Rothenburg, Germany

Here we are in beautiful Rothenburg! I mean when I think of charm and gingerbread houses I will remember this village. It was a feast for the sences indeed! Little hidden jewels tucked away as you peek your head into little alley ways. The food was amazing... as I love German cuisine! yum! ooooh and the beer! soooo creamy with little hints of citrus! My father and I climbed to the top of an old bell tower today with incredible views of the village and town square as were the views of the hills in the backdrop! The history is so old and hard to comprehend actually how old things are! You look at houses and little pathways and just ponder how cute and actually how old they are... then you visualize back into the medieval days and it becomes too much to take in. I really just have to let it soak in and appreciate all the charm and beauty this sweet little village gave us. Until next time...

Midsommar

Hi from Sweden!
Well we have made it to beautiful Sweden at last! It has been very nice weather the past two days. We have been out on the town popping into all the cute little shops here and there. The main walking street is so quaint and nice without any cars. We had coffee and pastries at a little cafe while Isabelle wandered about with all the other little blonde headed babies. Trampsing into a petshop, wondering into a clothing store. She is having a ball, as are we! It took some time getting used to the time as there wasnt much sleeping on the flight. But now we are all set as far as we can be.

Yesterday we went up to Ales Stenär. Its a beautiful place out on the country side of Skåne! There are these huge stones placed ever so perfectly in a shape of a viking ship. Legend has it, that a thousand years ago a huge viking ship was buried below and for the memory they placed the stones above. Now you can hike up along a trail to see them and the gorgeous view of the cliff. It goes straight down to the rocky coastline. Dont worry I help Isabelle tight! After the hike we had some herring and some really nice fresh beer at the fishing village. It was so warm and a nice breeze to cool you off. We even had a little swan visit our table.

Its Midsommar today and is it ever raining. Its very usual to have rain on this special day. Its a curse! no, no... thats one thing about these Swedes... even though its pouring down rain they wont let it stop them from their traditions. On midsommar its the longest day of light which is something to really celebrate! You have a lot of varieties of herring... potatoes, radishes, etc etc... and for dessert some 'Swedish' strawberries (they are special tiny ones that are only available this month) you have them with cream on top! delicious!
So today I went into the market with Lotta (Mattias' Mother) to get some berries and some midsommar flowers. It was really something to see all the families with their rain gear on and rubber boots pointing to each and every little flower to purchase. There were so many strawberry farmers selling their finest! All the little children were splashing in the puddles and dancing about in the cold rain. Sticking their tounges out to catch a little drink from the drops. To be a child agin! Now the guys will go into the forest to pick things to decorate the Maypole with greenery. My mom and Lotta and I will make Isabelle a pretty flower wreath for her head. We will get dressed in our summer clothes and head to a castle nearby for a little festival. Then later on we will come home to some great food and lots of Schnapps and singing! Skål!

Are We There Yet???

Oh my... the day is almost here! We leave in about a week for our big adventure! This summer we are all going on a HUGE holiday for 6 WEEKS!!! Me, Mattias, Belle, and my Mom & Dad will be heading off to beautiful Europe to entice our senses! We are just about ready. Have our plane tickets, train tickets, boat tickets! all the times and schedules saved on our iPod. I have contacted some vineyards and fun little excursions which we will take a little time to see. There is one vineyard in Fiesole, Tuscany which I hope we can see. They have invited us to take a little tour and see their vines and olive trees. They produce a wonderful organic olive oil. their site is www.poggiopiano.it hopefully that will work out.
Mattias' mother and boyfriend Roland (Farmor & Farfar or Lotta & Roland) will be picking us up in Copenhagen, Denmark once we arrive. We will be stopping at the dutyfree for some beer and wine then head back to Sweden for a little resting! zzzzzz! We will have a week in Sweden and will once again get to experience the oh so famous "Swedish- MIDSOMMAR!!!" It will be so wonderful to have my parents be involved in such a great tradition. gotta make our little flower wreaths for our heads and practice our singing! That week will be getting settled in and showing my parents all of my favorite little spots of Ystad, Sweden. We will stay in this village which is absolutely beautiful and so relaxing to just sit at a little cafe.
www.ystad.se
Starting Monday June 25th we will take the train and make it down to Rothenburg, Germany.
then head to Florence, Italy
then Pisa, Italy and Cinque Terra, Italy
then back to the Alps to Innsbruck, Austria in the Tirol region.
then head back to Sweden for the rest of our stay.
So far that's all we have planned and will play things by ear and flip some coins here and there! I love these fun adventures and I am so excited raise our daughter that way... and may I add... very excited to have my parents come!!! It's going to be amazing!!!