All about the food

Even though I spent almost all day at the hospital every day, I did get to experience quite a bit of 'Swedish' cuisine.

My wonderful friends Sofie and Henrik made delicious meals for me every night I stayed with them, which was almost every night. They wanted to make as Swedish meals as possible and everything was Delicious.

Swedish pizza is Amazing. I may have had it 4 out of the 9 days I was there. I also May have walked i n -15 degree weather to get some one night. 

Swedish princess cake for farmors 80th birthday

Fika goodies. And yes, those are double stuffed oreos that I brought to Sofie and Henrik. 

One of my fika dates with jessica

Oven pancake with bacon--yummmy

Semla, they are only available for about 6 weeks a year and I was lucky enough to be there during it

home made blueberry pie and vanilla sauce. So freaking good.

Just some of the amazing food I got to enjoy

And I'm back.

I've been in Sweden for the past ten days, and it feels so goo to be back to my little man, and of course his daddy. But I've gone a week or two with out seeing Drew while Jasper and I have gone back to Iowa to visit family, but in the three and a half years since I became a mamma I haven't spent more than a weekend apart from Jasper. And that only happened twice. Ironically enough both times that happened I was also in Sweden. Stockholm to be more exact. But that was different because one, he was also in Sweden, and two it was only 2.5 days at a time.

It was hard, and I mean Really hard to be away from Jasper.  Even though I wasn't going to Sweden for a vacation for myself, I still felt guilty going. I felt guilty that I wouldn't be there to tuck him in for his nap and bed times as I have been 99.8 percent of the time since he was born. But luckily I have an amazing husband that convinced me I needed to go and that Jasper would be fine. Even that it Might be good for both of us, and also Drew, to be the one in charge, because lets face it, when mamma is home, mamma is in charge.

My purpose of this trip was to go and spend time with farmor (dads mom in Swedish) and say goodbye. Traveling 15000 miles roundtrip to say goodbye to someone is apparently a strange concept for some to grasp. I was interrogated at the airport getting into Sweden when they asked the purpose of my trip. They had a hard time believing that I had came all the way to Sweden just to see and say  goodbye to my grandma.

But that was my purpose and I did just that. Luckily for me my dad was also there the whole time. He lives in Brazil but has been in Sweden with his mom since Dec. 26th, sitting at the hospital all day and most nights, so I know he was glad that I was there. Not only did we get to spend a lot of quality time together, it was a relief for him to have me there so he could get some stuff done during the day and know that I was there with farmor. Also, luckily for me some of my bestest friends live there. Sofie, who was a bridesmaid in our wedding, and her soon to be husband live in the same town farmor does. And also Jessica, who came to the wedding. Childhood friends.

And when I asked Melissa of http://dearbabyblog.com/ for advice of being away from my son since I know she travels for work frequently her advice was to keep busy. And I did just that. And she was right, as long as I was busy, I was Almost okay being away from Jasper. Not okay really, but coping. As soon as I was alone, and it was quiet? I was a mess.

So I  kept busy. I spent my days at the hospital with farmor. Helping her eat. reading her magazine to her (let me tell you its HARD to read in Swedish) telling her stories of Jasper, listening to her stories of me, my siblings and my dad as a child when she was up to being able to tell those. I would be there from 9 or 10 in the morning, then I would go have lunch or 'fika' (coffee and some sort of baked good) with Jessica around 2ish, then back to the hospital. Then most nights I went and stayed with Sofie and Henrik, where they made me delicious Swedish home made meals every night and we sat up talking and drinking tea till midnight when I could skype with Jasper right after he woke up from his afternoon nap. Thats how I coped being away from Jasper. When I would go lay down in bed for the night I would read until I literally couldn't keep my eyes open. If I didn't I would lay there in bed, in the dark, 7000 miles away and my heart would hurt so bad I thought I was having a heart attack. It was too hard to lay there thinking about Jasper, and farmor.

Tonight/this morning I have gone in to check on Jasper several times just to watch him sleep. Jet lag is killing me and I have been up since 3 AM but I should use this valuable time to start unpacking because as soon as Jasper is awake I know I wont be able to get anything done. I'll just want to cuddle him all day (like he will let me)

Can't wait to catch up on everyones blogs! It's been weird being so disconnected from my internet friends's lives for the last week and a half!

It's happening

Thank you for your sweet thoughts and prayers. I'm booking a flight tomorrow morning and leaving Thursday morning. I won't get up to wear my grandma lives until Friday night, so I'm praying she will hold on. Sunday is her 80th birthday, and I'll get to celebrate that with her.

Drew's mom or dad- still not sure who yet, is coming to stay with Jasper and Drew next week. We both have young parents (is) (Mine late 40's, his 50) so I know they should have the stamina to keep up with Jasper! He loves spending time with them, and I know he will be in good hands, but I have a panic attack just thinking about being away from him. But I know we both need this. He needs to be independent from me, and I need to see my grandma. But thank god for skype! I'll be able to skype with him every day (except for the day and a half of traveling) so that will help a lot. I'm just so sad that he will be confused and won't understand when I'm coming back. 8 days doesn't mean much to a three year old.

Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts. Means so much to me.

Please pray for us

I am trying to get a last minute flight to Sweden to see my dying grandmother. Please pray that all will work out that I can go- Drews   mom or dad are trying to see if they can come here to stay with Jasper since Drew can't take off work right now.

Please pray that my grandma will hold on until I'm able to get there.

Please pray that I will have the strength to leave my baby boy. I've only spent a weekend away from him, twice- and total have spent Maybe 6 full days away from him in his 3 and a half years. I don't know how I will be able to get on the plane.

Steppin Out Saturday: Dinner and Golden Globes

Sunday night I went over to a friends house to make dinner and watch the globes. It was a super chill night, filled with delicious dinner (boulder sausage, green and red peppers, potato soup and 4 diff. kinds of cheese cake, yes I said 4) and commenting on the golden globes. I am not super into these award shows- but if I'm with friends they are much more fun to watch than w the hubby- sorry Drew.

Shirt: J Crew- that back is my favorite, has an exposed zipper but I didn't get a picture of that this time

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Forever 21

If you want to play along head over to http://www.harpershappenings.com/

Can you guess what Jasper's current favorite movie is?

Clue number one.

"Kevin's brother is friend's with Woody"

Clue Number two.

While laughing hysterically "Bad guys falling down the stairs is Fuuuuunny"

Still don't know what his current movie fav. is?

Here's a final clue.

"Buzz. Your girlfriend. Woof"

If you guessed Home Alone you would be correct. If you guessed anything else..well then you would be wrong.

It's so funny how Jasper refuses to watch 'baby shows'. There isn't a single cartoon that he enjoys watching. Currently the only movies he will watch are Home Alone (one or two) Might Joe Young (who knows?) Pippi Longstocking (only the Swedish version, not the lame American version) and any of the Harry Potters. Sometimes I wonder if I have a 3 year old or a 12 year old

A few of my favorite things...Jojoba oil

When I was back in Iowa over Christmas break I made a point to go to Des Moines (30 min. from my mom's) to check out the new Trader Joe's. While I was there I of course bought several bought of ridiculously cheap wine (THREE DOLLARS FOR A BOTTLE) Can you believe that?!?!?

While wandering the isle I found a bottle of organic jojoba oil- so I decided to give it a shot. Let me start off by saying I've got pretty 'normal' skin, not too dry, not too oily- but in the Colorado winters it can get a little dry from time to time. Since I started using it? Not a single dry spot. Amazing right? Also? The hubbs has been having a little dry scalp issue (sorry Drew) but two nights of this, and it;s completely Gone. A few drops of this oil did what Heads&Shoulders couldn't do. Amazing.

Here's what I use it for:
As a Moisturizer, for my hands, a tiny bit on my face from time to time when I'm feeling extra dry, on my scalp if needed.

As Make up Remover- i put a little bit on a cotton ball- and use it to take off my mascara (really the only make up I use) it works Great!

As Cuticle Oil- my cuticles had been looking pretty nasty lately- I need a manicure BADLY- but the last two nights I've rubbed a little oil on them, and they are seriously looking way better.

As Conditioner- I've mixed a little oil in w/ my regular condition. I've only done it twice so I can't tell a difference yet, but it feels nice!

As Massage Oil--last week I conned my hubby into giving me a massage. This oil happened to be on my nightstands, so I had him rub oil in...and let me say it was Nice.

So far I haven't found much that I Can't do with this oil! My impulse buy is turning out to have been a great one! So if you have a Trader Joe's near you- I recommend that you rush to your nearest one and stock up on some jojoba oil! I've already requested that my mom pick me up some more so I can grab it when we are home for a friends wedding next month.

**Can you believe I'm NOT getting paid by jojoba OR Trader Joe's? I Really just love the product and wanted to share with you.

What will I be doing this summer?

(I realize it's only January- but I'm too excited to not be googling everything there is to do and see here)

At the end of June I'll be going to Sweden for one of my best friends wedding. While I've spent almost half of my lifetime in Sweden there are still tons of places I haven't seen there. This is one of them.

Gotland. The largest island in the Baltic Sea- off the coast of Sweden. It's supposed to be Beautiful- especially in the summer. After Sofie and Henrik's wedding, the four of us will road trip down the coast and take the ferry across and spend 3-4 days here. I think it will be magical.

We will spend our days eating delicious food, touring medieval ruins, walking along the beach, swimming in the frigid Baltic sea, possibly camping, taking canoes to other little islands- pure bliss. Some might prefer to spend their vacations on a lazy beach in mexico drinking margaritas. Not us. We would rather explore Europe, SHOP (okay that one is more me than Drew) see and do things that aren't possible in our every day lives, not spend out whole vacation laying on a hot beach. That just doesn't even sound very appealing to me.

Besides going to Gotland we will spend several days up in Northern Swede where I grew up. Thats where my friends are getting married (and where they live) and also where my grandma, uncle and cousins live (also happens to be where Drew proposed.)

So much green. And blue. I am forever thankful for growing up among so much natural beauty.

We will also spend a few days in my favorite city in the world. Stockholm. Water on all sides. World class food. To die for shopping. Cafe's and buildings hundreds and hundreds of years old.

Hoping I make it to the royals summer castle this time outside the city. It's supposed to be Beautiful. 

I get goosebumps thinking about it!! Anyone else have exciting traveling plans?

Top Two Tuesday: Strange Addictions

When I saw the topic for today's top two tuesday I had to ask my hubby what my 'strange addictions' are, since I don't find any of my 'addictions' too strange. Here's what he came up with.

1. The first thing Drew came up with was 'my weird addiction to keeping my closet super clean'. Maybe this isn't strange to some of you, but I'm not the cleanest person in the world- another HUGE goal of mine- becoming more organized and better at cleaning!!! But he finds the fact that my bathroom can look like a complete disaster and I'm okay with it, but have this need to keep my clothes clean and organized a bit strange.

While I was taking pictures of my closet..this might count as a strange addiction as well- tights. I have a TON. This sadly isn't all of them- when they are all clean and in the same place they take up the whole drawer. But fi I buy another black pair- somebody Please slap me.

2. He claims I'm addicted to 'face and eye crap'- AKA all of my anti- again lotions and eye creams. But that's not strange right? That's just smart. ha. Says the 24 (and a half) year old who gets carded at rated R movies. I've always looked younger than I am- but when I hit 24 for some reason I freaked out and now if I see a cream that says 'anti aging' I have to buy it. Yes, sad, but strange? Not so sure.

Sadly these aren't even half of it, these are just the ones in my bathroom, I have several on my nightstands, the other bathroom, in my purse, my suitcase I still haven't unpacked from Iowa...

3rd. I asked for another one and he said ' that, what you are doing right now'. I have this thing if I'm wearing a t-shirt or sweatshirt I have to pull it up over my mouth. Not sure why- I don't even notice that I do it. It just feels nice. Sometimes this leads to me chewing on said shirt also..kiinda gross I guess, but I can't help it!

Okay fess up, what are your strange addictions?

11 in 2011

I've seen this on a couple of blogs and wanted to join in on the fun.

1. TRAVEL - so far in the works at least one trip to Sweden, several (many) Iowa trips, my sisters wedding on the beach in North Carolina this fall, a mountain weekend getaway...
2. Get pregnant w/ baby number TWO
3. Use my ridiculously large closet and get 'dressed' into something other than yoga pants 5 times a week instead of my usual 3ish.
4. Cook at least one new recipe a week.
5.Go one full month of Not buying anything clothes related for myself. I'm Hoping being pregnant will help with that?
6. Declutter declutter declutter. I would like to become more minimalistic. We have so much STUFF, everywhere, too much of everything and so much we don't need, by decluttering our lives we will have more room to focus on us as a family w/o all the distractions.
7. Watch less T.V. This past summer we decided to cut out cable because we thought we watched too much TV- and that has reduced our TV watching by a TON. Now we don't just sit there channel surfing till we find something on, if we dont have a show we Really want to watch- the TV stays off and we can hang out, talk, play a game or something. I actually don't miss having cable at all! (Confession: I do watch some of my favorites online when Jasper's napping)
8.Start playing the piano again- i took lessons for about 6 month in 6th grade but quit because i Refused to practice- this Christmas I was looking through a hymn book and found my favorite swedish christmas song and within ten minutes had figured out how to play it. I was surprised I 'still had it' and was proud of myself that I was able to do that! I'd love to pick it back up again.
9.Take a few hours every week for ME time- I'm a better mom when I've had some alone time, and I need to be better and finding that time. Plus it's great for Jasper and Drew to have some time together without me.
10.Learn how to knit! And crochet things other than just baby blankets.
11.Explore more of Colorado. So many people come here for vacation- and we've lived here for three years and I feel like I haven't even seen a fraction of what this great state has to offer.

My first attempt

at glogg. Glogg is a Swedish drink, served hot during December. It's usually has alcohol in it (duh, Swedes like their alcohol :) The best way I can describe it is a hot, red wine with a bunch of spices such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger etc. It's Sooo yummy.

I was able to get my hands on a bottle of the glogg concentrate, so friday night we had two couples over for some wine, four different kinds of cheese, glogg and catch phrase. It was Such a fun night. First we played girls against boys in catch phrase- it ended up being a pretty even match. Then Whit decided Drew and I should play again every one else because I get every single one of Drew's super lame clues that nobody else gets. Needless to say, the two of us together kicked booootay.

Add caption

Adding in a bottle of red wine w/ a bottle of glogg. Throw in some spices and an orange=YUM

After our friends got there I had too much wine to remember got to busy to remember to take pictures of the rest of the night.

Anyone else have any fun couple things you do w/ friends that doesn't involve needing a sitter?

Snow day!

Last weekend we Finally got some snow- so of course we had to go out sledding!

We packed a lunch, some hot chocolate in my new Ikea thermos, bundled up and headed to the nearest hill. It was pretty windy out, but Jasper had SO much fun. He freakin Loves the snow/cold, gotta be the Swedish blood in him!

After sledding until our fingers were numb we climbed into the back of the jeep for some hot chocolate and sandwiches. A PB&J has Never tasted so good.

**Funny story.....Jasper's current favorite movie is Might Joe Young ( he pretty much refuses to watch cartoons/kid shows) and he was pretending all day that his sled was Joe. When he was pulling 'joe' up the hill he kept saying ' come on big guy, you can do it'. He's the best.**

This showed up on my door steps yesterday

And I May have squealed a tiny bit.

Two weeks ago I found a groupon for $11, for a $25 box of organic fruits/veggies delivered right to your door. As I was clicking the check out button my husband forwarded me the groupon w a title- We should try this in the header. Great minds think alike!!

Inside of the box looked like this.

And after I unwrapped it all, like this.

Two apples, three peppers, 4 tomatoes, 2 oranges, a mango, a head of lettuce, a bunch of spinach and carrots, all organic, all for $11!! Hooooly steal! I'm not sure if it is as much of a steal for $25-but soon I  go to Whole Foods or Vitamin Cottage where we usually shop, I will get all of these things and see the price difference. We shall see! But I love the idea of having a 'surprise' box of fruit and veggies show up on my doorstep every Thursday. Will make me have to get more creative w/ foods since I never know what fruits and veggies I'll get!

Jasper immediately dug into the fruit and ate an apple and a banana for a snack. I tried a bit of the apple- and it was juicy and crunchy, exactly what I want my apple to taste like!

This morning he ate the mango and other banana for breakfast w/ some yogurt. Not a bite was left- if that tells you anything. And mango isn't a usual fruit i pick up at the store- but J LOVED it, so I'm glad we got it.

Last night I made a delicious veggie taco on pita bread- an idea stolen borrowed from the lovely http://www.kristimaristi.com/. I just sauteed some green peppers in some oil, threw it on a whole wheat pita halve, added some tomato, lettuce, cheese and sour cream. Simple- healthy yet Suuuper delicious. Even the meatarian hubby asked for seconds (and thirds) and jasper ate seconds also! Which isn't that surprising since he's the healthiest little eater I know.


And lastly- my lunch today. A little salad with my organic lettuce, spinach and carrots with a small..okay, large, piece of brie and crackers. This post it making me hungry-time to go get the brie back out.

"How Much do you Weigh"

"I'd prefer not to answer that right now..I'm still carrying a little holiday weight"

10 cool points if you can answer who said this........................................

Did you guess Ross Gellar? If you did you would be correct. And it's how I'm feeling right now. Over the last few weeks I've stuffed myself with cookies, pies, chocolate and other baked goods on top of all the home cooked meals we had in Iowa over break. I come from a family of Amazing chefs, and can never control how much I eat when I am around them. Plus we made a trip up to Ikea- and there I stocked up on Swedish chocolate bars, bags of 'Bilar' (candy cars) and these sinfully delicious chocolate covered coconut/marshmellow goodness. And since Drew refuses to touch anything w/ coconut on it- I ate two whole boxes (minus the two jasper ate) in a week. I'm guessing thats about 5000 calories worth of junk. But Swedish junk that I never get to eat anymore, so it's totally justified.

Now it's time to hit the elliptical and lose the 3 lbs I gained in December PLUS the 5-8 lbs 'baby weight' I still need to get rid of. 

Jasper trying his first Mums Mums in the car ride back to CO. 

Best treat ever, Mums Mums and Swedish Julmust (Christmas soda)

Reminiscing..Sweden part 4. OSLO

If you missed the other Sweden posts.. they can be found here, here and here

Technically this one isn't about Sweden, its about Oslo, Norway. Drew has a friend who he has known since birth (their mother's have been BFF's since Jr. High) and she married a Norwegian basketball player. They are currently living in Oslo, which was only a 3.5 hr train ride from Karlstad. Two weeks after I got back from Stockholm (mid march) we went there for a 4 day weekend. We left around 8 in the morning and were there by lunch time.

Molly and Haak met us at the train station and we took our stuff back to their apartment before heading out to explore Oslo. It was mid march, still a bit chilly but perfect sight seeing weather. 

The sky was incredible the first night we were there. This is a huge park w/ hundreds of statues, all done by one man, and they were all naked people. 

A pile of naked people on top of each other..slightly odd. 

Relaxing w a book in the awesome apartment we were staying at (friends sister in law) for free! Such nice people to loan complete strangers their apartment for the weekend. 

Super old church, I think from like 700 AD? I can't remember exactly but it was moved from Sweden or Norway..if i remember correctly.

Me and Molly enjoying some rolls w/ chocolate chunks in them (apparently very popular) and Quite delish. 

The Castle- and apparently the royalty were just right inside. (Sweden's castle is much prettier :)

Jasper and I snuck up to the door- as close as we dared w/  armed men standing everywhere. 

Looking down from the castle- at the bottom of the street is where all the shopping and restaurants began.

Walking down by water the first day when it was misty/foggy out.

It was an amazing weekend and we will definitely be going back there someday- hopefully in the summer!