I have been eager to write and share with you about our trip to Sweden this past weekend.
We looked forward to enjoying some time away from the busyness of the city, a time to relax and enjoy being in the quiet countryside, not to mention we were going to be in a country we had never been to before!! It was a short 20 minute drive over to Sweden on a bridge that connects Copenhagen to the south end of Sweden. The first part of the road over to Sweden is through a tunnel under the water which then becomes a huge bridge that gives great views of both the coast of Denmark and Sweden as you cross over it---very cool.
Michael always likes to plan our 'getaways' and he does an excellent job of picking out great places to stay (I think he should be a part-time travel agent--he takes after his mom as she always loved to plan trips too). We headed to a little country cottage surrounded by small farms and many wheat fields just outside of the city of Lund. We got a little lost even though we were using the rental car's GPS. The written directions were all in German (Leah was able to help us navigate to some extent thankfully!) until we found the nice British GPS lady who could give us the directions verbally, at least. :) Anyway, when we arrived at the property, we were greeted by the homeowner of the cottage and he showed us around the house and the grounds. A beautiful home inside and out. In the backyard there was an apple tree, plum tree, & tomato plant to which we were told we could pick what we wanted! The fresh tomatoes were so good and we brought a bunch home with us to Copenhagen as well. We also picked some apples which will be good for an apple dessert sometime in the near future. The house overlooked a peaceful meadow and a small pond where there were many ducks and little ducklings wandering about, not to mention many chickens and roosters too! The weather was perfect---just a slight nip in the air in the evenings (45-50 degrees) so great sweatshirt weather. It was very reminiscent of my childhood days growing up in Minnesota---out in the country on a farm surrounded by farmland, living next door to my Swedish grandparents who had a similar meadow/pond/ducks in their backyard!
We took a trip into town on Friday night to find some place to eat dinner as we didn't have time to get any groceries. We happened upon an old, beautiful historic looking building that was a fondue restaurant and so we decided to eat there. We were brought down into the basement of the building, very cave-like feeling with a rounded ceiling, all brick with small alcoves which housed simple lit candles that warmed up the place nicely. Michael Buble music in the background didn't hurt either. It was a very nice start to what was sure to be a relaxing weekend!
Saturday morning we woke up to the roosters crowing as the sun was rising. We had a leisurely morning, having coffee with Michael at the picnic table outside followed by family devotions with the girls. We again drove into the town of Lund, which is the home of the University of Lund (founded in 1666). The University is well known for scientific research throughout Scandinavia and definitely a prominent part of the city. Lund also has a rich history which can be seen in the medieval architecture of a number of buildings---one being the Lund Cathedral. It is a massively HUGE church building that started being constructed in the year 1080. We spent some time walking through the church with it's beautiful windows, pipe organ, wood carvings on furniture, etc. They just don't build churches like that anymore!! We ate lunch at an Italian restaurant (yes, I know we were in Sweden but I am married to an Italian). It was authentic Italian fare---another great find! Not only was the food spectacular but we discovered when we walked in the front door of the small restaurant/cafe, we could see down through the floor into what looked like some archeological dig. After lunch, we discovered we could go down to the basement and see what is known as the Drotten Church ruins which housed the remains of two medieval church buildings---fascinating!!
We did quite a bit of walking throughout the day as we explored the area and soon it was time to head back to the cottage and make supper. Being that we were in Sweden, we felt it fitting to make Swedish pancakes, a family favorite.
Sunday morning we had a great devotional time. Mike shared how God's desire is for us throughout our lifetime to do two things:
1) learn to love (as God loves us---Deut. 6:5-7) and
2) love to learn (more about Him--Matthew 11:29) and what that looks like.
All too soon we were on the road, headed back to Copenhagen, but not before stopping off at IKEA in Malmo, Sweden (Malmo was the original headquarters---this store was the "mother ship" of all IKEA's). We picked up a few essentials for our apartment in Copenhagen but the MAIN reason for our visit was to eat our favorite Swedish meal---Swedish meatballs with gravy and new potatoes with lingonberries. It was the perfect ending to our weekend stay in Sweden!
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| Crossing over from Denmark to Sweden on this big bridge. |
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| Cute door near entrance of house. |
 The country cottage we stayed at. | ||
 Great picture window of the beautiful meadow in the backyard.  Tomatoes from the cottage! Yum!  The countryside near the cottage.
     The LARGE astronomical clock---amazing work of art! 
Out for a Saturday evening walk.
  
Two very sweet, photogenic ponies that we met on our evening walk. :)
We discovered a nature preserve off the beaten path a bit (in my efforts to get up close and personal with the ponies)! I do love the birch trees---so Minnesotan.
 Michael waiting to dig into the Swedish pancakes!  Stopped in Malmo at IKEA for a Swedish lunch and a bit of shopping. (top right) Swedish meatballs/gravy, potatoes and lingonberries. (bottom left) Swedish pancakes (again!) but this time filled with what looked and tasted like cream of mushroom soup! Veggies on the side. Chocolate covered ?? cross between marshmallow/whip cream). Interesting. |
