In 1976, I visited Dalarna for the first time. This weekend, I got to go back. It looked exactly the same! There were some great changes, but it looked the same. I was really looking forward to seeing my host parents, Hans Erik and Barbro Forsberg. I was able to spend a lot of time with them and enjoy the company. Unfortunately, it rained the entire weekend, up until we got in the car to leave.
Dalarna is similar to the county, and Rättvik is the town this was near.When I was here before, I was able to enjoy the Midsummer festivities, this time, I was a few weeks late.
Eva suggested that we take in a bit of the local sites, so we visited the Carl Larson house. Carl Larson is one of the most famous Swedish painters. We also stopped in at the Dala Horse factory in Nusnäs. Since I still have my clogs and Dala Horses, I managed to come away without buying anything.
The weekend, while very wet, was a lot of fun and I really was glad to visit with my host parents, and of course, Eva and her family.
Tomorrow, is my last day with Eva, Jesper & Anna. I will be going to stay with Mimmi on Monday night.
Thanks to all who are checking my blog and pictures. Thanks for making comments on the blog. You can also make comments on the pictures if you want to as well.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Another day in Stockholm
I had a real nice day with Anna, Jesper and Gustaf on Thursday. We went downtown to do a little shopping for earrings, but were unsuccessful. It seems that the Pilgrim brand is very picked over. Oh well, I will try in Denmark. We stopped for lunch at a little cafe called, TGI Fridays and had a nice lunch. Then it was off to the museum for the latest exhibit. The Titanic. While the museum was hot, the exhibit was pretty good. No pictures!
We returned home for a short time, then it was off to dinner at the Nilsson's. I finally got to see Mimmi for the first time in 4 years. Mimmi is doing great and is lovely as always. (see my pictures of all 3 kids together) We had a really nice dinner that Karin made for us. We were supposed to BBQ, but the weather has been raining for several days, so it is not time. We had a very nice time visiting with everyone and I will be going there again on Monday.
Today, we will be visiting Drottingham Castle, after which we will head up to Dlarna. I won't be updating until we return on Sunday.
Have a good weekend all!
Favor of everyone. When you visit IKEA in Bloominton, fill out a slip, asking to have them get Skogaholms limpa. If enough people ask for it, MAYBE, they will carry it! Yum!!!
We returned home for a short time, then it was off to dinner at the Nilsson's. I finally got to see Mimmi for the first time in 4 years. Mimmi is doing great and is lovely as always. (see my pictures of all 3 kids together) We had a really nice dinner that Karin made for us. We were supposed to BBQ, but the weather has been raining for several days, so it is not time. We had a very nice time visiting with everyone and I will be going there again on Monday.
Today, we will be visiting Drottingham Castle, after which we will head up to Dlarna. I won't be updating until we return on Sunday.
Have a good weekend all!
Favor of everyone. When you visit IKEA in Bloominton, fill out a slip, asking to have them get Skogaholms limpa. If enough people ask for it, MAYBE, they will carry it! Yum!!!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Greetings from Stockholm
Hi All,
I am now getting used to the Swedish keyboard, so excuse my typos. They have a few extra letters and I have a tough time, sometimes. ö See! Anyway, I had a nice train ride from Oslo to Stockholm yesterday. It was just 6 hours and beautiful scenary on the way.
Elin and I managed to walk about 5 miles around Oslo on Tuesday night. We walked down to the Norwegian Palace, then headed to the City Hall, where the Nobel Peace prize is awarded. (All others are awarded in Stockholmäs City Hall). We strolled along the harbor and then headed to the Parliment. Really nice places. Then back to the apartment to relax and pack.
On Wednesday, Peter, Jesper and Gustuf met me at the train station ans luckily brought muscles to carry my bags. They are a LOT lighter now that I have disposed of the red cups and scrapbook items. Now, there is room for my Skogaholms limpa!!!
Tomorrow, we will be heading up to Dalarna. I will be out of touch for those days, but will get the pictures on asap.
If you are interested in making comments, please do so here, rather than my e-mail. I can get to this and enjoy them without having to sort through my e-mail! Thanks all.
Be in touch soon!
I am now getting used to the Swedish keyboard, so excuse my typos. They have a few extra letters and I have a tough time, sometimes. ö See! Anyway, I had a nice train ride from Oslo to Stockholm yesterday. It was just 6 hours and beautiful scenary on the way.
Elin and I managed to walk about 5 miles around Oslo on Tuesday night. We walked down to the Norwegian Palace, then headed to the City Hall, where the Nobel Peace prize is awarded. (All others are awarded in Stockholmäs City Hall). We strolled along the harbor and then headed to the Parliment. Really nice places. Then back to the apartment to relax and pack.
On Wednesday, Peter, Jesper and Gustuf met me at the train station ans luckily brought muscles to carry my bags. They are a LOT lighter now that I have disposed of the red cups and scrapbook items. Now, there is room for my Skogaholms limpa!!!
Tomorrow, we will be heading up to Dalarna. I will be out of touch for those days, but will get the pictures on asap.
If you are interested in making comments, please do so here, rather than my e-mail. I can get to this and enjoy them without having to sort through my e-mail! Thanks all.
Be in touch soon!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Oslo
Just a quick update from Oslo. We have been walking around Oslo for 2 days. I found a cyber cafe, so I thought a quick update, but no pictures. I leave for Sweden in the morning, so I will post pictures then.
We have been seeing the sites. First stop, Vigenland Park. I missed it the last time I was here. It is super interesting to see. We also hit the Viking Museum and went up to the ski jump, which isn't there. They are building a new one, for the World Ski Championships in 2011. The sky line seems very empty without it.
Tonight, the Oslo City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, the Parlament and new Oslo Opera House.
It has been great to see all the Olsen's and I hope that they come to visit me soon! Goodby Norway, hello to Sweden!
We have been seeing the sites. First stop, Vigenland Park. I missed it the last time I was here. It is super interesting to see. We also hit the Viking Museum and went up to the ski jump, which isn't there. They are building a new one, for the World Ski Championships in 2011. The sky line seems very empty without it.
Tonight, the Oslo City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, the Parlament and new Oslo Opera House.
It has been great to see all the Olsen's and I hope that they come to visit me soon! Goodby Norway, hello to Sweden!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Hello from Norway
It took a while, but I arrived. Hello to all from Norway. I arrived on Friday afternoon, very tired from the flight. Elin and Madelyn picked me up at the airport an off to Oslo we went for a quick shower and then a drive to Fredrikstad.
We have been pretty busy in Fredrikstad, but I have been pretty jet lagged from the trip. We relaxed and had a nice BBQ with Elin's family. Elin's parents, Solberg and Per Christina, plus Elin's brother, Christian, wife Tina and daughters, Madelyn and Mia.
Saturday, 4th of July was spent at the cabin. It is in Holden, just down the cost from Olso, but up from Sweden, for those looking. It has been pretty warm here, about 82-85 since arriving, and there is no AC here, so the cabin on the water if great. Elin and I took a walk on the beach, picked up a nice rock and headed back for dinner.
Elin's parent were having 12 for dinner. It was a fantastic evening with singing and dinner. Everyone was so nice to me and made me feel very welcome.
Oh, funny, as usual, I ran into someone at the airport. Ole Gram, my former Danish teacher was also on the flight, so while our flight was delayed we visited and caught up. Once arriving in Amsterdam, we changed flights, with gates close by, so we visited again. Yes, I do seem to run into people, everywhere!
Elin's computer died right before I arrived, so I might not be able to update until Sweden, unless we hit a cyber cafe.
Tomorrow, it is back to Olso, for 2 days of touring. Wedneday, if it off to Stockholm.
It is very difficult to type on a keyboard with other languages. There are keys in places that are odd! Å see what
We have been pretty busy in Fredrikstad, but I have been pretty jet lagged from the trip. We relaxed and had a nice BBQ with Elin's family. Elin's parents, Solberg and Per Christina, plus Elin's brother, Christian, wife Tina and daughters, Madelyn and Mia.
Saturday, 4th of July was spent at the cabin. It is in Holden, just down the cost from Olso, but up from Sweden, for those looking. It has been pretty warm here, about 82-85 since arriving, and there is no AC here, so the cabin on the water if great. Elin and I took a walk on the beach, picked up a nice rock and headed back for dinner.
Elin's parent were having 12 for dinner. It was a fantastic evening with singing and dinner. Everyone was so nice to me and made me feel very welcome.
Oh, funny, as usual, I ran into someone at the airport. Ole Gram, my former Danish teacher was also on the flight, so while our flight was delayed we visited and caught up. Once arriving in Amsterdam, we changed flights, with gates close by, so we visited again. Yes, I do seem to run into people, everywhere!
Elin's computer died right before I arrived, so I might not be able to update until Sweden, unless we hit a cyber cafe.
Tomorrow, it is back to Olso, for 2 days of touring. Wedneday, if it off to Stockholm.
It is very difficult to type on a keyboard with other languages. There are keys in places that are odd! Å see what
Thursday, July 2, 2009
I am headed out soon!
I can't believe, today has finally arrived. After only a year in planning, I am all packed and ready to leave. I have a couple things left to pick up, but then, I am off.
I will be visiting Elin, in Oslo first. I haven't seen Elin since I was visiting back in 2005. It will be great to see her again.
Next stop, Stockholm with Anna, Jesper, Eva, Peter and Gustaf. I will spend a few days there and I think we are headed to the summer house in Dalarna. I haven't been there since 1976! I will then be switching families in Stockholm and visiting with Mimmi and the Nilsson's. We will spend only a couple days in Stockholm before heading to their summer house, in Oland, an island, just off the east cost of Sweden.
From Oland, I will be headed to Copenhagen and Camilla, where I will spend only about 3 days. I will depart for Odense to see Preben and family. Preben is a cousin in Denmark, who I haven't seen for a few years either. He came to visit here last. I will then head back to Copenhagen and visit a few more days with Camilla, who is the first exchange student I hosted in 2002-03 school year. I saw her last in 2007, but I miss her just as much as the rest of them.
On August 3, I head home, but not before a quick stop in Amsterdam. Well, it is really a 6 hour lay over, so my friend Bill Jorgensen, from my Danish class , way back in the 90's, will be meeting me at the airport and showing me around for a few hours, before I head for home!
I hope to update often and put on a lot of pictures. I hope you enjoy my travels!
I will be visiting Elin, in Oslo first. I haven't seen Elin since I was visiting back in 2005. It will be great to see her again.
Next stop, Stockholm with Anna, Jesper, Eva, Peter and Gustaf. I will spend a few days there and I think we are headed to the summer house in Dalarna. I haven't been there since 1976! I will then be switching families in Stockholm and visiting with Mimmi and the Nilsson's. We will spend only a couple days in Stockholm before heading to their summer house, in Oland, an island, just off the east cost of Sweden.
From Oland, I will be headed to Copenhagen and Camilla, where I will spend only about 3 days. I will depart for Odense to see Preben and family. Preben is a cousin in Denmark, who I haven't seen for a few years either. He came to visit here last. I will then head back to Copenhagen and visit a few more days with Camilla, who is the first exchange student I hosted in 2002-03 school year. I saw her last in 2007, but I miss her just as much as the rest of them.
On August 3, I head home, but not before a quick stop in Amsterdam. Well, it is really a 6 hour lay over, so my friend Bill Jorgensen, from my Danish class , way back in the 90's, will be meeting me at the airport and showing me around for a few hours, before I head for home!
I hope to update often and put on a lot of pictures. I hope you enjoy my travels!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Celebrating 95year with Grandma at the Twins
It was the "Johnson" clan celebrating the 95th Birthday of Grandma Marie. Every year, I take my Grandma for her birthday, to the Twins game. It is a fun task each year. It started years ago, when my cousin Debbie and I would take Grandma to the game and sing and carry on, and Grandma would pretend to be embarrassed. We all would have a great time.
Years later, my mom would join us at the games, even though mom never really enjoyed sports. She only would enjoy it if one of us kids were playing or WAY back when my dad played for the Gophers. Since Grandma really loves the Twins, mom would go along, just because Grandma enjoyed it.
I have been working part time for the Twins for 11 years now. It has been a great time. Five years ago, I decided that mom, Debbie and I shouldn't have all the fun, so I invited all the family that I could to come to the game with us, and it would be a surprise! Well, what a surprise that was. My aunt and uncle came in from Boise for the party. There were probably about 40 of us that went to the game that day. As always, Grandma claims it will be 'her last game!"
Two years ago, mom died and Grandma fell and broke her hip. No game that year, since it all happened just days before Grandma's birthday, so we thought that Grandma really wouldn't go anymore.
A couple months ago, Susan and I talked her into going to a game. Since we don't know if it will REALLY be her last game, we invited everyone to celebrate her 95th birthday in a big way. We had about 30 people attend and as you can see, we thought we would with our great signs get on national tv, and the rest of our family could join in via tv. Even though we had some pretty impressive signs and we made sure everyone could see us, we didn't make it on tv. There were lots of shots of the roof of the Dome, but few closer up crowd shots.Too bad. Many family members around the country watch the game and tried to see us.
It was a great game and Twins won! Grandma really enjoyed the game. Of course, she did tell us again that this was 'her last game.
We will see!!
Years later, my mom would join us at the games, even though mom never really enjoyed sports. She only would enjoy it if one of us kids were playing or WAY back when my dad played for the Gophers. Since Grandma really loves the Twins, mom would go along, just because Grandma enjoyed it.
I have been working part time for the Twins for 11 years now. It has been a great time. Five years ago, I decided that mom, Debbie and I shouldn't have all the fun, so I invited all the family that I could to come to the game with us, and it would be a surprise! Well, what a surprise that was. My aunt and uncle came in from Boise for the party. There were probably about 40 of us that went to the game that day. As always, Grandma claims it will be 'her last game!"
Two years ago, mom died and Grandma fell and broke her hip. No game that year, since it all happened just days before Grandma's birthday, so we thought that Grandma really wouldn't go anymore.
A couple months ago, Susan and I talked her into going to a game. Since we don't know if it will REALLY be her last game, we invited everyone to celebrate her 95th birthday in a big way. We had about 30 people attend and as you can see, we thought we would with our great signs get on national tv, and the rest of our family could join in via tv. Even though we had some pretty impressive signs and we made sure everyone could see us, we didn't make it on tv. There were lots of shots of the roof of the Dome, but few closer up crowd shots.Too bad. Many family members around the country watch the game and tried to see us.
It was a great game and Twins won! Grandma really enjoyed the game. Of course, she did tell us again that this was 'her last game.
We will see!!
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