New Year's Eve in Stockholm

This morning we got up early, packed up our last remaining things (it was really easy since we had sent so much of our luggage with Maggan the day before!), and loaded up the cars. Since we had a little time before we had to leave, we got on the sparks one last time, and this time Annali decided she wanted to join it and do it herself! Finally, on our last day, she enjoys playing outside in the snow!

"Why didn't you let me do this before? I LOVE being on the spark!"

When it was time to go, we all (Ebba, Anna-Greta & Eskil, and the 4 of us) drove to Bollnäs, gave Mats' car back to him, and dropped off Anna-Greta and Eskil so they could run a few errands. Then Ebba drove us to Segersta so we could see where they had shot a majority of the American-made "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" movie. It was such a picturesque little town situated on the Ljusnan River (the same one that goes through Bollnäs). I can't wait to see the movie & recognize some of the scenery!
 



 

We drove back to Bollnäs, said our good-byes to Anna-Greta & Eskil, and boarded the train.

Saying goodbye....for now
Christine, Linnea, Eskil, Anna-Greta, Annali, and Kevin

Once onboard, we discovered pretty quickly that our seat numbers did not exist on the train car we were supposed to be on! SJ had traded cars somewhere along the way (probably because of malfunctioning doors), and there were no seats for us! Also, I learned that I had somehow left all of our snacks and lunch foods in Mats' car. What a bummer, since it had so much of Mormor's limpa and peanut butter, too! Thankfully, the porter had a list of seats for the people with reservations (us!) and after 15 or 20 minutes and quite a bit of rudeness to Ebba we finally got seats on the next train car down, though not all together. We made do and the remainder of our trip was uneventful. SJ even gave us whatever food we wanted to eat for free for the trouble they had caused!

We finally made it to Stockholm where Maggan picked us up. I really feel like we have been treated like dignitaries during our stay. She took us back to their flat, we settled in, and then Maggan & Ruben, Felix, Ebba, and the 4 of us had a magnificent 3-course meal. Before the meal we had Ruben's famous dry martinis as apertifs paired with crackers with cheese and olives. The martinis certainly lived up to their reputation! Then we moved on to appetizers of toast rounds topped with a delicious shrimp and dill spread with some tiny light salmon-colored caviar on top. Divine!

I want to know how to make these - they were incredible!

Dinner was steak cooked to order by Ruben, roasted potatoes, broiled tomatoes with grated cheese on top, and sauteed mushrooms. The wine we had was South African and just incredible. The whole meal was so wonderful, and we had such excellent company!

Clockwise from center: Annali, Christine, Ruben, Ebba, Maggan, and Felix

Dinner!

After dinner we had Toscaparon, which was a particular treat for me. I had been talking with Maggan about all the wonderful desserts we'd had this trip, and I told her I remembered a pear dessert with ice cream that she used to make when she was an au pair for us 29 years ago. So, being so incredibly thoughful, she made it for us for New Year's Eve. What amazing friends we have! After dinner and dessert, another couple (old friends of Maggan and Ruben's) joined us and we all hung out together visiting and eating chocolate. 

"If I keep sitting on your lap looking cute, will you keep feeding me chocolate?"

Their friends left around 10pm, and we got the girls ready for bed. Linnea went to sleep at 11pm, but little Annali stayed up to welcome in the new year with the rest of us! 

Annali lounging with her peeps

We turned on the TV, and instead of the blaring noise of Times Square we were greeted by beautiful music and falling snow at Skansen. Skansen holds a New Year's party every year with live entertainment on an outdoor stage with a relatively small crowd looking on (compared to Times Square!). It was yet another reminder of how different our cultures are. We really enjoyed our Swedish New Year! It was such a nice relaxing experience and a gentle way to ring in the new year! At midnight we toasted with sparkling wine and watched the fireworks out their living room windows and also on TV. 

Kevin, Ruben, and Maggan celebrating wth Baby New Year....I mean Annali. Welcome 2011!