• 29Jul
    Categories: Everything! Comments: 5

     

    We recently flew Iceland Air to Sweden.  To break up the long flight, we decided to spend a few days in Iceland on our way.

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    We stayed in the capital, Reykjavik. The church, with its amazing architecture, dominated the downtown area.

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    The amazing architecture was replicated inside.

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    The pipe organ was incredible.

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    We went to the top and took in the view.  This part of Iceland was very flat, but it’s not all like that.

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    Just in front of the church is this statue of the famous viking, Leif Erikson.

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    We walked up and down the shopping street many times.  Our hotel was at one end and the harbor at the other.  This made me chuckle.

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    We enjoyed wonderful pastries every morning…

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    …and ate at “the most famous restaurant” in Reykjavik.

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    We were told over and over again that the most popular restaurant in town was this hot dog stand.  The menu simple–hot dogs and pop!

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    In the Icelandic Air flight magazine I read about a fun comedy show called How To Become Icelandic in Sixty inutes, so we decided to go.

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    It was very good, but best of all was that it was in Harpa, the wonderful new performing arts center.

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    The walls are all honeycombed glass.

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    We wandered all around…

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    …and marveled at the structure.

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    We really enjoyed our time in Reykjavik!

  • 27Jul

    A few months ago, I decided it would be fun to have a garden party this summer.  We hadn’t done one in several years.  Then we went to Sweden for three and a half weeks, and when we got home, I had to scramble to get everything ready.  I always say I work best under pressure!  That, and help from family.

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    We put all the tables together, covered them with white cloths and topped them with vintage tablecloths from the forties.  In honor of our recent trip, we decided on a Swedish theme.

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    I loved the look of one long table.

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    Thanks to Melinda…

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    …and Kristine for the gorgeous flower arrangements.

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    We set up beverages and hors d’oeuvre under the pergola.

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    We had three kinds of Swedish cheese, Västerbotten, Präst (priest) and Fontina as well as a selection of hard bread.

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    We also did Toast Skagen, Västerbotten Cheese Bites and a Pickled Beet appetizer.

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    I got out my vintage ringed glasses and pitchers for the Lingon Drink.

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    Sally, super shopper that she is, found these great tubs for the wine, beer, apple and pear drink.

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    It was f fun mix of people.  There were 66 in all.

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    And while it wasn’t sunny, it was very pleasant.

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    Friends from near…

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    …and far.

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    We played the Swedish game, Kubb.  You can guess which team won!

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    We set up the Swedish smorgasbord in our garage.  Note: if you need to clean your garage but can’t get motivated, plan a party where you set the food up in there and you’ll get everything spanking clean!

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    The Swedish centerpiece.

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    Of course the featured food was Swedish Meatballs with Cream Sauce.

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    We also had Little Smokies with Lingon Sauce.

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    There were boiled potatoes with fresh dill.

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    Lingonberry Sauce and Pickled Herring.

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    This cabbage salad is called Pizza Salad in Sweden–as in it’s served in every pizza restaurant.

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    We also had a cucumber salad.

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    Mini Swedish flags adorned the Deviled Eggs with Shrimp.

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    Mom was first to the table!

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    I think everyone enjoyed their meal.

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    And we ended it with Strawberry Torte using Berit’s recipe.

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    Var så god!

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