Sweden: And Lusting for Scandinavian Design of all Kinds

Need I say more? My amateurish pictures say it all.  Simply exquisite.

Sweden: And Eating Like a Swede

So, there is the food that one buys at Ikea that passes itself off for Swedish. And then there is authentic Swedish food, like we ate for 2 weeks on our recent, wonderful sojourn in Scandinavia.

First, our dear Easter host, Margareta, made the most amazing Easter feast.  Ham, smoked reindeer, herring of all sorts, potatoes with dill, delicious eggs topped with tiny shrimp.  My mouth is watering just thinking of it now.  Not to mention that the company was wonderful!

And then, of course, there is the fika, that very special Swedish way to go for coffee and a pastry.

And did I mention the fried herring with potatoes and lingonberries? Like the kind that Abby and I ate sitting out on a cold but sunny day in a courtyard surrounded by hip Swedes, as we happened upon an amazing "food truck" (Swedish style).

Oh, do I miss Swedish food.

Sweden: And an Amazing 2 Weeks in Scandinavia

Where to begin?  Where to tell the story of our wonderful 2 weeks in Scandinavia?

Perhaps I'll start with the snowmobiling...and dog sledding. The shrieks of delight from all of us as our young huskies took off across the snowy tundra and we laughed and laughed.

Racing off in our snowmobiles across large white patches, with beautiful mountains in the distance.

And stopping at a Sami tent for coffee, tea and such yummy Swedish cinnamon buns.

And finally, Abby and Stefan interaction with the dogs and puppies with such delight.

Just one of the highlights from our trip north of the Arctic Circle.....oh so cold, but oh so amazing.

DC: And Planning our trip to...Sweden

The countdown is officially on.....

We're going to Sweden for the kids' spring break and I am more excited as the departure date nears.  Of course, I love planning such adventures and have been in delight finding amazing hotels, like the Nobis in Stockholm.  Or a country manor house half way between Gothenburg and Stockholm, where we are stopping for one night.

What I am most excited about is the Swedish design "candy" that awaits.  Fabrics. Clothing. Lighting.  I'm practically giddy with excitement after reading about a few such places in this Conde Nast Traveler article.

DC: And thoughts of...Paris

On a particularly frustrating dat at work last February, I went on the Delta Airlines website.  I quickly discovered that I could fly to Paris. For only 30,00 miles.  A phone call to my husband and a click later, our April trip to Paris was hatched.

What a trip it was.

Abby and I took off late on a Friday evening from Dulles.  The next morning, we were in Paris and enchanted by our tiny fifth floor walk up apartment in the the heart of Le Marais.  We proceeded to eat, drink and walk our way across Paris that week, giggling like two old girlfriends when it literally poured on our heads late one evening gazing up at the Le Tour Eiffel.  Chatting like two old friends over a late night dinner and an amazing prune dessert.  Delighting in sleeping in and opening our tall windows to gaze upon the city slowly waking up far below. 

Looking back on that special experience, I marvel at the fun we had. 

But also at the Paris that my daughter captured in some 300 images. Here are just a few that I thought I'd share with you. 

DC: Calling all Foodies

Oh, it was all it was cracked up to be. All that was written about it.  All I had been told.

I finally made it to Union Market today, described by Food and Wine as a step above Eastern Market and that it certainly was.  A fine blue sky over the imposing white lettered sign seemed to say welcome.

Wine and cheese flights at a sleek bar? A butcher devoted to fine cuts of lamb from Virginia? An oyster bar, Rappahanock, serving up what appeared to be oysters and much more?

The space is sleek and modern and teeming with 20 and 30 somethings. (Note: I didn't see a kid in sight, other than my 9 year old).

Several yummy cheeses, a baguette and 3 pounds of lamb chops later, I emerged.  Today, I'm still smiling thinking about this little food jewel in my city.

DC: And Thoughts of Spring

Today, was the kind of day that put a spring in your step.  Looking out the window, I saw daffodils coming up in our backyard. And on the way to the gym, it was so sunny we had to squint as Stefan dashed off on his scooter to rock climb.  I had to think of whether I had put sunscreen on; something I hadn't worried about for months.

There is almost no city better than D.C. in the spring when streets are crowded with tourists anticipating the cherry blossoms. When people come out to Eastern Market to buy organic vegetables and so much more.  When the sunlight hits the row houses on Capitol Hill making them all even more majestic than usual.

Spring brings out the colorful in all of us.  Doesn't it?