May and June have been unusually warm. Still not warm enough for my taste, but I'll have to make do. My husband and I went to Stockholm for our anniversary in June to see Muse. We spent time shopping and walking around Söder, my old neighborhood.
We spent some time in The English Bookshop and I bought books to last the kids all summer. I could spend hours in there. There is also one where my sister lives in Uppsala and I always make sure I get to spend time there.
All of Söder is a wonderful neighborhood with cafés and parks and old houses. I love the feel of it. I moved there 18 years ago and used to spend many hours in my favorite café, studying for exams. On a beautiful summers day it feels like walking around in a picture book. I have a fondness for bikes and violets, and windows with shutters, this picture is perfection in my eyes.
A street music festival called Make Musik Stockholm was going on while we were there. Bands and singers had set up on street corners all over the place. These guys were by far my favorites!
On our way to the train station I stumbled upon this store. I love watching Leila Lindholm baking shows when I crochet. If you haven't seen it or bought any of her books, do it! Also, bake something! On closer thought, you might regret it as you will not be able to resist eating it....
We also celebrated Midsummer, an ancient tradition here in Sweden. It is my husbands favorite Swedish holiday. We pick flowers and make wreaths to wear.
We went to our neighboring village, Vika. A procession walks from the old church with the wreaths while playing folk music.
Then the wreaths are attached to the pole and it is raised.
After the pole has been raised we dance around it. It looks like we're completely insane, but it is a lot of fun.
Bad weather is as much a tradition as the celebrations themselves. We watched the rain come in over the lake but we were able to finish the last dance before it came. If you haven't spent Midsummer's Eve in Scandinavia, make sure you do!
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