One hike later

Back from a short day-hike. This is what our hallway looks like!

Today, we enjoyed goulasch (cooked on our storm kitchen) on a little peninsula by the lake (Källtorpssjön) near Hellasgården outdoor center. WC was walking around the area, mesmerized by the water right next to our little dining spot, and having a great time!

As you can see - our cats had not really missed us very much.

Colors of fall

New fall wardrobe. Suit: Tiger of Sweden Norden , Socks: Falke, Merino wool v-neck sweater: Polo Ralph Lauren, "Khaki in Tobacco" slim fit chinos: Dockers, paisley pocket squares: Stenströms, hand-sewn Oxford shoes: Loake.

After updating our sons closet we thought it would be nice to let daddy get some new apparel. Stay tuned for the female closet update. There is a wonderful double-breasted camel coat from Stockholm at MQ, and a hand-knitted wool sweater "lusekofta" that mommy is looking for. Our lesson from last weekend (when we were caught in ice cold rain and had to rush through the overflowing streets) was to be better prepared for the Swedish fall weather and invest in some good Wellingtons, as shown below the high Tretorn Sarek Millennium hiking wellies for mom and LaCrosse Hamptons street wellies for dad.

Crayfish festival!

A table full of crayfish, boiled with dill, and served with different versions of bitter - this night we had Piratens Besk (a very smooth bitter snaps). And of course, a live fire to keep us warm through the cold late summer evening.

Farmor and Farfar and Kim.

Wallpapering the apartment

In the midst of a lot of work! Wow - maybe the most intense week of our lives! Wallpapering certainly puts your married life to the test. But we are quite proud of the result.

Some more summer photos from last month

Look at meeeeeee! Wheelbarrow racing in the yard.

Sandbox time.

Gathered around the table with Farmor och Farfar.

Yes! It is fun to use the swing.

WC reading a bedtime story to Dad.

Friends for dinner

Mr. Napkin Man comes to visit for dinner. WC politely shakes his hand.

The Headless Man comes to visit. WC is not impressed.
(Photos taken this summer at the cottage.)

Sunday menu

Reindeer stew with red wine, juniper berries and rosemary gravy. Served with mashed turnips.

Recipe:

1. Go to the snowy mountains.
2. Find a reindeer.
3. Catch it with a lasso.
4. Cut its throat.
5. Cut out the best parts with a sharp knife.
6. Take the snowmobile back to civilization.
7. Put the meat in a hot pot.
8. Keep stirring.
9. Add red wine, cream, juniper berries and some fresh rosemary.
10. Ready to eat.

Early fall hiking day

 Two hikers in the Nacka Reserve.

 The sun is shining. The weather is nice. WC is sporting his new Polarn & Pyret shell pants and Tretorn wellies. And of course - no hiking outfit is complete without a warm John Deere hat.

 Hand in hand with mommy!

 Strenuous walk uphill - one has to concentrate!

 

Mother and son on the trail, posing for Mr. Camera man.

 Dad and WC on the trail, leading from the city into the Nacka Nature Reserve. WC enjoys the comfort in his Vaude Baby Butterfly Carrier.

(Click on the map to increase size.)

Our morning hike was a pretty easy one, but it is always nice to get out and enjoy the early fall colors. We met a few people in the forest that were looking for mushrooms, and we saw a fair amount of blueberries left on their bushes.  We started at 10 AM by the Hammarby-backen (red dot) and then walked across the forest in nice elevation. After an hour, we crossed the road and walked across the meadows(where the trail is man-made and a lot wider. This is where WC was let out of his harness so that he could do his own little hike). We arrived at Hellasgården (blue dot) around 11.40 and enjoyed the warm noon weather  (around 50-55 F). The whole family had lunch at Hellasgården and took a bus back (blue lines) to the inlet at Järla lake, where we got off and hiked back along the shore of Sickla lake (burgundy arrows). By this time, our son had already fallen asleep on daddy's shoulders.