The Viking Diaries

Welcome to THE VIKING DIARIES! I'm Sharon/Shazzer (your choice), an American ex-pat and naturalized Swede getting my "new media" geek on among the Vikings. This is my home base on the web.

[shazz]

Given the car sitting in front of the sign, I suspect a rude notice would be more effective! 😂 #snaps #scotland July 27, 2026 at 09:40PM via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DbTu4PRIabj/

[shazz]

Dr. Darling is threatening to have this replicated for our front door.🤨#snaps July 27, 2026 at 09:31PM via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DbTt01fIbV8/

[shazz]

It’s a very rare & wonderful thing to stay in an English home with an unlimited supply of ice … especially during a heatwave! #snaps #summervacay2026 🇬🇧💯🙌🏻 July 26, 2026 at 03:01PM via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DbQYwGqooz_/

[shazz]

Things you find in a British grocery store store! #snaps #summervacay2026 July 25, 2026 at 03:32PM via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DbN7iMPiNav/

[shazz]

Evidently we are flying a Swedish-themed 🇸🇪 plastic plane to England. 🇬🇧 #snaps #summervacay2026 July 24, 2026 at 09:38AM via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DbKtzX9RKUB/

[shazz]

View this post on Instagram

Brunch was a perfectly ripe avocado with olive- & chili crisp oil, lime juice, herb salt & cracked black pepper. Heaven. Also worthy of a red star on the calendar for the rarity of the whole ripeness thing. (via Instagram)

[shazz]

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(via Instagram)

The marina is hopping today! Though it is unusual (and generally considered unsafe) to navigate the narrow channel with your sails up. #summer2026 #snaps

[shazz]

Love her or hate her, Sophie Cunningham won't be ignored

Without a starting role and without apology, the Fever guard has become a star and a dividing line.

I’m in the “love her” column.

[shazz]

Sunny Swedish summer scene from our neighborhood this morning. #snaps July 11, 2026 at 12:53PM via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DapmBx6oty7/

[shazz]

Scott Jennings' alleged call with Mitch McConnell sparks hilarious internet trend

CNN's Scott Jennings accidentally started one of the funniest internet memes of the year.

My fave: “ Spoke to Mitch McConnell today, for about 20 minutes. Said he was heading to Bernie's for the weekend.” ROFL! 

[shazz]

That's the spirit.

[shazz]

What do you do when it’s 90+ degrees in #Sweden 🇸🇪 & you’re trying to feed American visitors traditional fare without heating up the kitchen? You go to #IKEA for meatballs! #heatwave🔥 #snaps June 27, 2026 at 01:15PM via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DaFk71tqhDc/

[shazz]

I’ve never seen blocks of it in this size before! #snaps #brunost #sweden June 21, 2026 at 12:21PM via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DZ2CSySo_yU/

[shazz]

TVD Live : Sweden Sunday Brunch for June 14

The smörgåsbord AKA Swedish brunch buffet table featured some tasty tunes as well as a few tales of questionable entertainment value! This s

Just in time for your weekend listening pleasure ... it's another Sweden Sunday Brunch Trifecta!

This show is currently sitting on three of Mixcloud's Global Charts: Lifestyle (4th), Open Format (69th) and Multi-Genre (81st)! Enjoy!

[shazz]

Revenge of the tan suit at the Obama Presidential Center ceremony

Attendees like comedian Stephen Colbert and state Rep. La Shawn Ford donned taupe, recalling the 2014 controversy when pundits mocked it as “unpresidential.”

I’m loving “the audacity of taupe”!

[shazz]

The Secret to the Best Pie Dough Isn’t an Ingredient. It’s You.

Strawberry-rhubarb pie tastes best this time of year, especially when it’s made by hand.

Big thanks to my long-time friend Bex for sharing this article with me ... which she did because it reminded her of my Mom, whom she affectionately called "Nancola."

Mom conducted countless "pie crust clinics" for me and my siblings, and yet not one of us has ever been able to consistently duplicate her magic, despite following her recipe and process to the letter.

The writer of this NYTimes piece "gets it." From the article:

I’m not going to tell you that making dough from scratch is fast and easy. Honestly, it’s sort of hard and takes time. That’s what makes it rewarding in a world where optimizing for efficiency and clear outcomes sometimes outweighs the pursuit of good things. (Is there anything better than homemade pie?)

No Genevieve, there's isn't anything better. And my Mom's cherry pie was the best of the best.

[shazz]

From today’s fika #2 celebrating our Goddaughter’s 17th birthday! #snaps May 31, 2026 at 04:23PM via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DZAZKZWInry/