Kalmar part 2

Day 10

This day was another fabulous one! I got PEANUT BUTTER for breakfast for the first time in months, because Åke bought me some just because he knew I liked it! Nicest man ever? I think so! (Okay maybe I'm a bit too easy to please, but I went through all of public school with peanut butter sandwiches every. day. on my lunch!)

Our journey took us driving all over Småland (the name for the lanscape in south western Sweden). We got to listen to a fabulous tape in the car about the story of Beethoven. He was a crazy deaf man, but man did he make great music! It was amazing to drive the country roads listening to his music!

We drove out to the Pukeberg Glass Factory and got to see some glass blowers at work! One made a cat. It was so cool, one minute it was a lump and he just pinched it in a few places and Voila it was a cat! Next we went on to Målerås glass and crystal factory. This one used molds and created all sorts of art by etching pictures into the crystal! After that was Orrefors. They had just closed down the factory a few months ago but they still had a huge store! I had NO idea that each different wine deserved a special glass! it was quite the learning experience!

After a nice homemade supper of pasta, we turned on the TV to find Rascall Flatts performing at Liseberg in Gothenburg! We also looked through the Sandbergs' guest book dating back to 1987! It was amazing reading stories from all the people that had visited them. Swedish and English were not the only languages in it either! 

Day 11

For breakfast we tried fried kropkakor; they were just as delicious as the previous ones! We relaxed for most of the morning; Åke showed us some maps and books of Sweden.

In the afternoon the four of us took out the bikes and went for a stunning ride through the countryside. We stopped in the forest to pick wild blueberries! Åke showed us the place of the scout camp he took his group to for many decades. Then we toured the biggest dairy farm in the area! The Aggie in me practically screamed in delight! They had FOUR robots! And I'm not quite sure but they either had 500 or milked 500. There were plenty of calves to play with, that was my favourite! Swedish Red are the darned cutest calves (and maybe cows) ever! WE biked back after that.

We attended a birthday party for a family friend that night. Swedish people have birthday parties for themselves every year, I love it! They had the most delicious food there, including a chicken dish with a blue cheese sauce and grapes! For dessert was grädde torta (cream cake). It was a white cake layered with jam, pudding, and whipped cream and strawberries on top!

Day 12

Sadly we had to say goodbye to the Sandbergs this day. I had an amazing and memorable time with them! Before we left they gave both Kirsti and I antique keys with a Swedish ribbon attached. We are now a part of the "Key Club" that the Sandbergs started 35 years ago! They have given away hundreds of keys now! The idea behind it is that you should carry it wherever you go to help open doors in life, and as a good luck charm!!

Next I showed Kirsti Gotland for a few days, stay tuned!