Yummy

Popped in to the Indian supermarket across the road and bought some popadoms. Needed some inspiration what to cook and we haven'd cooked anything Indian for a long time. It has a wide selection of spices, fruit and anything you can wish for. Haven't seen any popadums in the shops here so I decided to ask the owner how to make them myself (well, they come as "sheets", so I didn't completely make them).

Had no idea how many different kinds of rice there are!

Pretty good result!

Chicken Tikka, Raita and Popadoms

Already got addicted. Went back to the supermarket and got another package of the popadoms. Sooo yummy!

Between Visitors

Have one week "off" between visitors. For some reason I thought we could chill but oh no.

Back on track on my exercise. We both are! Took us a couple of weeks but we are back going to Barry's on our regular days. Need to shred some pounds off ASAP.

Still on and off about Gymboree..should we keep going, should we do something else?

 When we went on Wednesday I was determined I'd cancel the membership, butthe teacher suggested joining the next level to see if we liked it. Level 1 is getting too boring since Emily lies on her stomach all day anyway, she definitely doesn't need extra tummy time. And I do admit, the play gym they have which you can go to anytime you want, is pretty nice. So, let's give the level 2 a shot next week. And then perhaps cancel it.

Sunday Night

Dropped my mum off at the airport last night. Fourth drive in a week, 20th or so this year. Really don't want to drive to LAX again in a while + LAX and Hollywood Blvd - had my fair share this year already.

Had a bit of a blond moment the yesterday. Oh no, not blond - let's call it non American! Because no one else would think of such a stupid thing. Needed to get petrol and went to a different garage than usual. Parked up, slided my card and took the pump of the nozzle. No petrol. Tried again. Pressed the button and took the nozzle off the hook. Put it back, went to a different pump. Same thing all over again. Drove to the next pump. Same thing all over again. And again. And again. I was just about to put my best Swedish accent on to go inside to get some help when the guy ccame outside and said "let's take a look at what's going wrong".
Who knew you had to push the plastic thing the nozzle rests on up in order to get the damn thing pumping!
Stupid stupid stupid.

Casino Night!

So, after having a rather hectic day yesterday we finally made it to the fundraising event for the Swedish school, Monte Carlo casino night at Maria Montazami's house in Laguna Niguel. What a house. Or shall I say, what a backyard! There was a silent auction and we bid (and won) on 2 ice hockey tickets with the Anaheim Ducks. Yaay! I miss watching sports, and I really miss ice hockey! Guess we have to plan that night out way in advance again, making sure we have a baby sitter.

There were all kind of things going, personal training sessions, test drive with the Fisker karma, Swedish biscuits, movie night baskets, goodie baskets etc.

Swedish Biscuits

Swedish Goodie Basket

Nice big Kitchen!

Casino Night!

Maria in the Fisker Karma

Mingle in the Backyard

!

Us on the Red Carpet Entering the House

All in all we had a really good time, though we are not used to being out this "late" (note, we were home before midnight). We were yawning, feet were aching and we suck at mingling. Too many people. And the shoes I wore I used to wear at work. Now, do I have to start practising wearing heels again? Good thing I didn't wear my new super sexy pink pair, that would have been painful.

So nice of Maria to offer her house though - 182 tickets were sold - I am afraid of having more than 10 people in the flat. Yikes! Everyone looked well behaved though. Guess it was an advantage to invite lots of mum and dads who have to get up early in the morning.We got a Martini as a welcome drink - I had to smell it since I had forgotten what it tastes like.

As expected, we didn't make it to the gym (plus, I thought we'd give mum a break from watching Emily) this morning. Ache a lot from yesterday's session which is great!

Swimming and Shopping

What a busy day! Went to Waterworks for Emily's swimming lesson this morning. She finally doesn't mind floating on her back again. Great progress!! Came home afterwards to shower and went to Spectrum for some grub.

Tried some dresses on but the fashion - pattern and polyester - does not go down well with me. Probably tried at least a dussin on.

Not great

Had some lunch at the Cheesecake  Factory. Always good when you have guests since there is a lot of choice.  Artichoke as a starter, yum!

Asked mum if she wanted to go out for dinner tonight..thought she might suggest Javier's (yaaaay) but no..the best food she's ever had here was here.. Lucille's!!

Famous for their ribs and BBQ..NOT fancy at all. And southern style served drinks

So Lucille it was. Funny how all our guests always end up loving the burger joints. Before going home, mum and I popped in to Designer Shoe Warehouse. And voila, I found these - $ 44! What a bargain.

Completely fell in love with me feet wearing them.

Now I am sort of glad a didn't buy the Mahnolos I tried on yesterday, I know no limits when it comes to shoes but $ 44 is hard to beat! Not sure when to wear them but they are sooo cute.

And this is how we are finishing this Friday night..Just because we can!

Chilling..

This is how Emily and I spent the other day....

at Karin's wonderful heated pool. I was so concerned about protecting Emily from getting sunburnt that I forgot about myself. My right side is now lobster red. :( Mum was shopping at Fashion Island while we were having fun swimming.  We are so spoiled!

Sun Sun Sun

Having some fantastic weather at the moment. I am feeling so spoiled. I can barely remember what it was like wishing for sun. Weatherwise, there is no better place on earth than Orange County!

Went to the Swedish school this morning. This term has flown by! It was the last normal class this term, next week is beach day and the following week we are going to the OC zoo. It has been so much fun! Can't wait for the term to start again.

Swedish School

Sitting on the lawn during the fika break

See, no clouds at all. Typical OC weather.

Drove down to Laguna Beach afterwards with mum to grab some lunch at deckonlaguna.com. This place is definitely one of the nicest places in Laguna, you are right on the beach and it has a great mix of people.

And what is a day out without a little shopping..Popped in to this little shop for little ones, Little Bohemian on Forest Avenue. Pricey yes, but sweet!

Little Bohemian

Beautiful Laguna Beach

I thought I might find some dresses, but no no, nothing again. I still have the biggest bum ever because that is where I currently fail - NOTHING looks good. Bought the dresses at White House Black Market on Sunday, it looks like one of them will have to do. American fashion is NOT the flavour of the month right now. Too much nylon, too many patterns and flowers. Yikes. I need to get Sweded up to make sure I don't lose track of my taste!

Now, do some stretching - after all, I just got back from Barry's bootcamp. Yaay! Neck is better, I am back to my workout routine!