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Around the World in 60 Days Entry Report - Pic heavy
Docusat
Posts: 2,305 Member
Link to download: Coming soon 
A little background noise to get you in the mood^^ :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unfzfe8f9NI&list=RD02p4QqMKe3rwY
Lot Description: A community lot representing many different features of Stockholm. It has a small coffee shop/ restaurant for indulging in fika (food register, pizza oven and barista bar). A creche for dropping off your little ones while you look around. A well stocked bookstore (lunar lakes bookshop in basement) including such titles as 17 dikter by Tomas Transtromer. The entire building is pretty much an art gallery featuring original paintings and photographs but feel free to try a little sculpting or painting yourself. The craft shop (consignment register) has many examples of Swedish ceramics, woodcarvings, silver and glass, candles and hand woven tapestries. For those of you who'd like to stay overnight there is a simple but tasteful hostel with excellent internet access. Fancy learning to play a musical instrument? Take a guitar or dancing lesson in the ABBA room. Work out in the small but well equipped gym. Relax in the sauna or get a nice Swedish massage. Finish the evening off with a glass of nectar in the ice lounge. Feel free to help yourself to native fruit, vegetables and herbs from the gardens, before you go home or browse the market stalls for something a little more exotic. Enjoy your stay
Disclaimer: If you look no further at my presentation please read this paragraph. Whilst doing my research I jotted down many notes but didn't always bookmark pages or save links to references. Like many tourists, I've remembered the parts of the city and country that grabbed my attention. The places that are a 'must visit' to me mightn't make the grade on the typical tourist map and may make a native scratch their head in confusion. But this is my trip of a life time, the chance to spend two months in a whole new place. My family are sure we've already been, a friend offered me ski and snowboarding gear, I know where McD's and BK are^^, and if you're looking for a nice looking hostel at a reasonable price I can point you in the right direction.
A little background noise to get you in the mood^^ :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unfzfe8f9NI&list=RD02p4QqMKe3rwYLot Description: A community lot representing many different features of Stockholm. It has a small coffee shop/ restaurant for indulging in fika (food register, pizza oven and barista bar). A creche for dropping off your little ones while you look around. A well stocked bookstore (lunar lakes bookshop in basement) including such titles as 17 dikter by Tomas Transtromer. The entire building is pretty much an art gallery featuring original paintings and photographs but feel free to try a little sculpting or painting yourself. The craft shop (consignment register) has many examples of Swedish ceramics, woodcarvings, silver and glass, candles and hand woven tapestries. For those of you who'd like to stay overnight there is a simple but tasteful hostel with excellent internet access. Fancy learning to play a musical instrument? Take a guitar or dancing lesson in the ABBA room. Work out in the small but well equipped gym. Relax in the sauna or get a nice Swedish massage. Finish the evening off with a glass of nectar in the ice lounge. Feel free to help yourself to native fruit, vegetables and herbs from the gardens, before you go home or browse the market stalls for something a little more exotic. Enjoy your stay
Disclaimer: If you look no further at my presentation please read this paragraph. Whilst doing my research I jotted down many notes but didn't always bookmark pages or save links to references. Like many tourists, I've remembered the parts of the city and country that grabbed my attention. The places that are a 'must visit' to me mightn't make the grade on the typical tourist map and may make a native scratch their head in confusion. But this is my trip of a life time, the chance to spend two months in a whole new place. My family are sure we've already been, a friend offered me ski and snowboarding gear, I know where McD's and BK are^^, and if you're looking for a nice looking hostel at a reasonable price I can point you in the right direction.
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And I (a country lass) fell in love with these:
Yes! It is Stockholm
But I felt that the brief called for a more city like dwelling so I searched some more and came up with Stortorget.
Stortorget is a small public square in Gamla Stan, the old town in central Stockhlom. It is the oldest square in Stockholm, the historical centre around which the medieval urban conglomeration gradually came into being. Today the square is frequented by tens of thousands of tourists anually. It is traditionally renowned for its annual Christmas market offering traditional handicrafts and food (Wikipedia)
And so the exterior of my building was born. I tried to emulate the narrow cobble streets that exist in the old town, by creating three separate buildings. The islands on which the city is built are connected by bridges, and so, my buildings are connected by narrow passageways. Hopefully this makes life a little easier for the sims who visit.
And the people who make this city real? Well I've read terms such as shy. snobby, aloof, love to stand in line, love nature and the outdoors (winter, spring, summer and autumn are only excuses to get outside and do stuff), passive-aggressive and bad customer service (No no no! Customer service just doesn't exist in Stockholm, it's not bad just not there).A society where colleagues are largely ignored in favour of school friends, where parents and family don't necessarily feature as number one. These terms sound so bad in type but strangely appeal to me and my second son "Ooooh! They've got a hula hoop" Otherwise known as a healthy respect for individualism and the right to personal space. Don't make eye contact with a Stockholmer at a bus stop and if you really must start a conversation, discuss the weather or the fact that the bus is late. Please do not try to start a conversation with "Hi". This just marks you out as suspicious, weird and not a native lol. You want to make friends with a new acquaintance from Stockholm? Suggest an activity. Cook a meal, watch a game, play sims, see a movie, go skiing, do something (anything).
This spot looks ripe for introducing my sims Erik and Kristina Bergkvist (mountain twig). The nature loving siblings were only too happy to spend the day in traditional dress and exploring Stockholm's newest community hangout. Erik was particularly taken with the home guards outfit.
The national traditional swedish costume (Sverigedrakten) is a blue skirt, red/blue bodice and yellow apron. And that for Stockholm:
For the ladies: A blue or red apron/ bodice, red scarf, black full skirt, white sleeves, red tights, black shoes, ribbon/flowers in hair (single), scarf (married)
And for the males: Black (or yellow) trousers (below the knee, with red accents), red waistcoat, white shirt, black shoes, white socks.
Fortunately all the employees at my community lot were happy to be pictured in traditional dress
And much to my delight one of the staff brought her daughter to be cared for in the community creche. Thank you Aunza for Aurora Skies and the early learning centre, and to NRaas for the ability to enter 'create a style' quickly and easily.
Are all Swedes blonde and blue eyed? Nope!! The most common eye colours are blue (okay, I'll give you that one), grey and green. Hair colour is blonde, brunette, auburn and black. Have I missed any? Maybe, but they exist in Sweden.
Already I have so much to deal with and I've barely touched the surface of the magnificent city that is Stockholm. You've seen where my exterior build is based but the interior is far more conceptual. All the ideas, notions, flights of fancy and misconceptions of Stockholm exist here. Enter my top twelve things to do in Stockholm. ( All available in my one stop shop, quickie guide to the capital city of Sweden)
1) Enter Skansen
Skansen makes my number one slot. It has 150 plus traditional buildings - homes, shops, churches, barns and workshops - organised as a miniature Sweden. It is the first open air museum and zoo in Sweden and is located on the island Djurgarden in Stockholm. It was founded in 1891 by Artur Hazelius to show the different parts of Sweden. Skansen attracts more than 1.3 million visitors each year. The many exhibits over the 75 acre (300,000 m²) site include a full replica of an average 19th-century town, in which craftsmen in traditional dress such as tanners, shoemakers, silversmiths, bakers and glass-blowers demonstrate their skills in period surroundings. There is even a small patch growing tobacco used for the making of cigarettes. There is also an open-air zoo containing a wide range of Scandinavian animals including the bison, brown bear, moose, grey seal, lynx, otter, red fox, reindeer, wolf, and wolverine (as well as some non-Scandinavian animals due to their popularity). There are also farmsteads where rare breeds of farm animals can be seen.
In early December the site's central Bollnäs square is host to a popular Christmas market that has been held since 1903, attracting around 25,000 visitors each weekend. In the summer there are displays of folk dancing and concerts.
In the Slovak language, the word "Skanzen" means "Open-air museum" in homage to the original Skansen
2) Tanto allotment gardens
The 100 or more allotment gardens at Tanto are dotted with perfectly cute red, yellow and green cottages and dapper sheds above Arstaviken bay on Sodermalm. And very natty gardens they are with multi-coloured sprays of flowers, blossoms, blooms and trees.
And the typical garden in Stockholm? Apparently families with kids build a play house in wood (Have I mentioned my fascination with falu/falun red houses? Let's just say I couldn't miss an opportunity ) And the typical garden must have a sundial, a bush (hedge) and at least one apple tree and lilac bush.
3) Collective/Social Housing/ kollektivhus
It ain't pretty. But I'm a housewife/ working mother. My youngest was born in 2001. And I understand the complications surrounding working and raising a family (with at least a basic understanding of social values, and it ain't easy) Yet in the 1930's Sven Markelius developed a communal housing scheme, for the Alvik area, as a means of emancipating the working woman from the burdens of housekeeping and child rearing. Markelius believed that married working women needed specialised housing with facilities such as communal kitchens, childcare centres and housekeeping services. In recent years, the idea of the service house, a residential community where special health and recreational care facilities are provided for the elderly have become popular. The collective house at 6 Ericssonsgatan, however, remains the most provocative early paradigm of this housing concept. And so my build has a community creche where your child sims can safely play while you work or enjoy fika.
4) Get a fika fix
Cafe culture in Sweden is as rich as the coffee the natives consume by the gallon. On average, Swedes down 4.5 cups per day. Getting a coffee fix, served with something sweet on the side, is now a firmly established Swedish pastime. The call it fika, which loosely translates as 'indulge in coffee and chat at leisure'
5) Fill your smorgasbord with delights
We've all heard of Swedish meatballs (kottbullar) but there's more to Swedish 'husmankost' (traditional fare). Try a little SOS (smor, ost och sill) - butter, cheese and herring. Or pytt i panna - diced and fried meat and potatoes, adorned with a fried egg and pickled beetroot. Cooked freshly for you in our delightful restaurant.
Experience ICEBAR by ICEHOTEL STOCKHOLM, the world’s first permanent ice bar where the temperature is -5°C all year round. The interior, including the glasses is made from pure, clear ice harvested from the Torne river in Jukkasjärvi, Swedish Lapland.
You can book your ICEBAR visit for between 1 and 60 people. Your 40 minute experience includes gloves, an ice-cool feeling of exhilaration and a cocktail of your choice from our drinks menu served in an ice glass. We will dress you up in a warm cape and gloves to keep you warm during your visit. You can also bring home a souvenir from our shop.
7) Pull on a pair of Borgs
Bjorn Rune Borg was born in Sodertalje, Stockholm County in 1956. Between 1974 and 1981 he won 11 Grand Slam singles titles and is considered to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time. And yes I did have a poster of him on my bedroom wall all those years ago and now I have one in my sims game too.
8) Say thank you for the music
Sweden is still very much a rock and pop country at heart and Stockholm's live music scene is bigger than ever. How could I visit Stockholm and not think of ABBA? ABBA, was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972. They became one of the most commercially successful acts in the history of pop music, topping the charts worldwide from 1972 to 1982.In 1974 they gave Sweden its first ever win in the Eurovision Song contest. They still sell millions of records a year.
ABBA the museum is an interactive exhibition about the pop group that will open in Stockholm later in 2013. Can't wait that long? Visit my ABBA room
9) Art and Authors
There have been many authors connected with Stockholm over the years, including the novelist and dramatist August Strindberg, journalist and crime writer Stieg Larsson (the girl with the dragon tattoo), the novelist Per Anders Fogelstrom wrote a popular series of historical novels depicting life in Stockholm and of course Astrid Lindgren (ever hear of Pippi Longstocking?). Copies of some of these authors work can perhaps be found on one of the bookshelves in the bookshop.
Did you know that Stockholm is one of the leading destinations for contemporary art? Besides the well known Moderna Museet and National Museum there are many private initiatives each with their own unique angle. The Swedish people seem to be really big into a hands on experience and many exhibits have interactive elements. So, of course there are easels, sculpting and drawing stations for your sim to produce their own masterpiece.
My sim didn't manage any original masterpieces for you but the walls are adorned with many scenic paintings and photographs that to him represented Stockholm and its amazing diversity. Most of these are images of Hidden Springs but he also travelled to Aurora Skies for inspiration. And of course no build in Gamla Stan could be complete without replicas of paintings by Carl Larsson who was born there in 1853. And yes, that nice lady sticking her tongue out at you is Astrid Lindgren.
10) Where to stay?
Why, right here of course. The hostel has been mostly decorated in Swedish cottage style. The building is airy and pale. There is lots of white, offset by pastel blues, pale green, lavender, yellow and rose. The windows are mainly uncovered, apart from where curtains are need for privacy. The wood is light (birch, alder, white pine or beech) or painted white, cream or light grey. With the exceptions of the stairs which I got stained with falu red paint (a deep red paint known for its use on wooden cottages and barns. It originated in the copper mines at Falun in Dalarna, Sweden)
The welcoming reception area has comfortable wood framed couches. Take some time to warm yourself by the original kakelugn. These tile stoves, invented in 1767 by Carl Johan Cronstedt are still more efficient than any modern wood burning stove.
The main exports of Stockholm are technology/IT and electronics and of course our internet and computer access are first class, just in case you get an urge to check in with all your forum friends
11) Arts and crafts
Well you've seen the kakelugn but no trip to Stockholm could be complete without buying some souvenirs to bring back home. The Swedes are famed for their glass and silver work. Woodcarvings, handwoven tapestries and wheatweaving are some of the more traditional crafts and don't forget the Dala horse. Of course candle making has a long tradition in Sweden. With the long dark winter nights well made candles were historically necessary and are associated with many of the oldest festivals.
Before the religious reformation in 16th Century Sweden, churches were lit up with beeswax candles that burnt slowly while cleanly. A colony of bees, while it only produced one pound of wax per year, was then valued as highly as a cow. Swedish beekeeping was extensive at this time, though (and I really fell in love with this fact) Gustavus Vasa had all bee colonies confiscated during the 16th Century and it became far more rare after that.
12) Swedish Massage
I almost forgot this one but how could you visit Stockholm and not book yourself in for a spa treatment? In a city built on the water, there are naturally many spa and recreational opportunities. Try different types of hot and cold baths, have a refreshing spa treatment, or get a classic Swedish massage. Swimming and saunas are part of Swedish tradition, so why not try some classic bath houses.
I think I've covered most of the things that were spinning through my head while I worked on this project, and if you're still reading kudos to you and thank you very much. Although I've left out the festivals such as Valborgsmassoafton (Walpurgis Night) and Midsummer, the bonfires, decorating of maypoles (Majstang) and flower wreaths (krans) and oh so very much more. I'd like to leave you with a few simple recipes that I'm looking forward to trying out.
Rotmos (Mashed Swedes)
1 medium turnip
2 vegetable broth cubes
¼ tsp of ground allspice
3 medium potatoes
Peel turnips and cut into cubes. Peel and cube potatoes. Put potatoes and turnips into medium size saucepan with the vegetable cubes and allspice. Boil until vegetables are soft. Drain reserving the liquid. Mash the vegetables, adding pepper, salt and some of the reserved liquid. Use the remainder of the drained liquid for gravy.
(If our sims substituted carrots for the turnip they could try this with the veg growing in the garden)
*****
Janssons Frestelse (Jansson’s Delight)
It is said no smörgåsbord would be complete without this potato and anchovy dish. Swedish anchovies are significantly different than the anchovies commonly found atop pizzas in North America. If you can’t find Swedish anchovies (or sprats as they are sometimes called), do not use the other type of anchovy. Instead, try replacing them with salmon. If you are seeking a vegetarian dish, this is great made without the fish, though no Swede would recognize it as the beloved Janssons Frestelse.
6 – 8 potatoes
2 medium onions
2 tbsp butter or non-hydrogenated margarine
2 cans Swedish anchovies
1 ½ Cups light cream or plain soymilk
Peel the potatoes and cut into thin sticks. Slice the onions into rings and sauté lightly in 1 tbsp butter or margarine. Drain and dice the anchovies, reserving the liquid for later use.
Place the potatoes, sautéed onions and anchovies in layers in a greased baking dish – starting and ending with potatoes. Dot with butter or margarine and pour half of the anchovy liquid and half of the soymilk or cream on top.
Bake at 400 F for 20 mins. Pour rest of cream or soymilk on top and bake until the potatoes are tender (about 30 mins).
*****
Julgröt (Christmas Porridge)
This rice porridge is a Swedish favourite for Christmas Eve. With just one almond hidden in the rice, the superstition says the one who finds it will marry within the year. Swedish children sometimes leave a bowl of the porridge out for the hus tomte, who takes care of the household all year in exchange for a bowl of rice porridge on Christmas Eve. Tomte, the Swedish Christmas gnome, is also said to be very fond of this recipe and when he comes to share presents, he is always presented with a dish.
The following recipe makes a surprisingly large pot. Double only if you are expecting quite a crowd.
1 c rice
1 tbsp butter or non-hydrogenated margarine
1 c water
5 c milk (soy or cow’s)
Cinnamon
1 blanched almond
Rinse rice with boiling water. Melt ½ tbsp of butter or margarine in a large saucepan, add rice and water and boil, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until the water disappears. Add soymilk and cook, still uncovered, until rice is tender (this will take approximately an hour). Season and add remainder of butter or margarine. Serve with the almond hidden inside and cinnamon sprinkled on top. Add cold milk (again either soy or cow’s will work) if desired.
*****
Now to figure out why it won't upload
fika---which loosely translates as 'indulge in coffee and chat at leisure' <----this will have to be my new motto in life.
http://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/817478/hello-come-and-introduce-yourself
http://tinyurl.com/OneRoomOneWeek
http://tinyurl.com/rosemow
My Showcase thread https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/948861/rosemow-s-rooms-showcase
One question, what Sp/Ep or CC is the standalone cabinet in the technology/it section? Last image.
Thanks !
Store Install
Unlocked Stencils
random legacy