Sunday, December 30, 2007

Christmas #3

We celebrated Christmas with Papa Kaj and Anneke a little late since the brothers have both been sick this week. We had some good snacks, great wine, and some fantastic presents!
We really have been good this year!

Magnus, Johanna, and Johan in desparate need of another drink.

Papa Kaj having a good time.

Magnus and Johanna are enjoying the champagne.

´Family portrait. (Yep, I got a tripod for Christmas!)
From top left: Papa Kaj, Johan, Magnus, Monkey, The Frog, Johanna, and Anneke

Slottsskogen

Today it finally stopped raining and the sun even came out so we ventured out to Slottsskogen. It is a beautiful park located in the center of the city, filled with kids running around, penguins, moose, and we even made it for feeding time for the seals. There is even a frisbee golf course! We are definitely all over that when we come back in the summer. Good times!

Many beautiful waterfalls throughout the park.

T. enjoying the seals and the sun.

Feeding time for aforementioned seals.

Feeding time for another kind of animal.

Swedish Mountain Goat

It's good to be home.

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Master of the Sås

Leif seen here hard at work doing the weekly crossword.
I am convinced this is how he trains his mind to come up with so many good recipes.

(Pronounced sauce, but with a slight New York accent...at least that is how it sounds in my head) I could not let this trip go by without giving a shout out to Leif, who has cooked us some amazing meals during our stay. From 2 different kinds of herring, to shrimp with garlic and curry sås, to salmon with a delicious sås made of roe and garlic, and my favorite (besides the herring, of course) was a delicious bergtunga (translates as mountain tounge), but we think it is similar to sole, with another delicious sås, and I do believe garlic was involved, as it usually is. It was so light and flaky and fantastic presentation as well. Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures to do these meals justice, as we ate fairly quickly since we could not resist!
Tack så mycket Leif! You are the best!

Friday, December 28, 2007

Middag och en bio

Tonight P. and I went out on the town for dinner and a movie. First we went to Smaka for some beer and appetizers, which of course consisted of a herring plate....very nice presentation I might add. Then we went for some pasta at an Italian joint before we went to see Michael Clayton. Very excellent movie, and job well done by George Clooney. A few interesting things to note about seeing a movie in Sweden: all of the seats are reserved, like you are going to a concert. It is a pretty slick idea, actually. Also, I discovered that seeing a movie in Sweden is really not that different that seeing a movie in the states (other than the Swedish subtitles...I am going to get this language down yet!) People still chew their popcorn quite loudly, open their candy (we did have to get a bag of bilar) at inappropriate times, and forget to turn off their cell phones.
It really is a small world.

Nothing beats Pripps Blå and knäckebröd.


P. very happy to be inside from the pouring rain.


Herring plate. Mmmmm.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Where are we?


Visa större karta

Adventures in Sweden Continue....

The past couple of days have been very relaxing. We spent Christmas Day sleeping in and then playing a session of Guitar Hero with Magnus in the afternoon. That game rules! I recommend the '80s edition! Good stuff! Unfourtunately, now both Magnus and Johan are feeling under the weather, so we are on our own for a couple of days. Apparently the bug that was tormenting us in the states has followed us to Sweden.

Last night we went to have dinner with Papa Kaj and Anneke. She chefed up quite a feast with the usual French flair consisting of foie gras, goat cheese stuffed turkey breast with veggies, and a delightful sorbet with fresh fruit and red wine sauce for dessert. Not to mention the accompanying wine was deelish! I think all of that French cuisine in Pegomas has been rubbing off on her. We have postponed our gift exchange until later in the week when the brothers are feeling better.

Today it is pretty cold, dark and rainy. This has given us a great opportunity to catch up on our Swedish music videos and possibly go and do some shopping later.

Hope this finds all of you well and having fun playing with your new Christmas toys!

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

In Sweden.....

even the taxis are Volvos!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas!

P and T anxiously await a package from Tomten.

Happy Birthday Gram!

Birthday greetings going out to my Gram who is 85 years young today! If there is one thing I have learned from you, it is to always keep your sense of humor! Thanks for always making me laugh! Love ya' back!

Note: Please see aforementioned reasoning for lack of pictures in previous entry: Happy Birthday Dad!

Monday, December 24, 2007

God Jul!

Pronounced 'Gode Yule'. Christmas Eve is the big celebration in Sweden (as opposed to Christmas Day.) We are getting ready for more glögg and then julbord, so it is a good thing I went for a run this morning! (I know! I couldn't believe it either.) Later, Tomten will arrive to deliver the Christmas presents!

So far it has been a very relaxing day, and now the Christmas carols shall commence in the background, and so will the festive cocktails! I love that Bing Crosby transcends all countries! But unfortunately, so does Elvis.

Merry Christmas to all.....

Saturday, December 22, 2007

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas!

Peen was telling us about one of her favorite Christmas diddys: "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas". She can be seen here via raw footage doing her best Ethel Merman impression. It makes us laugh every time. Enjoy!

Day 2 - Swedish Madness

Yesterday we spent the day shopping in the Swedish madness on the Avenyn in Göteborg, since we tend to do everything last minute, including our Christmas shopping! Lots of hussle and bussle, just like in the states, except I don't understand what anyone is saying to me. Also, just as I predicted, flat, knee high leather boots are all the rage. (just as we discussed Eeps!)

We ended the evening with a trip to Liseberg, which is the biggest Christmas market in Scandinavia. It is a beautiful place lit up with thousands of lights, with lots of little shops, crafts, and many places to eat and have a bit of glögg, which is the Swedish version of mulled wine, and it is tasty!



We then went to the top floor of the Gothia Towers for julbord, which included every type of herring you can think of, ham, salmon, meatballs, sausages, and I even tried some reindeer.

It was a fun-filled day and great to see the fam too! Today we will finish our shopping and hopefully find some time to relax. Perhaps I will be hitting my Rosetta Stone lesson 2!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Välkommen til Sverige!

We made it to the Motherland! It is always quite a journey, but here we are. It is about 40 degrees and a little overcast, but since we went to Denver last weekend where it was 5 degrees and snowing, it makes it seem like a spring day! We stayed awake for about 24 hours so we could adjust to the time zone. Last year we had such a hard time adjusting, but today we actually managed to get out of bed at 8am. I know! Hard to believe, since we can hardly do that at home.

I have also come to realize that my Swedish is getting a little better. I can still translate a little better in my head, rather than speak the native tounge, but it is gettting better. Phrases such as 'Var är mina strumpor?' (Where are my socks?) and 'Katten är på bordet' (The cat is on the table) can really come in handy. In a pinch, I still have the 'ol standby: 'Jag dricker kaffe i köket.' (I drink coffee in the kitchen.)

It's good to be home!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Birthday greetings going out to my Pop! Since we are up north, we will be sure to have some glögg, or some aquavit in your honor! See you soon! Cheers!

Note: due to travel, and minimum access to media, picture is unavailable at this time.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Off to the Motherland

Hmmmm.....what could it be??

We must have been very good this year!

Well, P. and I are off to Sweden to see the fam for the holidays. I apologize that the updates have been few and far between, but we have been scrambling to get ready for the journey across the pond. We made a quick trip back to Denver for X-mas with the Lucas fam last weekend...sorry to those we missed, but it was a whirlwind! We had an absolute blast and it was the most relaxed we have been in weeks! Pics and video footage will follow. In the meantime, we are sitting at the airport just about to jump on the bird. We wish all of you a wonderful X-mas a here's to bringing in 2008 with a bang! Stay tuned for adventures in Sweden.....

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Ahoy!

Pic of sailboat with San Francisco in background taken from Chez Nielsen
(Clearly I need a zoom lens and a tripod for Christmas. Santa?)

Last night was the 19th Annual Sausalito Lighted Yacht Parade. A handful of festive sailors came out to show the residents in Sausalito how it's done during the holidays. Nothing says 'Happy Holidays' like the sound of Feliz Navidad bellowing from a million dollar yacht. I love this town!

Friday, December 7, 2007

Happy Birthday Peanut!

Happy Birthday to my little seester! I don't know how you could possibly be 28 years old when I am still 27! We hope your day is filled with lots of presents and pampering! From the look of the present you woke up to, I think you are off to a pretty good start! Have fun in the hills this weekend and we will have a celebratory glass of champagne in your honor. Well, at least I will. P. will be having NyQuill shooters. I miss you! Sniff....

Peen's new toy to go shreddin' in the pow pow. Nice!

Happy Birthday Evan!


A birthday shout out going out to a little boy who isn't so little anymore! I hope you eat lots of cake and candy, load up on tons of sugar and drive your parents crazy! Happy birthday kiddo!












Auntie Burger and Evan on his 1st day.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Happy Birthday Stu!

Birthday greetings going out to Dr. Kirby! Nothing says Happy Holidays like a belligerent, talking Christmas tree! Be sure to have a couple of those Heinekens for us! Cheers!

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Happy Hanukkah!

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Happy Cakes - Grand Opening!

Sara is at it again, taking her cupcake business to the next level. She is opening a Happy Cakes Bakeshop in the Highlands in Denver! The grand opening is planned for Friday, December 7th. Be sure to swing by to see what's happening and grab a cupcake! They will be serving complimentary mulled cider, egg nog and hot cocoa to go with their holiday-inspired cupcake flavors.

The Bakeshop will be located at 3815 W. 32nd Av.

Also to note: Happy Cakes will be participating in a cupcake contest for charity: They have decided to enter the French Toast Cupcake for the judging.

Sounds like a winner to me!

"Do one thing everyday that scares you." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Monday, December 3, 2007

Fantasy Football Update - Week 13


Okay, there are only a few more games left, and I have really been gearing up for a strong finish. I have become slightly addicted to this Fantasy Football thing, and I watch the scores on a weekly basis go up and down like a broker on Wall Street. I pulled off a tight win this week against Merciless Gladiators. Now, if I can win next week against Da Commish and Whytes Warriors lose, I am in the playoffs! Come on T-Money!!

Friday, November 30, 2007

Smitty's

Last night we met up at Smitty's for a few beers and a round of Golden Tee. We hadn't been to Smitty's in ages, and based on the headache I have today, I know why! I can't wait for the 2nd Annual Shuffle Scuffle to begin! Oh, not to mention I am currently the reigning champion in Golden Tee, beating Brett by one stroke! Don't ask Peter what his score was. He keeps telling me he does better on a real golf course, but that remains to be seen....

Peter watches how it's done in anticipation of his turn getting yet another penalty stroke for a water hazzard.


Brett does his impression of what Ansel Adams would do if he actually put himself in the pictures.


E and T


Peter feeling festive on the walk home, has a moment with Frosty.


Thursday, November 29, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving?

Well, Thanksgiving came and went, (wow...exactly one week ago today)! Our delicious 4 day weekend came to a screeching hault first thing Monday morning and we jumped back into work with both feet. Sadly, there has not been much time for an update, and there are tons of pics and even video footage, but we just haven't had time to pull it all together. I will say that we had a fantastic extravaganza filled with friends, delicious food that was prepared Iron Chef style, some festive cocktails, and of course, football.

I will leave you with just one pic for now that seems to sum up the day: a turkey hat, friends laughing at you (even though you think they are laughing with you) and an ice cold PBR. With 2 empty champagne bottles (oops...sparkling wine, sorry P.) on the top of the fridge before 2 pm you are probably wondering if Brett's hat changed from a turkey to a lamp shade.

Good thing we don't really have any lamps.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Thanksgiving Is Around The Corner.....

Do you have your turkey yet??

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Congrats Nic!

My friend Nickie is just about to graduate from University of Colorado Denver with her Masters Degree. Mother of 2, wife, and good friend, I don' t know how she does it! Hats off to you my friend! Cheers!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

The Adventures of Big Blue

So on Sunday, while Tracy was taking her mom and sister to the airport I was invited by Brett and EP to my first ride in Big Blue. The destination was the Marin Headlands and the plan was to have a beer whilst enjoying the sounds of the ocean. We were treated to a true San Francisco evening filled with fog and other mysterious surprises. Of course the adventure was chronicled, so please enjoy.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Weekend O' Fun

Mom and Peen came into town for the weekend and good times were had by all! Since my birthday was a couple of weeks ago (insert shameless plug for love and attention here), they came out to have a late celebration with me, and of course to spend some time with Peter. It was a fun filled weekend with lots of eating, drinking, shopping, and laughing! We hit some of our favorite spots, tried some new restaurants, visited some old favorites, did some damage at Bloomingdales and took a trip to wine country. It is always an adventure when the Lucas girls come to town. My stomach hurts from laughing, my pants are too tight from all of the eating, and I think Peter's ears are bleeding! Until next time.....


First, a stop at Fish for dinner (of course)


A quick bite at the burger joint on Bridgeway.
We pass this place at least once a day, and have never made a stop.
There is usually a line out the door, and now I know why.
Peen seen here really enjoying her burger. Clearly!


Some after bocce cocktails with Lost Balls at Jan's house.
Not exactly a victory celebration, but still a great time.


Passing on the key to the city of Sausalito? From the past mayor to the future?
Good times on the walk home

Lunch at Cafe de la Presse in the city. This latte was as big as my head.
Fantastic place and fabulous food!


We had to make a stop at the new Barneys in San Francisco.
Some of the most fantastic shoes I have ever seen!
And HUGE bags!
I think we could have carried Peen out in this one!
Dinner at Poggio in Sausalito with the gang.
Hands down best tiramisu ever! ( I don't care what you say Peen!)


Enjoying some bubbly in Napa.
The weather was perfect and the wine was deelish!