Saturday, January 31, 2009

Happy Birthday Caden!

My adorable nephew turns one year old today!! I miss him so much, but luckily I have some pretty darn cute photos and videos to remember my last trip.

He really liked Uncle Suga's new house shoes!!




So, Caden received this Radio Flyer car for Christmas. Uncle Suga took him on a ride around the neighborhood. The story goes that he was talking and pointing to all sorts of things the entire trip, but as Anders was rounding the last corner to go home he suddenly heard the "horn" honking. He looked down to see Caden with his head on the steering wheel, completely passed out. Anders had to wake him up for the last leg of the trip!!! :-)

Happy Birthday Caden. We love you very, VERY much and wish you a wonderful birthday!!
~Aunt Mo and Uncle Suga

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Put a Smile on Your Face

My mom thinks my post are too serious sometimes, so this one is for her!!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Happy New Year!

As most people do this time of year, I am trying to bring back a little more health into our diet. Now, minus the taco night we will be having with friends tomorrow (per Anders request), we have been eating pretty healthy. My local fruit and vegetable guy supplies me with lots and lots of fresh produce. If he doesn't have it, I don't eat it. I've gone to the grocery store around the corner to pick up produce before but I've since learned my lesson - it all tastes the same from them. So I stick to my veg guy - he knows what is in season and even carries hard to find items like okra and PURPLE CARROTS. Have you ever seen these before? Now that I think of it, I'm sure Whole Foods are Central Market probably carry them but I was more of a Walmart grocery store kind of girl when I was in Dallas. Anyway, the veg guy had these purple carrots from Gotland (a Swedish island) on sale the other day and I picked some up. I did a little research and apparently they are even better for you than the orange ones - more beta carotene and anti-oxidants. Yay Me!! There just beautiful and originate from Africa. I feel so worldy now - ha!

I also decided the other night, around 9:30pm actually, that I HAD to have chocolate chip cookies. The only problem was no white flour. So I used this white flour with wheat instead. I don't think it was 100% wheat flour but a mix. I was a little skeptical, so I only made 1/2 the recipe that way if it was bad I wouldn't have wasted my precious chocolate chips. I also put in baking powder instead of soda. The results - delicious! I think I actually like these better because it gives them a little more salty, earthy flavor. That's why I like these cookies so much to begin with - the combo of salt and sweet. And they weren't dry either. Of course, I made them old school style with...dare I say...crisco. But that's because I didn't have the patience to get the butter to room temperature and I also found a store nearby that sales crisco. Happy Days!! Aw, get over it - they don't make it with transfats anymore!! ;-)

Now I am off to walk Reagan in the sunny but bitterly cold weather. Have a good one!!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Our World

I don't normally watch these kind of things. Not because I don't believe them or I am not interested, but because I can't watch it without crying. I couldn't even watch the Planet Earth series - I wound up bawling my eyes out every time. But tonight, I forced myself to watch this video. It wasn't easy, but it reminded me that we all have to start changing the way we think. How we consume. What we consume. And what we do with it all when it's finished. I have a niece and nephew now - I want them to see polar bears in the wild and not at the zoo.

Monday, November 10, 2008

If I Had a Dime...

for everytime a Swede told me about one of these:

Top Ten Swedish Inventions
1. The pacemaker
In 1958, Rune Elmqvist developed a small battery-driven pacemaker. The first operation was carried out later that year, but the device only lasted for a few hours and further adjustments were made. The patient, Arne Larsson, survived the tests and lived until 2001.

2. The three-point seat belt
Nils Bohlin’s great invention from 1959 is reputed to save one life every six minutes. It is thereby considered to be one of the most important safety innovations of all time.

3. The Global Positioning System
Håkan Lans is the great mind behind the satellite-guided GPS system that ensures many car drivers reach their destinations on time and without hassle.

4. Tetra-Pak
Through the ideas of Erik Wallenberg and his dedicated team, the solution to packaging, storing and distributing liquids such as juice and dairy items was developed in 1951 and has since spread to fridges all over the world.

5. The telephone handset
As early as 1885, Lars Magnus Ericsson created the telephone handset, which was just one of his many improvements to contemporary telephones.

6. The flat screen monitor
The building of the flat-screen monitor was made possible by Sven Torbjörn Lagervall’s discovery of ferroelectric liquid crystals in 1979. The technology was developed and in 1994 mass production was begun.

7. The ultra sound
In 1950, Hellmuth Hertz started his pioneering work with ultrasound for medical diagnosis. Together with cardiologist Inge Edler the technique was successfully developed for the analysis of heart diseases.

8. The safety match
In 1844, Gustaf Erik Pasch patented the safety match when he replaced the poisonous yellow phosphorus with non-poisonous red phosphorus.

9. Dynamite
Alfred Nobel invented dynamite in 1866, which earned him one of the 355 patents he had managed to assemble before his death in 1896. Through his life he founded 90 companies and made a huge fortune. In his will he set up the Nobel Prizes for physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace.

10. The zipper
The method still used today, based on interlocking teeth, was invented in 1913 by Gideon Sundbäck. Initially it was called the “hookless fastener” and was later redesigned to become more reliable.

(List published on TheLocal.se)

Friday, October 03, 2008

The Evans Visit Sweden

So Mandy, Caden and Chase came to Sweden to visit us the past couple of weeks and we had an absolute blast. I went to bed every night completely exhausted but so excited to wake up the next day and see my smiling nephew's face. He is so much fun, very expressive and a generally a good natured baby. We went on long walks with Reagan, went into town for lunch and chocolate with my American friends and relaxed a lot at our apartment. Lucky for me, my sister and I share the same idea about vacation - sitting around, drinking coffee in the morning and planning what we will cook for the day. I was so sad to see them leave but it was eased a bit with our plans to go to Dallas for Christmas and the knowledge that they WILL return next year. Caden was a "rock star" on all the plane rides - which was a huge relief to me and Mandy. We tried to take lots of pictures, but when you're just sitting around, drinking coffee - well, you're not too inspired. We did manage to capture this fantastic picture:
Quite possibly the funniest picture...ever! So glad to see Caden is just as happy about the Veuve as I was!!! :-)

Have a great weekend!
~Monica

Thursday, October 02, 2008

CALL+RESPONSE


The Film CALL+RESPONSE is a feature length documentary film that reveals the world’s 27 million dirtiest secrets: there are more slaves today than ever before in human history. CALL+RESPONSE takes viewers deep undercover where slavery is thriving -- from the child brothels of Cambodia to the slave brick kilns of rural India -- and reveals that in 2007, Slave Traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined.

Luminaries on the issue such as Madeleine Albright, Julia Ormond, Ashley Judd, Nicholas Kristof, and many other prominent political and cultural figures offer first hand accounts of this 21st century trade. Performances from Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed artists including Moby, Natasha Bedingfield, Cold War Kids, Matisyahu, Imogen Heap, Talib Kweli, Five For Fighting, Switchfoot, members of Nickel Creek and Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers and Rocco Deluca move this disturbing information into inspiration for stopping it. Former child soldier and current African hip hop celebrity, Emanuel Jal, gives a chilling performance recounting his experiences and calling for help for others experiencing destruction in Uganda and Sudan. Dr. Cornel West connects the music of the American slave fields to the popular music we listen to today, and offers this connection as a rallying cry for the modern abolitionist movement currently brewing. To see the trailer visit: www.callandresponse.com

The New Model
Human slavery represents one of the most atrocious human rights violations in history. The CALL+RESPONSE film acts as a call to action. Awareness without action has limited impact. CALL+RESPONSE doesn’t just raise awareness, but goes on to inspire people to ask the question: “What can we do to help?”

Human rights activism is changing. The world’s issues cannot be solved alone by governments and non-profits. Solutions require community-based participation. We promote the concept of OPEN-SOURCE ACTIVISM whereby all individuals possess unique and valuable tools to fight slavery. We also provide a robust and exciting interactive platform for viewers to go after watching the film. There they will find ways to effectively respond, and to share their response with the community at large. We are currently in the process of developing a portfolio of both high impact field projects for viewers to fund as a community as well as important actions they
can take for each aspect of human slavery: sex slavery, labor slavery, child soldiers. These are all based on expert insight and advice from those working on the front lines of the issue.

The real impact of this endeavor, then, lies in what we the standing army does after they have been mobilized. We hope to not only help them answer the question of how to help, but to also connect them with the most appropriate programs. We want them to truly make a difference. We invite them to become part of the story of change and that story involves them in
exponential impact. Furthermore, because this film was funded completely through donations, CALL+RESPONSE also gives 100% of its profits to fund these global field projects.

The Movement
In addition to the stars and luminaries in the film, the CALL+RESPONSE movement has attracted a vast team: Tribeca, Myspace, MTV, The UN, US State Department, Warner Brothers, Sony Records, Salvation Army, YouthAids, International Justice Mission, Wordpress, Working Assets and Paste Magazine.

The film acts as a powerful Call. Millions around the world are Responding. Modern abolitionism must be a bottom-up movement wherein all talents, interests and skills are utilized. CallandResponse.com is a ground-breaking online interactive platform which combines the passion of justice and scope of a Presidential Campaign with the swagger of Rock & Roll.

CALL+RESPONSE’s chilling undercover footage, stunning performances and life-changing interviews expose the audience to the world’s 27 million most terrifying secrets and culminates in a single question: “What Will Your Response Be?”

WAYS YOU CAN HELP RIGHT NOW:
1. Submit to us your ideas and advice for effective & appropriate action responses.
2. Apply for project funding. Allow us to help enable your successful work.
3. Build the movement.
a. Place a trailer and/or web banner on your blog or website. You can find it at www.callandresponse.com/trailer
b. Join the film’s Facebook “causes” and MySpace page. Invite your friends to do the same.
c. Post 10 flyers at your work, school, cafe and gathering place.
4. Watch CALL+RESPONSE in the theater on opening weekend. Invite 5 friends.

FAIR TRADE PICTURES
0 510.465.2290 | F 510.465.2294
INFO@CALLANDRESPONSE.COM

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Friday, September 05, 2008

The Daily Show

I don't care what side you are on, this is really funny!

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Best Damn Breakfast

So, while I may travel a lot and move around WAY TOO MUCH, I am a bit of a creature of habit. Every morning during the week I eat the same thing for breakfast (that is, when I've run out of my favorite cereal that I force my family and friends to bring me) - Vanilla Yogurt with Granola. Nothing special, right? WRONG!! I make that granola and in my humble opinion it's damn good. I could wait for the next family cookbook to come out, but then only a few of you would get the recipe, so I'm willing to part with it here on the world wide web. I actually got it from another food blog who created it based on a restaurant in Chicago.

Homemade Granola
Preheat oven to 375F
Mix Together:
3 1/2 cups oats
1/2 cup coconut (unsweetened)
3 tblspn flax seeds
3 tblspn sesame seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup toasted nuts (I think pecans taste best)
2 tspn cinnamon
1 tspn salt
1/4 cup brown sugar

In a separate small bowl whisk together:
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tblspn honey
1 tblspn maple syrup
2 tspn vanilla extract

Add this to the dry ingredients, stir well and spread out on a parchment or foil lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-30 minutes, stirring every 5 mintues, until golden brown. Once done, add:
2 cups dried fruit.
Enjoy!!

In the summer, I've stopped adding dried fruit since there is so much available. But in the winter I usually add dried blueberries, cranberries and raisins. Put this granola on vanilla or plain yogurt with fresh fruit and you'll be satisfied for at least a few hours!


Another thing that I miss terribly is vanilla lattes. Oh yes, I can get them here but the closest coffee shop is not within walking distance like at my sister's house nor are they on every corner here in suburbia. So I decided to try my hand at vanilla syrup. I'm not sure why I waited so long to do this as it's really just a simple syrup with vanilla but most of the recipes I saw wanted me to use vanilla beans and while yes I can buy those - I have TWO very large bottles of vanilla I need to get through (one of many purchases I made at Sams before moving!). Anywho, I understand now why they suggest the vanilla bean as the extract causes the syrup to be a little off in color. But I don't care about that - it's going into my coffee anyway! So here's that recipe too, in case you live in the boonies (or foreign country) and can't get your vanilla latte fix.

Vanilla Syrup
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Bring water and sugar to a boil. Remove from heat, add vanilla - enjoy!

So that's it - until next time!!
~Monica

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

My Sweet Girl

So I recently discovered Windows Movie Maker on my new computer and while it is in Swedish, I've managed to fumble around in it enough to put together a couple of different things. I'm going to really work on this and perfect it, but for now you'll have to enjoy my really sappy video to my girl Reagan. Enjoy!!!


Tell me what you think - too many effects?

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Monday, May 26, 2008

Happy Memorial Day!

Hope everyone is enjoying their day off and relaxing just a bit. I thought I'd give you something to look at in the event you have crappy weather and are indoors!First off, fresh rhubarb and strawberries. Now, to some this is very boring but to me, it means spring/summer is here!! The strawberries are from SWEDEN (not Spain or somewhere a little more hot) and the rhubarb is from my mother-in-laws summer home. As you may recall it grows wild there but I discovered another patch in the soccer/skateboard park on my way to the grocery store today. Who knew?! I'll be making some kind of cobbler, I'm sure, in the coming days - who knows, maybe I'll try my hand at Aunt Polly's delicious Strawberry/Rhubarb cobbler. She gave me the recipe when I was home along with a box of yellow cake mix since I can't buy that here.


A picture of our balcony with the newly planted flowers! I'm loving our outdoor space and will continue to focus on this part of the home until my parents arrive. I was thinking of ripping out the plastic green/white flooring but in the pictures it looks nice. It's gray concrete underneath and I was just going to clean that and maybe buy a couple of outdoor rugs instead. Hmmm - what do you think?
A close up picture of one of the planters - our herb 'garden'. Right now we have rosemary, flat leaf parsley, sage and lavender. Unfortunately the sage doesn't seem to like it outdoors (or indoors for that matter) and may have to move out and make room for basil. We use basil a lot more than sage anyway.
A close up of Mr. Cat with the fern. I REALLY wanted to hang a couple of ferns from the ceiling, kind of Southern Living style. Unfornately we get direct sun from 12noon until 8pm/9pm. I'm not sure if these types of ferns could handle this kind of sun - does anyone know? Granny? I read that Australian ferns do well in direct sun, but I'm not finding any of those...yet.

Tonight I'm making hamburgers, french fries and cucumber salad served with an ice cold Coca Cola. I may ditch that idea and go for a glass of wine though - it's so beautiful today we'll be sitting outside and soaking in the last rays of sunshine before it gets dark.

Have a great day!!
Monica

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Back in a Flash

Back in Sweden, packing this week, moving Saturday - does it ever stop? I guess only when you're dead, right?! ;-)

I have a bunch of photos from my trip, but I'll post my favorite for now
Isn't he adorable? Does he look slightly bored with the photo shoot, though? ;-)

Ok, I lied - one more from that day
Just to prove he does open his eyes every once in a while now!!

Monday, April 14, 2008

A Little Bit of Heaven

Me, Indy and Tee at the Evans Ranch
I think I start out every post with an apology - I know it's been a while but I do have a few valid, good excuses!! Traveling a lot, working a lot and hanging with my new baby nephew in Dallas. Lucky for me, I was able to go out to the Evans Ranch and ride Tee. It's been while since I've riden and even longer since I rode western, but it was wonderful and I now have a new best friend. Isn't he handsome?
I'll post lots of pictures and things later - like mid-May since I was clever enough NOT to bring my camera cord to upload pictures and we're moving as soon as I get home. Sorry!!
Take care,
~Monica