Ullared

Well I finally made it to Ullared. I've been here 13 years now so I figured it was time. So Siegfried and I went off to shop!

Vättern

Off on adventures again! Only down to Skåne but still :). Siegfried had to have a pit stop by the big lake.

Finally!!!!

I have never ever had this type of orchid re-bloom. Never. I have tons of luck with the more broad leaf orchids but never these ones with more frond type leaves. But the bedroom window must be magic cause it has, not one, but two flowers on it!!!!!

Flaw in the plan

Mama Cat realizes a bit too late that there is one flaw in this plan to nap on the human furniture. The quicksand effect. This is where cats may sometimes sink into a gap or depression made by the legs of their human funiture. This flaw was immediately (well, after pictures and giggling) noticed and corrected by said human furniture. Mama Cat went on to have a lovely nap :). 

Sleepy time

Mama Cat is totally ready for nap on human furniture.

Human furniture

Mama Cat getting comfy on some of her favorite human furniture.

Almost over

The kitties can somehow sense that end of vacation is looming. I mean, you can practically see the tension can't you?

We match!

The puppy and I have matching smiles :).

Yep, it's a hit

It is Gizmo's turn in the lamp box. She seems to like it too!

Had to have a cat

The IKEA guy that designed these boxes had to have a cat at home. At least one. No way could he have accidentally made a box for a lamp that was also perfect for kitties. Polo went straight in!

Why can't they relax?

The kitties just can't seem to relax on our vacation. What to do?

Cheating on the kitties

And with a puppy no less!

Dropbox is awesome

This popped up during a file transfer lol.

Stare of death

I woke Bastet up by accident. I got the stare of death. Then she went back to sleep.

No stress here

Mama Cat does not have any worries.

Forgot my bear :(

I forgot my bear. Yes, I still sleep with a teddy bear. No, I do not care if I'm "supposed to" or not. So I had to get a temporary replacement for him. This pink elephant was quite cute. Boyfriend thinks I'm nuts, but I'm so used to sleeping with my bear that I had no idea what do with my arms last night. Slept so badly! Problem solved. And pink elephants are always fun!
(You see the pink elephant too right? Just checking.)

Siegfried gets a fan

While taking this picture, Siegfried captured the attention of a little girl. She got to find out about how Siegfried travels the world and likes to get his picture taken. She thought that was pretty cool.

I am not a net

Siegfried was curious about all the hooks. They were used to hold nets before when Bönhamn was a true fishing village. He decided he didn't quite like them though. Not sure why.

Bönhamn

On our trip we also made it to a small fishing village called Bönhamn. It was really pretty there, lots of houses were quite well preserved and restored. More wonderful views and Siegfried was fascinated by how such large boats could park in very small spaces. We watched 4 squeeze in to what we thought was a full marina. Apparently you just wiggle and shove till your boat has displaced the other boats enough to make room for you. I wish parking cars were that fun.....

Skuleberget part 2

Once we found the super scary lift we got on for the nerve racking ride to the top. Siegfried was a total chicken shit though. He didn't even pop his head out on the lift. He was too afraid of falling. I was too. But we made it to the top and the view was totally worth it. Down was better than up. I even opened my eyes. Siegfried still hid like a pussy though.

Skuleberget

We got to see a mountain on our trip as well. We were a bit worried about getting to the top though. When we got there it was just a bunch of people renting climbing equipment. No way I'm climbing a mountain. Siegfried agreed. Luckily we were on the wrong side. The lift to the top was on the other side. Whew, close call.

Tense kitties?

I think not. Three out of the four kitties were passed out like this when we left. I think they really like that window.

Gizmo bump

We were searching and searching for Gizmo all over the house. Couldn't find her anywhere. After awhile we noticed a lump under the covers. It was a Gizmo!

LOTR fan

The former owner of our country house was a Lord of the Rings fan. I approve :).

Fun sign

We need one for our house.

Petting station

You would think this is a run of the mill laundry room sink, but no, you would be wrong. It is a petting station for Polo bear. Here you can pet her all you want. No where else though.

Klockhuset

We also made it to the clock museum on our trip. It's a really fun place! The man who started the museum bought his first clock in 1967 and he and his wife decided soon after that they would one day open a clock museum. And they did! They have about 800 clocks in the collection and it is so fun to see them all and hear a bit about some of them. The man who started the museum passed away last year, sadly. But his wife still gives the tour when you visit. Siegfried had a hard time keeping up, he was constantly stopping to look at cool clocks! But we were no better so.....

Höga kusten bro

We went and saw the big big bridge called the Höga kusten bro. It is located near Kramfors in Ångermanland. It was big! Siegfried felt very small next to it, but he managed his usual smile despite feeling rather inadequate :).

Afternoon tea

Siegfried had to put his fancy pants on, because today it was time for afternoon tea at the Station in Uppsala! He doesn't have pinkie fingers to hold up properly while drinking tea though, so he had it a bit easier than the rest of us :).

Carl Larsson gård

The other famous artist home we visited was Carl Larsson's house. He was also a famous Swedish artist and was actually good friends with Anders Zorn. His house was also very fun to see, very pretty! And even though it meant we couldn't see them, the kitchen and guest rooms are closed off to the public because the family still uses the house as a summer house. How cool is that? Siegfried enjoyed walking around the gardens as well. He was also glad that there were lots of colors in the house, just like him :).

Biggest Dalahäst

Siegfried couldn't ride this one. He was very disappointed :(. This one is in Avesta and is the largest Dala horse in the world. So we had to stop and see it!

Quaint cottage

The cottage we stayed in was so cute! It was quite old but had been very nicely fixed up and decorated. Siegfried was most impressed with it :).

Nusnäs

Since there were so many pretty horses in Dalarna, we decided to see where they were made. So off to Nusnäs we drove! Siegfried was very impressed with all the horses. And there so many he could ride on!

Zorn gården

We got us some culture on our trip too. We visited not one, but two artists' houses on this trip. This was the home of Anders Zorn, a very famous Swedish artist. He was even famous in the US, he painted portraits of three presidents that still hang in the White House. Siegfried was most impressed with his house, and the garden as well!

Långa bryggan

In Rättvik there is a long pier that is the longest inland pier. It is also one of the largest wooden constructions in the world! And since it goes out to a bit of rock there are actually trees and grass, a little park, at the end. It was very cool to walk all the way out. Siegfried was glad to sit down for pictures though. It was a long walk!

Rättvik

We made it to Dalarna! We rented a cottage in Rättvik and had lots of stuff to see. Siegfried was very pleased with all the horses there were to ride :).

In pretend Birka

Siegfried feels right at home in the model of Birka that was in the museum. He felt as though it was just right for his size :).

In actual Birka

Siegfried in front of what once was Birka. Several other people seemed disappointed that it is just a field, but luckily Siegfried and I knew that before we got here :). It's what underneath the field that matters!

On the way to Birka

Siegfried is enjoying the boat ride to Birka. He is so excited to finally see the Viking settlement that was there! Or at least what's left.

Siegfried von Sock Monkey

Sock monkey finally has a name!!!! It has been decided that his name is Siegfried :). As soon as I get around to it his adventures will be appropriately tagged.