Ingredients at home: Cod & Moose
Possible recipes:
Moose steak with honey & lingonberry (Rikard Näslin).
Moose roast beef with fancy on the side (Mat och Vänner). That's stretching justicia poética, I know.
Cod with horse radish and green apples (Mat och Vänner).
Cod tournedos with crayfish & horse radish (Fredrik Eriksson).
Needed: rocket fuel to stay awake past noon.
How trashy is it to eat frozen pizza on New Year's Eve? Just curious.
PUT IT OUT IN STYLE
The last couple of years fire extinguishers have been made to fit the Scandinavian white homes, and I for one applaud the effort. The likelihood that this one will be stuffed in a closet is smaller than that for its bright red siblings.
A great hostessgift on New Year's Eve, or to new homeowners or your childrens' families. If they already own one, place the old one in the garage. Available at Ica Maxi Hem & Fritid (199 SEK).
IMAGE: ICA MAXI WEBSHOP
NOTE TO SELF
Next year, stock up on paper napkins before the holidays. We went through our single package in no time during our 4 days of Christmas, even though we used fabric ones as well.
LET'S GET THINGS CLEAR
IMAGE: LÄNNA MÖBLER WEBSHOP
LET THE LOOTINGS BEGIN
Yet another reason to have a Scandinavian tree robbing party a.k.a julgransplundring for your neighbours instead of a pre-christmas mingle: post christmas all treats are on sale.
Stock up like the French: en masse.
Stock up like the French: en masse.
O SUN WHERE ART THOU
No, we're not depressed by the polar night yet, but it's sure difficult to wake up- and stay awake when this is the constant of a day's 24 hours. Every day the 4-year old wakes up and shouts: Is it morning? Because if we didn't tell him, how else would he know?
IMAGE: THE ARCTIC CATHEDRAL, TROMSÖ, BY TOM VOOGHT VIA FLICKR
NO NEED TO ARGUE
Since I'm an herbal tea drinker of extraordinary proportions, I usually have a tea mug, ehm, make that a few forgotten tea mugs, placed around the house. Since this has been the season of insane colds my husband has taken to hot honey and ginger concoctions, resulting in a frequent " is this yours or mine" interrogations as we find white mugs around the house. This year I'll add a pink one to our Swedish Grace accumulations that will be all mine.
IMAGE: RÖRSTRAND
PLAN AHEAD
This price is unbeatable: 13 SEK (about 1,75 USD) each on sale. Stock up with one for each window of your house/office/church/school etc (don't forget to grab a bunch of extra bulbs on sale). Adventsstake Ola available in white and red at Jula.
With prices this low I'd get one each for your kids, students, young women groups, etc. Let them decorate them as part of a christmas party or after school activity and take home for their own rooms. Very popular. Very easy to supervise. Very good.
With prices this low I'd get one each for your kids, students, young women groups, etc. Let them decorate them as part of a christmas party or after school activity and take home for their own rooms. Very popular. Very easy to supervise. Very good.
IMAGE: JULA WEBSHOP
CUTE LOOTERS
Julgransplundring, the mere fact that there isn't an English word for it says something about it's global popularity. Looting the tree for goodies and then throwing it out, by way of dancing around it, has been a Swedish tradition since at least the 17th century. The tradition remains strong with tree robbing festivities all over the country mid-January.
A christmas party after christmas? Wait, think about it. Kid-friendly, relaxed, the decorations already in place, no gift exchange needed and last but not least: budget-friendly.
The basics are easy: sweet treats for the children and some dancing.
The advanced curriculum involves some additional food, party games and smashing (and eating) gingerbread houses.
The museum of Swedish cultural history has published 5 pamphlets with traditional songs for the occasion. Simple notation and dance instructions (in Swedish) are included. Available as free pdf documents HERE. Or "cheat" with this playlist on Youtube.
If you are less inclined to join in such follies, resort ro reading about Pippi Longstocking's treelooting party.
IMAGE: PHOTO BY GUSTAV ANDERSSON, FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF JÖNKÖPINGS LÄNS MUSEUM
COOKING UP A STORM
Yes, we've been through this before. It's a want, not a need per se. But dear husband, I would argue that I've improved in the kitchen the past 7 years (remember the exploded egg whilst engaged?) and great cookbooks have helped along the way. Perhaps we can consider these course literature?
Per Morberg, I'll admit it, his mannerisms disgusted me at first but now I'm a big fan. The Eisenman sisters have written a party food bible and it's been on my wishlist since it was released. Annas Mat is my all time number one cookbook, but the re-revisions and new editions annoy me. Some recipes are found in quite a few of her cookbooks. It makes me feel as though I'm paying for some chapters more than once. If this is the final version (with new recipes) I want it. Otherwise I'll stick with the ones I already own.
Preview of the books available at Adlibris, see links.
IMAGE: ADLIBRIS WEBSHOP
AF SWEDALA
One of the newcomers on the Swedish design market is af Swedala who combine folklore inspirations with an urban colour palette into family friendly home goods. I found them while hunting for new sheets, but their sizes didn't fit our bed. Instead, I fell in love with their beautifully wrapped soaps. Bonus points for the complimentary shipping (within Sweden) in their webshop.
View their latest catalogue here, but be warned, it may convince you (as it did me) that you've always wanted to live in a renovated barn, surrounded by children and great lamps.
IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE BY PATRIK HAGBORG, USED WITH PERMISSION
PICKERS CHOOSERS
New year's eve dinner is drawing closer. I'm still trying to find the right addition to my clear, sand and gray Kivis (1,3,4). I'm pretty confident about adding pomerans (2), but feel strangely drawn to the purple one (5) as well. All suggestions or opinions welcome, or I might spend the whole weekend watching that belans video over and over again.
IMAGE: IITTALA WEBSHOP
IMAGE: IITTALA WEBSHOP
HEARTFELT
IMAGE: PUR NORSK
OLD SCHOOL
It's been more than a decade since we celebrated the arrival of the new millennium. Unbelievable. Today I penciled in the first notes and appointments for 2013 in my new day planner. Yup, I'm old school like that. The planning has yet not been digitilized in this household.
IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE BOOKBINDERS DESIGN
RADIO: VINTER
Today is the first of eight programs called Vinter, a winter version of the popular radioformat Sommar, where an invited guest fills an hour of music and monologue. The programs are available online for 30 days and are then archived as podcasts for free downloads. (In Swedish only)
OH GOLDEN BAUM
IMAGE: ILUMS BOLIGHUS
GOOD MORNING!
An early christmas gift from my parents was this wake up light from Philips and it's revolutionized my winter mornings. Instead of twitching abruptly at the alarm signal, I am gently awakened by an (artificial) sunrise. Anyone who dislikes the darkness of winter mornings wants this gadget for christmas.
IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE PHILIPS
GUEST POSTING
A FAMILY TREET
Our christmas tree has been in the house about a week now. I know, I know, it was too soon, but it has been wonderful to turn on its lights these dark and chilly midwinter mornings.
IMAGE: PHOTOGRAPHER CHRISTIAN HANSEN, PERSPEKTIVET MUSEUM, TROMS
SAY CHEESE!
Swedish hard cheeses are exported even to Guide Michelin restaurants in France, and is one of the few foods I truly miss. What I don't miss is the sticky plastic bags and cyran wraps every morning as you prepare breakfast. Someone at Sagaform must have been equally fed up and voilá: a simple design in oak and acrylic. Thank you.
IMAGE: SAGAFORM VIA TOREBRINGS
EVERY HOME A COTTAGE
If you enjoy Scandinavian casual country style you'll love Norwegian retail company Home & Cottage. For wonderful early advent and winter inspiration have a peek at their latest catalogue.
IMAGE: HOME&COTTAGE
MAYBE MAYA
IMAGE: LÄNNA MÖBLER
OH LITTLE TOWN OF GINGERBREAD
This is a great alternative for those who feel that the making of a gingerbread house requires too much parental supervision. Bake cookies and let the kiddies loose with bags of frosting, candy and streusel. Lay flat on a big platter or make a little cottage by attaching to gingerbread bases with melted sugar after kids have gone to bed. Pepparkaksformar City from ICA MAXI.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE ICA MAXI WEB SHOP
WET YOUR APP-ETITE
Two great (free) apps to guide you through the flavours of Swedish christmas foods (in Swedish):
Create your Swedish christmas menu at Scan.
A wonderful looking cookbook and audio guide at Milda (though I'm a paper and pen kinda gal myself so I ordered a free printed copy here).
IMAGE: PRESS IMAGES HKSCAN
SERIOUS OFF-SEASON POTENTIAL
This is the best non-designer/high street brand adventsstake this year. You need to see beyond this boring image by imagining some moss, pinecones, florals or tiny toadstools. Would look equally great in a country setting and an urban home.The beauty of this one is that it can be filled with oasis and used during the rest of the year as centerpiece, something few christmas items can pull off...
Half price off in the webshop right now.
IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE HEMTEX
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
The gingerbread dough is in the fridge, a big pile of candy chosen by the 4 year old in the cupboard. His participation would certainly be enhanced if he didn't have to wrestle with his mom's rolling pin every time he bakes. This one is from Leilas general store.
IMAGE: LEILAS GENERAL STORE, WEBSHOP
VÄLKOMMEN DU GODA MED LJUSET HIT
Any concert with Helen Sjöholm and Benny Andersson is a wouldn't-miss-it-for-the-world to me, and nothing beats a Lucia processional in December. THIS IS WHERE you watch it and THIS is what you eat while watching (the rap performance is a good bathroom break... no further comments).
IMAGE: LUCIA AT DANDERYDS GYMNASIUM, PHOTOS BY NIKLAS PARK
IMAGE: LUCIA AT DANDERYDS GYMNASIUM, PHOTOS BY NIKLAS PARK
GOOD THINKING
IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE HEMTEX
BEST GIFT SHOP!
Source mass produced items for the home, give them random names and sell cheap in droves. You'd think it was a sibling to IKEA, but stylewise Oscar & Clothilde is far from it. Their items lack the genuine history of antiques, but the buyers have a knack for finding the "next to best" at good prices. Free shipping (Sweden) in their webshop. Well worth a browsing, particularly if you're looking for a gift with personality to it.
Shown here: Bowl Plommon, Box Amalienborg, Cup and saucer Desaix.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGES OSCAR & CLOTHILDE
WATCH THE CEREMONIES
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FEEL LIKE BANQUETTING MUCH?
Since 1901, the Nobel Prizes have been presented to Laureates at ceremonies on the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death, the 10th of December. The official webpage of the Nobel foundation is wonderfully comprehensive, with everything from educational games to science documentaries to live webcasts of the awards.
Most commissions for the banquet, from Swedish suppliers, are available commercially as well. A bit on the pricey side for every day use, but great souvenirs for the design oriented. Beats a plastic viking helmet.
Table linen Nobel from Klässbols by Ingrid Dessau
Tableware Nobel from Rörstrand by Karin Björkqvist
Silverware Nobel from Gense by Gunnar Cyrén
Stemware Nobel from Orrefors by Gunnar Cyrén
Other ways to sample the event: Visit the Nobel Museum. Take a virtual tour of the City Hall. Enjoy the Nobel menu of previous anno at The City hall restaurant, Stadshuskällaren. Your cheat sheet to the event from Sweden.se
IMAGE: GENSE.SE
CAN'T BE NORMAL
I think it's ridiculous to be homesick, and pathetic to be nostalgic. Let's live in the here and now and dig where we stand! Unless you come from Stockholm, of course. Then we understand the agony of separation. I was there just two months ago and yet I'm feeling tugs at my heart when I see images of it. Is there a diagnosis for people like me? Can this be cured?
IMAGE: MORRI_GAN VIA FLICKR
INDISKA
Indiska has done it again. When it comes to christmas collections in the budget category, they reign supreme in 2012. I visited their newly opened store in our town yesterday and saw no less than 6 themes (Vibrant, Embellished, Romantic, Ethnic, Scandinavian, Folklore) with plenty of decorative and useful items that worked well in all of those 5 settings. A new webshop that ships to the EU and Norway opened this year and is well worth a visit. INDIA+SWEDEN=LOVE
IMAGE: INDISKA'S FACEBOOKPAGE
DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW
We have a darling little sleigh that's now on its third generation of delighted children, but if it were to give up its breath this Danish version would be a fancy replacement. Available from Inreda.com.
IMAGE: INREDA.COM
MOM VS. LIGHTNING MCQUEEN
Here's a little confession: we hang christmas stockings on the 25th. There's nothing remotely Scandinavian about it, but since both my husband and I have had family members "over there" who sent stockings when we were kids it's been part of our respective families' traditions. There's something about treats in small packages that are really enticing!
The knitted versions from our childhood are looking dated to say the least, and these from Svenskt Tenn look fabulous. To an adult Scandi-blogger that is. I doubt that my son will be pleased to find one of these on Christmas Day. This eyesore is more likely to spell success in our home. Sigh.
IMAGE: SVENSKT TENN
GETTING HUNGRY
Speaking of whales, I really like the taste of whale, but sadly my husband isn't as much of an enthusiast. I'm already longing for next year's barbecue season. Good thing there's plenty of whale in the area this season. If you're coming for a visit you'll know what's on the menu!
IMAGE: MAGNUS GIÄVER 1888, PERSPEKTIVET MUSEUM
HEAVY FEET
When I think of wooden clogs I always think of my aunt. During the late eighties she walked around in stonewashed jean skirts and clogs on most days I came to visit. They seemed like slippers to her.
When you live in a climate where flip flops aren't an option, clogs are the quickest alternative for when you just need to get to the mailbox, trash can, or the basement. These are from Norrgavel and have tickled my fancy, though I'm not ready to embrace the bleached denim skirts yet.
IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE NORRGAVEL
ADVENTSBARN
The best thing about approaching the 2nd Sunday in advent and Lucia is being able to unwrap these darlings. Adventsbarn by Lisa Larson.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGES, TOREBRINGS
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGES, TOREBRINGS
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