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Stockholm // Day 4

Our fourth and final day in Stockholm came at the very end of our trip. We took a train west to Dalsland for the wedding, which I’ll recap separately, and then returned to Stockholm for one final evening before an early morning flight back to the States. We returned to the city mid-day after a morning train ride, and were graced with more stunning weather. We were so fortunate to have the most beautiful, sunny, humid-free environment for our travels. We decided to spend our last evening down by the water front in the Gamla Stan neighborhood (the old town).

^^We first popped into a bakery and finally sampled Princess Cake – something Kimmy has been eager to try ever since she sailed with a Swedish scientist through the Panama Canal and had this pastry described to her in great detail five years prior. Princess Cake is a traditional Swedish pastry consisting of alternating layers of airy sponge cake, strawberry jam, pastry cream, and whipped cream, topped by green marzipan and a pink marzipan rose. It was a lovely, light summer dessert. Hopped up on sugar, we were ready to hit the streets for some final sightseeing.^^

^^Finally a photo of the two of us together in Stockholm!^^

^^Check out the Vasamuseet in the background (the red building with the tall ship masts).^^

^^Sweet lord this city is attractive and nautical. Swoon! We ate our final Swedish meal on the outdoor terrace of the Grand Palace Hotel. We were channeling Momar, big time. This was the view during dinner.^^

^^We walked all over the city prior to dinner on a hunt for the perfect Rodebjer kaftan. One of Maja’s wedding guests rocked one during the festivities, and we were obsessed. Alas, none of the flagship stores in Stockholm had any in stock, so I am patiently waiting to make the investment once our bank account has recovered from this trip. Such an easy, breezy, classy look. This was the one we saw firsthand. ^^

^^We also had fun exploring the T-bana (subway) stations and all of their wild art and decor.^^

^^Officially wiped from the week’s adventures, we watched our final Swedish sunset from Lassemaja’s stunning apartment view. Farewell, Stockholm. Hejdå Sverige!  We most definitely will be seeing you again.^^

Currently Reading

As someone who grew up in a Star Trek loving household, I was particularly moved by this blog post:

To that end, we’ve tried to make our literary dramatis personae more closely resemble the people of Earth. We’ve tried to include more people of African, Asian, and Southeast Asian ancestry than were seen in the televised and feature-film stories. We’ve tried to incorporate characters who hail from many cultures and viewpoints. We’ve tried to imagine a future in which people of all faiths have learned to live in harmony with people of other creeds as well as those who prefer to lead purely secular lives. We’ve tried to depict a future in which people’s gender identities are no longer limited to some arbitrary binary social construct, but rather reflect a more fluid sense of personal identity.

Sister, Sister

This weekend, my oldest friend and her two little girls (and their Papa) joined us for Courtland’s birthday celebration. I just love seeing our girls spend time together, as it is a reminder of our own childhoods, as we and our two little sisters grew up together and remain close to this day. How special that we should each have our own pair of daughters that can play and grow up side by side. We may be a state apart, but I know that these four girls will come to see one another as extended family just as their parents have.