all the pretty green shoes

For years now I've had to do a photo session with all and the bobbaloos all in one photo. And possibly a cat or two too. In their natural inspector roles of course. You don't get a cat to pose in the way one little loaf did. Only if they wish so themselves. I'm glad they surprisingly often do.

When the idea rose I had a *slight* less amount of shoes. And bobbaloos. So for now I've had fun with taking photos of shoes in a certain colour. Or boots only. Or oxfords. Or maryjanes. And such. Doing it in smaller portions like that I also feeling *slightly* less like a crazy shoe lady.

Well, at least 95% of my shoes are of the eco friendly, recycled material, % of the price go to good causes kind. With every thing you buy you make a choice of what kind of world you want to live in. And that's certainly the kind of world I want.

Now if the shoes could be either recycled leather or vegan that would certainly be even better.

Today it was the green shoes collection that got their group portrait taken. Bye bye summer sandals, hello soon boots days.

By the look of Little Miss Inspector's face one might think I spend more time with them shoes than them cats her. I can assure you I do not.

I've now taken colour coordinated shoe pictures of the blue, winered/pink and green bunch. To be taken are that of the red, purple, black/grey (a few only obviously) and yellow/orange/brown groups. Such fun. In a possibly tad mad way.

All shoes from either El Naturalista or ART shoes. As usual.

jeezly vegan cheese

I've been sceptical about this vegan cheese that has been waiting in my fridge for some months now. Because a) as much as I want to find the perfect dairy/cruelty free cheese I've so far been disappointed about both flavour and texture of the ones I've tried and 

b) to be honest, despite the adorable design, packaging and intention of the Swedish vegan brand Astrid och aporna (Astrid and the monkeys) I've never enjoyed any of their products. 

Not because they're bad but because they're 'too meaty' ie too much of meat substitute in both flavour and texture. And that's not my thing. 

I certainly have no issues with the sausage, steak, balls shapes because clearly those aren't natural meat shapes. They're just convenient to cook shapes. It's when the vegetarian and vegan versions get too meaty, too much like animal flesh in texture and flavour I shy away. Everything I don't want to put in my mouth. Off putting. To say the least.

So I've been hesistant to try this Jeezly cheese. But with the due date coming up I tentatively tried it the other day.

And loved it! Fresh both in smell and texture, easy to use the cheese slicer on. The flavour reminds me of a very mild Edamer. Perfect for my tastebuds. If you want a strong taste cheese perhaps this is not your vegan cheese, but you can always spice it up yourself.

And the have vegan Cheesly too in different flavours. I'll try that next time. 

I'm so happy I've found such a great vegan cheese! Now it's just a matter of finding a decent vegan butter (tasty AND without palm oil content) and I'm all vegan at home. Finally.

Do you have a favourite vegan cheese?

my book box

In my 3000nd blog post - indeed! - I want you to meet my box of books. 

All to be read ones. And it's still only a fraction of the to be read ones that have a room there.

I'm so glad the reading mojo is back! Something that will obviously get more room again in blog from now on.

Literary detail of the day - I was retweeted by one of my favourite authors, Arne Dahl / Jan Arnald. I can now die happy. Or at least it made my Saturday. 

Now, back to the books. And the reading.

the nobel peace prize 2014

A year ago today I (re)tweeted this, a year later it came true. I think the Nobel Peace Prize laureates of 2014 are awe inspiring and well deserving of this recognition. If more people were so brave and dedicated to important causes like these two, what a fine world we would live in.

Congratulations to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai
and may all your good work to come lead to a more peaceful, kinder world.

this is october

the one, undeniable truth about autumn is that it's certainly the most colourful of seasons. 

crisp and clear or deep and bright.

and eating in season is affordable and perfect.

even the most unattractive of train stations has a romantic, soft glow about them.

and socks in colours rock.

oh, october, you charmer you.

brewer's yeast

For as long as I can remember my mother has sworn by these brewer's yeast pills as a food supplement. Myself I've basically felt they're treats for cats (because many cats love them, if you haven't tried them on yours you really should!) and not for a pleasant human consumption. They taste foul if you happen to chew on them.

Now I've tried them for about a month anyway - alongside my fabulous friends the linseed capsules (vegan Omega3, which you really really should try, you don't have to be vegan to see they're better than fishy Omega3) and the B12 vitamins - and admittedly the have worked wonders for my nails and hair. So I guess they'll now be a regular supplement for me and the happily chewing cats.

And with sun and light sadly being scarce this time of the year it's time to give that vitamin D2 another shot. It doesn't matter how varied and good your diet is, how many raw juices with ginger you gulp down, sometimes you do need that extra to boost the immune system. Especially this time of the year.

Do you take food supplements?
Does it do wonders for your general well-being?

night film and other books

Only a couple of weeks later it's time for another heap of books to get their short review - I'm certainly back on my reading track for sure!

Just like the last time it's a mixed bunch of recently read and not so recent. And I'll rate them from 5 (best) to 1 (worst). Here goes.



The tiny wife and All my friends are super-heroes by Andrew Kaufman 4/5 both

Bought and read this tiny book back in 2011. It was a lovely, quirky, ingenious quick read which I loved. Even if it didn't give my reading mojo back it was a book I read from start to end within a few days. Highly recommended read! And so is another book of his "All my friends are superheroes" which I quickly finished and enjoyed while finding myself very unexpectedly in hospital back in 2012. Looking forward to reading more of his works!

We bought a zoo by Benjamin Mee 3/5

A true story about and by the owner of Dartmoor Zoo, Benjamin Mee and his family. Bought and read the book back in 2009 it was certainly an interesting, unusual and moving read. It was also upsetting and heartbreaking given how the animals were treated in the then zoo. If the book is anything to go by it's a better place today, but still my views on zoos are not of the benevolent kind. I'm really not sure the conservation part of zoos in general make up for all the heartache, sorrow, pain and death wild animals have to endure all over the world in captivity within zoos.

Remember the annual senseless slaughters and capturing of dolphins in Taiji, Japan? The horrific murder of poor giraffe Marius in Copenhagen, Denmark? Keep in mind that this happens all the time, all over the world just because stupid humans keep bringing their kids to zoos where wild animals are kept in unnatural, poor conditions for entertainment. It breaks my heart.

Also, the book could do with a decent proof-reading.

Espresso Tales and Love over Scotland by Alexander McCall Smith 4/5

The 2nd and 3rd book in the 44 Scotland Street series, not as great as the Sunday Philosophy Club-series (one of my favourite books/series!) but still good reads. Also bought and read 2009-10. Clever, entertaining and easy to get through, with thoughtful and wise passages all through the books. I have a couple of more books in the series in my to read heap. Which I'll hopefully get to some time soon, at this reading rate.

L'Échappée belle by Anna Gavalda 3/5

Gavalda is one of my favourite authors - read my previous views on Hunting and Gathering, Someone I Loved, I wish someone was waiting for me somewhere and The Consolation Match - her writing is exquisite and modern, clever, intellectual and most always with a high recognition factor.

This one was a short novel, an easy read I picked up last summer. One of those few books I've been able to get through since 2010. It was a nice read, not as good as her previous books but worth a read.



A tiny bit marvellous by Dawn French 1/5

I picked this up a thrift store and I thoughtit would be a light and entertaining read. After 50+ pages I gave up. Super-annoying characters and a story that never took off. It's now in the heap of books to send on a Book-crossing journey. Perhaps someone else will enjoy it.



Dead clever by Scarlett Thomas 2/5

Another book from 2009. One of Thomas' early books this is really not at all as fantastic as her PopCo or The End of Mr Y, both of which I adore. A simple story, easy read suspense novel which could do with being shortened down a few chapters. Perhaps I will read another Lily Pascale-mystery book some day. It certainly isn't a top priority notion though.

I am however looking forward very much to another three pair of books of hers soon to arrive in a book parcel for me. And I already have her "Going out" which I'll start reading soon.



Night film by Marisha Pessl 5/5

I finished this brick novel within a reasonable time-span, hooray! And it's a stunning (suspense) novel! Perhaps not quite in the same way as Special Topics in Calamity Physics, but still very well researched and built this clever suspense novel sent many chills down my spine and to be honest I didn't dare turn out the lights to sleep after reading it in the evenings. So in the end I had to read it during daylight and not in the bedroom. It gripped me from the first page and 590 pages later I can safely say it's one of the best thrillers I've ever read. Although, possibly too many question marks remain once one reach the end. But it makes you think about the fact that all is not what it seems. Or is it?

I was disappointed that the Nightfilm smartphone app didn't work though. That would have added and extra touch of smart to the reading experience.

What's the best book you've read recently?

cultivate resilience

I recently read about the notion of cultivating your resilience. If you do, it's easier to bounce back after setbacks, both major and minor, on a personal as well as professional level. And I have to say I agree about that a gazillion %.

I'm glad that it's something that *touch wood* have come fairly easy for me over the years, I've just not always known the word for it or really grasped the feeling of "everything is going to be alright"ness even at the darkest of times for resiliance.

Cultivating resilience doesn't mean I never get moments, longer or shorter, of doubt and despair. Both on a personal as well as universal level. And of course the Weltschmerz is always nearby, you never know when it'll appear demanding attention.

Still, resilience is such an important and soothing feature to embrace.
I hope you're good at cultivating yours?

three signs of autumn

lawnmower gargoyle has met his furry little match. 

it is high time to move into garden shed.

the clematis and green grass lingering on. 

but the orange leafs of autumn is taking over.

it is the season for oxfords. 

and little feline shoe inspectors.

world animal day ~ cinnamon bun day

October 4th is both World Animal Day and Cinnamon bun day (Kanelbullens dag) in Sweden. 

I do believe one is so much more important to make the most of. Why not begin something extra good and long-term beneficial for animals today?

• Like going vegetarian or vegan if you not already are 
• Join an animal rights organization
• Give money to good animal causes
• Offer your help at a local shelter or 
• Indeed adopt an orangutang 
• Or a pet from a shelter, in need of love and care 

Myself I've been a member of the Swedish animal rights organization 'Djurens rätt' (The Animals' Rights) since the 70ies (yup I'm that old), when their main cause was to stop vivisection. The organization's name back then was 'Nordiska Samfundet mot Plågsamma Djurförsök' (The Nordic Association against  Vivisection). It's a fantastic, inspiring, well-arguing, engaged organization whose aim is to make this world a better, kinder place for us all. I'm so proud of being a long-time member.

And yes, during the day there may have been a cinnamon bun or two being eaten too. In celebration of animals of course. And bobbaloos.