Old Friends

Yesterday Lina and I finally saw Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince. And it was good. Very good. But the trailer for Spike Jonze's "Where The Wild Things Are" was... I don't know. Magnificent could be the word. We both started to cry. And then we started to laugh so hard that it felt like we'd never be able to stop. We were laughing like maniacs, with tears streaming down our faces. So happy to see this. So happy to see how brilliant it will be. So happy to share the moment. Your average lunatics.

But just watch this and see if you can keep the goosebumps at bay.

Hello New York!

I'm finally coming to see you! It's been so long, I wonder if you'll recognize me. I kind of hope not. That Diesel jacket with faux suede sleeves I was wearing last time isn't really how I'd like you to remember me. I'm older and wiser now and will be dressed accordingly. Oh, lordy, I feel like a million bucks already (funny, so does my Master Card bill).


I am definitely having breakfast at Tiffany's. And I would very much like dinner at Elaine's. But what else? What can I not miss? Please let me know.

The Holy Grail

The Holy Grail of the modern family: To do a good job and be a great parent at the same time. Have energy to have fun and be relaxed. Prepare and share a nutritious meal. All this while being present in the moment and enjoying ourselves, possibly singing a catchy tune and wearing a becoming apron.

We were this close yesterday.

This last year we've been trying new things to make everyday life a little bit more Grailish. I've started working part time, we've left the city, we've learned to ask for help and accept it. It's made a big difference. And yesterday we celebrated another milestone in our quest for The Grail: Jesper's now working part time as well.

Which means two of everything. Two pick uppers (children, groceries, tooth paste). Two cooks. Two footballers. Two painters and singers. Two dancers. Two grown ups doing things together at the same time. Hallelujah, it might just be that we've found it! I'm feeling positively Sir Percivalian.

Some Might Say

...that there aint no love in the heart of the city.
I think they might be wrong.

Back To Work

I love the surreal world of a movie set. Anything's possible, nothing is too difficult. Snow in August and cozy Christmas in the blazing sun? No problem. Everybody has their own field of expertise and seem to take pride in what they do, from riggers to caterers, to director and cameramen. There's a certain magic to it and I think we all felt it yesterday. Thank you everyone.

And what an excellent way to start the first week at work! Leo would have been jealous. Pictures courtesy of Peter Målqvist.

Summer Was Good

I've never had this much time off before and boy, did I like it. It was like the summers of yore, the golden summers of yesteryear, the perfect ones you had as a kid, the ones without end, filled with strawberries and sun. (Ok, maybe not so much sun, but still.) I feel rested. I feel strong. I've got the world on a string, sitting on a rainbow, got that string around my finger and you get the picture. Please remind me of this feeling on Thursday when we're shooting a new commercial IN MY HOUSE and there will be nerves galore. IN MY HOUSE. I must be mad. Blame it on the sunshine.

Here We Go

This guy went to school for the very first time today. It lasted an hour, after which he opened the door to his classroom and announced "Daddy, I've made a new friend!". Sounds like a good enough start to me.

On The Road

Will be back mid August. Much love to anyone stopping by.

Summer So Far

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

You are treating us so well this year, dear Summer. Or maybe it's us, maybe we're finally getting the hang of you, I don't know. I know that we're dirty and sleepy and happy and relaxed. That we find berries in the garden we never knew we had, and play games and build trucks and read the same Pippi Longstocking book every day.
Some of us make a new New York Times No-Knead-Bread every night, while others google gooseberrys and what to do with them once they're ripe.
We take naps.
We drink ridiculous amounts of tea.
We watch terrible summer crime on tv, but read better (Scarpetta and Pelecanos so far).
We make plans and then forget all about them.
We meet friends and friends of friends and friendly neighbours, but mostly we just stick to ourselves and let memories of a spring that was a little too much fade away. We don't do much.

And that seems to be doing us a world of good.

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome!

Sweet reader Sophie has asked, on behalf of her soon visiting Danish friends, what to do in Stockholm when touristing with children. Here we go:

Stockholm is a great place, with or without kids. Don't let the fact that we recently left the city discourage you, there are lots of families with young children living in the city and you should be in good company. The sidewalks are huge, pram ramps abundant and most people friendly and positive in regards to the young'ns. Now, Swedes are BAD at understanding Danish. This is probably no news to you, but if you could find it in your heart to keep an open mind about this (though some people, of course, ARE idiots, just as you will assume), you would make me very happy.

So. First things first. You're not staying downtown, which can have it's perks when traveling with children. Smedsuddsbadet and Fredhäll are good public natural (not naturist, thank God) bath places not far from where you're staying, so take a dip. And at Kungsholmen you can get great coffee at Il Caffé. Moving on (downtown).

Junibacken you've probably heard of, but I'll recommend it anyway. Lines are loooong, though, so be there early or late. If your kids like Astrid Lindgren this should be a treat.

Rum för Barn at Kulturhuset is excellent for a rainy day or when you need a break from the city hassle. A library of sorts, but with no need to be quiet. Different things to do for different ages, exhibitions where you can touch and climb and examine everything and nice sofas for mom and dad. Toys, books, painting, crafts and more. And it's free. Go nuts.

The Vasa museum is good for young and old both and has the best smell. Sniff! Old boat never looked or smelled so good. Not liking the restaurant very much, though. Eat outside on the grass instead.

Skansen is great! At least some parts. Animals, folklore and old houses galore. But it's crucial that you bring your own picknick. You can buy waffles which are half decent, but everything else is terrible, expensive and served on paper plates. BYO. Cannot stress this enough.

Rosendal is a very pretty place on earth, and if you're into drinking expensive coffee and eating gorgeous lunches under the apple trees, while the children roam free, this is the place for you. Also there's a very good playground close by.

In case of rain: Most museums have good places for children to play and mess about. Try the special "playstations" at Stadsmuseet, Nordiska museet, Historiska museet, Sjöhistoriska or Naturhistoriska (the latter especially if your guy has reached the dino age). Lots of dress up and back in the days stuff.

Good coffee to be found at the Sosta bars downtown, Nero in Vasastan and Skåningen at Söder. Coffee is crucial.

Good parks for kids: Vasaparken in Vasastan, Kronobergsparken at Kungsholmen, Nytorgsparken at Södermalm. Stay away from Kungsträdgården, it could very well be the saddest place on earth.

Do go somewhere by boat! Anywhere really. Fjäderholmarna, Sandhamn, Stockholm under the bridges (though there's no beer on board the last one, as in Copenhagen).

Avoid Gröna Lund if you can. If you come from the Royal Capital of Copenhagen, this is a sorry excuse for a tivoli. And you can't drink the coffee or eat the food.

Good food and friendly waiters: Nero (pasta), Tranan (classic Swedish and pricey) and Bamboo Garden (average Chinese but loves kids).

Have to work now, or boss will kill. E-mail me if you have any specific questions. Enjoy your stay! But don't go skinnydipping in the city, you'll be regarded as freaks. We really aren't as liberated as people might think.