austerity measures

I've got a pretty serious travel bug. And along it's sister ailments, spring and cabin fever, the travel bug is nothing to scoff at. It afflicts large swaths of the privileged first world population every day.

I've got my heart set on Sweden for Midsommar and now I've just got to raise the capital. And that's why I'm working on a plan - we won't call it a budget because though I can be quite frugal, I haven't the stomach for budgets, but there will be cutbacks including a temporary yarnfast and diy manicures. 

This may or may not have all been inspired by the Kristen Bell video that's been making its way around the interwebs. It's certainly good for a laugh but it also made me wonder when's the last time I was anywhere near that happy. Don't get me wrong I'm pretty happy - certainly happier than I was for most of my twenties. But, I couldn't help but crave that sort of happiness that may only be found in the delivery of sloth to my doorstep by Dax Shepard... Midsommar in Sweden it is.

Glada Kanelbullens Dag!

If you don't already know, I'm mighty proud of my Swedish heritage and generally enamored of all things Nordic. So, I was pleased as punch to discover that today is Sweden's national Cinnamon Bun Day. (In case you need proof). Of all the glorious things that deserve their own holiday, cinnamon buns have certainly earned their place.

http://blogs.sweden.se/expat/2011/10/04/happy-cinnamon-bun-day/

I'm suddenly having flashbacks of the lovely smells wafting through the Helsinki train station from the bakery in the basement. To be honest, I am far more familiar with Finnish cinnamon buns than the Swedish variety - but here's a recipe for Kanelbullens that looks absolutely scrumptious (note that it calls for cardamon - which is incredibly pricey here in the states but worth every penny). Oh, that I could leave work right now get baking. Alas!