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!

A very long bus trip with the Mälaröarnas Ski Team home from Funäsdalen. Tilde fell asleep in Stella’s lap.

Beautiful day at Tänndalen. Here’s the view from the top of the mountain one of the few times it wasn’t snowing.

I

Stella had a little bout of stomach flu during our trip to Funäsdalen, but after a morning of playing checkers and drinking hot water with honey she’s back on the slopes.