Now its time to sell our fine log cabin built in the 1900s. There is no water or waste service to the house which means low running costs and you do not have to worry that the pipes will freeze. We will include in the sale a a water cooler that holds up to 25 liters. The house is in excellent condition, new windows and new patio, upstairs is not finished, but it is easy to renovate.

From Murjek train station, you can take the bus directly to Pajerim (distance from the house to the bus stop is about 200 meters).

The property also includes a guest cabin in top condition with electricity and a fridge. Dry outside toilet, woodshed and a large storage barn is also included. Electricity is connected to every building. We also leave our lovely barbecue area with benches all around. It's ok heat and cook using the stove in the kitchen. 

The price we ask is 190 000 SEK (£19,000 or €21,000. including furniture that you can see in the pictures (P.S. Some personal items shown not included). If you like fishing and picking berries, this is a paradise with plenty of salmon in the river and berries in the forest, both within a few minutes walk.

Best regards.

Siv.

More information here.

Welcome to Sweden and a step-in job

An opportunity for new arrivals in Sweden who are seeking work.
At the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen), we know how important it is to have a job. Many companies and organisations need workers. In order to make them aware of the skills and competence which you and other newly arrived immigrants have to offer, the Swedish Government has decided to give an employment grant to the employer who employs you.

You can get a step-in job
If you have been granted a residence permit during the past 36 months, you can get a step-in job (“instegsjobb"). Step-in-jobs can not be granted to citizens from EU/EES or Switzerland. This means that whoever employs you will receive a government grant towards your pay, as much as 80% but not more than SEK 800 per day. To get a step-in job, we require you to be taking a course in Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) at the same time. And you must have talked to us at the Public Employment Service first. The job can be part-time, full-time, until further notice, employment on trial, or for a given period.

The rules for getting an introductory job

Residence permit
You must have been granted a residence permit during the past 36 months. If you have been unable to work because you have been at home looking after your own children under 2 years of age, that period will be added to the 36 months. 

Registered with the Public Employment Service

You must be without a job and be registered with the Public Employment Service as a jobseeker. 

Swedish for Immigrants

You must be taking a course in Swedish for Immigrants (SFI), or have been given an undertaking that you can take a course. 

How long your step-in job may last

You can have a step-in job for 6 months at a time, for a maximum of 24 months. To get a new step-in job referral, you must have taken an SFI course and no longer than Course D in a previous step-in job.

Proof of pay and other conditions

The person who gives you the job, your employer, must affirm that your pay and other employment conditions comply with collective agreements or that they are equivalent to collectively agreed benefits within the industry. 

Note, however, that the Employment Protection Act (LAS) does not apply to persons who are receiving a special employment subsidy in the form of an introductory job.

Interested?

If you are interested in a step-in job, you are very welcome to contact us at the Public Employment Service. We are responsible for all the details, including the amount of financial support and how long the introductory job may last. Employers who are interested in the scheme also contact us.

Contact local public employment offices direct. You will find their addresses on the website www.arbetsformedlingen.se. pdf file on Step-in Jobs.

In addition to the above, the regional musicians Jonatan Lundberg, Martina Lundberg and Linnea Bäcklund will also appear. It's going to be great fun blending these young artists together with an experienced and established soul artist. We are very proud to the fact that the Jokkmokk contribution amongst the young and upcoming artists continue to tour with Norrbotten Big Band after the market. It will be a grand opening night, says Anna-Karin Aira, Cultural Affairs officer at Jokkmokk Municipality.

Eric Gadd, who debuted 1987 with the full length album Hello and amongst others has been rewarded as Swedish Artist of the Year 1997 will thus provide us with sweet ear candy - do not miss this one out! 

From: Jokkmokks Winter Market website.

If you love the outdoors, it is hard to find a country better suited to indulge your passion than Sweden. Sweden is an ideal location for outdoor and adventure holidays, whatever your age, interest or level of experience.

Sweden is a country which constantly challenges your preconceptions, and many first time visitors are amazed by the beauty and variety of its landscape, the overwhelming sense of quiet to be found in its truly wild places (Sweden contains some of the largest and last remaining areas of wilderness in Europe), and the wealth of possibilities the country offers as an outdoor holiday destination.

Within Sweden’s borders you can discover the peace of its huge expanses of forest, the barren beauty of the limitless mountain plains, mile upon mile of quiet beaches and the wonderful, accessible world of the archipelagos, remote yet just a short distance from the cultural attractions of the major cities.

From canoeing in the clear light of early dawn, to trip skating on the frozen sea, to snowshoeing expeditions under endless Arctic skies – Sweden has a great deal more to offer the outdoor enthusiast than you might imagine!

The North of Sweden

Swedish Lapland or Laponia as some areas are called, is the place to start. Perhaps the image that springs to mind when many think of Sweden is the majestic mountain world of Lapland, in the north of Sweden. Lapland is certainly well-known as a fairytale winter destination, but far fewer consider the excellent opportunities offered by the area for a summer adventure holiday. With (almost literally) unending daylight during the summer season, Lapland is a wonderful destination for a summer holiday. The well-marked trails and freedom to camp wild make it a paradise for hikers, from novices to seasoned trekkers. And if you would rather explore the wilderness on four legs, Lapland also makes a wonderful destination for a mountain horse riding holiday!

Northern Sweden accounts for more than half the total area of the country, but just over 10% of its population live in this vast region. It is a world of extremes: extreme beauty, extreme nature, extreme seasons of light and darkness, but despite its remoteness, northern Sweden is easily accessible from mainland Europe – the wilderness is closer than you think!

Nature and the Swedes

Nature is very important to the Swedish people – it is part of their heart and soul. Indeed, many common Swedish names are taken from the natural world. For example, “Bergman” (as in Ingmar Bergman) means “man of the mountains; “Björn” (as in Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA) means “bear”. Swedes have a very intimate relationship with the flora and fauna of their country, and most Swedes have a keen interest in the outdoors.

One product of this deep-rooted love of the natural world and the enjoyment of the outdoors is “Allmansrätten”, or the “Every Man’s Right”, system of public access. These laws allow the visitor a unique freedom to explore Sweden’s natural areas, including the freedom to camp wild. Of course, such freedom comes with the responsibility to protect and conserve, and Swedish children learn the principles of the Right of Public Access at a very early age.

Sweden has shown an admirable commitment to the principles of sustainable tourism and is leading the way in many areas, encouraging the development of small-scale, locally-owned companies who know and respect the flora and fauna of the regions in which they operate. Sweden is a wonderful destination for wildlife, outdoor and activity holidays, and by committing strongly to the principles of sustainable tourism, the natural beauty of Sweden can be conserved and enjoyed for generations to come!

Travel by Bob Carter.

Every person and country has comfort foods, the dishes that transport you to your childhood and evoke warm memories. What makes a comfort food varies from person to person, depending on their background and experience.

My favourites include my dad’s stuffing at Thanksgiving and my mom’s homemade chicken and dumplings. A classic comfort dish for someone with connections to the UK may be shepherd’s pie, or udon soup for those with a connection to Japan. When it comes to comfort food, the options are endless.

Bruna bönor or brown beans is a classic side dish that works well meatballs or fried pork and have a sweet and sour taste from being cooked with vinegar and sugar. Swedish brown beans are the key ingredient and have been continuously grown on the island of Öland since 1883. They are popular for their nutty flavor as well as holding their shape under long cooking periods. 

The soil and climate of Öland is particularly suited to growing the beans which have received Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status from the EU meaning it’s only a true Swedish brown bean if it comes from Öland.

Ärtsoppa or yellow pea soup has been a Thursday tradition in Sweden since the Middle Ages when Sweden was largely Catholic and Friday was a day of fasting. Filling up on the hearty pork-filled soup was intended to get you through the next day’s fast. 

Today the tradition is still going strong as evidenced by the profusion of plastic-cased tubes of pea soup in supermarkets year-round. If you really want to warm up you can chase it with a little warm punsch which became a popular addition to the pea soup tradition during the 1800s. 

Pytt i Panna is essentially “bits in a pan.” Commonly known as a way to clean out your refrigerator and make a meal, it can be assembled from essentially anything as long as the key components of chopped onion and cubed leftover potatoes and meat play a starring role. Whether it’s purchased from the freezer section or made at home the essential finishing touches are a fried egg and pickled beets. It’s a homey comfort food pile of little cubes. 

Äggakaka (egg cake) is popular in Skåne in southern Sweden where the fluffy, golden skillet meal can be prepared on the stovetop or baked in the oven. Historically it was a staple meal for the workers at harvest time and was an easy on-the-go food that could be tucked into a lunch pack. 

Whether chopped cured pork is folded into the batter or cooked in strips and laid on the top it’s considered an easy and filling lunch or dinner (although this immigrant wouldn’t hesitate to have äggakaka for breakfast). In classic Swedish style lingonberry preserves are the complement. 

Falukorv is perhaps the most-loved Swedish sausage. Its history dates back to the 17th-century and it has received Traditional Specialty Guaranteed (TSG) status from the EU. 

This versatile sausage is well-loved by Swedes whether it is thickly sliced and fried, baked with onions and apples, or chopped and served in korv stroganoff.

Kroppkakor just doesn’t translate well since it literally means “body cakes.” Not exactly an appetizing invitation for the tasty dumplings. Before the arrival of the potato in Sweden during the 1800s they were mainly made with flour but today’s versions typically include potatoes.

Depending on the region, they can be made of raw potatoes, cooked potatoes, or a combination of the two. The filling also varies from region to region and can include eel, herring, pork, or goose.

The island of Öland is known for its unique kroppkakor made from a blend of cooked and raw potatoes. Filled with fried cured pork and onion, laced with allspice, boiled and covered with melted butter, they are a serious contender for my “new favourites” list.

Gryta, or stew, isn’t exclusive to Sweden, but it’s popular winter fare. What makes it regionally special is the kind of meat and ingredients used.

Elk, reindeer, and wild boar are commonly available in Swedish supermarkets and all make excellent stews. Combined with chanterelle mushrooms and parsley root a gryta takes on a wild, earthy tone that highlights some of the gems of Swedish cuisine that can be foraged and hunted in our own forests.

What do all of these comfort foods have in common? They are economical (if you foraged your own chanterelles and shot your own moose for the gryta) filling, and draw on tradition and simple ingredients. Perfect for warming you up during a cold and dark Swedish winter.

Did you find your favourite Swedish comfort food on the list? If not, one of the beauties and mysteries of comfort foods is that they are entirely subjective. So let’s hear your favourites from Sweden and around the world.

Give it some thought, enjoy some warm memories, and perhaps dig out an old family recipe tonight.

Maia Brindley Nilsson is a designer and food enthusiast based in Malmö, Sweden. Her food blog semiswede is "sort of about Sweden, and sort of not."

Traditionally, traveling to Scandinavia during winter usually brings less crowds, deeper hotel discounts, and cheaper airfare except during Christmas, New Year’s, and sportlov — when school kids get a one-week sports break in February.

Photo: - Patricia Cowern of Arctic Colors.

So this makes winter a particularly good season to explore Sweden. In addition to avoiding larger crowds and enjoying more affordable deals on lodging and transportation between November and April, you also get to enjoy unique outdoor activities that are native to the subarctic and Arctic regions of Scandinavia such as dog sledding, moose and reindeer safaris, searching for the Northern Lights, and learning about indigenous Sámi history.

While winter provides opportunities to try a slew of adventure activities, for the less outdoorsy travelers, there are also many events — from Christmas markets and winter festivals to relaxing saunas — to enjoy all over the country.

Here are 10 reasons to consider spending your winter in Sweden, with links to additional resources to help you start planning your trip.

1. Ski in one of 200 resorts
Did you know that there are about 200 ski resorts in Sweden? From resorts around the popular ski village of Åre in central Sweden to ski facilities in Dalarna, Jämtland, Härjedalen as well as Swedish Lapland, there are hundreds of places where you can hit the slopes.

Country life: Past findings have shown that exposure to green space boosts health and reduces stress. The team of international scientists behind the finding are unsure why city life is so bad for the nerves. However, past studies have shown that exposure to green space reduces stress, boosts health and makes us less vulnerable to depression.

The findings come from the brain scans of 32 healthy volunteers from urban and rural areas.More... Humans really DO have a sixth sense... that lets us detect magnetic fields (and we're not aware we have it). Heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes...why lack of sleep is much worse for women Dr Jens Pruessner of the Douglas Mental Health University Institute in Quebec, who helped carry out the study, said: ‘Previous findings have shown that the risk for anxiety disorders is 21 per cent higher for people from the city, who also have a 39 per cent increase for mood disorders.

‘In addition, the incidence of schizophrenia is almost doubled for individuals born and brought up in cities. These  values are a cause for concern.’ Dr Pruessner and colleagues from the Univerity of Heidleberg in Germany monitored the brain activity of adult volunteers while they carried out mental arithmetic puzzles under time pressure. The functional magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed that the brains of those living in cities reacted differently to stress, the researchers report in the journal Nature. 

Rat race: City life affects the region of the brain which controls stress, according to research. The region of the brain called the amygdala – involved in mood and emotion – was more active among the volunteers raised in cities, they found. And those with an urban upbringing had a more active cingulate cortex – a region involved in regulating stress – while carrying out the task. 

A larger study would be needed to confirm the findings. The researchers are unsure why city life affects the regions of the brain that handle stress. Pollution, toxins, crowding or noise could all contribute, they say. 

However, past studies have shown that access to green space soothes frayed nerves and improves well-being. In 2009 Essex University scientists showed that as little as five minutes in a green space cut stress. Other studies have shown that those with access to countryside are less likely to have heart disease or strokes. 

Psychologists have argued that millions of years of evolution means the human brain has not developed to cope with life surrounded by thousands of strangers.

Ref - The Daily Mail UK Newspaper 2011 June 2011

Many Swedes will tell you that autumn is their favourite season. While the nights are beginning to draw in, there is still plenty of daylight left for evening walks and foraging expeditions in the woods. At this time of year it is a common sight to see a Swedish family disappearing into the evening forest light carrying baskets or bags on the hunt for mushrooms and berries.

The Swedish forests are rich with bounty at this time of year. Mushroom picking is extremely popular, and Sweden is home to a wide variety of forest mushrooms including the elusive and prized Chanterelle – and there’s good news: 2007 looks set to be an excellent mushroom year! The Swedes are enthusiastic and creative cooks, and many people are very knowledgeable about edible mushrooms, which are taken back to kitchens throughout the country reulting in mouthwatering pies, quiches and sauces.

Also extremely popular is berry picking, especially lingonberries, blueberries and the exotic cloudberries. These are made into pies, jams and delicious cordials. Particularly popular are blueberry soup (“blåbärssopa”) and lingonberry jam (“lingonsylt”).

Of course, it is not only the two-legged visitors to the forest who love berries – brown bears and badgers especially thrive during good berry years! Berries provide an important dietary supplement for many animals keen to fatten up before the winter freeze.

If you are an elk or a deer, autumn is a time for caution, as it is also the traditional hunting season. Hunting in Sweden is tightly regulated with strict quotas allocated in particular areas, and at this time of year local restaurants will often feature wild game as part of their menu.

Autumn is an excellent time for fishing in Sweden. The lower temperatures in the lakes make this a good season for pike fishing, as the larger pikes are searching voraciously for food to prepare themselves for winter. It is also a good time of year to catch pike-perch and perch.

Visitors to Sweden should not overlook the wonderful opportunities offered for outdoor activities during the autumn season – while the endless summer evenings and the magic of a snowy winter are hard to beat, the peace and gentle beauty of autumn is a unique experience and not to be missed.

Whatever your interests, an Autumn holiday in Sweden will have something to offer…..a perfect opportunity to squeeze in another break before that winter holiday you were planning! 

Ref - Bob Carter of Nature Travels

Link - CJ Utsi Photography

BoazoNieida from Carl-Johan Utsi on Vimeo.