Dear Rachel, on staying sane during the Swedish winter

Rachel asked: 

I need a much needed tip of not wanting to crawl into bed when it's dark at 2.30pm (in Stockholm this weekend).

Or any tips for getting through a Swedish winter.

Hope all is well in NYC!

Rach x

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Dear Rachel am afraid winter in Stockholm calls for careful planning, wine and exercise. 
In other places of the world exercise is an activity that you may or may not participate in, in Stockholm during the winter it is sadly necessary. Not just to increase strength but to give you a much needed lift through the natural high of endorphins and dopamines. 

Likewise, you need to catch actual daylight. This means you have to go out into the world whether you feel like it  or not and regardless if you have the time for it or not. You'd benefit from getting as close to the sun as you can - I suggest getting a year pass at Skansen, one of the highest points of the city. 

While in Djurgården, visit Rosendal to enjoy the hot cider. 
See friends. Make friends. Go to Storkyrkan and light candles for all your loved ones, dead and alive. 
Take hot baths. Wear slippers. Play beautiful music. 

Try to consider this experience in Nordic melancholy as something that might potentially enrich your life - as something you can pull out of the depths of your mind when you live somewhere else "At least i don't have to face the gloom of Stockholm in winter again".

Read funny books. 
If all else fails, take a quick trip to Rome. 

It's been over a week, am still thankful!

Was invited to a fantastic Thanksgiving experience over at our friends Monica and Anker's place.
Such a generous feast so friendly and yes, delicious.
A Wow. has never been more justified.

Books

Thanks for the questions, made me so happy!
Some of you asked for tips on books.

Here's what I'm reading/planning/hoping to read the next few weeks:

Tomi: A Childhood Under the Nazis
http://www.amazon.com/Tomi-A-Childhood-Under-Nazis/dp/1570981639
Tomi Ungerer's biography on his childhood. I love Tomi. Love him.
Here's a radio clip for you

http://www.npr.org/2013/11/01/242156411/from-kids-books-to-erotica-tomi-ungerers-far-out-life

I'm also reading the American classic
A wrinkle in time

and Strider,  the sequel to Dear Mr Henshaw.

Thinking of getting The Goldfinch as an audiobook.

When I go to bed often reach for The Assassin's Cloak or Working by Studs Terkel. Because I love Assassin's cloak am also tempted to get The War Diaries.

Today was recommended (thanks Jenny!) Mastering the art of Soviet cooking
Had to ask if there was a literary companion called Mastering the art of appreciating Soviet cooking, but seems there isn't. I've tried Soviet cuisine on a number of times, for instance had mackerel in orange marmalade for breakfast once and it was very interesting.

Am reading my friend Bea's spectacular book on engineer Andrées failed endeavor to reach the North Pole by balloon in 1897.
Only available in Swedish so far, but an English edition will be released in 2014. You will love it.

Finished Gone Girl and enjoyed the consuming read, now reading Sharp objects and though I love Flynn's writing I wish she would use her talent, wit and humor for non-crime too. But why should she, really?

Because I loved Funny Business and Dear Genius, might get
Randolph Caldecott: The Man Who Could Not Stop Drawing.

Had looked forward to the new Amy Tan novel Valley of Amazement but am a bit reluctant after having read reader reviews. Did any of you read it yet? Should I reconsider?

tired but happy!

Working away at the Wythe hotel, about to go pick kids up, thinking of blogging an entire day tomorrow. 

Anything you'd like to know? Please reply, so sad with no comments.

I*M HAPPY FOR ANY ANY ANY COMMENT OR QUESTION.

love

-e

Welcome - this is what googled you here.

If I was in Paris

I would so go if I was in Paris.

Winter has arrived

Dear Volvo, if I was to buy a truck, you'd be my first choice

I love this clip.

"Dear" BMW, you disgust me.

What is this? How many of you agreed this was a great concept?

The wife as someone you'd love to trade in for a beautiful stranger is so tired, so loveless, so hurtful.

People I love getting recognition

Alltså att Bea vann Augustpriset! Så himla roligt och bra. 

Så glad. 

People I love getting recognition

Niki: Student of the month!

Cheap thrills.

We spend much time jumping over each other. 

Especially over Niki. 

She says it's fine. 

Head under heels.

I jump over Joel too. 

Monkey sees self

Don't miss out on Damien Kempf's instagram feed.

Thomas & Vanja

15 november - så bra födelsedag.

Let me see your teeth

Oh Hoff

I like girls

I like girls. I really really really like girls. I like em small, I like em tall, I like em all. 

Hur ser jag ut när jag går själv på restaurang?

Gissa. 

Och läs sedan detta om att äta själv.

Topping my wish list

The Fujifilm X-E2. 

A great vacuum cleaner. 

A bike. 

Things kind of on the wish list that I won't get since I have to prioritize items above:

Boots, handbag, haircut. 

So if you see a real happy woman with crappy hair, in sneakers through the snow, carrying all her stuff in plastic bags taking pics of life in NYC, it's probably me. 

Tack Petra

Pics taken  on the brink of disaster