Sweets!

Swedes love their sweets!  We have had many people tell us this so far and it certainly seems to be true! There is candy everywhere around here! Our little grocery store has three separate candy sections, primarily bulk candy bins where you scoop out what you want and pay by the kilo. There are also separate candy stores all over town and they are always busy, especially on Saturdays where it is apparently standard practice to allow your children to load up on candy and then eat it all day. It is also common practice to give treat bags at birthday parties but to only fill them with candy, no reason to fuss with toys, games, etc.  Licorice is particularly well loved and many of the bulk candy bins are filled with different varieties of black licorice; hard, soft, candy coated, chocolate covered, salted, sweet, etc. I went into a candy store just down the street today that sells only licorice! I never knew that there were so many types! I bought a little sample bag and since I am the only one in our family that likes black licorice, I didn't even have to share. Surprisingly, the licorice covered in salt is quite good!  Another sweet that is seen everywhere is kanel bunnar. These are essentially cinnamon rolls with chunky sugar sprinkled on top. They are sold EVERYWHERE and it seems to be expected that you eat one with any cup of coffee! Coffee breaks and dates and clubs, etc are very common with everyone just saying, time for "fika" and enjoying their break.  I had fika with a group of moms at school today before our PTA meeting. The PTA at our international school is not just about helping the school and the kids but also helping the parents adjust to life in Sweden. Everyone was so welcoming and helpful! I think this is going to be a great fit for me!