Everything I Love about Sweden on Ice

Just for an update of what is going on outside....more and more of what I like to call Swedish Summer on ice. The little village where I live year round comes alive during the summer because it has so many vacation homes and people who come to the lake to fish, swim and sunbathe. During the last part of the winter I start to think about what would happen if it became really hot suddenly. As soon as the ice thawed I could take the boat or swim to the Sauna that floats on the lake. The snow that has piled up on the picnic bench pictured would have melted and I could sit there again and have a fika with my friends.

To me the weather right now is the only thing keeping me from a number of things that I consider to be a part of living "The Swede Life". In order to get not so bummed about it I tell myself that it's ok, all the things I love about summer in Sweden are all still here, they are just on ice.

The good news is even though it is cold as hell, it looks pretty. All of you looking at this can enjoy the view objectively, without having to freeze your butt off like I did in order to take these photos.

Svensk Ost/Swedish Cheese

One of my first Swedish friends, Louise from Göteborg , is crazy about cheese. Every time I went to her house she served a wonderful spread of cheeses, fruit and crackers. Before I met Louise I liked cheese, but after I experienced her cheese service I enjoyed cheese on a new level. I found that the cheese she loves is not just any cheese, it's Swedish Cheese.

Now, I have been to France and I have enjoyed their cheese, but I have to say Swedish Cheese has defiantly been over looked for way too long.

I hate to say it but I think one of the only reasons French Cheeses are better known in United States is because of the French's abilities to market their products to Americans. I think if Swedes came to the US with the same confidence the French have in their cheese, Swedish Cheese would be a mainstay in the American Food Industry.

This cheese market is called Bengtson's Ost, located in Lund right across the street from St. Jacobs Bakery (the place I wrote about on Valentine's Day). I have never seen such a large space dedicated to cheese and cheese only. Not only do they have the best and most unique Swedish Cheeses, they also have cheese from all over the world. The shop owner, Lars is pictured above and he was really sweet about letting me wonder around the shop to take a million photos. From talking with him a bit I realized that my knowledge of Swedish Cheese is still very limited. I will update you all on what types Swedish Ost  (cheese in Swedish) are not to be missed. So far my favorites are Prast and Graddost.

Alla Hjärtans 'Dag med min älskling och en Semla

Today is Alla Hjärtans 'Dag (the direct translation in English is All Hearts Day, otherwise known as Valentines' Day) in Sweden. The holiday here is basically the same as it is in America. Couples celebrate their love by showering each other with flowers, candy and affection.

My husband and I celebrated our love by driving to Lund and going to our favorite bakery, St. Jacobs. I have featured the bakery in a post a while back but I did not talk about one of my favorite items. Pictured above are Swedish Cream Puffs called Semla. Now, I have indulged in my share of cream puffs, but none so far have compared to these. They are made with a pastry type roll that is cut in half, and filled with marzipan first and heavenly cream. You can always tell when someone has had one because the powdered sugar from the top of the Semla usually ends up on their nose, no matter how careful they are.

Here’s to Love, Happiness and Swedish Pastries!