Major Cuteness

Yesterday we visited the French bulldog puppies. And OH-MI-GAWD. How can anyone NOT think these are the stinking cutest creatures eh-vah? I promise not to become a crazy dog lady or let this blog become all about French bulldogs but I could not resist posting these pics of them at a week old….The critters are now just beginning to open their eyes and desperately trying to get up off their chubby little milk filled bellies to check our their surroundings….I just want to squeeze them!

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A Little Slice of Heaven

Shhhh. Don’t tell anyone, but we know a guy who has a cousin who knows someone else who got us into this A.M.A.Z.I.N.G warehouse (read: not open to the public and or for sale in this country) stuffed to the gills with gorgeous antiques.

Now, those who know me and have been to any of my current or previous homes (in Europe or the US) know I’m much more of a modern kinda chick, but even I must admit some of these pieces were just absolutely to-die-for. And although my tendencies lean towards clean modern lines, I adore mixing old and new together. Just imagine one of these chandeliers over your tub or in a little girls rooms. Everyone needs a little luxury.

Honestly, the sheer volume of furniture collectibles in these buildings was a bit overwhelming. You’ll notice in this photo Fattie is just a speck with chairs, armories, and settees lining the walls five to six levels deep. We were even given special treatment to check out the fresh incoming merchandise while they were unloading some trailers full of goodness. We ended up roaming the aisles for a good couple hours and ultimately Fattie had to pry me away.

I stumbled upon and fell in love with these sexy curved sage green velvet rounded arms chairs (I envisioned recovering them in some fabulous fabric that matched our interior) and I squeaked – or maybe it was a squeal – to Fattie that we MUST have them. I think I’ve been a good girl lately, because Fattie agreed they would be a nice contrast in the family room and said he would ‘talk’ to the owner to see if something could be arranged. Something can always be arranged. All this mysterious speak was kinda exciting and I was already visualizing myself in front of the TV, resting my bootie on the comfy feather pillow, feet up, glass of Ferrari Carano, catching a little BBC Food.

A couple days later we had our answer. This perfect twosome were available and the owner would be happy to deliver them to us this week. Luv it! Along with that news, Fattie also dropped this bomb, “We’ll, it’s the Audi or the chairs – you pick.” Now, I love our efficient little green car – a must have when gas is around $7.00 USD a gallon here – but do we really need a second car? I mean, I could walk to work if I had too.

The pair of stunning seats were hand made in Russia for a ‘particular’ embassy/palace (sorry – no names here – it’s extremely hush-hush) and were going for 140,000 Swedish Kroner WHOLESALE. Now, seriously. Maybe you don’t know the exchange rate to SEK, but I can inform you – that’s a helluva lot of dough to rest your bum on. $23,500 USD to be precise (well, give or take some change). So, how come in a land of antiques, where I know diddley squat, I pick the most expensive pieces of loveliness? Do you think I could add these to my wedding registry?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ‘antiquing’ on my days off but I want to go back here immediately……

Apologies for the picture quality – I was snap happy but didn’t get the best shots. These pix don’t even do this place justice.

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Swedish Wieners

Seriously. How could anyone think this looks attractive enough to stick in your mouth?

I snapped this prized winning pic the other day while out running errands. The country is littered with these hot dog stands. They are in supermarkets, malls, gas stations, street corners, and pedestrian shopping streets. I just can’t believe someone in their marketing/advertising department had these photos taken, laid out this ad and then with certainty said, “Yup. It’s perfect Sven!! Let’s print up some posters straight away – they’ll be drooling over these puppies!”

In Sweden, they serve hot dogs as you see them here – shoved into this hollowed out tube shaped bun – but they also have this crazy concoction called the “Half-Special’“. (I haven’t actually slipped this masterpiece into my grill – but have seen it on the menus while walking by these joints).

The “Half-Special” is a grilled sausage way-too-long-for-the-bread slapped on an American style bun, with a scoop of mashed potatoes plunked on top. (Yup, you heard me right – mashed potatoes). For the “Full-Special”, you’ll receive two franks, a generous spoonful of spuds, a handful of shrimp salad, and occasionally it’ll be topped off with a just a wee bit of some cucumber mix. (I’m sorry for not having a picture of this heinous dish loveliness – you’ll just have to use your imagination).

I’m all for trying different types of food, have a very diverse palate, and usually jump in with both feet, ready to nibble on new dishes – so I guess I can’t say I’ll never try it……but I can’t say I really want to either.

My apologies to Sweden here – but am I the only one who thinks this sounds totally nasty?

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Sunday Night

Even though it was a busy Sunday (Fattie’s grandmother turned 98 and we had a very yummy family dinner at my in-laws in her honor) I managed to sneak in a quick jaunt this evening.

Luckily for me, one of the grocery stores I frequent is located directly on the lake, so a shopping trip to stock the fridge accompanying a walk along the drink with the sun setting in the background, was undeniable and quite effortless. The promenade that runs aside the water is not that long, can’t be much more than a few kilometers – if that, but this coupled with walking the course today makes me feel like I got in just a little bit of needed movement…..

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Who needs a haircut?

I noticed this joker on my way to the grocery store today.

He was hanging out with some of his friends and I thought it was some sort of bison – yeah, I know – shows my country ignorance, huh? Later in the evening chewing on a tasty dinner at Fattie’s parents place, I mentioned I had run into these characters and my in the know father-in-law informed me about this species and their origin.

Apparently, this guy belongs to a breed of cattle known as Scottish Highland.

“Highland cattle is superior in flavor, tenderness and cooking. Highland (sometimes called Scottish Highland) is a distinct breed of cattle that are generally smaller than Angus and unique in their looks because of their long hair and horns. It is one of the oldest purebred cattle breeds in the world, extremely hardy and first developed on the cold north Atlantic coast of Scotland.”

Who knew.

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Pictures from Spain

We had an amazing time in Costa del Sol…..

We were able to soak up some rays but now back in Sweden I feel my tan fading by the minute. Here are some pictures from the girls trip last week over the Easter break combined with a holiday in July ’07 where Fattie and I also wandered into Gibraltar, Ronda, and many of the quaint white washed pueblo villages.

In just 3 short months we’ll be there again with a bunch of our friends and family!

I can’t wait.

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What’s that smell?

The air here is filled with the aroma of spring and the landscape is diligently following right along as it loyally does each and every season.

Apparently, the trusted Swedes inform me, it’s rare to see these gorgeous sights of spring cropping up in these parts of Sweden so early in the year.

In March of most previous years, the lake would still be completely frozen over (as in frozen solid – thick enough to drive your car on – oh, you can probably only imagine the fun Fattie and his brothers have skidding around the lake with their ‘ice cars’ – can’t wait for that adventure), it would be minus some stinking temperature that is synonymous with ‘bitterly freakin’ bone chilling cold’, and there could easily be a meter plus (that’s 3.28 feet for my friends in the US or those of us challenged with the metric system) of snow packed high outside.

So, what’s the deal this season?

We barely had a winter at all here; just a touch of snow 2 or 3 times that melted within days of falling. I mean – don’t get me wrong – I’m certainly not complaining. Whatever the reason – I love it. Spring is coming and I can almost taste it.

Out on my walk this morning, I snapped a few photos.

 

It’s almost as if it’s teasing us – just peaking out around the corner to give us a glimpse of what delights are heading our way.

Even the golf course is looking green green-ish.

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Pictures from Italy

Wow….What an amazing trip!

Italy for Valentines Day? Yup. A ski holiday I would have only dreamt about last year. Truly a one of a kind gift. Thanks Fattie!

Obviously, one of the great benefits of living in Europe is how easily you can hop from country to country. So a quick flight to Milan along with a 2 hour drive and we were sipping Italian wine in the snowy Alps. We stayed in the small quaint village of Champoluc, close to the Swiss and French borders. Spending most of our time up in those gorgeous mountains with the sun shining down on us was….D-I-V-I-N-E.

Everyone knows I’m a beginning skier and don’t particularly like to be out in the cold so initially I was just jacked to be ‘going away’ for holiday – spending my birthday and Valentines in Italy sounded perfect. But after a week of hitting the slopes every stinking day, bruises and all, I was equally excited about the skiing. The snow was perfect for a newbie like me, the pistes were all trimmed and fresh, and gazing at the Matterhorn everyday was incredible.

The main chair lift is conveniently located smack dab in the middle of town. Every morning after downing an espresso we sauntered 10 minutes over to the gondolas and were off. We skied the majority of the day and by 5 in the afternoon, beer in hand, we were firmly planted on our bums warming up in one of the after ski joints watching the mountains turn pink from the setting sun.

Words fail me. I’m at a loss on how to convey the pure beauty of the scene.

I would highly recommend Italy’s largest skiing region Monterosa Ski to those looking for an Italian winter ski/snow board holiday. Beautiful, low key, family friendly, and affordable. You can hit the lifts (38 of them!) and manage to ski several valleys throughout the day before making your way back into town. Fantastic and surprisingly undiscovered. At times, it felt as if we were the only ones there.

We even mustered up the guts to tackle an adventure course high up in the trees. Cable walks, zip lines, and suspension bridges – 22 courses in all. It was a little nerve racking but a grip of fun. Parco Avventura is definitely a must do if you make it to Champoluc, Italy.

I can’t wait for Valentines 2009.

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Ah…..Italy for Valentine’s Day

How lucky am I? A trip to Italy!

It was supposed to be a surprise combo Valentines/birthday gift from Fattie but he just couldn’t keep his lips sealed. He spilled it. And I’m thrilled. What a good boy.

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Pictures that will make you giggle.

I don’t usually make fun of people, especially on Fridays. But some of these time warped hair dos and dated outfits, even though they aren’t trying to be, are just stinking silly.

You must immediately take 30 seconds to view these photos.

Click here for the fun to begin.

Props go to the List of the Day blog.

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