Christmas Markets and Other Stuff

Hej,

I have promised to tell you about the Swedish Christmas Markets and other things Christmas here in Sweden.

First, we had our first snow today.  Actually it was quite beautiful, but Mother Nature cannot decide today if it is snowing, raining or the sun shining.  We have had all three multiple times so far today and it is only 2:30.

Side Yard with Snow

Back Yard with Snow

On to the Christmas Markets.  We had plans to attend Christmas Markets over the last couple of weekends along with going to Malmo for some Christmas shopping, but the weather has not been cooperative at all.  We were going to head to Malmo this past Saturday, but it was again another horrible rain/wind storm.  So we stayed close to home and went to a Glögg party.  Unfortunately, everyone cancelled due to the weather, so David and I were the only ones in attendance at our friend, Carmen's house.  Carmen had warm glögg with raisins and almonds and she made homemade Luccekatter's (A pastry with saffron made specifically this time of year for St. Lucia Day which is celebrated on the 13th of December)  All of this is normal Swedish Christmas traditions.  Here is a picture of the cakes:

David and I have learned that our idea of Christmas Markets are much different than what we are experiencing here.  David and I went to another Christmas Market on Sunday.  It was located again in a beautiful spot along a river in a town called Gemla, about an hour from our house towards Växjö.  The place is called Gransholm Herrgård.  A large house that has been turned into an antique shop.  Each room was set up nicely in a Christmas theme.  I would give you a link, but it is all in Swedish.  I did take some pictures to share with you:

The front of Gransholm Herrgärd



Nativity Scene



Second half of Nativity Scene

Christmas Table









There was some cheese to buy and some robes and scarves, but really nothing else.  We are really used to the Kristkindlmarkt in Chicago where they had homemade crafts, food, pastries, candy, etc. Really, this is what we have been expecting.  The Christmas Markets here are in beautiful places, but they are not a place to go and buy many Christmas gifts.

I was mixed up last week on the date of the Christmas Market in Älmhult, so it is this coming Wednesday in our town square.  I will let you know how it is and if it is any different.

At this point, I am not sure what we are going to do next weekend, but hopefully, it will be something fun and I can report on it to you.

Also, I had a meeting today and if all goes well, it looks as if I may be teaching English starting in January.  So please keep your fingers crossed!  My Swedish lessons are going well.

Have a wonderful day and I will check in with you again soon!

Love,

Bridgette

Taco Story

Hej,

I know you are all are expecting some Christmas Market stories and updates, well those are coming later this week.  So I thought I would brighten your day with a taco story.  No, I have not burned any taco meat lately, just a funny/interesting story.

So, a few weeks back when I was working at IKEA my friend, Hanna, asked what we had for dinner the night before.  Not thinking anything about it, I replied, "We had tacos."  Then she asked, What did you have on your tacos?"  I was thinking to myslef, this is a strange question.  I dutifully answered, "We had cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.  David did not want any chopped onions, but sometimes we have onions."  Hanna looked at my strangely and I wondered why.  She explained to me that they (her and everyone she knows) eat tacos with red onions and cucumber.  I then looked at her strangely.  I had never heard of eating cucumbers on my tacos!  A couple of weeks later, I was telling my Swedish teacher this story and how strange I thought it was.  She then proceeded to tell me that the kids in Sweden think that tacos are a Swedish thing, not from Mexico or Latin America.  I understand this comes from their parents cooking tacos for them on Friday nights because it is easy.  No one has ever told them where tacos originated.

David and I have been laughing about this story a lot, one, because we think that having cucumbers on your tacos is a bit different and two, because the Swedes eat cucumbers on everything!  Yesterday, I was at the story buying some frozen corn and I came upon this package:

Yes, it says that it is perfect for tacos!  I am perfectly sure that corn on tacos and cucumbers is really good, but it is just funny thinking about going to Taco Bell and getting a taco with cucumber and corn!  See, it things are quite the same, but different in other parts of the world!  When we moved here and I first went to the grocery store, I was quite impressed with their Tex/Mex selection and quite surprised that they had taco shells, flour tortillas and tortilla chips.  I thought for sure that we were entering a worldly society, but little did I know that many think Tex/Mex is Swedish!

This is probably not as funny to you - but I hope that you find it at least interesting.

I promise, the Christmas Market stuff is coming in the next couple of days!

Adios,
Bridgette