Sigtuna

My parents and I spent Wednesday, Thursday, Friday in Stockholm. We were delayed two days by illness, but we finally set off. Wednesday mother and my grandparents went to IKEA and bought bedsheets. Thursday we all drove to Sigtuna to have tea at Tant Bruns (literally Aunt Brown's.) Aunt Brown is one of three women who feature in Elsa Beskow's beloved children stories published between 1918 and 1947.

From left: Aunt Violet, Aunt Green, Aunt Brown, and Uncle Blue

Sigtuna is not, contrary to popular belief, the location of these stories, though the two are often confused because of its tiny-town feel with narrow streets and cozy houses. I visited in the summertime with my brother two years ago and I bought a porcelain hairclasp at a flea market and had mint ice-cream.

At the doorway to Tant Brun, I met two elderly gentlemen backpackers. One of them said to the other, "Is it this door or is it the one in the front?"

"Yes," I said, dropping in on their conversation to help them along. "That's the right door."

One of the gentlemen backpackers looked at me. "Painting your lips?"

"Yes, I am." I slipped my cherry red lipgloss into my coat pocket.

"Looks nice," he said and ducked inside. 

I laughed.

Tea and apple donut

Copper pot coffee

Me laughing at my father trying to fix grandfather's camera which is set to Polish in the language settings

Tintin's tuft strikes again