This is the local dump, where people bring their trash and then carefully divide it into approximately 20 different large bins based on the type of trash, e.g. “plastic”, “newspaper”, “cardboard,” “colored glass,” etc.  The last time we were here was during the fall when everyone was pulling up with cars full of plastic bags of leaves.  The amazing thing was that each person would carry the bags to the bin for “leaves” and empty each bag there, and then carry the empty plastic bags to the “plastic” bin.  Naturally, I did the same thing.

This little tennis club has produced multiple world #1 players in singles and doubles including Mats Wilander, Janne Björkman, and Stefan Edberg.

Malin’s mom usually prepares lutfisk for dinner on annandag jul (Dec. 26). This shouldn’t be confused with lutfisk pudding, which she makes as one of many dishes on Christmas Eve. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but it’s some kind of white fish that is dried, then soaked in water, then soaked in lye and water, and finally baked. Something about the lye gives it a gelatinous texture. Malin offered this ringing endorsement: “it doesn’t have any taste, so most people don’t like it because of the consistency.” I’m actually a fan, but probably because you eat it with boiled potatoes, peas, salt, both black and white pepper, hot mustard, and some kind of white gravy. And beer.

These hearty adventurers won’t let the freezing temperatures stop them from building an awesome fort in the forest.

Dancing around the Christmas tree at Skansen. This picture is taken around 3pm on one of the shortest days of the year — sunset at 2:48pm!

Växjö was named “Europe’s Greenest City,” and I love the little things they’ve done for pedestrians and cyclists like this free air pump near a big bike rack in the middle of town. Very neat and practical, or as they say here, “smedigt!”

Here’s Tilde and Stella in Tänndalen. It was a little chilly up there. MASK is the name of their ski club.

Beautiful Christmas concert in Östermalm. Loa Falkman is a famous singer here, particularly for his Christmas albums, and he delivered a great show in a beautiful setting.

Christmas decorations (Julpynta) is serious business in Äppelviken. We put up a Christmas tree and a bock (Christmas goat) out front. Mats cut down the tree near their summer house in Småland and brought it inside the car!