Sweet Summer in Stockholm

We have just returned to Paris from Stockholm. It is still strange for me to leave Stockholm to go home somewhere else!
 But it was an amazing delight to return during the long, light days of summer in that beautiful city we called home for almost 17 years. After an oppressive heat wave in Paris, the cooler temps that drove me crazy when we lived there were a welcome respite from urban, humid heat. The quality of the air, the cleanliness of the water, the deep green of nature, and the calm of the city were all things that reminded me of all that is good about living Stockholm.  One of the great gifts of returning to a place you've lived is that you are reminded of the things that kept you there with joy and delight and all of the stuff that bothered you or was hard fades deeply into the background leaving you with a treasure trove of warm memories that is pure gift.

Our trip was divided into distinct sections! The front end was spent with dear friends who have welcomed us into their home on countless occasions especially holidays and with whom we feel a very warm and familiar connection that includes their 3 adult children. 

Being in their home is like coming home to a warm cocoon. Hospitality oozes from every corner and we are so thankful for the ways in which they embrace our comings and goings. Their home that sits close to a lake was a perfect place to start our journey! One of the evenings we had a gathering over delicious food that included a significant conversation regarding my Louisville Institute book project. The depth of conversation and insight was so inspiring and I feel I am now well on my way with my project. SO EXCITING. 

We also shared a traditional Indian meal with our brother from another mother. They have moved to a new place that overlooks the sea so our waterside walk enabled us to take in the glorious sunset that put on quite the show that night.

The middle section of our trip was spent celebrating midsommar in the manner we had for years upon years with more extended family. What joy to re-live these weekends. It was cold, but not rainy. Doug swam on midsommar eve late in the evening after all of the dancing, eating, drinking and singing was done. It was too cold for me so I waited until the next morning when the sun was a bit warmer. All of the friends who we had gathered with over the years were there and it was as if we'd never left. Babies and spouses have been added along the way and it was a delight to see how these young ones are growing into responsible, beautiful adults. 

We returned to Immanuel International for the first time in 2.5 years. 

It wasn't weird. Didn't feel strange. We were warmly welcomed back with lots of love and appreciation, told we were missed but also understood that it was OK that we were no longer there. What a delight to enjoy the warmth and vibrancy of this lovely congregation. 

The last stop was the archipelago and time by Baltic. We longed for our boat and our doggy but at least the family we were with had both! We enjoyed returning to the home that we called our summer home on the outskirts of Stockholm and took delight in the comfort of yet another place that wraps us in warmth and welcome. We motored out into the archipelago to spend one day and night with more dear friends who own the very best summer place in the world. 

We have always enjoyed the days spent out here and this time there was no exception. The boat ride was beautiful and we arrived and got safely ensconced in the house before a raging thunder and lightening storm hit hard. But it blew through and gave way to a gorgeous evening. Late into the night I could not get my eyes off the horizon. The morning gave way to a gorgeous, warm morning so I took the chance to dip into the Baltic. I do miss swimming in the clear, clean, and yes, freezing cold waters of the Baltic. Everyone else thought I was crazy but I loved it. The boat ride back into Saltis was glorious and Doug and I both soaked in that beauty that dazzled our senses summer after summer in Stockholm.

Finally on our last day we held one more gathering of Immanuel folks to discuss my project and this was equally as fascinating and enlightening. Held at the home of a couple who met at Immanuel and eventually invited us to tie the knot for them, their hospitality overwhelmed us. Victoria's cooking is at the top of the my list and I just love being in her presence. She and Ingvar are filled with grace and openness and it was a delight to experience that once again. That night, we stayed up very late with a young couple who again, are like family to us, talking, laughing, sharing heart ache and joy.

Final day coffees with friends at the brand new Mall of Scandinavia, an epically huge and gorgeous US type mall, proved to be a perfect way to bring this trip to a close.

It's impossible to express what it's fully like to return to a place you loved and at times, drove you crazy through the years! We are both content that Stockholm is no longer our place of resident but we are also both fully convinced that there is a big Stockholm shaped place in our heart that is filled up with the beauty of the city but more importantly the beauty of the people with whom a deep love is shared. 

It was joy pure joy to return and enjoy these moments and memories. 

Summer Loving: Loving Summer

After a miserable June, July has been a real stunner in Stockholm! One hot sunny day after another has been on order and we've enjoyed it to the max! There's nothing quite like a warm summer in Stockholm. The ability to enjoy the water and be out in the late light without feeling a chill is a rare and special treat and we are making the most of our opportunities to drink it in. Here are some highlights:
July 4th we were invited to some dear friends' island paradise for a special celebration with fellow Americans and other assorted nationalities! We took the Finnmaster out to the southern archipelago and enjoyed the wondrous beauty of our wild island surroundings. The company of good friends was icing on the cake and we toasted our homeland, sang the National Anthem, proudly waved the American flag, grilled and enjoyed. Gorgeous evening with gorgeous friends.

Even Tanner got in on the grill action!

We spent the night out on the island so enjoyed the late night sky and a gorgeous moon.
Picnics in the archipelago. We've continued our tradition of heading south to the artipelag area where we just love anchoring near a rock, grilling good food and swimming in the beautiful Baltic. A treat this year is that the water is not stinkin' freezin' cold! We've taken lots of friends out to enjoy the wonders of the archipelago for the first time. I never tire of the views, the sky, the sunsets, the refreshment of being out. And oh that summer light!
I was privileged to officiate at a very interesting and beautiful wedding of a young couple who came to know me through our church. She was American, he Swedish. Both are artistic and this wedding was vintage and quirky and all together lovely. The wedding itself was held in an apple orchard. THANK GOD the weather was good! I have no idea what we would've done if it had rained. Mud up to our ears...happily dodged that problem! The reception was in a barn. The guests were dressed in anything and everything. The new look for men right now seems to be rumpled with a dash of style. Cotton trousers, rolled up at the cuff, any manner of shoe, no socks.

This is a man

Bow ties seem to be quite in as well. Footware was funky. Delightful evening in a gorgeous setting with a lovely young couple. Love is grand!

We were delighted to share in the 50th birthday celebration of a good friend from the US who had a dream of celebrating his 50th here! We had met some of his friends awhile back so was very fun to see them again while also meeting some others from Chicago. It was a special time on the water in the company of sweet people.
After spending one month watching World Cup football almost non-stop, we held our own Immanuel World Cup last Sunday. This has become a great tradition in our church and proved to be a wonderful time. As usual, the final score was Fun to Fun.
Some friends who used to live here but now live in Germany came to visit with their 9 month old golden retriever. He had never been swimming so Tanner showed him the ropes. What fun it was to watch these two romp around in the water. I was in the mix with them and enjoyed watching Jaden figure out that he really could swim and that it was really fun to do so! He was living into his retriever identity in no time, racing Tanner for the ball and swimming and frolicking like a pro after a very short while!
It's hot in Stockholm. Some are complaining that it is too hot and when I hear that I just cringe. My feeling is to just yield to the heat. Be hot. Get sweaty. Jump in the water and enjoy. Because if one thing is for sure...it won't last. It's already getting dark by 11.00 p.m. I'm holding on tight to these incredible days. I am loving summer, that's for sure!