Party Frocks

Lots to report but very little energy to do it!  Last 2 days in the north of Sweden have been nothing short of fantastic and I have lots to share but.....I am more than a little tired.  So I will give you some more party pics (as promised) and leave you all in suspense for my news of the trip until tomorrow.
A big thank you to my "fans" and followers, especially for all the kind comments.  I have had some very positive feedback and know many of you await my next update with baited breath.  Its nice of you and I am feeling the love.  Thanks.

"Get the party started....."

Lisa and Hans

The Goils

L

The new Bond.

Dr Blofledt, new Bond Girl and another Bond

Skol

One of the wannabe Bond Girls

Bond Girls get custom pieces made

James Bond and Bond Girl

Discussing.....

Can you tell the Opera serenade was moving?

Laters...

LK

A picture's worth a thousand words.....

Today I arrived in Jukkasjarva, the town which has the Ice Hotel.  Lots of beautiful things to see including the amazing Ice Hotel itself.  Tonight we spend the night one of the ice rooms, on a bed of ice and reindeer skin.  Tomorrow night we are in one of the warm chalets.  I think both will be special in their own way.  The cold room is -5C.  We did a tour called "How to survive the night in the Ice Hotel".  Very informative, apparently other than the sleeping bag you should only have 1 layer on. 1!.  I am going along with what they say but if I am cold I am going back to the dressing room to pile on the layers.  There are only 2 hours of daylight between 12-2 so its dark and pretty with lights most of the time.

Oh my the Layers!  I have never worn as many layers of clothes as I have today, and I can still feel the cold.  And its only -15C.  Last week it was almost -30C!!!
This evening on our way home from dinner we walked through the town.  I was wearing:
1 pair woolen hiking socks
1 pair "special" wool ski socks that go up to the knee
1 pair tights
1 pair jeans
Special boots that are super thick and durable and have a fleece and special insulating layer
1 vest, 1 t-shirt, 1 fleece body warmer, 1 fleece full layer, 1 wool jersey  aaannnnd
1 pair wool gloves, 1 pair fleece gloves, 1 pair mitten liners and 1 pair suede/leather mittens the size of plates
1 very hectic and heavy snow suit
then to top it off a beanie and balaclava and scarf.
Needless to say taking pics or blowing your frozen nose take ages and much adjustment.  My nails hurt from all the taking on and off of gloves.
But its been an amazing experience so far.  The very sad thing is Bron was sick this morning so she stayed behind in Stockholm and Hans, Helena and I are forging on alone.  Its been lovely, but we miss her.

Enough words, here are some much promised pics :)
Just as a side note - all these pics are of the "Art" rooms, ours is more basic but still ice and snow.

Side view of Ice Hotel 

Cute....during waking hours.  Not so much if you bump awake up at 4am.

This one is my favoute - Its called "Bubble Suite"

Chapel - they have up to 4 weddings a day during the season

Hans in the choir stall of the Chapel

Altar of the Chapel

Traditional Swedish window dressing

This one is called "Frigid-Dare" Thats food you see :)

Reception Hall

A house on the way home from dinner - can you see all the snow layers there?

Gift Shop

More from me soon xoxoxoxoxo

LK

Sisters are for keeps - and forever!

The big day of the 1971 James Bond "Diamonds are Forever" themed birthday party arrived - I got up early to decorate the cake for the party (a three tiered tower of chocolate, chocolate and chocolate with rose petal and edible diamond garnish).  Then Bron and I made our way into town for some shopping and hairstyling.  I don't have pics of us in our party frocks yet but those will be up here soon.  The ones I have posted here today are just the ones I took on my humble camera phone - the official ones will be much more impressive.  The party was held in a wine cellar that Hans is working on, it was a beautiful, interesting and intimate venue.  The menu consisted of canapes, champagne, towers of fresh seafood, an amazing cheese course with preserves and birthday cake. Then at 1:30 we were served a Swedish style potato bake for the ones tired and hungry from dancing (namely moi!).

Bron was very deservedly spoilt by Hans and all her special friends.  I was lucky enough to be sitting next to her when a friend of hers who is a professional opera singer sang her a beautifully moving song, so very special.  There were also some very funny speeches which I didn't understand and a gift of a parachute jump!  My big sister is one very amazing person and I am so very thankful that she is mine for keeps! All those loving  people in her life are testament to her generous, courageous and loyal spirit.  I am gushing a bit but I am so very proud of her so bear with me.

When we came out of the party it was snowing - so lovely to see a European city at that time of the morning with all the snow around.
We got home around 4am, ate more birthday cake while sitting on the kitchen floor and slept till noon.  Tomorrow morning we are off to the Ice Hotel so we will be getting ready for that this afternoon.  Its warm in Stockholm today, around 0C, so the ice is melting and its raining.  I have been promised that Kiruna will be colder and whiter - yay!  Bring on the snow.

Cooling the ganache in record time on the neighbours roof!

Table setting

Grodan Vin Bar

Birthday Cake!

Supper

4am in the City

Wish you were all here!

LK

Stockholm vs 01

Hi All,

Some snowy pics while waiting for the bus

Can you see how cold it is?

View from the front door on our way out

Early afternoon view of Stockholm from the house

Best dog Nike and Bron

My time here so far has been very cake making and tea drinking focused. Tomorrow night is the big bash so will post pics of that on Sunday.  Monday we leave for Kiruna and spend the night in the ice hotel - so that is to say lots of nice pics to come back and see!

LK

Don’t offended but…

Even if you have a blog and are following me, chances are I won’t follow you. Just for now. I hope you won’t take my lack of interest personally.  I know it’s not the done thing and I am not trying being rude, it’s just that this blogging thing is new and all about me for now. So, apology offered in advance, forgive me for what I am about to do and all that.

This blog is for me, by me, about me. I am being selfish you see; just for now.  Maybe soon I will follow you, but there’s a chance that I won’t want to know what you are up to.  But I do know that there are a few of you out there who will indulge me in this season and will even encourage me in my selfish phase.  This is for you.

Continuing the self-indulgent theme I went shopping today for my upcoming trip to Sweden.  Shopping for balaclava’s in the summer month of January is quite a thing.  There was only one style available and it had this unattractive gauzy covering for the mouth and some sort of elastic covering the face.  Thank you, but no.

I chose a lovely beanie and scarf instead.  I will wrap it around my head and face ”a la desert nomad” which I find  much more appealing.  And you can see my face, which will be a bonus for all the pictures I plan to take.

I am staying with some amazing friends in Simonstown for the weekend and I am getting spoilt rotten.  Lavish breakfasts and bed time treats.  I plan to return the favour guys J

So I will leave you with a pic of said beanie and the other items I have chosen for my trip to the (almost ) North Pole.  Apparently it will be “warm” when I arrive so I won’t have all the moisture in body freezing the instant I step off the plane.  How disappointing.

LK

Colours!

So today saw me off to to choose colours for my new study and spare bedroom.  I am thinking of going a grey called "Mineral Haze", its so calming and versatile.  It can be dressed up with white and silver or muted and relaxing with some deep pinks.
I have the painter coming next week while I am away in Stockholm, so I get to come home to a freshly painted and spruced up house.  Lucky me!

I took the plunge!

Yes...I have a blog. Who'd say hey?
So make sure you watch this space for more exciting posts...when I work out how the damn thing works :o)


LK