January 2015

Welcome to 2015! We started the new year with the Pooles in town. On New Year's Day, we went for a walk along the Nyborg beach and the day after we took a drive around Fyn, exploring more of the castles and manors in the area. We happened to drive by Lykkesholm Slot, which has been around since the 13th or 14th century. The castle was once owned by Queen Margrete I and was a favorite of Hans Christian Andersen. 

Nick and Dan on their first walk of the new year

Strangely, we came across some sort of shaggy ox or yak on our walk

Lykkesholm Slot

After spending a week together in Denmark, we all headed to Stockholm. It was a first for both the Pooles and for Heather. Nick was a great tour guide and walked us through Gamla Stan, Stockholm's Old Town; took us to the Vasa Museum; and introduced us to some very tasty restaurants. We also had the opportunity to meet up with the Eggert family for a day! 

Gamla Stan is one of the best preserved and largest medieval cities in Europe. Located on the island of Stadsholmen, it is characterized by cobblestone streets, narrow alleyways, and medieval architecture. The island is home to the Royal Palace, the Nobel Museum, and several churches and cathedrals. 

N + H touring Gamla Stan with the Pooles
after a delicious Indian dinner

More photos of beautiful Gamla Stan by night

We also made a trip to the Vasa Museum. The museum is home to the only almost fully-intact 17th century warship. The ship sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628. For over 300 years, it lay at the bottom of a shipping lane just outside of the Stockholm Harbor. The four-story ship and most of its contents were well preserved by the cold brackish waters of the Baltic. The recovery of the ship took several years and constituted an unprecedented conservation problem due to potential deterioration caused by drying. To avoid drying, the ship was sprayed with chemicals for 17 years and is still in the process of its long, slow, dry out. 

The Vasa Ship

After a great trip to Sweden, the Pooles and Heather traveled back to their respective homes. This trip to Sweden marked the end of Heather's unemployed, jet-setting, bonbon-eating lifestyle. The second week of 2015, Heather found herself employed by Leica Geosystem's OEM division. 

Flowers from Leica Geosystems for H's first day of work!

While Heather was settling into her new job, Nick took a trip to Switzerland.

Beautiful view from Nick's hotel room

The remainder of the month was pretty uneventful for the Guadagnolis...we did enjoy a trip to the Odense zoo though and this included an introduction to some adorable pygmy goats and a 100-year-old tortoise. 

Nick petting one of the cutest animals on earth! 

December 2014

The month of December started with us returning to Chicago for Dad's memorial service. While it was a really hard trip, it was so nice to be surrounded by family again. We were definitely feeling lonely way across the ocean and so far away from any of our loved ones.

Auntie surrounded by nephews and a sweet niece

Erica being silly with her little one

As soon as we got home, Heather had some major work to do. In November, the apartment above ours opened up and we decided that the Guadagnolis should move on up! The new apartment has the exact same layout as the old one, but is on the top floor and includes a 60 square-meter terrace! Of course, since Nick was at work, Heather had the task of cleaning the new place, carrying everything (besides the beds and the couch) upstairs, and then scrubbing down the old place. This was accomplished in just under a week. Then, with the help of some strong men visiting from the US (big thanks to Chris and Vince), the remaining furniture came up too. 

The move was finished just in time for Christmas! To celebrate, Nick and Heather hooped the train to Copenhagen and went to the Nutcracker at Tivoli. The Nutcracker is one of our favorite Christmas traditions. We have gone each year, be it in Denver, Chicago and now Copenhagen. The ballet was wonderful and Tivoli's Christmas decorations were not to be missed! 

On the train headed to the Nutcracker

Tivoli lit up for Christmas

Nick checking out the Christmas lights with new, warm leather gloves

Heather outside the theater ready to enjoy the Nutcracker

The Danes celebrate three days of Christmas. Christmas eve (Juleaften) is when Danes traditionally dance around the Christmas tree, open their presents, and then enjoy family dinner. Christmas day (Juledag 1) is a day when kids play with their new toys and the immediate family spends the day together. And, the 3rd day, Boxing Day, (aka Juledag 2) is a mellow day to recuperate from the Christmas celebrations.

The Guadagnoli Christmas was very low key, but Juledag 2, the Poole's joined us to explore our new country! The trip was marked with sickness (both for Mary and Heather), but that did not stop us from showing them around our new home or around Fyn. One of the first things we did together was enjoy a Danish pastry! 

Too busy eating kanelstang to look up for the picture

We took the Pooles all around Nyborg to explore our town and see how we live. This included visiting some local grocery stores and shops, and going furniture shopping for a new coffee table. We also took them for a walk at the nearby Holckenhavn Slot which was built between the late 16th century and early 17th century and is a Renaissance-style manor house. The estate includes a 12 hectare park that we walked around in.  

Heather with her parents at Holckenhavn Slot

Denmark's national bird, the swan, framed by the bridge over the moat

For New Year's Eve, we had a mellow night at home. Nick make us a traditional Danish meal called tarteletter. It consists of personal-sized pie crusts filled with chicken breast and white asparagus in cream sauce. 

Yummmmy! 

We were all pretty tired, and some of us still sick, so we decided we would call it an early night...well earlier than midnight night. Denmark had other plans for us though. Right about midnight, the world exploded. It sounded like a million bombs going off! Fireworks erupted into the night sky. From every angle of our window-filled apartment, we could see bursts of light! Apparently, December 31st this is the only time of the year fireworks are legal in Denmark.  

Danes ringing in the New Year with fireworks! 

Happy 2015! We wish you all a very happy, healthy new year filled with laughter, love, adventure and just a touch of craziness! 

November 2014

November started out with us visiting new areas on Fyn, checking out a few Christmas markets, and trying some Danish Christmas beers.  

Exploring the southern end of Fyn with Bella 
The area is referred to as "the Danish Alps" because it actually has hills

Seaside hike near the northern coast of Fyn

Christmas Market at Egeskov Castle 

N+H at Egeskov with H's new earmuffs

Christmas beer from Nick's favorite local microbrewery

In mid-November, for Heather's birthday, Nick took her to Cologne for a long weekend. The city is beautiful, especially the Cologne Cathedral.  

H's new birthday coat

Spaghetti Eis for birthday lunch

Cologne's Gothic cathedral, which was under construction for 7 centuries, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Construction on the cathedral began in 1248 and was finally completed in the 1880s. The church is home to the shrine of the Three Wise Men and has numerous important works of art, as well as several notable stained-glass windows.  

In addition to the breathtaking cathedral, we checked out the Old Town characterized by narrow alleys, traditional houses, and a beautiful Rhine River view. We also took in the Love locks on the Hohenzollern Bridge, Fischmarkt square, and the Rathuas.

Old Town with the Romaneaque Great Saint Martin Church in the background

Unfortunately, as our trip came to a close, Nick's dad passed away after battling cancer. He was an amazing man, so full of life, love, and passion. He found joy in the smallest things and was a constant reminder to be present and enjoy life for what it is.  

Heartbroken, we made gravy and meatballs in honor of Dad the following day. 

The rest of the month is a bit of a blur. We did have our first Thanksgiving in Denmark. Heather spent about 3 full days shopping and cooking. Of course, several common ingredients for the meal were not available at our stores. So, the pumpkin was baked (instead of canned) to make the pumpkin cheesecake and no cream-of-soups were used in the casseroles. Nick worked a half day and came home in time to rotisserie the turkey on the grill. After the meal, it was time for football!  

Nick's diggin' the homemade Thanksgiving dinner

Gotta love having the NFL Network when your missing home

At the end of the month, our friends from Sicily came over and gave us a lesson on how to make arrancini and some other delicious stuffed and seasoned risotto balls.