Day 213: Try, try again

Out I went into the neighborhood, the picture of calm in the midst of throngs of holiday shoppers. While people all around me were rushing around making their last minute purchases, I lingered at store windows and strolled along aisles of wares, fully content in knowing that I was there only to take a walk.

I did stop by Muffinsfabriken (the muffin factory, which isn't a factory at all but rather a cozy café that specializes in muffins) where I picked up two muffins, one cardamom and one saffron, for my working afternoon tea. Assassins program editor, and my good friend, Örjan was coming over. We would proofread the latest PDF while he runs his plastic containers through my dishwasher. All in a day's work ;-)

Although I proofread for a living for many years, I am still astounded at how many times you can read and reread a text (and this one is equivalent to only about five full pages) and still find errors. Just when you think, NOW it's all correct, you see a misplaced comma or a missing period or a misspelled word.

Oh well, as my hero always says, "God is in the details."

Day 212: Mayan Oreo

I'm off to a party momentarily...I'm so psyched. It's important to celebrate things. I like creating celebrations. And participating in them. The latest was Amy's Ph.D. day. What an amazing moment to share that was. And, of course, Chanukkah.

But tonight it's a completely Swedish tradition...glöggfest. This is a time of year here where people take the time to visit one another. Or it should be. Anyway, it's fun to be dragged out of my man cave and explore the world every once in a while.


So, trevlig kväll änglar (you know who you are).
See you on the other side. Amen.

And remember:

Day 211: The unexpected

I love surprises. Pleasant ones of course. Like today, when I opened my front door to go check on a neighbor, there was a small brown bag by my door that contained a large blooming plant and a handwritten note that said: "I leave on a trip today and thought it would be a shame to let this go to waste."

Not to worry, it now sits proudly on top of my CD cabinet livening up the living room. What a thoughtful neighbor I have.

And that, folks, is today's happy.

Day 210: Lussekatter

There are lussekatter (seasonal saffron pastry) and then there are lussekatter. Today, I had one of the latter and let me tell you, what a difference! Of course, it still didn't hold a candle to my Swedish brother's baking but still...YUMMO!

Good thing the really good ones are not inexpensive or I would soon be turning into one :-)

What's your favorite holiday pastry?

Day 209: T for tired today

Up since 3:30 AM. Why? Good question!

Did, however, manage to get some things done. The brainless stuff that I pretty much can do on automatic. So down came the Chanukkah decorations which are now safely stowed away for next year. Updated all my Excel files (and I've got plenty of those...just ask anyone who's ever worked on a project with me ;-)). And baked a loaf of rosemary bread. Yum.

And now...to sleep. Sweet dreams one and all!

Day 208: T for terrific

What to do with a million leftover carrots and a dozen leftover peeled potatoes? Cook soup, of course. I was all set and quite pleased with the prospect when I remembered that my stove is not functioning. To make matters worse, a phone call to the gas station near my house revealed that they have stopped selling liquefied petroleum gas. Yikes.

A round of phone calls to other gas stations within Stockholm city limits located said gas at a station way across town. Nothing to it but to bundle up, load the two empty gas containers onto my luggage cart and haul them through the very slushy streets to get filled. Boy am I glad I live in a town with a great public transportation system! Subway stations with elevators and kneeling buses saved the day.

The soup, btw, turned out great :-)

Day 207: Maoz tzur

House still smells like latkes. But it's quiet now. Another Chanukkah celebration. Some highlights:

Thea, 7 years old. "Auntie Bella. What was the Chanukkah story about. I didn't really understand it." Reached right into my heart...that curiosity.

Me, "Thank you for the presents...should I open them now? Do you want yours now?"
Axel and Bruno, "Nah, let's do it later. It's fun to wait."
Need I say more? And Bruno "let" me kiss him...twice.

In the middle of frying my final batch of latkes...which, for the record, reached their savory height this year...I ran out of gas. Literally: the stove died. Thank goodness for neighbors!

Nice to have traditions in my life. And people to share them with. And pictures to remember them by.

Day 206: All set

Having 24 people over for a Chanukkah celebration involves a lot of peeling. Tonight, I can go to sleep happy in the knowledge that all that peeling is behind me and that tomorrow I can spend my time cooking latkes, wrapping presents and enjoying my company.

YAY!