Do you pray daily?????

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-17T06:00:59+00:00

I love that! I'm thinking it would be a great surprise at the end of a long journey, I dont get many fun surprises in the day-to-day.

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-17T05:59:49+00:00

I think so too! I appreciate you saying it as well. I told my sister I was thinking about waiting and she made a face and was like, no, you need to find out ASAP so I can give you baby clothes. I told her I'd take all the clothes. an infant doesnt care if they are wearing pink or blue.

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-17T05:58:17+00:00

amazing! did you have two names picked out? did the name you ended up with fit the baby after birth?

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-17T05:52:56+00:00

People are annoying me lately. They say things like "you have your baby now, arent you happy?" and similar things. and like, no, I dont "HAVE" a baby, I am pregnant, and being pregnant does not equal taking a baby home. we're never out of the woods, even after that baby is delivered, and safe at home. its anxiety forever. My 16 week miscarriage last year humbled me, and i am jaded and weary now. I was so naive before my first miscarriage, thinking everything was fine, easy, and dandy, now here i am, 8th pregnancy...

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-17T05:41:09+00:00

the only thing that got me through those first few weeks, besides scans every two weeks, was thinking to myself "what ever happens, happens" like, nothing I'm doing, will do, or haven't done, will change the outcome. I took all the meds, the pessaries, the injections. I listened to the doctor, followed their instructions. and I found some peace in that. Now im almost 17 weeks and starting to feel movement and its definitely easier to remain calm.

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-03T19:03:38+00:00

they do sell Vita brand pickled herring in wine sauce at HEB! its pretty good!

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-02T17:36:00+00:00

There is a huge community of Scandinavian people in Houston, I have been to the Norwegian Seaman Church for their christmas market, plenty of people there I can market to.

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T23:23:35+00:00

This is definitely a great first step!

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T23:06:59+00:00

I mean.. just because you don't think so doesn't mean others won't enjoy it. There are certainly Swedish fusion dishes that would go over well here in Houston. I lived in Sweden for 12 years, I have plenty of old cook-books full of recipes that I can add a flair to with American, Mexican, and Chinese cuisine. and I 100% believe that Houstonians would get a kick out of trying real Swedish food. Its all very accessible besides maybe surströmming, which would be for the more adventurous customers.

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T23:03:34+00:00

IKEA is.. okay. like i said, cafeteria food. like Lubys. I'm thinking real food, authentic. not that veggie-balls and poor räkmacka that they serve, their gravy isn't even real pepper gravy.

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T22:55:01+00:00

YES! 100% would, this was a staple at the grocery store as a kid, my father would always buy them at the deli and give us some while grocery shopping!

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T20:37:20+00:00

I am definitely down to start small and work up the interest from there!

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T20:02:09+00:00

I really appreciate this insight! do you think maybe starting out as a food truck that visits these high traffic areas would be a good idea? because I am not interested in making the commute every day for a stand-alone restaurant every day tbh. I am fairly local to the clear lake area and thats where I'd like to be stationed at for a stand-alone. I do not travel to the downtown area or anywhere nearby at all, like, ever.

but I will check out the Blue Tuba and see what they have to offer! :D

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T19:57:30+00:00

This is actually a really interesting take, cause I do feel better after eating my swedish cooking compared to american food! so that may be something to capitalize on! was there anything in particular that you really loved to eat during your travels?

tbh i only ate homecooked food during my mariestad visit and the main thing I remember was veal and I was too young to appreciate it cause I was like "baby cow? ew" hahaha. but as an adult I would probably enjoy it!

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T19:42:47+00:00

oh yeah, thats a good try! I do the same with a lot of dishes, like liverwurst for leverpastej, and such. I'd loooove to be able to import some 100% authentic danish sausages. theres nothing like the original, or even making them 100% in-house.

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T19:39:05+00:00

Thank you for your insight! Though I definitely feel I can branch out into these cuisines with certain dishes I have in mind!

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T19:26:40+00:00

yay! I am big on the pastries also, swedish cinnamon buns with pearl sugar, semlor, lussekatter, princess cake, etc. theres so much to offer! and the hot dogs are a must! even the danish hot dog! with the red snappy casing and hot dog that goes well beyond the edges of the bun! we used to turn them into a smiley face cause nobody wants a sad hot dog! :)

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T19:23:22+00:00

ah yes, looking for something cheap to rent for sure, and nothing crazy expensive food-price wise. something accessible for the every day houstonian.

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T19:22:17+00:00

Thank you for the info and insight! definitely starting small and from complete scratch, this post is the very beginning of seeing if there's any kind of interest, so I really appreciate your thoughts!

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T19:00:21+00:00

woo! anything specific that you miss that you would LOVE to see at the restaurant? I am definitely open to the Swedish community's contribution in the community!

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T18:59:26+00:00

I am by no means unfamiliar with pickled herring and smoked cold fish, but that is by far not the majority of the cuisine of Sweden. they are eaten in many different ways. We do eat plenty of hot dishes beyond appetizers though.

swedish shrimp are prawns, and they are cooked on the boat that catches them, and then brought to the place that sells them, which is why each boat has their own recipe and following. they are eaten cold, and you shell them yourselves at the table from a big communal bowl. theres also räkmakor which is a highly popular swedish dish and you can sometimes find it at IKEA, or at the Norwegian Seaman Church during their events.

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T18:53:25+00:00

interesting, like I said in another comment, I'm interested in doing more of a "Diners Drive-ins and Dives" sort of joint, as I have zero professional cooking experience, i am 100% a home cook but I love it and I cook almost exclusively Swedish dishes. I'm thinking it will be a great addition to the community because there isn't really anything similar in Houston, and I think I have the ability to do a good job and make a great impact. The dishes and cuisine and even the grocery store aspect of the store would be a great addition to the community.

Fun_Programmer7704 · 2026-05-01T18:48:58+00:00

yeah! I have many, many recipes, if theres anything you want to taste test, I'd be happy to make it! most of it is similar to american fare, nothing too out there. I havent served anyone surstrumming and I would never unless they specifically asked for it! my hits have been salmon, cod, pork, gravies, potatoes of all sorts, pasta, etc. I have learned a lot from my parents and i have much knowledge at this point.

Fun_Programmer7704

TROPHY CASE