stockholm weekend pics, parks and parks

i am starting to notice that one of the best things about stockholm is the beautiful parks that your can escape to.  we looked on the map, pointed to one of the many green spaces, and decided to adventure towards vinterviken.

it was a beautiful saturday afternoon with grey skies, iced lake and snowy paths.  i can't even begin to imagine what a green oasis it will be in the summer.  we strolled along the lake for awhile then ventured uphill to take in the view.  we not only found a view but snowy corridors among wintery trees.  kai rolled around like a happy pup in the snow.  he discovered icicles and an icicle fight ensued, of course.  there was fort making too. 

we enjoyed lunch at the winterviken, a gorgeous and massive brick building. we thoroughly devoured a pate sandwich (the swedes know how to do the sandwich to perfection!) and shared a semla.  we'd heard about the semla but had to try it...it's a bun infused with cardamom and filled with a delicious almond paste and light cream.  it. was. lovely.

on the way home we promised that we'd return again and again. especially in the summer months to enjoy a dip in the lake.  stay tuned :)

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

on sunday, after kai's soccer, we sledded once again at vitabergsparken (again!).  this time i walked around the park and it is huge!  kids everywhere sledding (with trees nearby!), a gazebo, little cute houses (long ago these were allotted to the poorest of the poor but many have been modernized with plumbing and electricity although some still fetch their water at a nearby well), and a gorgeous church presiding over the whole place.

 

at home, stefan cooked up a delicious storm all weekend...  

fried egg with sauteed kale/garlic/chili

beef stew with carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and parsley

caramel chicken with a side of cauliflower and rice

hope you had a lovely weekend too.