be working on our house project. No celebration there yet! Read below, it gives some good history...
Carrie



Valborg - Sweden blazes into springtime

Published: 30 Apr 08 16:00 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/3671/

Winter's over. Summer is just around the corner. That's as good a cause for celebration in Sweden as any, and the revelry on Valborgsmässoafton - Walpurgis Night - on April 30th gets pretty heated.

* Easter - when Sweden's witches come out to play (20 Mar 08)
* The Lowdown: Lucia (12 Dec 07)
* Swedish Christmas treat hit by Iranian harvest (4 Dec 07)

Intensely so, actually, as massive bonfires up and down the country honour an 8th-century German abbess, St. Walpurga, or Valborg in Swedish.

For those of you ready to point out that the Swedish calendar recognizes Valborg on May 1st, keep in mind that as the holiday contains the Swedish word ‘afton’, it is on the eve of Valborg’s Day that things get hot.

Despite its modern links to Christianity, Valborgsmässoafton, which has been celebrated in Sweden since the Middle Ages, is one of two Swedish holidays which still resemble their pre-Christian merrymaking. The other is Midsummer.

The original pagan festival heralded the onset of the growth season. It attempted to ward off evil, ensure fertility and cleanse the land of the dried and dead of winter. Today, it is still the accepted gateway to long and warmer days.

Few modern Swedes know, and even fewer care, much about the origins of the festival. Nevertheless, they cherish it.

Valborg, as it is fondly, and more conveniently, known, calls for a mountainous bonfire and a crowd. These enormous blazes are either organized by the local municipality or neighbourhood.

The larger, municipality-sponsored bonfires have a carnival-like atmosphere. The less flammable neighbourhood fires have a block-party enthusiasm.

Size doesn’t truly matter in a bonfire - you just have to find or ignite one. The imminent spring elates all and the community unites in spirit. Indeed, there's almost a spiritual feel to the gathering.

What happens at a typical Valborg brasa or bonfire? Bundled crowds of optimistic Swedes warm themselves facing the blaze. Mischievous children feed the fire with anything flammable they can drag and toss into the flames.

If you’re lucky you experience a most romantic experience where the crowd sings uplifting odes to the spring as they clutch their Valborg beer. These folksongs bring a nostalgic feel which reminds the outdoorsy Swede that better weather and coveted Swedish summer is soon upon them.

If you’re truly fortunate, this is your opportunity to hear some elderly, yet enthusiastic 'gubbe' - a certain sort of ageing Swedish chap - rally the crowd with his accordion. The rest of the year he is just the old man with the squeezebox, but today he is the music man, the centre of the party.

Valborg is one day - and they are few and far between in the Swedish calendar - when you can grab a strangers hand and skip and sing without recoil.

If you want the wild, student version then make the pilgrimage to Uppsala or Lund, the two biggest university towns in Sweden. Students guarantee your day will be filled with music, joviality and as much beer as you imagine. There are also rumours of nubile bodies rolling down hills. You’ll have to see it to believe it.

Pure tradition oozes at Stockholm's Skansen. The open air museum provides a backdrop of genuine Swedish countryside smack in the middle of downtown Stockholm.

However, the most intimate place to celebrate Valborg is close to home. Check your local newspaper or with your neighbours which local park will be lighting up a bonfire. After a long winter cooped up behind closed doors, a brotherly love extends throughout the neighbourhood.

This is your chance to get to know those people that barely lift their eyes at you the rest of the year. And besides, the old guy's pretty good on that squeezebox.

EA Fondelius (news@thelocal.se)
E

Carrie has a coronary!

Not raised on the metric system, I've had a hard time figuring out the conversion of certain things, and have relied on my husband to translate. Mattias informed me last week after I filled up the car again for over 900 kronor...that we are paying close to $7.00 a gallon for gas!