Weekend, finally.

Pictures of Toofhairy and Baron von Kon are now taken, and they're ready for distribution. Here at the Spok-spok HQ, we're getting ready to produce our next fantastic toy.


Fall is here, almost winter, and you have to dress accordingly.

Pictures and pancakes.

I was gonna take some pictures of Toofhairy and Baron von Kon for my US distributor today, but wasn't able to leave until it was too late and dusky, so I'm gonna have to do that tomorrow instead.


We, and by we I mean me, whilst M was an onlooker, made pancakes tonight, they were yummy and crispy!

Food dreams.

Living abroad makes you miss the strangest things. Bear in mind that I'm a strict vegetarian, but I still miss these things, or the vegetarian versions thereof.


This is Jansons Frestelse, it's a delicious potato dish with anchovies, but I use olives instead. It always makes me think of my grandpa for some reason.


Trocadero, a delicious Swedish fizzy pop, for more festive occasions.


This you can actually get in the US! I got a bag of Ahlgrens Bilar in NY last weekend. It took me about 15 seconds to finish them off.


Kalles Kaviar is another thing you can find in the US, even here in Boston! This is an egg and kaviar sandwich, open faced of course (is there any other way?)


Here's part of a traditional Swedish christmas table, kinda like a smorgasbord, only with heartier dishes and more choices (at least 15) of herring. Notice the red christmas cheese, you can find that here too, in the Chinese stores of all places.


The semla is an oh so Swedish pastry. A wheat bun filled with almond paste and cream. If you're part of the hardcore crowd like me, you eat it served in a bowl of hot milk.


Swedish licorice... Yummy. this kind is called Djungelvral (Jungle roar), and it's as for from the lame excuses for licorice you can find in the US as you can get. After you've finished a bag of these bad boys your tongue will most likely be bleeding, or at least be covered in blisters. De-licious.


I saved the best for last. The smorgastarta. The creme de la creme of condiments. The Rolls Royce of sandwiches. It's both a sandwich and a cake. A sandwich so big and dense it must by law be refered to as a cake.

Here's what wikipedia says about the beloved royalty of sandwiches: "Smörgåstårta ("sandwich cake") is a Swedish dish that is also popular in Finland. It is a kind of sandwich with so much filling that it more resembles a cake rather than a sandwich.
The smörgåstårta is normally made up of several layers of buttered bread with creamy fillings in between. The fillings and toppings vary, but egg and mayonnaise are often the base, typically accompanied by any combination of liver paté, olives, prawns, ham, caviar and smoked salmon."

Yummy.

Finally.

Another 1000 plushies have arrived. A more detailed update to follow.

Cough, cough...

Blah, I'm coughing like a crazy person! I don't know why crazy people cough so much, but I've heard they do, so there. Maybe because of all of the craziness. Anyhooo, I'm coughing alot. I hope it'll stop soon.

I'm glad the shipment is finally arriving tomorrow, a biiig load of the little guys in the pic. I was starting to get worried, alot of orders coming in, and I don't wanna let the stores hanging, that's the worst you can do. Not good business ethics.

Oh, and in a couple of weeks my little fellas will be reviewed on a toy website. now I'll finally know how it feels to be at the receiving end in the reviewing game.

Speaking of reviews, I have to recommend a band called Canadians. They're from Italy, and I just reviewed their debut CD. Very good, with influences from all over the place.

I just came home from a late grocery and rent run (it was due today, eeek!), and on my way home I stopped and got me a slice of pizza. It was sooo yummy!

Grrr!

I feel so defeated. The shipment with the latest Spok-characters should have been here a month ago, but the shipping company keep screwing things up. At least they're finally here in boston, but since Monday (it's Thursday now) I've been calling and been told that they're gonna arrive that same day. No sign of them yet.

I called again today, and said "I've been told they're gonna be delivered the same day for the last three days! When are they being delivered? Today, or not?" and got the reply "We'll call you". Click.

I seriously hate that shipping company. They have no idea what they're doing, and customer care is for them a totally unknown word. Not only have I had to pay over $600 in hidden fees that were NOT included in the original price, but I have also had to wait over a month from the date when they told me they were gonna be here.

Next time I'm using DHL, FedEx, TNT, or UPS.

Btw, the picture has nothing to do with this anger I'm feeling. It's from when I went to NY with Wester and the gang. I heart NY.

*Update: I just got a call, they will definitely be delivered tomorrow. It's about time, I have orders to send out!