A Fig in Sweden Portland

hacked spinach (things i'll miss #11)

While Lewis was here last week, he asked me what I will miss most about Sweden. "The quiet," I replied. Our quiet life. (Which, ironically, is also the thing I dislike most about living here.) 

Right now, what I miss most resides in Portland, Oregon. But soon I will be homesick for Sweden. So, for my one-month countdown, I'm going to celebrate some of the things I wish I could take with me back to the States.

Like "hacked spinach," as I call it. Chopped spinach in English; hackad spenat in Swedish. There's chopped spinach in America, you say? Yup, I know. But, unless something has changed in the last 5 years, it's sold in one big frozen block instead of the oh-so-useful cubes you find here. I used 3 cubes for my meal tonight. And I often throw one into Sophie's pasta sauce for extra nutrients. 

Any inventors reading this blog? Seriously, I just did most of the work for you. Spinach cubes are sure to be the next big thing to hit America!

who says being organized isn't sexy?

Granit, Sweden's version of The Container Store (but better), is one of the shops I'll miss when we move back. I actually don't buy much there, but it's fun to drool over the stylie organization products. I was there on Saturday and picked up this cute flyer (plus a t-shirt). I especially like the story on page 2: Grandpa surprising grandma with a newly organized garage. Me thinks grandpa's gonna get lucky, but let's keep this blog PG-13.

6 shopping days left

I've been making a mental list of all the Swedish things I need to buy before the movers show up on Sept. 27, and they include the items above: P.OP clothes, Fjällräven bag, clogs (still not 100% on that one), Olle Eksell poster, and a Stelton pitcher and bread bag.

44 days turned into 6 shopping days, because I really only have Saturdays to get it done. (Yikes!)

Anyone have anything to add to my list (which will also include BOB Hallonsylt)?

hooray for spontaneous artichoke dancing

On the eve of my 40th birthday, I've been thinking a lot about this recent captured moment.

About celebrating the everyday stuff rather than the polish-the-silver stuff.

(It just so happens that it's also the theme of this year's IKEA Catalogue, so you could say that the idea has been on my mind for a while.)

Sure, it would have been pretty special to mark "my big day" with a trip to Munich, as we had originally planned. But I think the 5 minutes I spent dancing around our new apartment with Sophie and 2 giant artichokes says a lot more about me and where I'm at with this whole turning 40 thing.

So, instead, I will pick Sophie up from dagis after work, drive to a little gourmet market in Osby and treat myself to some good cheese, bread and olives...

...and, if I'm lucky, at least one random act of pure silliness.