all things Swedish

Hej!  Sometimes someone writes a blog that you just haven't gotten around to, like Linda Barsi in this piece on Swedish inventions like Spotify.   So in that case why reinvent the wheel?  Or "zipper" as the case may be.  Just read and you'll know why I say this:

http://www.worldlifestyle.com/travel/8-things-you-use-every-day-and-had-no-idea-were-swedish

So the kitten curled up in my lap for a good snuggle while I write this, the kids are playing and life is good. Hope that you are ending summer on a happy note.  It can be a melancoly time of year (being Swedish I have to say that can be true of most months) but especially in September when the new year starts and the kids go back to school.  I live my life on an academic calendar - always have and being a teacher - always will.  It just makes sense to me.  Fall is the time of new beginnings and possibilities.  My goal to land a full-time teaching job this fall didn't come to fruition so it's back to the early morning sub call and a two month part-time stint at a lovely Reggio-Emilia school.  Read more here about the pedagogy, we're very lucky to have them here!

Swedish Fish

Today we went out in the town and stopped by our local penny candy store.  It's amazing how popular Swedish fish are with my kids - they stocked up - and I started to wonder how these yummy little things started on their road to popularity.

Well I needed only to go to the google and up pops this enlightening article from Mental Floss, http://mentalfloss.com/article/23125/brief-history-swedish-fish.  They were first imported in the 1950s.
If you want to try the real deal pop on over to Sugarfina for their all-natural Swedish fish.  They're sold out (I told you they're popular) so save it for later if you really have a hankering. This is the website I should have done! http://www.sugarfina.com/products/swedish-fish

Finally did you know that Swedes buy more candy than any other country? Here's an amazing quote from Nordstjernan that blew my mind.  It might as well be called a "Swede Tooth".  :-)

 "Godisgris!" Swedes are suffering from a severe case of Sweet Tooth. We eat 37 lbs of candy per person and year - that's more candy than any other people in the world. 

Summer in full swing

Camping in Maine was amazing.  It feels like summer is in full swing now, too bad school is right around the proverbial corner.  This is usually the time of year when I start looking through the ads for a Swedish summer house, just for fun, but I do love my real estate browsing.  Once we have seen this link, you will want to start too! fancy Swedish summer houses for sale  This one is my favorite, it's in Simrishamn, a little village on the coast, and it costs "only" 11,500,000 krones or ($1,674,613)!

Another thing I like this time of year is Formex in Stockholm.  I have only been once with a friend but I'd love to go back sometime.  This is where buyers from all over converge on Stockholm's main exhibit hall to see the wares, and ideas, of talented Scandinavian designers. It opens today, of course I love this photo from the young designers on the site.  Check out formex.se  More info here, formex 2014

Here's one from one of the booths -

Formex - the largest interior design fair for Nordic design. The fair is a meeting place for 850 exhibitors, 25,000 national and international visitors and over 800 media representatives. Formex is a trade fair that is open for anyone who is active in the following areas: gifts, home textiles and furnishings.

Finally to round out the summary feelings - a Swedish song that lives on and on and on.  Nostalgia in a bikini. A good thing?  You decide.  Take a look at the next post (Sommar, sommar, sommar) to get a listen and a look of Sweden in days past.  At least the dunes look the same!  Happy summer.

Sommar, sommar, sommar! Nostalgia in a bikini

Camping vs Glamping

Hello cyberspace friends!  We are going camping, the least technical of all activities, and yet you need sooooo much stuff!  Here's a "little" list I found on line at LoveTheOutdoors.com.  See way below. OK, so where do we start?  Luckily HH and I are not hard-core campers.  For one we've only been away for a weekend max.  Secondly we always camp near civilization where a nice warm breakfast can be found.  And finally, this time, we even have a back-up plan if it rains! Wimpy, perhaps, but if the idea is to relax and enjoy I guess I'd rather go low key than full on camping.  Glamping even.  That could be right up my alley. ;-) Like this lovely shot...

from Colin Cowie weddings

Where you actually might need this handy little supply list could be hiking in Sweden's Arctic Circle, for example Kebnekaise, the mountain range which is 103 miles north of the Arctic Circle.  Mt. Kebne is close to 7,000 feet tall. Here's a view from the top tackled by Oliver Gee of The Local.  More on the 13 hour trek to Swedens-highest-peak.  Have a great weekend!

Check out more camping tips and advice at LoveTheOutdoors.com!

Shelter

__Tent
__Ground cloth/tarp
__Extra stakes
__Shade tarp/poles/rope/stakes
__Axe or hammer
__Mat for tent entrance
__Dust pan/brush

Bedding

__Sleeping bag
__Sheets/blankets
__Pillow
__Air mattress/sleeping pad/cot/tarp
__Air pump
__Repair kit for air mattress
__Utility bags for storage

Cooking

__Large water jug & water bucket
__Coolers/ice
__Thermos
__Stove with fuel/propane
__Matches/lighter
__Charcoal/firewood/buddy burner
__Dutch oven/tin can stove/box oven/etc
__Campfire grill/BBQ grill
__Fire starters/newspaper
__Tablecloth/thumb tacks/clips
__Plates & bowls/paper plates & bowls
__Silverware/plastic silverware
__Measuring cups
__Heavy-duty aluminum foil
__Paper towels
__Trash bags
__Dish soap
__Clothes pins
__Cooking oil/Pam spray
__Containers for food storage
__Potholders/oven mitts
__Pots and frying pans with lids
__Soap for outside of pots and pans
__Cook utensils-spatula, knife, spoon
__Tongs
__Skewers/grill forks
__Can opener/bottle opener
__Folding table
__Dutch oven
__Pie irons
__Mugs/paper cups
__Mixing bowl
__Cutting board
__Ziplock bags
__Napkins
__Dish pan
__Dish rags/towels
__Scrub pad/brillo
__Seasonings/sugar/condiments
__Potato peeler

Clothes

__Shoes/boots
__Jeans/pant/belt
__Shorts
__T-shirts
__Socks/extra socks
__Hat
__Bandana
__Sweatshirt/jacket
__Underwear
__Sleep clothes
__Rain gear
__Swim suit/towel
__Laundry bag

Personal

__Shower shoes/flip flops
__Towels/washcloth
__Soap in plastic case/shampoo
__Tooth brush/tooth paste
__Deodorant
__Comb/brush
__Razor
__Feminine products
__Toilet paper
__Shower bag or 5 gallon bucket
__Camping shower/shower pump
__Other personal items
__Personal medications – take extra

Miscellaneous

__Sunscreen/chapstick
__Lantern with fuel/mantles
__Extra batteries/bulbs
__Compass
__Bug repellant/candles
__Whistle
__Water filters/purification/treatment
__Camera/battery/film/
__Books/magazines
__Candles
__Maps/directions
__Misc. tools
__Backpack/fanny pack
__Fishing gear/license/bait
__Radio
__Musical instruments/song books
__Camp chairs
__Sunglasses
__Hammock
__First aid kit
__Tissues
__Saw/axe
__Park map/guidebooks/trail maps
__Lantern pole or hanger
__Collapsible drying rack
__Popcorn
__Marshmallows, Graham crackers, Hershey bars (Smores)
__Flashlight/batteries
__Pocket knife
__Plastic grocery bags
__Binoculars
__Rope/clothes line
__Canteen/water bottle/coffee pot
__Bungi cords/straps
__Cards/games/toys
__Duct tape/electrical tape
__Notepad/pen
__Reservations info./confirmation
__Cell phone/charger & 2-way radios/walkie talkies
__Small shovel
__Safety pins
__Money/ID/credit card/quarters
__Bikes/helmets
__Travel alarm clock
__Work gloves
__Umbrella
__Hand wipes
__Drinks/snacks
__Small sewing kit
__Fire extinguisher
__Hot chocolate/tea bags/coffee
__Scissors
__Watch
Tell someone of your plans – give details of where you are going and when you expect to return, give directions and possible alternative roads that you may take, provide cell phone numbers, vehicle description and license plate numbers, hand-held radio channel and codes that you will use, and provide local authority phone numbers (State Police, Game & Fish Commission, Sheriff Dept, etc.) for the county or area that you will be in.

Basic First Aid Kit

__Personal medications
__Roll bandages
__Adhesive tape
__Antiseptic wipes
__Sterile gauze pads
__Cotton swabs
__Tweezers
__Safety pins
__Scissors
__Bee sting kit
__Sinus medications
__Tissues
__Bug repellant
__Sunscreen
__Notepad/pen
__Sterile compresses
__Splinting materials
__Personal information/contact person
__Feminine products
__Ipecac
__Razor blades
__Plastic bags
__Small bottle of water
__Blanket
__Other personal needs
__Small mirror
__Triangular bandages
__Misc. Band Aides/bandages
__Anti-acids (Tums, Rolaides)
__Antibiotic cream
__Aspirin/Ibuprofen/Tylenol/Naproxin
__Hydrogen Peroxide
__Ace bandages
__Sunburn lotion
__Burn ointment
__Snake bit kit
__Eye drops
__Poison ivy cream/cleansers
__Heat/cold packs
__Small flashlight
__Latex gloves
__Antibacterial soap
__Thermometer
__Coins for emergency phone calls
__Antibiotic soap
__Butterfly bandages
__Twine
__Mole skin for blisters
__Road flares
__First aid manual
__Nail clippers

Additional First Aid Tips

• Take a First Aid class and a CPR class – keep current on this information
• Keep supplies in a well marked, durable, waterproof container
• Keep the contents organized
• Know how to use everything in your first aid kit
• Inspect content often, re-supply as needed
• Keep readily available at all times

Dala horse

From Hildas hem

Time to talk about the most iconic of Swedish items - the "Dalahäst" - or Dala horse, or even the Dalecarian horse according to Wikipedia (Dalecarlian horse).  Everyone with a Swedish background has one of these standing around, or several, from the old country.  Here's a picture of a big brute in Mora, Dalarna that I copied from the blog Hildashem.se, but most the horses are much smaller, just big enough to place on a window sill or a shelf.  The horses are more than a simple wooden statue, they are a symbol of home.  I guess that's why they are so beloved by Swedes.  Here's one being made:

The style of the painting is "kurbits" which you can read more about here

I just love my horses, two oranges ones, that follow me from house to house.  Here's one of my little guys next to a bunch of Swedish things I made or gathered over the years.  Check out the plate too!

I learned in Wikipedia that the earliest references to the wooden horses are from 1623 when they were made by woodcutters in the province of Dalarna near Mora.  They made toys for their children, mostly horses, sometimes pigs or roosters and they were later painted in the kurbits style with a saddle and harness. It was a cold, severe winter and as King Charles XII of Sweden waged war throughout most of Europe many soldiers were quartered in private homes around that area.  When success of his bartering toys for food reached the other soldiers ears they started too.  Now this has become a major industry of Mora and Nusnäs in Dalarna where over 250,000 horses are made annually.

Someday I plan to go there, but in the meantime a little on-line shopping never hurt anyone.  Here's one shop where you can buy a Dala horse of your own: http://www.designsofsweden.com/shop-by-category-all-things-dala-horse.html