Stockholm at its Best

Going to Stockholm around my birthday has become a bit of a tradition, and so I booked a trip also this year. Not just for my birthday, I was actually here for it – but for Swedish spring holiday Valborgsmässoafton. Or Valborg, as usually refer to. The history behind this tradition is a little vague, but we lit bonfires and sing welcome songs to spring, and then eat dinner with our neighbors while teens are out partying. A main concern around the country that is frequently brought up in the media is to make sure that no hedgehog is sleeping in the stack of leaves and branches before lighting the bonfire. Sweden is quite a peaceful country…

I didn’t go to a bonfire this year, but Jonas and I had Valborg dinner at Villa Godthem on Djurgården, one of the national park islands in Stockholm. As the evenings are already light, it is a beautiful time of the year to visit! Here are a few evening pics from our way to Valborg dinner:

Stockholm Djurgården

Stockholm Djurgården

Stockholm Djurgården

Stockholm Djurgården

Summer in Stockholm: A Quick Stop in My Hometown

Since I hadn’t been to Stockholm since before Christmas, I decided to do a quick visit this month. I still have a really small apartment in the city, and although I love my home in Washington, I sometimes miss my Swedish home. Not to mention my close ones there. As always, it was a short stop and I didn’t have time to do even half of what I had intended. Nevertheless, I had time for a bbq party at J’s summerhouse north of Stockholm (grillfest in Swedish – one of our favorite occupations during the summer), several long walks and lunches and coffees at Djurgården (one of the islands in Stockholm that is essentially one big park), drinking rosé wine at outdoor restaurants, having breakfast on my street with my neighbor, and toasting in champagne to the engagement between Swedish Prince Carl Philip and his girlfriend Sofia. (And no, this was not my initiative since I’m not a monarchist, but my friend had arranged a lovely themed dinner for the occasion). So a couple of intensive but enjoyable days. Here are a few photos of Stockholm at its best. Now it’s time to enjoy summer in DC and start packing for Florida. In a few days, I’ll be on a flight to Miami for a beach holiday with J. My first real beach holiday in about 15 years – I can’t wait!!

Djurgårdskanalen

Gärdet playground egg sculpture

Rosendals trädgård

Karlbergskanalen Stockholm

Swedish meatballs

//Djurgårdskanalen and Östermalm //functionalistic architecture and the playground egg sculpture at Gärdet //Rosendals Trädgård at Djurgården // Karlbergskanalen with my neighborhood on the right side behind the railroad tracks // Swedish meatballs, crisp bread and Apotekarnas raspberry soda: traditional Swedish lunch with Mia-Lotta at Blå Porten at Djurgården //