Whenever my Grandma Kennedy spoke of her mother, Anna Lena, coming from Sweden, she always said she came from Dalarna–the prettiest part of Sweden.  I never hear “Dalarna” that it wasn’t followed by that phrase, “the prettiest part of Sweden.”  And I must tell you, she was absolutely right!

It’s the part of Sweden that is known for it’s red houses–the paint is a byproduct of the copper mining that has gone on there since Viking times.

It’s where they make the Dala horses.

Including this one–the world’s largest!

And where lupine grows abundantly wild along the roadsides.

It’s the place where people still wear their folk costumes for special occasions.

There are charming villages.

There are beautiful lakes.

Old fashioned customs live on.  Can you guess what it means when you have two trees like this placed in front of your door?

My Great-grandmother was right–it is the prettiest part of Sweden–and I love it here.