December 2009

God Jul och Gott Nytt År!

Several posts will come up soon as so much has happened! For now, though, we - Joakim, Tara, and Warren Christopher - want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

WC enjoying his toy

Here is our darling!

WC is born!

Today our son was born at Södersjukhuset in Stockholm, Sweden!

Michael Baryshnikov in Stockholm

Last week we went to see 59° North perform at the Dance Academy House in Stockholm.

Tonight we were able to get tickets to see Michael Baryshnikov - live at the Royal Theater (Dramaten) in Stockholm. It is hard to believe that we actually did see him, and that he is still full with such vigor, at the age of 61!

Here is an excerpt from his truly amazing performance of Le jeune homme et la mort.

Career plans II

Here are some other great vintage ads for Salem and Winston.

Salem softness freshens your taste:


Winston airplane ad:


A nice little tune for Winston:


Another nice little tune for Winston:


Yet another nice little tune for Winston:


A jazzy tune for Me and my Winston:


A nice little tune for Super King Size Winston - It's how you make it long!


Sponsoring the old tv-show The Beverly Hillbillies - Winston!


Beverly Hillbilly Jethro learns about Winston:

Career plans

Cross-country skiing in Dalarna

You really have to do some cross country skiing to be able to appreciate the Scandinavian heritage. We went to Orsa-Grönklitt in the central part of Sweden, in the region of Dalarna, also famous for the ski event Vasaloppet which is going on as this text is being typed.

Perfect conditions throughout the week: Fair weather (between 20 and 30 degrees F) and little or no wind, made it perfect for nice, long runs across a semi-open mountain landscape with plenty of snow and frozen lakes.
Tara, who has never before been standing on a pair of cross country skis, practiced her pedaling movement and pulling technique on the shorter tracks around the little hamlet of Grönklitt. Kim made some longer tours, and visited a secluded old farmstead in the middle of the woods. We did get some fresh snow falling during a few days but also had some clear and sunny days to enjoy the outdoors.

(On the left:) Tara is sporting her equipment at the end of the tracks, by the finish line in the center of the little community of Grönklitt.

(To the right:) Kim getting ready to go on a tour in the woods.










Below: Tara about to complete the "Junior Vasalopp" (about 200 yards long!)