"A single green LIGHT, minute and far away..." -F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

 

Over the past few weeks we've been exploring Stockholm-- new restaurants (for restaurant week, yum!), bars (in moderation), & neighborhoods (yay for healthful exercise!) Below is a collection of photos from our everyday life plus a few from our recent trip to try to see the Northern Lights in Northern Sweden. =)

View from the river near our apartment.

These are the ducks by on the river by our apartment, my ducks. I have adopted them.

 There are impromptu skating rinks scattered throughout the city. 

Stockholm from above

Sunset in Stockholm

More sunset. (I think this is my fav. photo of this post)

Us watching the sunset

Spooky!

Out to dinner with our friend, weekend visitor, and fellow DC resident,  Kris! =)

We found a Blues bar in the Old Town with free jam sessions.

Absolute Ice Bar Stockholm

Our drinks.

Ice blocks

Me and Constanze in the Ice Bar

Ice Painting!

We were very bundled up against the cold!

Night view of snowy Stockholm from the Sky Bar

Oh yeah, Valentine's Day was in here somewhere. =)

Dinner, recipe from my friend, Whitney

(Puff pastry with cream cheese, chicken, sauteed onions and pesto (<-- my addition). The recipe and several others are on her blog: Whitney's Chicken Pastry Thingy )

Sunday Morning Banana Bread.

Lunch + root beer (a European rarity) that Phil found!

Our Tree dressed up for the Winter. And yes, it's still Winter here.

Another shot of the Tree.

We also took a short, one night trip to Östersund with the hopes of catching the Northern Lights. Alas, as is the case for most Aurora hunters, they eluded us. Luckily, the town was beautiful and we had a lovely visit anyway.

Östersund is known for its skiing.

The ski slope is the first thing you see when you get off the train. It feels as though there is this giant, white cloud floating in the sky. Very beautiful & confusing at the same time.

The town with the full moon.

Don't feel too bad for us that we had to spend a day here.

Beautiful mountains!

He missed, don't worry. =)

Traditional Swedish bread.

...And this is how you make it. Those are pans of oil. Healthy..

There was a flea market. See if you can spot me in the crowd. Hint: I'm in a white jacket. 

Bye, Östersund!

Coming up: In a little less than two weeks, we travel to Nice, France for several days. We are really looking forward to the Sun and, hopefully, a little heat.