Tuesday, October 30, 2012

My Dog Peete: My Guide on the Road to Simple Pleasures


My Dog Peete: My Guide on the Road to Simple Pleasures

I know you have already endured a post or two about my dog Peete. But I have realized the Peete is truly a symbol of what "The Swede Life" is all about.

Every day we take the same 5 mile run around the lake by my house, but every day we take this run it's different when I'm with Peete. Peete is the type of soul that lives for today. He is a ten month old mutt with nothing to loose. He jumps right in to every mile high pile of leaves and throws himself into every puddle he sees. His zest for life is contagious and you can't help but laugh at the same time you are scolding him

Life with Peete means if you don't take him for a run early enough you get assaulted with your own running shoes. He forces you to think less about life's troubles and more about playing "fetch the stick" in the forest.


Adam: The Quintessential Swedish Porcelain Pattern


Adam: The Quintessential Swedish Porcelain Pattern

The cups and saucers pictured here are one of the most popular examples of Swedish Porcelain to date. This pattern is called Adam, which I think is perfect because to me Adam is a simple name with a profound significance. This pattern "Adam" was one of the first major successes for famous Swedish designer Stig Lindberg. Lindberg worked as a designer for Swedish Porcelain Company Gustavsbergs throughout his entire professional life and created many of the company's most famous products during his time there.

All of Lindberg's designs have the same basic design principles: Simple, crisp, practical and beautiful. Adam is my most favorite of all his designs because of how timeless it is. The shapes remind me of a strand of pearls, perhaps the most timeless item of all.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

The Sound of Silence


The Sound of Silence



These were the only other people my dog Peete and I ran into when we did our run around the lake today. We ran through the enchanted forest and the only sounds came from the blanket of dry leaves under our feet. I feel like this place is a part of a great secret that I only found out about by accident.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Natalie's (Homesick for California) Enchiladas


 

Natalie's (Homesick for California) Enchiladas

              I am not homesick too often, but when I am I want Mexican Food. I didn't realize how much I really loved good Mexican Food until I moved where there was no taco truck in sight. Somehow making a large portion of enchiladas makes me feel closer to home. I use Emeril’s  recipe for easy Enchilada Sauce and just kind of throw together the rest of simple ingredients in a very relaxed way, so it usually turns out a little different every time.
             
             When you are outside my door it is mid fall in Sweden but to me, here in my kitchen it feels like California.

Ingredients for Enchilada Sauce
Directions
In medium saucepan heat oil, add flour, smoothing and stirring with a wooden spoon. Cook for 1 minute. Add chili powder and cook for 30 seconds. Add stock, tomato paste, oregano, and cumin. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. The sauce will thicken and smooth out. Adjust the seasonings. 
 Other Essential Ingredients:
 3 Chicken Breasts
1 Onion
Grated Cheese
Vegetable Oil
Salt & Pepper

Preheat oven to 350.Shred cooked chicken breast prepared however you want. Throw an chopped onion with a little cooking oil and salt and pepper in a frying pan on medium heat until onion goes soft and smells amazing. Grate a small bowl full of your favorite cheese. Take a baking dish and spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of the pan. Layer a little bit of  all the prepared ingredients inside a flour tortilla and roll them up one by one next to each other. Spread the remaining enchilada sauce all over and top it off with a little more grated cheese. Put in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted and the edges on the tortillas are toasted.
            Serve with salsa, avocado and Greek yogurt or sour cream. Mums (yum)!