Pool Pals!

Summer has finally reached Branson! Decided to spend the day with good friends by the pool yesterday. Turned out to be a good choice.

Splashing with Lana

The sunscreen was well needed...

Sunshine!

Drew + Sarah + Love

Freaky Foods part 28

Bacon flavored mints. Very refreshing.....? Don't really know how to comment that Uncle Oinker....

Go Moms!

Today it's Mother's Day in Sweden and I happen to have the best mom in the world. It's a shame that I can't be with her to celebrate today but virtually she's getting the biggest hug ever and so is my dear grandmother!

My mom, me and my grandmother

Celebrate life. Celebrate crêpes.

After a week filled with weather disaster we figured that we needed to celebrate that we're alive and kickin'. We took a little trip to Springfield to eat at the fabulous "Aviary Café and Crêperie" and also see our fabulous friend Jake Tweed who happens to work there.

Cheers for being alive!

Dutch Apple Crêpe. Ridiculously good.

The amazing JAKE!

Still OK...

... but thinking about all the people that aren't at the moment is just sickening.

Awful, awful storms have surrounded us the last couple of days. Some of the places basically ripped apart by tornadoes are within an hour drive from where we live. Scary. Branson has had some flash flooding again but we're not even near the destruction that some of our neighboring cities tragically experienced. More than 500 lives have been taken this far. We're truly lucky to be safe and sound for now.

Gig marathon

In all the weather madness there has also been a lot of good stuff going on! Last Saturday I ended up in a little gig marathon performing at the "Plumb Nellie Arts and Crafts Festival" and "Waxy O'Shea's Irish Pub" later at night as a part of the "Full Circle Concept" (arranged by Krista Meadows and Daniel Dossey).

Daniel, Krista and I at "Plumb Nellie"

"The Platters" were next in line to perform after we were done!

(photo by Christie Czajkowski)

Rockin' it at Waxy's

And the beat goes on..... This is AFTER playing (pretty much constantly) for more than 10 hours. Late night jam outside after we finished the gig at Waxy's

Hey we're OK!

Just wanted to let you know that Branson didn't get affected by the huge tornado that destroyed Joplin just 1,5 hours away. We're a little wet, that's all. The weather forecast looks promising too. Looks like it's even going to get really nice by the end of the week! Our thoughts go out to all the victims that lost their homes and family members. The situation is completely devastating.

Joplin destruction

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Bible Belt Bookstore

I was strolling through "Books a Million" the other day and confirmed that things that usually are pretty neutral.... just aren't around here. This is how you know that you're in the bible belt:

Holy tattoo?

Love the description - "The Definite Sourcebook"....

Market targeting. Sparkling "Princess bible" that comes with jewelry and "Busy Mom's Bible"....

Beware of sinful gluten!

Adventure bible with a 3D effect. High-tech...

Sacred grilling

Then all of the sudden:

QUÉ?! Hilarious...

Freaky foods part 27

Menu from IHOP..... It's supposed to be a special offer for seniors but that is NOT the image I am getting in my head. Lunch from the nursing home anyone?

SMASH!

The tennis court is finally open after the flash flood destruction. Stockstill Park offers free use for everybody. Had a little session yesterday. Still got the smash! Still suck at serves...

In action

Magic floating ball

Gig at Vintage Paris!

Joined in on a few songs at the "Full Circle Concept" gig at "Vintage Paris" the other day. Lots of talent on stage: Krista Meadows, Daniel Dossey, Nick Venceil, Drew Webber, Johan "Reggie" Regnell + John and Sarah Tweed. It was a great night.

Setting up the stage

Nick Venceil and I

Drew, Krista and Daniel

Freaky Foods part 26

Ready for a snack? Doesn't this look DELICIOUS?!

Umm... not really huh? The "Beef N Cheese food sticks" do NOT qualify to go into my mouth... But they're available at Wal*Mart for anyone who might feel the urge.....

Flash Flood Recovery

The situation after the flash floods has improved a lot. The water has sunk and the sun has been shining this week. Hope it stays that way....

North Beach Park right after the floods:

North Beach Park a week later:

Freaky foods part 25

Onion LOAF! It just doesn't seem right....

BBQ premiere!

We got a great first taste of summer the other day: BBQ premiere night at Turtle Creek. Grilled halloumi and asparagus was on the menu. Delicioso.

Anders and BoBo mastering the grill

JEERK:s Reggie and Joey munching away

Wonderful Vintage Paris

Yup, lovely coffee shop/wine bar/French café Vintage Paris still has it! Nice wines/beer, tasty pastry, "real coffee" (meaning: not a bucket of dishwater which is what you usually get ordering coffee here...) and great people. Music on weekends and late night opening hours. My favorite two items at the moment are the aperitif wine "Lillet Rouge" and the Blueberry Almondine Tarte.

Blueberry bliss

Lovely Lillet Rouge. Spicy aperitif wine with ice!

Rockstars! Patty and Nikke posing

Freaky foods part 24

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Ladies and gentlemen, meet the US phenomena -The Corn Dog!

Wikipedia definition:

"A corn dog is a hot dog coated in cornmeal batter and deep fried in oil, although some are baked. Almost all corn dogs are served on wooden sticks, though some early versions were stickless."

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Some variations:

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Added French Fries... Very advanced.

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Why not put it on pizza, ey?!

Springfield roadtrip!

Took a little trip to Springfield with my dear friend Patty today! We started out with a lunch at a great, newly opened cafe and crêperie called "Aviary Cafe and Creperie". Lovely place with great food!

Aviary

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Delicious!

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We also went to see Patty's handsome son Jake and got some Margaritas to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the bar that he works at.

Margaritas!!!

Ended up doing some grocery shopping at a great natural foods store (yes, you can actually find one in the Midwest...) called MaMa Jean's! I found both halloumi and Scandinavian brown cheese (brunost) + the Argentinian tea Maté that I grew up with. Sweet!

MaMa Jean's

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No more kitties...

Harley and Bandit have left the building! Their little vacation at our place is over and they're now off to new adventures. We sure had some good times with them...

I'm lovin' it

Who needs organized garbage anyway...?

Stretchin' it