Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Looking outside our flat...

Being a Texan, I have never really experienced snow. So, I have to say, I was SUPER excited to see Sweden and Denmark's first snow of the year! It was very unexpected because Denmark is on the Gulf jet stream, so we tend to not have as much snow. But, Mike had taken the day off on Friday and we headed up to Malmo, Sweden (I know, I love that place!) for the day. We were walking around the city center, getting some cute things for our little tree and it just started coming down! I mean, big 'ole flakes, too! Here are some picture with me at the first flakes of snow. Luckily, Mike didn't get one of me trying to catch the snowflakes in my mouth (although, there were several failed attempts).

In Malmo, we also ate at one of the best Tapas restaurants! The lady at Peter Beier Chokolade (http://www.peterbeierchokolade.dk/) recommended it and since she was from Spain, we took her word on it! It was so

good... here is a picture from what we ate at La Roche. There is a platter with serrano ham, marinated manchego, olives, chorizo & caper berries. Then, we had the marinated tomato salad and shrimp with garlic. What isn't shown is the mussels (probably one of my most fav foods) and the Spanish omelet. It really didn't get much better than this!

We headed off for some more shopping and snow. Mike loved this shower cap at LaegerHaus and he looked so cute in it! Haha... And, the next pic is from standing at the entrance of Zara (LOVE this store!) and looking out at my rendition of a blizzard! Mike said that this wasn't a blizzard, but I think that it was!

We got our first Scandic Christmas Tree, too! We had to get one.. and it is so cute! I made Mike take a picture with the tree, he was... oh, a little embarrased! But, seriously, when are we ever going to have a Christmas Tree in Denmark, again?! Here he is.. thrilled for me to be taking his photo (and I am sure even more thrilled that I have it on the blog!)** Oh and the snow was free of charge! ;)

We had such a great time in Sweden and it was time to head back to snowy Denmark. We had to decorate our flat & our little tree. I know, I know... it is mid-November. But, since we don't have Thanksgiving we wanted to focus on Christmas! So, here is our decorated, little tree and our little decorations. I wanted to get as Scandinavian as possible!

Later that weekend, we had Eric (Mike's Boss) in town, as he finished up his European Tour here. We were fortunate that the weather was nice and there was the International Food Festival going one on Gammeltorv, the downtown square. We also went to Tivoli and it was lit up just beautifully for Christmas. And, with the snow, it was just amazing. Here is a picture of me with the snow in front of Nimb.

And, I had to show my proud, lil Frosty that I made on someone's hood of their car! I know, he is too cute... I think that I will name him Fredrico.

Well, guys.. that is all for now. With Thanksgiving this week, I am looking forward to spending time with new friends here, although I will miss my family and friends back home. Either way, it makes me think of how thankful we am to have all of you in our lives. We are so fortunate to have so many great friends & an amazing family. I will all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving, no matter where you are from!

No Thanksgiving... What?!

So, I am so saddened to hear that Thanksgiving isn't celebrated by the Danes. I mean, conceptually, I knew they didn't have the Pilgrims, the Nina, Pinta & Santa Maria and... for that matter, Cristbol Colombus! But, darn it if I didn't really want a big celebration here full on with the days off, turkey and ample amounts of football ("American-style"). We are planning on celebrating with some American (and French!) friends on Saturday after. But, you know, it will be really hard not being with the family and our absolutely crazy zoo! I mean, what is Thanksgiving without dad falling asleep before, after and during Thanksgiving... Mom making an amazing meal... Lisa & Lindsey picking from the big vat of mashed potatoes and pre-deciding that they would get all the leftover potatoes... Raul playing video games... Leo & Maria coloring... Mike watching football... Craig & Maria enjoying & always bringing a few bottles of wine... and, well the list goes on at our house!

So, instead of focusing on the Thanksgiving that I won't get to attend in Houston (it just makes me sad to miss the family), we have started focusing on Christmas here in Denmark. I am working really hard to understand the Danish traditions and such. First off, we went to the Kongens Nytorv Julemarked (Christmas Market) on Sunday. Despite a little rain, Mike and I had a great time! They sell all kinds of things from very heavy fleece to caramel apples. They also sell soup, Abelskivers candied nuts.

Here they are making caramel apple with homemade caramel and coated in coconut! YUM!

And, I am not sure who this is supposed to be, but these ladies were singing and handing out candy to the kids. Sadly, I didn't recieve a piece.

Here are some other Christmas Traditions here:

1- Merry Christmas = God Jul (literally translated to Good Christmas)

2- Christmas elves are not the same as in the U.S. (sorry, Will Ferrell). The elves here are called Nisser and they are quite mischievious. They live in old farmhouses, wear grey clothing with a red bonnet & stockings. You usually leave a bowl of rice pudding for him on Christmas Eve so that Nisser will be friendly and keep the pranks at bay.

3- Christmas is really celebrated Christmas Eve. Christmas dinner is usually duck or goose with potatoes and red cabbage. Usually followed by a lot of singing and dancing. Oh, and lets not forget the aquavit, which is for the adults! Dessert is another kind of lighter, rice pudding. It is made with whipped cream and chopped almonds. There is a whole almond in the pudding and if you find it, you get a prize (usually chocolate or marizpan).

4- Christmas day is celebrated with gathering with family and friends and enjoying a meal of cold cuts, different types of fish and, well more aquavit & ol (beer)!

I am sure that we will learn much more, as it gets closer!

A Weekend of Old & New Memories

So, this weekend my old roommate from college came to visit me from Aberdeen, Scotland. She, too is living over seas with her kids. I was fortunate to have her come to visit with her youngest daughter, Cassidy. Cassidy is about 8months old and a total doll. Needless to say, Salli & I had a great time catching up and I got to show her a little Copenhagen.

They got in Friday and true to CPH weather, it was drizzly, cold & a little windy. That is pretty much the weather pattern from about now to about April. Now I see why weather is always the topic of conversation. I really do.. at first, I was a little annoyed at how excited the Copenhagenites were so excited at a beautiful sunny day. I mean, coming from Texas, really that is most days for us. Sometimes, so much so, that we pray for a rainy day. Alas, being here for about a month of the fall time, I really do crave the sun. Oh, and I started taking Vitamin D pills, since I quite obviously am not getting it from the sun. Anyways, I digress... So, Salli, Cassidy & I enjoyed a nice lunch at Den Fransk Cafe on the lakes.

After a nice, filling lunch we headed downtown to the shopping area called the Stroget. It is mainly our downtown area with all kinds of shops from Gucci to Burberry to H&M to Message. We went to the top of the observation tower (built in 1649) to see all of Copenhagen, but with the haze of mist covering the city, we didn't get to view a lot. Another reason why, is because the sun goes down at 4-4:30pm! I am still not used to that and it totally messes with your mind. Next, we headed over to Kongens Nytorv area with the beautiful docks, the opera house and such. I was able to show her where HC Andersen spent his years writing, as his apartment still stands. We then headed over to the King and Queen's palace. I just learned this past week, on my LINK bike tour, that the guards that are there (think of the ones that look like toy soldiers) have the right to shoot you! They issue you 2 warnings and on the third, they will or can shoot! So, fair warning.... don't mess around the the palace!

Here is a picture of Cassidy and I at the top of the watch tower... yea, it is like 4:30pm! Isn't she a doll!

This picture is from Illium. Every year all the breweries here (and, there are a lot!) release their annual Jule Ol, or Christmas Brew. It is a really big deal. So, Salli & I got to sample Kongens Bryghus Beer:

After a long day of sightseeing in Copenhagen, we were hungry! So, time to eat! There is this GREAT Thai restaurant on Osterbrogade called Shilom. Salli, Cassidy & I grabbed a great meal there and had some time to relax. I had my favorite... Paneeg Curry with Chicken. Imagine perfectly cooked chicken in a coconut sauce with the perfect amount of heat and kaffir lime. Served up with some sticky rice, it makes for a great meal on a cold day. They also have a GREAT Tom Yum soup. It has just the right heat... you know the kind... it makes your nose run and it is spicy, but then you just keep eating it and wanting more. You just have to keep a napkin nearby... perfect for a nice, cold night! We finished the night at the wine bar, Figaro. It is always super cozy (hygge.. VERY important in the Danish vocabulary), great service, great food (although, we didn't eat that night) and most importantly, great wine!

Saturday was a day of shopping in Sweden! We took the train to Malmo, Sweden; it is about a 45min train ride with lots to look at! The taxes are lower in Sweden & things are cheaper, so it is a great place to shop! We all did some shopping and loaded Cassidy's stroller with lots of bags & goodies. We got lucky, it was a gorgeous day. We had lunch at this little cafe called Moonlit Cafe. It is off the beaten path and just super cute. Salli had salmon ravioli and asparagus with a little cream sauce. I ate the white fish with spinach & squid ink tagliatelle and a nice big red. As we headed back to the train station, we stopped off at Harry's bar (no relation to the one in Florence) and had a beer and glass of wine. Oh.. and, learned what the Swedes think nachos are.... (OK you Texans, don't laugh) think cheese Doritos with a side of Pace Picante and a side of French Onion Dip. Salli and I were ferociously disappointed. We headed back to Kobenhavn and went straight to Dag H for some dinner. I went with the vegetable pasta with lots of spinach & mushrooms... yum! We headed back to the apartment and watched Nottinghill and crashed. Even Cassidy crashed, she was so good all day!

Here is Cassidy at Moonlit Cafe! She was so good!

Sunday we went to brunch at Norreboro Bryhus translated to Norreboro Beerhouse. They brew right there and brew many different kinds of beer and have a great menu. We had a great brunch to include "American Pancakes". And, yes, they were... I haven't had pancakes in forever and really forgot how good they were. And, I have to say, these pancakes were cooked perfectly. You know the ones with a little crunch on the outside, yet slightly doughy on the inside. And, not too sweet so that you could taste the Maple syrup without it overpowering all the other flavors. Delightful!

It was time to send Salli & Cassidy home to Scotland. It was so great seeing Salli and meeting Cassidy. I can't believe we haven't really seen each other in about 10 years. It was so great to catch up and I look forward to seeing them again! As for me, I have a big week ahead of me with Mike gone to the US for the week. My goal is to get caught up on some stuff I have been dragging my feet on (ie. this blog!). And, to catch up on my girlie movies! After the Swedish Nacho incident, I felt compelled to thaw some of my beloved, HEB corn tortillas and make my own baked chips topped with refried beans, pico, cheese, jalapenos and avocado. Hmmm.. tasty, nachos and Penelope (the girly movie), I had a great night.