Only Child

Tabitha left early this morning for a week in Holland with 12 of her friends from school.  She is so excited!  They all flew to Amsterdam and then took the train to the family home of a friend.  They then took some bike rides and plan to just "hang out".  Sounds fun to me!  Hopefully she will send some pictures somewhere along the way.
As soon as she left, Max became an only child!  We all have mixed feelings about this and even though we tried to keep busy today, the house seemed awfully quiet and there was way too much food at dinner!
I did join a friend (Max declined to join us!) for a 12 mile walk around the island of Kungsholmen today.  Even though I have been on this island in Lake Mälaren many times, this was the first time that I have walked around it's perimeter.  The weather was cool (it never got above 55 today) and went from sunshine to clouds to sprinkles but it was still a great walk.  We lost the path at a few points and ended up doing some rock climbing but that was fun too.

I really want to eat at this cafe and swing on these swings!  We were there too early this morning, however.

After lunch, Max and I did some running around.  I had to make a quick stop at the liquor store and was surprised to see a sign posted saying that the store will be open until 7 for two nights this week!  This is unheard of!  I have never seen it open later than 5 and closed by 3 on Saturdays.  I have explained before that liquor of any kind can only be sold in state run liquor stores. This means no beer at Seven Eleven, no wine at the grocery store, etc.  It is the craziest thing and it becomes a mission to make sure that you always have something on hand, anything, because it is so difficult to get more!  Anyway, the fact that the liquor store will be open late two days this week tells me that this upcoming Midsummer holiday really is a big deal and must be akin to the 4th of July in the States.  I am always amazed when I am in the liquor store because all wine, beer, liquor, etc is sold individually by the bottle.  It is all expensive but you can buy exactly the quantity that you want.  So, you will see people standing in line for one bottle of beer or even one travel size bottle of wine!  Or, you will see someone with a grocery basket filled with bottles.  Also, because it is Sweden, you must bring your own bag or buy a bag there.  People are walking and just stopping on their way to or from somewhere else so you will see people cram their bottles in jacket pockets, brief cases, dog carriers, baby strollers, etc, - whatever they have handy and whatever will help them to get their items home.  Always a fun, people watching adventure!