Jet-Lagged in Uppsala

Scott & I got ourselves settled into our room and then we checked out Uppsala. Scott has been to this university town over a dozen times over the past 15 years for work. I was excited to finally check out some of the things he has mentioned such as Max's burger and O'Connor's in the main square.

O'Connor's in Stora Torget -- the center square.

Fyris river

This restaurant was on my to-eat idea list. 

Sadly, we didn't make it there this week, but Scott's colleague, Kyril, had an opinion of it:

"The only place in town where you can get the freshest and best seafood.  Hugely expensive, tiny place, and perhaps a little too 'cramped.'  Avoid, unless you will enjoy going to the counter where all seafood is displayed, pointing your finger at a piece of fish and saying, 'Cook this for me, please.'"

 

Good thing I took these pics because when I explored the inside of them on Friday, it was a mix of snow and rain outside! On the left is Museum Gustavianum -- Uppsala University's oldest building and home to the Anatomical Theatre where dissections took place over 300 years ago. Uppsala's cathedral, Domkyrkan, is Scandinavia's largest and tallest church. Equally long and tall. Built 1270-1435.

We stopped at the grocery store around the corner from our hotel to get soda for the room. Scott Babe is showing me his favorite drink in Sweden -- Pear Cider. I liked that they had my favorite drink when I'm in Austria: Gösser beer :-)

Time to figure out dinner. 

Scott's colleagues: Dan, Greg, Kyril, Adam, John, Eric, Carlos

We ended up choosing Lingon. Kyril & Scott have been there many times for their delicious, upscale Swedish dishes.

 Dinner came with a view! Our table was upstairs and I took this photo with Scott's iPhone.

 

I thought it was great that Lingon did amuse-bouche! I believe it was a mushroom crostini with smoked and cured boar with pickled onions. Their signature lingonberry is also present! 

Middle dish is Scott's reindeer appetizer and please notice the lingonberry on top left of plate! 

Bottom: Lingon's Meatballs with mashed potatoes

Back to our hotel.
 I dedicate this photo to my girlfriend Sam, who loves a lot of ice in her soda and knows first hand that it can sometimes be a challenge to get enough ice in her drinks in Europe. Scott LOVED that this ice machine was on our floor with large cups! ♥

Spoiled

Scott had a business trip planned for Uppsala, Sweden, April 14-21. I was lucky enough to tag-along. :-)

We had a night flight with British Airways to Heathrow and then a connecting flight to Stockholm this morning. When I got seated on the first leg of the trip, I thought, this looks comfortable, but didn't put two and two together. We then got someone to switch seats with the guy next to me so that we could sit together (Scott had to book the flights separately since it was a business trip and he couldn't get adjacent seating). Scott said to me, "This is business class." Reader, I didn't want to get off this plane. "Don't get used to this," Scott added. "We fly coach on the way back home."

Dinner menu with hearts! Does it get any better than this?

Ahhhh, let me rest my new Uggs!... gift bag!... wet towel prior push-back... and a snack. ♥

Scott's beef with creamed spinach, my pasta and banana cake. 

Call me crazy, but I loved my food!

We had a short layover at Heathrow and I was mesmerized by the amazing shopping at Terminal 5. 

5-10 minutes before we landed in Stockholm.  They had four inches of snow the day before.

Our hotel in Uppsala for the next six nights.

Spring Break

My niece Tarissa is on spring break this week. She just has to take 1 class this semester and she'll be able to get her NJ state cosmetology license in July. She spent the night with us on Tuesday. Scott & I took her to one of our favorite Montclair restaurants, Fin. Tarissa is no stranger to seafood, she loves lobster with melted butter.

Newark Broad Street Train Station

Dinner at Fin

Uncle Scott & Tarissa :-)

Our old bed! (We still have to get it to my parents house...)

Wednesday: We had a delicious breakfast at Raymond's and then took the train into the city. Our first adventure was the High Line. Love!

Quick stop at Chelsea Market to get us some brownies. I hadn't been there in years. Great place.

There are a lot of hip places to choose from to eat in Chelsea.

We had an amazing lunch at Cookshop on 10th Avenue, near 20th Street. 

Reader, are you sitting down? Guess who I see walk into the restaurant???!!! I was ready to faint! 

Fashion designer, Isaac Mizrahi!!!! 

He sat down with a woman next to the window. I couldn't believe my eyes. Then, the older gentleman seated right next to me, said, "ISAAC!" Then Isaac comes over to that man and they chit-chat. I knew I had to say something otherwise I would regret it later. I apologetically interrupt them and say, "Can I please get a photo of you with my niece Tarissa?" :-)

The fun continues...

 Assorted House-made Treats -- Root beer marshmallows, Fig newton, Lemon-lime bar, Cookshop Cupcake, Spicy almond brittle, Chocolate almond cranberry cookies, Chocolate eclairs ♥

Next up: Champagne Statue of Liberty and Skyline Afternoon Cruise Around Lower Manhattan. That is our boat on the right. We had a few minutes before we set sail, so we checked out Chelsea Piers.

 Brush fire near the Meadowlands in NJ

Time to sail:

Back at Chelsea Piers, we stopped at the dog park:

The sounds coming from them was intense. Crazy......

These little guys are more my speed.

Union Square Greenmarket

Easter Geese

We had a nom nom nom Saturday to celebrate Scott's 41st birthday. ♥

Time for lunch!

Black Bear Bistro & Cellar: Hand cut potato chips

Scott Babe helping out Jim in the shed

 After I took this photo of Scott's peach cobbler, the candle blew out. Scott was sad. Does this mean he doesn't get his wish? :-/

 Photos taken by Marcia

EASTER SUNDAY - all photos taken by David:

 

 Scott & I were able to join the end of my parent's Easter celebration and do dessert with everybody and also celebrate Christi's and Scott's birthdays. But the highlight of the day were a male goose and a female goose in the backyard! We missed this excitement, as we were still driving up to Jersey from VA, but my brother David captured it beautifully.

The male goose

The pregnant female goose following the male goose

Uncle Frankie loves wildlife

My cousin Christi's husband, Darvin, just domesticated the goose! :-) Tarissa believes this poor goose's feet were being munched on by a turtle. :-(