Apparently, They're Built On Faith

Well, I keep meaning to post about wallpaper, but more important things get in the way. Like this association of Christian bodybuilders. Once again I am reminded of the wonder that is America. And as far as logotypes go, that's one of the strongest I've seen in a while.

Leo would really like to know how this can be important. But it's Jesus with a helipad-haircut! And muscles bigger than Van Damme's! Surely it must be important. Somewhere, in some way. Thank you, Aymo, for finding this. Just how did you do it?

As Promised:

I was born here, so I ought to know. But somehow the terrible weather this weekend managed to take me by surprise. We had to change the plans for our Last City Weekend Celebration and concentrate on indoorsy stuff. More McDonald's and less football in the park. Oh well. This is what we looked like, on our street, heading for the Stadsmuseet (Museum of Stockholm). The weather's so bad, it looks like we're in freaking Warsaw. (My apologies to any Polish readers. But if you live there, you know what I mean.)


When the weather turns against us, we usually turn to food. So also yesterday. Here we are having some pre-lunch gateaux. (And this is a terrible picture, but Wilhelm thought it was so cool that we were "IN the mirror!", that I promised to include it.)


After the excursion we went on to make fantastic pizza. And why not, it was still pouring outside. Blanka was very proud of her new body art.


Notice the bohemian display of cheese and paint? Tomato sauce and paintbrushes? Lovely, this whole moving ordeal, just lovely.


Wilhelm topped things off with some icecream with stale popcorn and fudge. Yum.


That's it, Stockholm! I'm taking these guys with me and not looking back. But it's been lovely. Thank you so very much.

Leo wouldn't approve of the mess we live in right now, so I'm keeping him out of this.

It's The End Of The World As We Know It

This is our last weekend as city people. Come next Friday, we'll be moving the lawn, chatting with the neighbours, clearing out the attic, decorating cup cakes (ok, I've been known to do that already) and commuting.

This is a big step for us. No to say huge, enormous, humongous, gargantuan. So stay tuned for a special photo extravaganza – It's The Last City Weekend In Pictures!

(We are of course taking mr McGarry with us to Suburbia. All that fresh air will do him good.)

This Is A First

A Coke commercial that made me cry. Wow.

So I cried. And then I watched it again and couldn't help but be amazed by how good the woman looks post-delivery. I looked like the living dead. But then again, I wasn't in a Coke commercial. Good for Coke.

Oh, and can I add that my clever colleague Anna L. said "Great film, but I'm so not craving a Coke after this". She does have a point.

Leo loves sappy commercials! Surprising, isn't it? But he does. He likes a good cry now and then. First spotted by Miss Joanna Goddard who found it here. I'm all about recycling today.

My guys

I had this whole post about wallpaper figured out for you when I heard someone stirring in Wilhelm's room. He's supposed to be sound asleep this late, so I opened the door quiet as a mouse, only to find him and Jesper giggling in Wilhelm's bed. "I was wondering if dad was maybe eating any cookies, so I had to go up and see, and he was!"


I can't really talk about them without going into manic love mode, so I'll be quiet. But the sight of the two of them giggling like crazy about cookies made me want to share a little more than I usually do.

They make me happy like a crazy person. My guys would melt Leo's heart in an instant.

It's Official!

Spring is here. See proof above. My mother just sent me the picture, almost as proud as she was the day I was born. I would be too.

Leo likes lamb well enough. He's not big on lambs, though. But I sure am.

Tea For Joy (For Lynne)

I don't know if I'll ever use these. I'm a big girl when it comes to tea, and these little dainties don't seem to hold more than a mouthful. But they sure are easy on the eye!


And with buying a house comes the need for things I never dreamed about before. Such as tiny teacups. My mother saved these for me from the Christmas market in Midsomer. Thanks darling Mom.

Of course Leo thinks I've lost my senses.

Bon Courage!

My dear friend Jessica called to tell me that she quit her job. Just like that, without knowing where the next paycheck will come from or what tomorrow will bring. So brave! I'm very impressed. I celebrate her today with this magnificent cake from Cake Wrecks, hooray!

Leo would never make a cake like this, I think "married to his work" is tattooed to his forehead. Until the second heart attack, that is. Enter CJ! Whom Jessica has always strongly identified with. Ah, circle closed! as we say in Sweden.

Design In A Boat

This picture comes from an event on "Contemporary Character Design" this week in Berlin. Thanks Daniel for making me happy with these chocolate men. Or ghosts. Or refugees. Or mushrooms. More on the event here.










Leo does not see the need for an event on Contemporary Character Design. Or chocolate ghosts in a boat.

Nah

I just came home from seeing Slumdog Millionaire. Eight Oscars, critically acclaimed, compelling story, motherless children forced into prostitution, dramatic scenery, great footage – that one. And it wasn't great! I'm not so much disappointed as I am surprised. It wasn't bad or terrible or boring, it was just, you know, ok. I didn't cry once. And that's something, coming from me. And did I mention the poor, abused and very pretty children running around everywhere in this movie? How could I not cry my eyes out?

It just wasn't that good. See the picture above? Does it make you go awwww? Me neither.

Leo would have hated it. Not that he would have told a soul (since it clearly hit home in Hollywood, and you never wanna rock that boat when you're running for office).

The Mister

My husband makes spectacular french toast. He thinks so too. "They're blog worthy" he told me. So here they are, in all their glory. They really are very, very good. The best way to start the weekend: I shock the body awake with masses of sugar, butter and blackberry jam.

If Leo had just one bite he'd have another heart attack. But it would be totally worth it.

Sweet Codependence

Brands and the relationships we have with them are fascinating things. I'm a copywriter, so obsessing and agonizing over this is pretty much how I pay the bills. But am I any wiser for being in the business? Sadly no. When H&M finally, after months of dark blues and browns, makes a pink t-shirt for boys, I feel a moral obligation to buy it. Yep, you heard me. A moral obligation. Because if I don't buy this, who will? If I don't dress my boy up in pinks and yellows and rainbows, who will?

So strong is the grip of the fashion giant that I feel like I'm doing them a favour when buying a t-shirt. "Awww, did you see that enormously talented and good hearted and intelligent and funny Anna Ander bought the pink t-shirt for her son? The one we were so unsure about? Now we must make more bright clothes for boys and never be stuck in that oldfashioned boy-girl thinking again!"

Yes, that's probably exactly what will happen.


I just hope that this little fella is cool enough for my little fella to wear. His sister really doesn't need another pink top.

Leo is a suit and tie guy and has never sat foot in an H&M store. And if I were Chief of Staff I'd probably shop elsewhere too.

My Obama Moment

Stockolm had a celebrity visitor yesterday in the unsung hero of the Obama campaign, mr David Plouffe. I was very excited. So were the 800 something others that gathered to hear the gospel. Mr Plouffe said many great things, but since this was Thursday (and not yesterday, as I might have led you to believe in that first sentence) and I can't find my notes anywhere (yes, I take notes at events like these, I'm just awful), this won't be the total report you might have been hoping for.


This is Mr Plouffe himself, looking terribly blurry. Supposedly some copywriter was shaking his hand like a crazy person while taking the picture. The lady in the back? No clue.

To tell the truth, he could have talked about Obama's socks and I still would have found it very interesting. I'm like Wilhelm, who's started to use "obama" as a new word, meaning "super cool" ("Mom, look at the obama-raft I built!"). In fact, I could go Ainsley Hayes on ya'll and add: I serve at the pleasure of the President. You know, should he ever find himself in need of a Swedish copywriter.

Leo finds all of this a bit too much. As happy as he is about the outcomings of the election, he is very much a Bartlet man. Me, I'm not so sure. I might have a whole new West Wing to follow.

Haha, this I remember: The Republicans thought Obama was so inexperienced that they called him Obambi.

Killing Me Softly

This isn't new. But I can pretty much guarantee that you'll never find anything "new" here. If you're looking for the latest, look elsewhere. But then again, if you're looking for something great, stay tuned.

His name is Kaah. The song is about a relationship falling to pieces and is called "Before you go". When we drive to my parents house in the countryside we drive through places just like these. So sad, so sad and so pretty.

Leo loves this song. In fact he's crying his eyes out right now and has asked Margaret to hold his calls.

Oh Joy!

There is something almost ridiculously exciting about receiving a parcel like this in the mail. Look at the stamps! See how someone has taped my adress on the front after printing it. Look at the Air Mail sticker! I'm ten years old again.


And that's probably how old I was the first time I read this. I loved it. And I haven't read it since, and never in English. Oh, this could be really good!


One episode – tops – of The Wire tonight, I need to tuck in early. Haha, I can't wait for ten o'clock!

Leo thinks I'm being just a little bit silly. Not to say emotionally challenged.