A Day in Sundborn

(This blog was written on Monday, June 21)

We had another beautiful day in Sweden! Yesterday it rained the entire way from Kalmar to Falun but the sun emerged just as we were within 20 km of our destination. Also, I have to mention that we are renting a manual diesel C'eed Kia and it seems to be getting amazing gas mileage. We drove nine hours with one tank of gas. Gas is 12,62 a liter. We really haven't factored what it is but feel that it must be very good. When we do calculate the mpg, we'll let you know. Do they sell manual diesel Kias in the states? This one is an eco diesel too and we just discovered that it turns off when you stop and put it in neutral. Kris was thinking that it was dying but then realized that it was a energy saving feature. As soon as you put it in gear, it starts up again.

All of us remarked that Carl Larsson's did not disappoint. The weather was outstanding and his house was just like the paintings and pictures. It was so neat for us to be able to see the place first hand. I mean it was REALLY so amazing to be standing in the very rooms and walking around in the same places that were depicted in his paintings. And also, to see first hand the incredible textiles that Karin designed and created. She was also a furniture designer; Kris and I didn't realize that she did that.

We couldn't take pictures inside of their house so we decided that we will have to go back and take another tour while we are here. Carl uses his family as inspiration for his art and inside of is house he had painted murals of his children on the doors and panels. One could see that Karin and Carl were very family oriented and it was nice to hear little family stories from our tour guide.

Another discovery that we made is "glass" which is ice cream. It is the best and is everywhere. Anytime you see this little clown, you know that glass is somewhere near. Kris had lakrits glass today....licorice ice cream. You know what? It was very good.

Tomorrow we are going to drive even more north to Moro to see where dala horses are made and the home of Anders Zorn, another painter. The weather is supposed to be even warmer so we are looking forward to that.