Sweden 2010 Part 2

It remained pretty chilly while I was there (2-10 degrees F) and I'm always struck how much the trees look like they are out of a fairytale.

Besides playing duets 

and hanging out

we went shopping and visiting.  I was a little put out when my Amex card was declined at the grocery store (where I have used it for the last three years with no problem).  Same thing happened with my Chase Visa.  Thankfully  Tompkins Trust came through - they took my debit card with no problem.

     Debra and Nils look great and have become quite the cooks.  I certainly ate more healthily there than I do at home. She also showed me some of the art she has been doing and we hung up a new ( at least to me) painting which I also forgot to take a picture of.

    One night we all went out to a restaurant for dinner.  It was fun to catch up with Soren and somewhat new to see Debra order fish!  Then it was back to Ami's where I forced everyone to watch our Alaska video.
    Another sign that 'The Times They Are A-Changin'  was brought home when I went into the bank the next morning to convert a couple of old AMEX traveler's checks into SEK.  The teller's first comment was: "this is unusual."  When someone came over to help, they couldn't even find an option in the bank software to process it. .

  This year's new Swedish word was "fika" - visiting for afternoon  coffee.  One day we went over to Andreas and Linda's for fika where I was introduced to (and enjoyed) white chocolate saffron fudge and saffron coffee cake.  Another day Anna came over to Nil's and Debra's with a "tigermatte" (toy tiger rug).  As with most toy's, the box was the real hit.

 As was Anna's new hat - Debra has become quite the knitter!





My trip home was mostly as expected except for the heightened level of security.  Had to empty my suitcase twice along with the joys of private interview and body search in CPH and of course, everyone enjoys running the gauntlet of security in Newark.  In Tully, there is a lot less snow than when I left and we're looking at 40 degrees today.






It was a great visit, but I'm glad to be home and tucked in with Melanie for the New Year.  Best wishes to everyone for 2011!