We were all a little nervous driving as the car was a manual, but Cyle seemed to have it under control (at least most of the time!). I think getting out of the busy city of Stockholm was the scariest part of the drive.
When we told our Swedish friends that we were going to Dalarna for midsummer, everyone would remark that we were going to have a true Swedish experience as Dalarna represents all that is quintessentially Swedish. It was in Dalarna that many iconic Swedish traditions were born. For example, this is the home of the Dala horse (dalahäst), the brightly coloured carved wooden horses. It was very evident when we entered Dalarna, as we began to see the iconic horse everywhere.
It even had a sauna! |
Our view from the front porch (and Belle took this picture, so it was from her vantage point). |
The weather was just chilly enough that we were able to have a fire.
Lucky for us, Allison is a camping expert; consequently she was able to handle all the outdoorsy stuff for the weekend.
Dinner the first night. It was Belle's favorite-spaghetti! |
Allison was once again in charge of lighting the fire |
A perfect evening |
The views were amazing The next day we began our midsummer preparations. |
Belle was ready in her Dala horse onesie |
Our first task of the day was to make the flower crowns. |
Midsummer celebrations have pagan origins, and this time of the year was thought to be a time of magic. Since anything with nature was thought to have special powers, gathering flowers to weave into wreaths and crowns was a way to harness nature’s magic to ensure good health throughout the year. Another midsummer tradition is for single girls to gather seven different flowers and place them under their pillow that night. Legend says they will then dream about their future husbands.
Traditionally, Swedes enjoy a big midsummer lunch before going to the celebrations. We broke with that tradition and delayed our lunch for the next day as we wanted to visit the Dala horse factory.
The first Dala horse factory was started by the Olsson brothers in Nusnäs, a village in Mora, in 1922. The second one was started in 1928. Both factories are still run by descendants of the Olsson family today.
What started as a simple toy made for children has become one of the most iconic and popular souvenirs from Sweden. Not much as changed in the production as every single horse is still hand-carved and hand-painted.
The largest wooden Dala horse
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After the maypole dancing, we headed back to the house to prepare dinner. Since we were having our traditional dinner the next night, we opted for cheeseburgers instead. |
After dinner, we went outside to enjoy the longest night of the year.
That night, after enjoying some time in the sauna, Cyle and Mike decided to cool off by jumping in the lake. Since Belle was in bed, Allison and I chose to stay in the house. Although we couldn't see them, we heard a lot of screaming after they took the plunge. I guess the water is still a bit chilly. |
The sun set around midnight and rose again around 2 a.m. The next day, we spent a leisurely day around the cabin enjoying the beautiful Swedish summer. |
We began our morning with pancakes and a view |
Had a few bocce ball tournaments |
Cyle, Mike and Allison (Belle and I stayed back so she could take a nap) took a spin around the lake |
That evening, we prepared the traditional midsummer meal. A typical Midsummer menu features different kinds of pickled herring,
boiled new potatoes with fresh dill, soured cream and chives. This is often followed by a grilled dish of some kind, (we opted for pork tenderloin with cloud berry jam),
We also enjoyed lingon berry and cloud berry chocolates The traditional accompaniment is a cold beer and schnapps. |
Every time the glasses are refilled, singing breaks out anew as Swedes like drinking songs.
Mike was our bartender for the evening and made delicious lingon berry cocktails |
As we sat outside that night (it never really gets dark in Sweden during the summer) we reflected on our weekend. Midsummer is not only about celebrating nature and the coming of summer, but being together with friends and family. I think we achieved a truly Swedish midsummer and an experience that we will remember forever.
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