Sue's purchases and travels

The underground in Stockholm is a great way to travel. It is inexpensive, safe and each station had a different theme. The picture on the left is from the Nackrosen station which is located in Solna near the site of an old movie studio. The station features lots of photos and props from the studio as well as wonderful mosaics using parts from the old ceramic stoves that used to be common in Swedish homes. The staion on the right features a mural in the classic Falun red color. You never have to wait very long for a train but, if you do, there is always something interesting to seee.

I went to my favorite Sunday Flea market and second hand shops this last week and found lots of wonderful original art for the shop. These vintage paintings continue the flower and spring scene. There are also wonderful landscapes and a couple of portraits. All should arrive by the second week of February.

Flowers and candles are a constant in the day to day life of Swedes. Homes and restaurants always seem to have candlelight and flowers...guess it helps them dream of spring during the long dark winter months. Today, at the gift show, I was so impressed with the assortment of flowers vendors used to hilight their displays-here are a few examples.

Wow...the Swedes are really getting on the Wedding bandwagon. Today, at the Gift Show in Stockholm, I came upon an exhibit devoted to Official Royal Wedding Items.

There is a wonderful proverb that it is better to "Light a Candle rather than curse the Darkness". The Swedes have taken this to heart and one finds candles everywhere. This candle lit up a small display outside a floral shop in Solna Sweden.

While walking through Stockholm's International Fair center I noticed a small flower in a wall of greenery. I'd passed the wall a few times and had always assumed it was artificial greenery but this little sprout proved me wrong. The wall was made up of over a hundred small pots filled with a variety of ivies and flowering plants. Everyone is touting being "green" it was refreshing to be in a place that actually has some green!

Valentine's Day is not the cause...the Royal Wedding Is! Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria is to marry Daniel Westling this June. I have been attending a gift show in Stockholm and have seen a slew of Royal Wedding articles. Most are pretty horrid but I did purchase this charming tray which playfully represents the joy of the occasion. Tray should arrive early summer with loads of other great gifts with a Swedish twist!

To the left is a scale in one of the stalls at the Tallinn Farmer's Market. Pictured on the right are some "ladies who lunch" at the Ostermalms Saluhall...an upscale market in one of Stockholm's poshest neighborhoods. Curiously both featured something I had never seen before...skinned rabbits with fur remaining on their feet lying next to chickens with feathers at their necks. Pretty...ghastly.

Icy scenes like this are typical as you walk the streets of Tallinn. The ice flow to the left is a particularly large one. More typical are the ones to the right which are usually located high on the roof tops. My first night in town I thought I heard people climbing the stairs dragging suitcases. I later realized there were men on the roof shoveling snow and sawing off the dangerous ice.

When I arrived in Tallinn at the apartment building where I would be staying I immediately notcied this little cat high in a tree. He had a birds eye view of birds and people. There were a number of other cats wandering around. I learned they lived in a shed in the back and noticed that food was put out every day for them. I, who place a chair next to my bed each evening so my full figured 16 year old cat can jump up to join us, can't help but worry about these little fur creatures out in the elements but....they seem to be faring well.

The last time I was at this market was in 1995. Estonia was newly free from the Soviet Union and all the stalls were filled with people selling Russian soldiers' hats, medals, and uniforms. I think the snowy weather and icy ground kept many vendors away but this woman, selling Sauerkraut, was ready to face the cold. Peter's grandmother wrote a book about her years in Siberia and I remember her stating she had brought along sauerkraut. I immediately thought of "our" sauerkraut and considered it an odd thing but now realize she spoke of the type shown here, which is more like a cole slaw. This sauerkraut is often sold mixed with fruit or red cabbage and is a popular and affordable dish with Estonian and Russian alike.

I Landed in Tallinn Friday in The midst Of heavy fog. Landing was attempted twice until we finally Touched ground. The Jittery landing was Worth it ... The heavy fog combined with The snow covered trees presented an exquisite winter wonderland. At right is a shot Of Old Town Tallinn Roofs from above. You can see Stone Towers on The Left Side Of The photo. I am here Visiting my Husband's cousin who Regained her family's apartment in Tallinn, And now lives here once again. (After Escaping to Sweden in The 40's when her mother and grandmother were sent to Siberia)