This is so sweet and hilarious.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Saying goodbye
We left for Stockholm about an hour ago and said "see you soon" to our Swedish family. It is so hard to leave after our two weeks together. I've been looking at photos on the train and reliving the memories feeling so grateful for the warm welcome and experiences. We have been able to experience Swedish culture in a way that few tourists are able from preparing and participating in midsommer celebrations, baking tunn brod, going to a fabod for a family party, picnicking in the forest, hiking the mountain, visiting homes, making pizza in the bake house and just being welcomed into family life. Everyone, but especially Mats, Sara and Karin, cleared their schedules to create a schedule that was both relaxing and full.
Sweden is beautiful. We felt like we were in a living museum as the people keep the best of the past alive while embracing the new. The wild flowers were like nothing I've seen before but yet it was also so familiar. I can see why our ancestors chose to immigrate to Minnesota. The land is much like Minnesota. I walked on the island in and took in all the red and white buildings, log structure older than our country, the flowers, rolling hills, cows, and counted my blessings for the experience.
I spent my last day on the island taking in more of the experience. Mats introduced us to his cows. He has such a special relationship with them. He calls them, they lift up their heads one by one and come running. They line up as they reach him and he greets each one. Yes, they are raised as beef cattle but they are happy and loved while they live. He also showed us how his wood chip furnace works. He heats multiple houses through this system and as a forest farmer, he usable to use unsellable wood as wood chips.
Sara and Karin made a delicious farewell dinner and brought it to our home where we sat out on the porch enjoying the evening.
Karin and Sara
Mats and Gunnell
We made our last trek to Magnus and Karin's porch where the kids were waiting to spend some time. We played a number of games together teased and laughed in a way that it didn't matter who spoke English or Swedish, and we made plans for future visits. We sat on the porch a couple of times each day, using their wifi to check email and posting blog entries. Often this turned into a time for coffee or wine.
At the train station.
So what will I take away? There is always time for family, in fact we need to make time for family. My ancestors were tough, hardworking people who lived simply and with great tradition. There is always time for coffee.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sweden is beautiful. We felt like we were in a living museum as the people keep the best of the past alive while embracing the new. The wild flowers were like nothing I've seen before but yet it was also so familiar. I can see why our ancestors chose to immigrate to Minnesota. The land is much like Minnesota. I walked on the island in and took in all the red and white buildings, log structure older than our country, the flowers, rolling hills, cows, and counted my blessings for the experience.
I spent my last day on the island taking in more of the experience. Mats introduced us to his cows. He has such a special relationship with them. He calls them, they lift up their heads one by one and come running. They line up as they reach him and he greets each one. Yes, they are raised as beef cattle but they are happy and loved while they live. He also showed us how his wood chip furnace works. He heats multiple houses through this system and as a forest farmer, he usable to use unsellable wood as wood chips.
Sara and Karin made a delicious farewell dinner and brought it to our home where we sat out on the porch enjoying the evening.
Karin and Sara
Mats and Gunnell
We made our last trek to Magnus and Karin's porch where the kids were waiting to spend some time. We played a number of games together teased and laughed in a way that it didn't matter who spoke English or Swedish, and we made plans for future visits. We sat on the porch a couple of times each day, using their wifi to check email and posting blog entries. Often this turned into a time for coffee or wine.
At the train station.
So what will I take away? There is always time for family, in fact we need to make time for family. My ancestors were tough, hardworking people who lived simply and with great tradition. There is always time for coffee.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Photo essay
We have been busy shopping, visiting, drinking coffee and soaking up every bit of Solleron before we say goodbye on Friday morning. Here are some photos with very little commentary since it is late. I forgot my camera today when we make tunn brod so I used my phone camera and can't get the photos on my iPad without an Internet connection. I usually write the posts late at night and post them in the morning from Magnus and Karin's deck.
Shopping in Mora.
Not all mine!
No comment needed. Yum!!!!
Genealogy work.
Seriously stunning. I couldn't stop taking photos.
We all can use a Frida shot.
Coffee at Karin's.
The Solleron school lunch room where local food is home cooked and served. Tablecloths!
The elementary school wood craft shop. There are power tools!
Meeting Ole, my mom's second cousin, his daughter, Ann Marie and her husband Anders.
I am feeling so sad about saying goodbye to this place that feels so much like home. I miss my family but I will leave a part of my heart here as well. Tomorrow is our last full day in Solleron.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Shopping in Mora.
Not all mine!
No comment needed. Yum!!!!
Genealogy work.
Seriously stunning. I couldn't stop taking photos.
We all can use a Frida shot.
Coffee at Karin's.
The Solleron school lunch room where local food is home cooked and served. Tablecloths!
The elementary school wood craft shop. There are power tools!
Meeting Ole, my mom's second cousin, his daughter, Ann Marie and her husband Anders.
I am feeling so sad about saying goodbye to this place that feels so much like home. I miss my family but I will leave a part of my heart here as well. Tomorrow is our last full day in Solleron.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, June 25, 2012
Party at the fabod
Mats threw a terrific party today at his fabod. He invited family and friends along with some musician friends. Unfortunately we had our first day of heavy rain but they prepared for it with a large tent. The Swedes have a saying that there is no bad weather, only bad clothes.
Magnus and Frida making a fire.
Elin with the maypole bread.
The horn is blown to start the festivities.
The music was so entertaining. I like the photo of Mats below.
I got a huge surprise when Mats began talking and mentioned a special event, one that occurred a few months ago when someone turned 50. It turns out that that someone was me! Everyone stood and I sat, as is tradition, and everyone sang three birthday songs to me accompanied by the musicians. It was so much fun. Two scrumptious strawberry tortes came out after with my name on them! I couldn't have been more surprised or delighted.
Sara, Baba and ___ shared more information about the traditional costume and how it's made and changed and stayed the same over time. Itwas fascinating. They are passionate about their culture and sharing it.
What a lovely hike to the outhouse.
After the party, Mats brought us deeper into the woods where we came upon this cabin. The building was built by my great- great grandfather and moved to this location by Mats. The door has an insignia for my great- great grandfather along with the family symbol. Svarf is a family name and the symbol at the end is the family symbol.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Magnus and Frida making a fire.
Elin with the maypole bread.
The horn is blown to start the festivities.
The music was so entertaining. I like the photo of Mats below.
I got a huge surprise when Mats began talking and mentioned a special event, one that occurred a few months ago when someone turned 50. It turns out that that someone was me! Everyone stood and I sat, as is tradition, and everyone sang three birthday songs to me accompanied by the musicians. It was so much fun. Two scrumptious strawberry tortes came out after with my name on them! I couldn't have been more surprised or delighted.
Sara, Baba and ___ shared more information about the traditional costume and how it's made and changed and stayed the same over time. Itwas fascinating. They are passionate about their culture and sharing it.
What a lovely hike to the outhouse.
After the party, Mats brought us deeper into the woods where we came upon this cabin. The building was built by my great- great grandfather and moved to this location by Mats. The door has an insignia for my great- great grandfather along with the family symbol. Svarf is a family name and the symbol at the end is the family symbol.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
A day of rest
We took today to rest. Taking the day slowly was just what we needed, time to go for a walk, do laundry, read and call home. Judy and I walked around the island.
Later, we went to Lars and Sara's home for dinner. We started dinner inside and moved outside for dessert. Sara is a talented cook.
Sara is a textile artist. You can see the large loom behind her. She dyes wool to create intricate weavings and also embroiders and sews traditional costumes. Here she shows us the detail on the men's shirt.
This one is from the history museum but Sara's work is just as intricate.
Midnight at Malmborg.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Later, we went to Lars and Sara's home for dinner. We started dinner inside and moved outside for dessert. Sara is a talented cook.
Sara is a textile artist. You can see the large loom behind her. She dyes wool to create intricate weavings and also embroiders and sews traditional costumes. Here she shows us the detail on the men's shirt.
This one is from the history museum but Sara's work is just as intricate.
Midnight at Malmborg.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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