The Minnesota Noices

Category: Sweden

  • Lucia Dag and a lake in Lund

    This year was our first (Dec 13) Lucia Day experience with some in-person activities, but most were cancelled again or moved online. Traditionally, at day break there are Lucia concerts, processions and lussekatter aka saffron buns for breakfast or fika. Many schools and offices have Lucia celebrations. IKEA does, and Bryant has stories to tell…

  • Jul Markets, Knitting, Open House

    Inspired by the many works of art on display at the Bosjökloster and Kulturen Jul Markets, I dug out supplies for making painted rocks, a tomte house and more knitting projects. Then realized that I don’t really have the time for much crafting right now. I’ve been making time for tea and pepparkakor, gifted to…

  • Nordic-light Duo/ Elsa Beskow concert

    This week marks the start of Jul market season, beginning with Bosjökloster (Cloister by the lake) in the town of Höör. Carole, Beata and I arrived in time for the musical prelude and were surprised to find ourselves enjoying much more than just a few holiday songs. The concert was based on original (some never…

  • Athens

    Our first European travel since moving to Sweden (other than Copenhagen) finally came together this week as we spent 3 days exploring Athens. The trip was short and sweet, focused on the historic sites of the ancient city. The flight was an easy 3 hour non-stop hop from CPH. We started strong with a food…

  • Bjärred: Skåneleden trail

    Both kids have lots of activities now so it’s hard to travel on the weekends. Luckily we are still finding new places close to home. I convinced the fam to try another section of the Skåneleden trail, the same one I hiked while they were camping. The giant beech tree near the Saltsjöbads (salt lake…

  • Kanot (Canoe) Camping

    The kids and I went on a canoe camping trip this weekend with the Gouldeks. We went to Lake Immeln in Skåne. See the red pin here: We got there on Friday afternoon, but had a mix-up with communications with the outfitter, who thought we would be there at 11:00, when we got there at…

  • Bonus Sommar

    We tried to squeeze in as much outdoor time as possible during this streak of amazing weather in Skåne. Here is our hike on a section of Skåneleden Trail near Barsebäck strand, site of a 6,000 year old settlement, now preserved as pastureland, restored with native plants. The 1712 Stenbock’s ramparts were maintained (but never…

  • Back-to-School

    After a summer of R and R plus a confidence boost from her latest theatrical success, Lil returns to ISLK tomorrow, eager for independence and feeling ready to go back to a familiar space with familiar faces. She says it’s fine with her that Hil graduated from ISLK and will be going to Secondary School…

  • A Grave in Grove

    Remember when they were replacing the stairs to part of the cathedral and discovered a mysterious corpse last Fall?! The new staircase is finished, and now I’m wondering if archaeologists have learned anything more about the man who was buried beneath. I’m booking a tour of nearby Uppåkra, a major dig near Lund, where I…

  • Vandrings i Söderåsen

    (Hiking in Söderåsen national park) Finding myself with a (mostly) free day, I decided to go back to Söderåsen. Jen and I had hiked there last fall, and I wanted to see it in the summer. It was REALLY nice.  For those that want the geographic placement, we live in Lund (blue dot) and the…