Leaving on a jetplane...

I tried to fill my last days in the US with as many fun activities possible....

...hung out in the lake park.....

...got myself a big dose of The JEERKS......

....said goodbye to the pool (and the summer weather)...

.... sang with the fabulous Krista Meadows and John Lefler on two gigs in Springfield and Hollister....

....and spent time with my loves! (Miss you!!!)

Now I will try not to freeze to death in the Swedish fall. It's pretty but oh so cold. See you soon again America! I'll be back before you know it.

One night at Hilton

Me and the tomcat had a gift certificate for a free night at the Hilton hotel and used it to get some well needed quality time before I leave for Sweden on Sunday.

Of course there was champagne...

And fancy drinks!

And hot tubs!

Freaky foods part 17

To keep the religion theme going..... I found this at the natural health store yesterday.

This is how the product is described on the producer Logia's website:

"The Bible Bar is a highly nutritious all natural whole food bar based on the seven foods which the LORD calls "good" in the Book of Deuteronomy.

We at Logia believe that God had avery important reason for singling out these seven foods. That's why we sought a way to offer them to the public in a convenient, all-inclusive food product and that's how the Bible Bar came about.

Apparently, there's some deeper significance to these seven foods in order for God to have singled them out as part of the goodness of the Promised Land. Our research strongly indicates that God cites these seven foods both for their spiritual as well as nutritional benefits."

Wow. I would like to see that research. Using God to market a product is pretty advanced...

Amen?

Religion

Well... religion clearly seems to be a hot topic in this town....

My favorite...

Cowboy prayers. Bring your own horse

Pagan and proud

Decorate your house with Jesus and painted pennies!

Starbucks Jesus is sacrificed...

Sunday pancakes!

International House Of Pancakes. Hash browns, scrambled eggs and a stack of pancakes with strawberries and cream. A suitable way to spend a Sunday morning. "Super Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity" is their current slogan. Bring it on.

Mmmm, artificial fat and sugar!!! Yum!

Pre-Halloween

Halloween is closing up and it is obvious that all the stores around here are counting on big sales... The shelves are over loaded with candy, decorations and scary outfits. I read that people spent over 2 billion dollars only on costumes last year!

Some examples....

Veggies are good for your baby!

So are bananas!

Spend all your money on plastic!

Hot tub hotness!

Had a great little hot tub party last night at the Zeligmans'! Lana and Dean are definitely two of the most amazing people that I have met here. I'm planning on importing them to Sweden when I go home....

Hot tub crew!

Anders ended up wearing Lana's pink satin robe..... It scared us all a little.....

Itsy bitsy teeny weeny Lana bikini!

Dean and Anders looking a star patterns through Dean's phone app. Very romantic.

Freaky foods part 16

The American fascination for artificially flavored gelatin seems to be never ending....

Cinnamon roll jell-o

(http://momsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/07/jell-o-pudding-cinnamon-roll-a.html)

Patriotic jell-o

(http://www.nofussfabulous.com/?p=6962)

Salad jell-o... GROSS!!!

(http://madsilence.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/jello1.jpg)

A tiny part of the jell-o selection at our local store.... Do you feel tempted?

My favorite American guy

Oscar is a very strange, funny, insane and lovely cat. His odd habits truly brighten my days. For example, he has a great sense of fashion and style.....

(here posing with the "bored-model-look")...

.....likes to sleep with his head in my hand......

......snores....loudly....

....likes to lay on his stomach with his back legs stretched out, pretending he's a snake.......

.....most of all, he's adorable and makes me write cheezy blog posts

Birthday boy!

We had a nice celebration for birthday boy Anders yesterday who turned 31! Good food, good friends = good times. I imported a Swedish marzipan lid for the dessert so that I could make a Swedish Princess cake, which probably is the best dessert in the world (and I've tried quite a few by now.....!) We spent the evening having nice drinks at the Andy Williams Moon River Grill.

Balloons and Jack Daniels! That's a good birthday!

Princess cake!!!

Oscar the cat enjoyed celebrating as well

Drinks at Moon River Grill

Legends in Concert

Went to the Dick Clark's American Bandstand theater to see some of our dear friends in the Legends fall show! As always they did an awesome job. Dean and Darcy, you are STARS!

Marilyn Monroe, Blues Brothers, Elvis, The Temptations, George Strait + singer/dancers

Beautiful Darcy and I with paper Elvis Dean

Of course, Anders parents needed a pic with the King

Jealous of the sparkly jacket...

Freaky foods part 15

Dessert pie. On a stick. Dipped in chocolate.

Freaky but very tasty.

Parentz in da hood

Anders' parents are in town and it seems like they're enjoying the American lifestyle!

Shakin' it!

Looking at the fountain fire show at Branson Landing

Freaky Foods part 14

Crap! Now they even put meat in chocolate bars! Branson is not a good place for vegetarians.....

Biker chicks

I wish that I could write that I'd been on a long Harley ride.. but regular bicycles aren't to be underestimated either! The beautiful Lana Zeligman took me to for a ride in Stocksdale park!

Since I use my bike as my no 1 transportation vehicle most of the time in Sweden, it feels pretty weird to take a car, load the bikes in the trunk and then drive to go biking in a park/on a trail somewhere... Well, I guess that's the US (or at least Branson) way. I would probably get myself killed if I tried to ride a bike on the roads around here... First of all there aren't any bicycle lanes. Second of all people here usually drive like maniacs so I wouldn't even wanna try.

Here's an example of what traffic can look like in Branson:

Vintage Paris gets even better!

Mike + friends at Vintage Paris are turning the area on the side of the café into the coziest outdoor patio in town! (The existing porch kinda already is the best outdoor hangout place but this is going to be even BETTER!) There will be a stage, a fountain, flowers and pretty lights. Add that up with a bunch of good people and you'll be all set! Branson's new hot spot!

David working on the mural paintings!

Prepare for awesomeness!