TOASTY BUNS

Scandinavian winter is more enjoyable when you aren't freezing your behind off. These bloomers (!?) are made of silk or a silk and wool blend to keep you warm. Pair with wool tights or hosiery and you can even brave the streets in a skirt. From Calida and Twilfit. Available in Twilfit stores and online.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE TWILFIT 

THREE´S A CHARM

 

Cajsa Stina Åkerström is my queen in the singer-songwriter genre. Worth a listen even if you speak no Swedish at all. Vreden och stormen. Silje Nergaard rules the jazzpop genre. Chain of Days. Ingebjørg Bratland reminds me of Cajsa Stina but with less perfectionism and more folksy vocal ornamentation. Månesinn.
IMAGE: ITUNES.COM

DECEMBER BLUES

We are entering the second week in advent and Christmas is just a few weeks away, but I am not ready for the bright reds just yet. It seems as if I keep returning to a muted blue and green colour scheme this time of year. 

Throw pillows from Åhlens, Lexington and Svenskt Tenn. Glass jar from Iittala, Coasters from Svensk Tenn, Wooden teddy from Rosendahl, Brass napkin rings from Skultuna, Tea cup from Design House Stockholm, Plant from Plantasjen, Glass vase from Lyngby Porcelæn. 

IMAGE: PRESS OR PRODUCT IMAGES FROM ÅHLENS, LEXINGTON, SVENSKT TENN, IITTALA, ROSENDAHL, SKULTUNA, DESIGN HOUSE STOCKHOLM, PLANTASJEN, LYNGBY PORSELÆN. 

THE NORTH SEA

"The North Sea in Stormy Weather. After Sunset. Højen." by Danish painter Laurits Tuxen in 1909.
IMAGE: PUBLIC DOMAIN VIA GOOGLE ART PROJECT 

LET THERE BE LIGHT

For someone who loudly laments always throwing away those few last centimeters of a candle, this is a dream come true! A ceramic burner where you place remaining bits of candles and reuse them! Genius! One small step towards a more environmental friendly christmas and winter season. Available both in an indoor and outdoor version!

This is a German product, not Scandinavian, but it immediately received GiftOfTheYear status for me. Read more at Vinnaljus. Available at Norrgavel.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE NORRGAVEL 

WISH UPON A STAR

Some christmas wishes are extravagant and some are plain and cheap. This is the latter kind, but on my most wanted list all the same. Pot pads a.k.a protective mats in felt to pare stacked pots and pans from abrasion and noise. Available at Ica Hemma.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE ICA HEMMA

OCTOBER PLAYLIST

Listen to our October playlist on Spotify. You find it in the sidebar to the right, or just click here.

IF YOU HAVE IT - USE IT

Photo of the Women's Association in the Norwegian Conservative Party of Tromsø in 1930. Women had been eligible to vote as equals to men in 1913 after thirty years of suffrage.

"That we have the vote means nothing. That we use it in the right way means everything."
 Lou Henry Hoover

IMAGE: PERSPEKTIVET MUSEUM, TROMSØ

OCTOBER

Yellow throw pillow from Åhlens, moss green pillow Svenskt Tenn, Plate from Rorstrand, Vase Iittala, Wooden bowls IKEA, Stuffed animal IKEA, Crassula plant IKEA.
IMAGES: PRODUCT IMAGES ÅHLENS, SVENSKT TENN, DESIGNONLINE, IKEA

SWEDISH MEATBALLS Á LA IKEA

There are probably as many recipes for Swedish meatballs as there are Swedes. I usually free style mine with ground beef, garlic, paprika, some cut oats and a dash of cream.

This weekend I am trying out the IKEA recipe that is taking over the world. I live 17 minutes away from IKEA, so it makes little sense, but who doesn't prefer homemade?

MEATBALLS:
250 gm minced beef
250 gm minced pork
1 egg
200 ml cream and water
2,5 tbs onion, finely chopped
50 ml unsweetened rusk flour (or breadcrumbs)
2 potatoes, boiled and cold
4-5 tbs butter or margarine
salt
white pepper
allspice

CREAM SAUCE:
100 ml cream (half and half)
200 ml water or beef stock
chinese soy sauce
1 tbs white flour
salt
white pepper

If you want a step-by-step instead of a ingredient list, check out the excellent instructions from I am a food blog at IKEA Swedish meatball recipe.

I LOVE MY HOMETOWN

I miss hurrying along the winding cobbled streets of Old Town in fall.
IMAGE:  OLD TOWN BY SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS

ITCHING TO STITCH

Korsstygnsbolaget gathers and publishes old embroidery patterns. I've been on the look out for a pattern that could be used on holiday pillows, and this is the latest candidate. I might need to change the colours to make it a better fit in our home but it's too bad because I quite like the folkloristic use of yellow, red and pastels in this one.
IMAGE: KORSSTYGNSBOLAGET, USED WITH PERMISSION 

POT LUCK

Few objects can blend well in a range of interior design styles and time periods, When I'm lucky enough to find one that would look great in rustic, classic and modern settings it goes straight to my wish list as well as my secret gift-list. This new favorite might host a small skinny fir tree this winter, then flowering bulbs in spring, and herbs during summer.

Ceramic urn in three sizes by Ernst Kirchsteiger available from Åhlens, Inreda.com, royaldesign.no and many other retailers.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE INREDA.COM 

SEASONAL DISORDER

It's been an unusually warm fall. Oslo is enjoying a warm sunny day, the boys are outisde wearing t-shirts and shorts. You'd think it was the start of summer rather than beginning of winter. But rest assured, it'll be by our doorsteps before we know it.
IMAGE: Carl Larsson [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

WELCOME BACK FRIENDS

It's been a while.
It's nice to be back.

The world is still reeling from armed conflicts, civil wars, global warming and gloomy post-election prospects.

But informed opinions, commitment to aid initiatives and Christmas blogging are not mutually exclusive, so here we are.

Let me know what you want more of in this, our 6th (!) year.

SWEDEN THROUGH A LENS

I am enchanted by Anders Mohlins photographs! Mohlin works for the Swedish Public Service Broadcaster SVT, but it is his private photos that manage to capture "my Sweden" the way I see it before my inner eyes. He offers glimpses of the rural countryside, the urban capital, and small towns. Browse the public albums to see more, or if you're Swedish, go directly to the album Summer for a nice dose of homesickness.
IMAGE: TORVSÄTTER NOVEMBER 2011 BY ANDERS MOHLIN, VIA FLICKR, CC SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

FINALLY!

Smoke detectors are not optional in Scandinavia, they are legally required. Life savers, but eye sores all the same. Until now! What took everyone so long? 

Harry Koskinen of Block lamp fame, has designed a great looking smoke detector available in  5 colours from Jalo Helsinki. In Sweden you can get it at Hemtex, but expect it to pop up in a store near you soon! 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE HEMTEX 

MY KIND OF RETRO

Petite tray with floral motif from the guest chambers of the Gripsholm castle. I bet you know someone who'd love this as a Christmas gift. Me, for instance.

Available at Kungliga Slottsboden in Stockholm.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE KUNGLIGA SLOTTSBODEN 

TENN LYS

Yesterday morning when I turned on the TV, I learned the news about the attacks in Paris last night. I have to admit, Christmas blogging feels petty and self absorbed. Attacks on civilans, a full blown refugee crisis, and an escalating hostility in Europe, and here sit I, blogging about dinnerware, music and gifts.

At the same time I feel as if it compels me to continue. Because if we keep changing our lives out of fear, fear being the purpose of such attacks, then we have admitted defeat. Yet, that sort of shallow defiance makes little difference to those who suffer now.

I will celebrate Christmas, and I will make sure that I make it an inclusive one, extending friendship beyond my present comfort zone. I will celebrate a simpler Christmas, donate more and spend more time involved with charity. I will sing, I will pray, I will light candles for a season of peace.

Better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.

AND SO IT BEGINS

This is the first weekend after Allhelgona, and my christmas preparations can officially kick off. No, I will not pop the julmust bottles, or turn to a christmas playlist. It is too soon to actually celebrate christmas. This weekend is dedicated to replacing old lampshades, reorganising bedrooms, and purchasing new lighting for the living room. We've stocked up on fire wood, and it's time to restock on candles, tea lights and greenery. Even the boys are looking forward to it since they get to bring home a small (fake) tree that will be theirs to decorate come December.

Europe and the Middle East are facing a troublesome winter, reminding us that decorations, toys, gadgets and most things are nothing, but making memories with family is everything.
IMAGE: DANISH CHRISTMAS PHOTOGRAPHED BY SVEN TURK, THE ROYAL LIBRARY OF DENMARK