While I read in this morning's Advertiser that Adelaide is sweltering and set for a sizzling exit to 2005, here in Sweden, we have been under the grip of relentless snowstorms for the last few days. I still can't quite grasp the concept that while I am rugged up in four layers of clothing and a woolly hat, gloves and scarf, simultaneously, across the other side of the planet, my family and friends are hiding inside from the 42.7C heat and trying to find ways of staying cool. Come and visit me here and I can show you "cool". At minus 4C, you can experience a few degrees of separation.

The snow is really beautiful and I do love the way it softens the landscape. However as you can see from the above picture, it can be a serious traffic hazard and in the cities it can also be an enormous pain in the bum as pollution and traffic churn the roads up into a dirty mess. How much better to live out in the sticks like I do, where the landscape stays pristine and clean so much longer.



This is the weather for cosy winter nights by a crackling fire and decadent hot chocolate to keep everyone warm - and of course snow icecream. A friend gave me a recipe the other day for this and I am keen to try it out. The recipe came from her grandfather who used to make it in the days before electric refrigeration - not that you need a fridge or freezer here at the moment (just pop everything on the balcony!).

Apparently, all you need a cup of whole milk, 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla and half to a cup of sugar and a large bowl of freshly fallen snow. Take your large bowl of snow and stir the snow around a bit to fluff it up. Then you quickly stir in just enough milk to make the right consistency of ice cream. Start with about 1/2 cup and keep going until you have enough to make the snow creamy. If you add too much milk and it becomes runny, just add some more snow. Then stir in a little vanilla and sugar, and Viola, you've got yourself some homemade snow ice cream! I guess the only place you could try this in Adelaide is at The Ice Arena, Thebarton *grin*

We've had Lars-Göran's daughter Madde here to stay as she is home for a visit before heading off for three months to India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as part of her course. She brought us some beautiful handmade soap from Yavannas Tvålmakeri in Tomelila. The soaps smell heavenly and I am going to love using them.

She travelled with us up to Stockholm last night for a family post-Christmas get together. And of all days it had to be the one where it snowed continuously and trains and buses were delayed or cancelled! In the early afternoon as the snow piled up, it looked like we may not be able to leave and logging onto the train and bus website did not do a thing to reassure us - there were delays everywhere! But we decided to leave early, give it a try and see how far we could get.

Which is why I was shivering beside the bus stop just before 3pm.



I was luckier though than the car owners who had to dig out their vehicles from the snow banks. Even though the ploughs had passed by at least three times today, they had trouble keeping up with the persistent snowfall.



And despite the heavy snow, it was business as usual around town for the local council workers. Down near the harbour, next to the local fish smokery, the rubbish truck was attempting to collect the wheelie bins. But as you can see, the snow made it hard and the ducks did their best to get in the way. I waited, expecting to hear the screech of brakes and instant frozen duck paté - but nothing that gruesome happened.



As it turned out, we were not delayed at all despite expecting the worst and arrived early at Huddinge. At Christer's home, we all gathered for a festive dinner. It was a joint effort with everyone helping out and we tucked into a meal of smoked salmon rolls, followed by an Asian styled beef (such an easy and delicious recipe) and rice, a vegetarian stew and mini quiches. And of course, cake and coffee. It was an evening of laughter, chatting, good food and wine and a feeling of belonging.



I came home flush with love and happiness. Several times in the past few days, I have thought about how extraordinarily lucky I am in the family department. My family here are smart, loving, interesting, funny and engaged people. Which is not to say that everybody loves everybody else every moment of every day, or that there's never a bit of drama in the dynamic. But, mostly, the family thing rocks. I would not have predicted this ease of familial blending. Lars-Göran and I come from very different backgrounds in terms of religion, geography, socio-economic status, education, world-view, cultural exposure, extended family, and more. Yet somehow, despite all of this it works out splendidly.

So while you swelter and contemplate total firebans in Adelaide, think of me tonight in the snow and drool over MY weather chart :)



See you all next year!



'Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.' Oprah Winfrey.