WCB - LBC Strikes Again

Hallo there, LBC Viola here! Since I'm being quite true to myself and my purpose - discover and conquer - the undersigned photographer finds it a teensy-weensy bit difficult to capture me as well with the camera as it used to be.

So even if I'm quite perfect in every single black shiny female way I hardly ever stick around at one place long enough to give any photographical pawprint other than the very blurry one.

However keeping one close eye on the garden the other day, that petulant person P got a semi-decent picture of me. Yes I am quite striking, if I may say so myself. So striking that I have already influenced the artsy world, and soon will be made into jewellery. It is rather pleasant to know ones importance and purpose in life, don't you think?

Ice Latte, Please

I've said it before, I keep repeating myself over and over, yes I know, but it is worth repeating, that IMHO, the greatest ice latte is to be had at Baresso in Copenhagen. Really. So by the time you read this, I will most probably had my sip of ice latte heaven, my (non) daily (over) dose of caffeine and then some... Slurp.

On The Road Again

Getting ready for a couple of weeks' trip, the house-cat-loaf doggie-sitters are all prepared, the suitcase is *nearly* packed - on the one hand I aim to narrow down on the outfits, on the other hand it is of course sheer catastrophy (see, I'm all about perspective...) if one lacks the odd garment or two, when it's not possible to do any washing up when away - I think I'm pretty much in control of the situation. Um...

Even if I'm away, things will still hopefully as if by magic appear here in my little part of the blogosphere. I will probably be out of internet reach for most of the time, which is going to be rather nice, I think, hope, adamantly trying to convince myself of... Oh, but I hope, know, we're going to have a great few weeks, as usual, at some of my favourite travel destinations. Relax, experience, wind down, re-charge batteries... So, until my return upon Stockholmian soil -

~ Toodle-oo! ~

One Way Of Singin' In The Rain

Remember all those cute pendants from primoriginals? Here's what became of the one who was singin' in the rain. And since I'm very, very partial to singing in the rain, in many forms and for many reasons, it's a sure keeper for undersigned self.

Summer Day Stockholm - In Black and White

What must be quite apparent by now is that I'm no black-white gal. In general. But there are times when life, answers, opinions are just plain black or white. Yes, mostly, maybe, perhaps, there is a scale of grey, but still sometimes right or wrong are as simple as black and white.

So what was yesterday colours, is today still Stockholm, still summer, but now showing her versatility dressed in black-white -

Summer Day Stockholm - In Colours

And how was your day?

More Swedish Books

Having *a slight case* of backlog on books I'd like to write a bit about, I thought I might as well jam a few Swedish ones into one post. One of them was actually quite a huge disappointment, both story- as well as writing-wise, since it was written by one of my favourite writers. The story showed so much promise, as usual, the first chapter too. But then it just turned in to a predictable, very less than well-written and composed mismash pulpfiction novelette. I have absolutely no idea why, since both her previous books are so. very. Very. Good. Name of the book then, Kleopatras kam - "Cleopatra's Comb" by Maria Ernestam

Having now aired my literary disappointment, I'm moving on to far more pleasurable reads. First out being the third book by the multi-talented Mark Levengood - partner with Jonas Gardell, who is also a talented writer and stand-up-comedian - Sucka mitt hjärta men brist dock ej - "Sigh my heart tho burst not". These two guys have a rather different style in writing, Gardell is more blunt, crude head-on, whilst Levengood has a very appealing both gentle and shrewd sense of wistful humour running through when he talks as well when he writes.

His two previous books he co-wrote with another writer, both highly entertaining laugh-until-you-cry-kind of books jampacked with hilarious, memorable, endearing quotes from children. Perfect gifts and perfect books for all those times when you desperately need to perk yourself up - Gamla tanter lägger inte ägg ("Old ladies don't spawn") and Gud som haver barnen kär har du någon ull

This latest book of his is a collection of radioshow-scripts and newspaper/magazine columns plus lovely llustrations by Ilon Wikland, mostly known for her great illustrations of Astrid Lindgren's books. Oh yes, definitely a both laugh-out-loud as well as food-for-thought-kind of book. Do read.

Another Swedish, and awardwinning, writer who has a very distinctive, personal style to her writing - as well as a truly unusual, imaginative stories - is Barbro Lindgren. She mostly writes books for children and I remember loving her books when I read them as a child in the 70ies. And just recently I thoroughly enjoyed another one of her childrens books (first published in the late 90ies). Stunningly inventive and I must say, probably can't be completely grasped and enjoyed by a child. This is just a totally lovable childrens book for grownups, with adorable illustrations to match the words.

Vems lilla mössa flyger - "Whose little cap is flying" is the name of the book and the story revolves around Childhansels land, on the other side of the lilac hedges, and some of the main characters are a tired, old soft toydog, the Uncleteddy, the not-finished-knitted-duck, the Marble, the wistful Russian Muskrat, the rubber monkey on a bike and the crazy champagne kork who plays Hamlet's Ofelia in what can probably be concidered the best version of Hamlet ever played. Such a lovely, lovely book. And apparently this is the first in a series of three...

From A Loaf Doggie's Point Of View

Little loaf doggie met possible new friend. With matching fur. And a happy, playful, bouncy, sunny disposition. However apparently little loaf doggie is at times very grown up and responsible, a k a plain boring, when it comes to playing with other dogs.

So no matter how nicely Birk - who btw lives with the unfortunately not equally dog friendly Bamse - asked, begged and even loudly pleaded, he was put into place by one adamantly bossy loaf doggie. So instead of me trying to describe the day from a dog's point of view, I think these pictures sums the day up rather nicely. Please note those priceless expressions and poses, welcome to;

It's a dog's world -

Though suddenly, as if by magic, the wonderful, wonderful item of one squeaky toy appears! Life is good. Life is grand. Life is amazing and perfect once again.

Well, at least for the loaf doggie, others would so much have prefered other kinds of playfulness...
And finally, this is how one exhausted, all played out, loaf doggie extraordinaire looks after one busy, busy day. Things look a bit black-white and fuzzy. Do note superadorable pose though.
More pictures can as usual be found in Malte's own Flickr-album

The (In)Famous Liquorice Cousins & I

How could I resist getting these completely adorable pendants when they so very clearly are inspired by none others than my (in)famous *everywhere, anywhere, present all the time, preferably at high-velocity* liquorice cousins??

And quite obviously so very inspired by yours truly too, far too many of my quirks are depicted for things to be a coincidence... Had to have a whole bunch, even though chosing just a few was a task one can resemble only to the Nobel Prize achievements. Next task on agenda is to create something perfect and complimentary to both delightful pendants as well as high-speed, shiny black, furry models. Labour of love.

Being completely baffled, how did someone know using bicycle at odd hours was perfect pastime for miniature household panthers by the name of Waldemar?

Adorable pendants, prints and other lovely stuff can be found at primoriginals, totally enjoyable even for those not blessed with the personal irl set of depicted liquorice trolls

For Pippi Longstockingly Days

For those days when feeling quite contrary and Pippi-Longstockingly - go visit perfect horse and companion in the middle of city. Well, at least in my city we have fields and pretty horses smack middle of it all.

And yes, a TV-tower too. In other words, this lovely city really cares and has just what any slightly adverse city dweller with a soft spot for green areas, television and animals might need from time to time.