The Best Birthday Ever!

One of the best things about visiting Sweden in early March was that I would be here for my birthday and today was the day!  I thought it would be pleasant to spend it here with my dear friends. But never did I think it would be as fabulous a day as it was!  Elisabet and Alice really made it very very special!  

First of all, they started the morning coming into my room, singing Happy Birthday in both Swedish and English, while carrying a tray with a small cake and a candle, presents, cards and balloons. I opened the main present and couldn’t believe what I saw inside - look at the centre picture! That’s not just any little poodle - that’s MY Dolly!

A few months ago, Elisabet read about a local artist who was exhibiting her life-like needle-felted dogs in a very prestigious exhibition - the annual national contemporary art exhibit (Spring Salon) at Liljevalchs museum in Stockholm. Elisabet sent her an email and asked if she would be willing to take a commission. Although she only occasionally takes a commission, once she saw various pictures of Dolly, she fell in love with her and over the next few weeks, with several email discussions back and forth, she created this amazing work of art that is just so perfectly Dolly!  For those who saw Dolly featured regularly in my blip journal and on Facebook, you will understand how perfect she is and why I was almost in tears when I saw her! Please see the Extra photo to see other views of her. I have continued to be amazed by this wonderful gift all day. Check out the artist's work on her Facebook page and Instagram.

The rest of the day was relaxing but full of fun activities!  We went on a fabulous walk in the nearby nature reserve, sometimes walking through deep virgin snow. Alice loves every minute of it even though she gets covered in snow that’s as deep as she is tall. She of course climbed plenty of big rocks which is her specialty. She slept well all afternoon while we had a very important TV afternoon planned.

First on the agenda was Crufts, watching fellow-blipper Emmy and Hero represent Denmark in the Heelwork to Music - Freestyle International Competition. They had a ‘ghost story’ theme and we LOVED their routine! Well done, Emmy and Hero!  Check out their blip for today here and the link to the Crufts performance here.  

After Crufts we watched the cross-country skiing, which today was the men’s 50k race in Oslo. I got very excited because Britain’s Andrew Musgrave, was leading towards the end (see bottom right), after being quite far back earlier in the race. Sadly, right at the end a few of the others sprinted ahead and Andrew finished 7th - still very good, but I was so hoping for a podium finish for him!  The race was won by Switzerland's Dario Cologna (also a favourite), after a photo finish, with Norway's Sundby coming in second. 
Highlights can be seen here.  And the whole race here, though not with English commentary!

In between all of our activities, we had lots of delicious food to eat - the diets went TOTALLY out of the window today! (See second Extra photo). Crumpets and a shared hot cross bun for English elevenses, (at 11 O’Clock), a Swedish shrimp sandwich for lunch, small cakes and coffee for Swedish fika (in the afternoon) and pizza for dinner, followed by a luxury chocolate and raspberry mouse for dessert.

This had to be one of my best birthdays ever!  Thank you, Elisabet and Alice, for being so generous, arranging such a fun day and making me feel very special!!

For Alice’s version of today, check out her blip here.