Happy Thursday,
When I came to visit Älmhult last June, we went to a local restaurant called Sorellos. They served, on each table family style, this "salad" concoction that to me looked like sauerkraut. Well, I tasted it and yes it was made out of cabbage and had vinegar on it. but it was crunchy and not soft and limp like sauerkraut. I did not think much about it and just thought it was something that was served at this restaurant.
When I came back in August, we had lunch at another local restaurant, Jacobs, and come to find out they have individual servings of it in the refrigerated case where you get your drinks. I was a bit amazed by this because I grew up in an Italian family where we have garden salads all the time, even with our pizza. I was wondering how come I could not get just a regular salad. By the way, this salad is always included with your meal, so you do not pay any extra for it. I do not know the exact name of this "salad", so I am no help there.
So one day, I was at the grocery store and guess what I found in the refrigerated case - "Pizza Sallad". Here is a picture of the "salad" in the package and out of the package.
Honestly, it does not taste bad, it is pretty good and it does add some crunch to your meal. This is just one of the different things that I have found in Sweden.
I am still on the lookout for some new things to share with you.
Love,
Bridgette
Hej,
After so many weeks of dreay, rainy, cloudy, windy weather on Sunday the sun came out! It still has been a bit windy, but when there is warmth it is much nicer. What a difference it makes with everything!
The sun is now coming up at 4:30 in the morning, but it gets lighter before that. The sun is now setting at 9:30 in the evening. This makes for some really long days, which make up for the short days of winter.
Allison had her baby on Sunday, it was a boy! We are very happy for her and Shane!
On Saturday, David and I took a train ride to Lund. We had a very nice day of shopping, sight-seeing and lunch at O'Leary's. With all the time David had spent here on prior to us moving here, he had never been to Lund. Lund is a university town, so there is much activity, lots of bicycles and places to go.
We found a wonderful old Cathedral called Lunds Domkyrka. They started building the Cathedral in 1080 and it was finally consecrated in 1145. The whole thing is quite beautiful and very well kept. I believe that the Danes started building it, but this is the area that has switched between Danish and Swedish rule several times over the years. When I got home, I was telling my friend that we had gone to Lund and saw the Cathedral and she told me that she actually was married there. She said they chose that spot because she went to University in Lund and she is Swedish, while her husband is Danish and so they thought it would be a great place to marry because of the history between the countries.
I almost forgot, there is a huge astronomical clock in the Cathedral as well. The clock still plays everyday at 1:00 and 3:00. Click for a virtual tour of the Cathedral and see the clock.
We plan to go back to Lund and do more exploring and sight-seeing. We were technically on our way to see an outdoor museum on the history of the area and Sweden, but the weather was not conducive for being outdoors, like usual it rained!
Take care and have a happy day!
Bridgette
Dear Friends,
I apologize for not writing in the last month. We had visitors from the States. My Mom and Dad came for 5 days and we took them to Copenhagen for a couple of days to meet my brother and they went on to London for 6 more days. It was certainly nice to see them and to spend time with them. We did enjoy taking them to see some of the things that we have found in Sweden.
On Sunday, we will have been in Sweden for 9 months now. Sometimes it feels like the time has gone quickly and other times it feels like it has been a reallllllly long time. Since my parents have left and my temporary contract ended, I have had a hard time. The days are very long and David is busy with his job. Also, since I live in the middle of the forest, there is not much to do. Last week, I made an effort to get out and go into town. Well, let's just say, that I was able to visit 4 clothing stores and the grocery store and I was home in less than an hour. In Houston, that would at least take up the morning and then some.
I have been trying to keep busy by knitting and I have made three tote bags (one for me and two for gifts). However, right now it is hard because my daughter is due to have a baby on the 23rd of May, which is next week and my niece had her baby early. I wish I could be there to be of help to them, rather than sitting at home knitting and watching Mad Men. I have finished the first two seasons and will start season 3 soon. I am amazed that I have the time to watch and catch up with many of the shows I was not able to watch due to lack of time in the States.
We did go to the movies 2 weeks ago to see A Royal Affair. Unfortunately, the movie was in Danish and then had Swedish subtitles. We did not stay. Luckily, we are able to save our stubs and we will go see The Dictator tonight. No, the movies are nothing alike, but our choices are very limited here.
David is off to Germany next week. So, next week will be quite long. I did make plans with my Swedish teacher to spend the day with her on Tuesday in Växjö. I am looking forward to seeing where she lives and meeting her new puppy.
The weather has not been so good lately. Lots of rain and cloudiness. Yesterday, the 17th was a holiday in Sweden (Ascension Day). Everyone was off of work, but the weather was not good. The sun would come out and 5 minutes later it would be raining. This repeated itself the whole day. Fortunately, we did get out for a quick walk in the evening, but it started to rain before we could get back home. Welcome to Älmhult!
We have made plans for the summer. David has to spend a week in London in June, so I am going to try and go with him for a few days. We are coming back to the States in the middle of July for 10 days. We will be going to Colorado to see our son in Vail and go to the drag races with him and my parents. Then we are going to go to Washington D.C. for 3 days to see Allison and the new baby. In August, we will head to Stockholm for a week of Intensive Swedish lessons. So there is a lot to look forward to!
Sorry, if this blog is not my usual happy self, but I guess you have to know that sometimes, it is a struggle to live abroad and not be able to be close to those you love.
Thank you all for being such great friends and family.
I love you all,
Bridgette
