SNOWED IN?
Snow and hail storms make it less enticing to spend afternoons outdoors this week = more surfing than usual. Some suggestions for those of you who can't get enough of Scandinavia:
Scandi Interiors Scandi Food (in English)
Sköna Hem SemiSwede
Hus&Hem Outside Oslo
Divaani ScandiFoodie
Bolig Magasinet
Scandi Interiors Scandi Food (in English)
Sköna Hem SemiSwede
Hus&Hem Outside Oslo
Divaani ScandiFoodie
Bolig Magasinet
UNFAITHFUL
I'm usually one to advocate loyalty, but dear Mateus, this porcelain from Gerbera can do for me what you can not: tolerate heat without cracking. I placed an order two weeks ago and am getting giddy at the thought of the pastels that will grace our table this summer. The best selection online is available at Bagaren och Kocken.
IMAGE: GERBERA.NU
MY BUNS
This is belated visual proof that we did not forget to stay true to the tradition of eating semla this year, even though we had to make it ourselves. A semla is a delight, though I must say I wasn't pleased with the recipe for the buns and hence no recipe was published here. In other words: to be continued...
WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE?
Sometimes we are asked how long we'll stay in this small town, assuming it's a town we'd want to get away from. Our answer? As long as we possibly can! This photo was taken on the 28th of January.
IMAGE: STEPHEN WORRALL
BLUE DREAMS
IMAGE: LÄNNA MÖBLER WEBSHOP
DOLLING IT UP
Time to kill indoors? How about the Swedish Crown princess and her husband Prince Daniel as paper dolls, complete with several outfits, by illustrator Lotta Bruhn? Available as free download at Lotta's webpage. We're waiting for the update featuring the newbord heir: princess Estelle...
IMAGE: LOTTA BRUHN, USED WITH PERMISSION
DIRRRRRRTY
As the sun returns so does the visibility of winter dirt and dust on windows, shelves and buildings. In a land of ice, there is an enourmous effort to distribute sand and salt so that cars and people travel safely. And so the cycle continues until spring: new snow, new ice, new sand, new salt, new snow, new ice etc. A layer cake of dirt that eventually gets dragged inside. Hey, I just came up with the lamest joke ever: If Dustin Hoffman ever needs a new job, he can be our Dust-It Off-Man.
DREAMING OF FOOD
More often than not, the things you crave are the things you never knew you would miss. A wide selection of Swedish knäckebröd (crisp bread) is one of those things for me. Apparently the mere availability isn't enough, it's variety that counts! I can "only" find about seven flavours from one brand only and as it turns out, that is much too few. This one has me drooling at the thought: sourdough crisp bread from Leksands knäckebröd. Mmmmm.
IMAGE: LEKSANDS.SE
SATURDAY SHOPPING?
Inreda.com is remodeling their warehouse and offers 20% on everything in stock in addition to free shipping within Sweden. Offer valid Saturday 25th - Monday 27th of February 2012.
GREEN THUMBS UP
Whenever I long for garden-related inspiration I turn to Slottsträdgården Ulriksdal. I always come away from the experience feeling elated. The colours, the scents, the flowers, the flavours, the surroundings, the seasons and the contagious enthusiasm of the staff make for a great getaway from everyday conundrums.
I am amazed at their ability to stay relevant and inspirational through the whole year. Even their winter inspirations are beyond the naked and stark, and instead lush and bountiful. The secret must be remarkable professional creativity, combined with passion and enthusiasm for one's work. (This team even includes 2 cats!)
Though nothing satisfies all senses better than an actual visit, (don't miss the mouthwatering vegetarian
gardencafé), their facebook galleries provide generous glimpses of the beautiful products, displays, surroundings and other offers.
gardencafé), their facebook galleries provide generous glimpses of the beautiful products, displays, surroundings and other offers.
The place: Slottsträdgårdsvägen 8, Solna, Sweden
The cookbook: Vegetariskt
The events: Courses & Classes etc.
The gardener: Bo Rappne on TV4
IMAGES: SLOTTSTRÄDGÅRDEN ULRIKSDAL, USED WITH PERMISSION
CARRY ON
I am curious about the sturdiness of this basket. If it's solid and smooth it goes straight to the top of the wish list for this family. What a pretty alternative to all the rattan and plastic baskets available. I see it holding the rolled up sheepskin and reindeerskins during the summer season, when they're not in use. Or the picnic blankets, or christmas gifts next to the tree, or the empty plastic bottles to be recycled... Förvaringskorg from Åhléns.
IMAGE: ÅHLÈNS.SE
TAKE ME TO BED 2
Is it a new trend we are spotting here? Last month we blogged about Åhléns' bed linen Abisko, and it looks as if Himla follows suit with striped bed linen named Rindö. The calm palette will compliment Scandinavian bedreooms perfectly.
IMAGE: LÄNNA MÖBLER WEBSHOP
A CLEAN KILL
Take a good look at this. It looks so innocent. White. Pure. Clean. Winter break paradise. But too much of a good thing, you know... Avalanches are rumbling here in the north. Two men died last Saturday on the island just opposite ours while skiing.
PS. If you think this is a not-so-subtle hint to my husband who wants to go off-pist skiing, you're spot on.
MEET A NEW FRIEND
Elias - den lille redningsskøyta is a Norwegian book character that captured our hearts the moment we met him. Since we live in the same region as Elias and his friends, the visuals and stories echo our surroundings (boats, snow capped mountains and cheeky sea gulls), which of course add to its appeal. As a result we've accumulated quite the collection of toys, plates, puzzles, lunchbox etc.
Elias was 3D-animated into a 39-episode TV series in 2005-2007. Two films have also been released (watch trailer 1 or trailer 2), along with soundtracks that became instant favourites with our son. If you're looking for a Norway-related gift for a child, anything with Elias is what you are looking for. Merchandise is available in most DVD and toy stores in Norway and Sweden.
IMAGE: 3TIL7.KLIKK.NO
GET OUT!
Today is the first day of Winter break in many parts of Norway. This image is from Finse, on the Bergen railway, and was captured many decades ago.
IMAGE: RIKSARKIVET/NATIONAL ARCHIVE OF NORWAY
BLACK GEMS
Professor Ingegerd Råman is a well known glass and ceramics artist and designer employed by Orrefors of Sweden. Her work features graphic simplicity but is never onedimensional in its expression. Her objects often retains tactile and structured qualities despite a streamlined design. The limited edition Bon Bon collection is a celebration of her 10 years at Orrefors. I see a few well chosen cut flowers or small branches in one of these black gems to celebrate the coming spring.
IMAGE: ORREFORS.SE
MERRY BERRY
TAKE MY HEART
I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day. I find it a little disheartening that we are quicker to import American traditions than we are to carry on those of our grandparents. That said, I don't mind showing the world a little extra love on a gray mundane Tuesday in February. The perfect gift to a loved one? This heart from Skultuna, available in brass or silver finish, and in two sizes.
IMAGE: SKULTUNA WEBSHOP, ALTERED BY SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS
FEBRUARY PLAYLIST
IMAGES: ITUNES.APPLE.COM
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