KADETVADUSADETVADETVA?

Six medical students at the University in Tromsø wanted a product to sell at christmas markets in order to pay for a gourmet dinner at a fancy restaurant. Eleven years later they have a small collection available in their web shop. T-shirts and aprons with idioms and expressions from Northern Norway, a fun gift for anyone from the region or an affinity for the area.  Visit Hæx to see more. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE HÆX WEBSHOP 

SOUNDTRACK FOR CLEANING HOUSE

Today is the day we've earmarked for our christmas cleaning, and after that, the game is on! What used to be a housewife's lengthy list of chores from October to December, we will attempt to accomplish in a weekend and a day. Ehem.

In the sidebar to the right is a christmas cleaning compilation on Spotify that I hope contain a few new favourites that haven't already been played to pieces in your earbuds.

3 x NORWEGIAN CHRISTMAS MUSIC

   

New secular winter songs performed on Di første jul by Tone Damli. Beautiful choral arrangements of sacred Norwegian christmas classics performed by Skruk on Stille natt. 

If you are looking for a CD to send as a gift around the world, this is it: the double disc Desemberstemninger  with Ole Edvard Antonsen and his impressive list of guest appearances. It includes enough Norwegian classics to make it a Scandinavian gift, but enough well known carols and standards for it to be a welcome gift in non-Norwegian homes as well.  

IMAGES: COVER IMAGES FROM ITUNES

SNOW AT LAST!

By Rådhusparken in Tromsø, captured around 1930.
IMAGE: CHRISTIAN HANSEN, FROM THE ARCHIVES OF PERSPEKTIVET MUSEUM, VIA FLICKR

A BLUE YULE

Tea cup Ostindia Floris by Rörstrand, Candle holder Ilse by Georg Jensen, Bowl Oyster by Mateus, Night stand Hemnes by IKEA, Tea light holders Kivi Frost by Iittala, Silverware Focus de luxe by Gense, Kartio glass by Iittala, Christmas tree decorations Vintermys by IKEA, Brass Vase by Klong, Platter by Mateus, Table linen by HM Home, Christmas tree Fejka by IKEA, Basket Gaddis by IKEA, Wooden monkey by Kaj Bojesen, Linen pillow by Svenskt Tenn. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT/PRESS IMAGES FISKARS, MATEUS, GEORG JENSEN, IITTALA, GENSE, IKEA, HM HOME, SVENSKT TENN, KAJ BOJESEN, KLONG

DAWN IN STOCKHOLM

Gryning över Riddarfjärden by Prince Eugen 1899.
IMAGE: Eugène Jansson [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

INDECISIVE

As our loyal readers know, I've been contemplating forest green glassware but this image has me second guessing myself. A mix of cool shades. Hmmm. Pretty glasses from Eva Solo available from designonline among others. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE DESIGNONLINE.SE

A RECEIVING HEART

It is labelled as a candle tray, but I'm considering gifting this iron heart from Bruka Design as a catch all for keys etc. There seems to be a never ending supply of little rocks, nails, paper clips and rubber bands in our children's pockets. Something sturdy might be appreciated in a family of six. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE BRUKA DESIGN, USED WITH PERMISSION

VÄLKOMMEN DU GODA

Read about Lucia in Sweden here, be inspired by my Lucia board on Pinterest, or watch it on SVT Play, available until the 13th of January 2015.
IMAGE: CECILIA LARSSON/imagebank.sweden.se

LUNA FOR LUCIA

Anders Nørgaard has designed candle holder Luna for Applicata in oak and brass or iron, and it's a brilliant hommage to Scandinavian advent and Lucia traditions. The candle holders can be placed around the tray as you wish, making its functionality last beyond the holiday season. Brilliant.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE APPLICATA 

MADE THE LIST

A nice surprise from IKEA is flower pot Pekannöt.  I love it when IKEA steps away from their generic white glaze. A great fit for both rustic and modern interiors. Added to my shopping list as of today.  

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE IKEA

EMBROIDERY ON THE EDGE

Another great pattern from Korsstygnsbolaget. Original pattern from 1850. Enjoy! 

IMAGE: KORSSTYGNSBOLAGET; USED WITH PERMISSION

A NOBEL NIGHT

Tonight is the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony and Banquet at the City hall of Stockholm. Read all about it here and find more links here.
IMAGE: By Holger.Ellgaard (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

MY CHRISTMAS

I was entertaining the idea of setting up a christmas table and show you our christmas. Lucky for me, a press image for Rörstrand does just that, down to the wrinkled table cloth. Someone over at Rörstrand sure has great taste... 

This is Christmas at our house: Unironed white linen as table cloth, semipolished and mismatched silverware, Swedish grace in white by Rörstrand, gray and brown glass bowls and votive holders, red apples, green branches, and candy jars. God jul!

IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE RÖRSTRAND VIA WWW.MICKSON.COM

KITCHEN ASSEMBLY LINE

         

Every day comes with a new request in the inbox: "Can your family please bring something for the christmas party/potluck/julebord/teacher appreciation/church concert/lucia breakfast..." 

These are times when you need simple recipes for crowd pleasers, made assembly line style in baking sheets, and are easy to transport. The painstakingly decorated cupcakes aren't from my kitchen this year. Or any year! It's the season for simplified versions of christmas flavours and foods. Click on the covers to sample recipes from three Swedish cookbooks that I turn to for suggestions. 

IMAGES:LIBRIS, NORSTEDTS, TANUM 

GETTING TRASHED

We need more storage space for recycling. The amount of paper and plastics we use around food items for that christmas meal alone is sickening. Knodd from IKEA is available in 2 sizes and is pretty enough to be permitted outside your garage and sit outside the kitchen for speedier sorting during holiday get togethers. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE IKEA 

CHRISTMAS MARKET IN GAMLA STAN

Christmas market at Stortorget (the Main Square) in the Old Town in Stockholm around 1937. The market is still in full swing every December.
IMAGE: SWEDISH NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD VIA FLICKR

MIND YOUR STUMPS

My mother fell in love with the design and concept of Stumpastaken many years ago. A large slab of  cast metal that allows every candle or tea light to burn until the lights, literally, go out. The different heights of the flames make for a pretty centrepiece during chilly game nights. I'm in the mood for grilled marshmallows. Do you think it would work as a portable camp fire?

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE MILJÖGÅRDEN WEBSHOP

PAPER FLOWERS

The one flower I haven't gotten around to buying yet is amaryllis. And oh, how I miss it. Pictured here is a beautiful botanical illustration from The Graphics Fairy. Available for free in pdf. format to print as instant christmas art for your home. A brilliant idea. 

IMAGE: THE GRAPHICS FAIRY