Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The Castle Cat

IMG_5077

Time has come for some more glimpses of the more than friendly and adorable red tabby castle cat. A rather unusual girl cat too, since she's both an authentic tabby (agouti) and red, which for genetic reasons isn't a very common combination for feline females. Enjoy a sweetie in red ~

IMG_5051

IMG_5052

IMG_5058

IMG_5061

IMG_5082

IMG_5084

IMG_5065

More red tabby girl and her habitat can be found here and here
And my own red but far more ca(u)tious snow explorer here

Meet Muscari

IMG_5570

Yet another one of many small spring signs, meet Muscari alias grape hyacinth. I have lots of the blue ones in the garden, but until now no whites. These cuties will however not be set in soil for yet some time, as the ground is tucked under a white cover as spring has once again been setback. But I don't mind - and I suspect they don't either - as they make such a pretty picture standing proudly in the kitchen window sill.

IMG_5575

Monday, March 23, 2009

Peeping Pongo, the Latex Boy

IMG_2588

This boy of a toy is made from very durable latex, hence one loaf in fur hasn't been able to completely smash and grab the squeaker inside this latex boy wonder named Pongo (for obvious reasons) and he has now lived under this roof for over two months. With garden hose exception neither of previously received toys - shoes and boots, blue present, squeaker sandwich, hedgehog, Mr Oink, wee Hippo and some stories never told before that - have reached such a ripe ol' age with their voice or shape intact.

IMG_2590

I'm not quite certain what has kept him squeaking for this long, may it be hos over sized head, his ridiculously protruding brown nose or his blue eyeshadow or may it just be the fact that one loafie finds it essential that new and exciting squeaker sounds more appealing than that boring old same squeak again and again and...

IMG_2595

Be as that may, with and odd squeak of attention mostly here and not there, Pongo has since some weeks back reached the full gold membership of the terribly multi talented multiplex group of Fierce Creatures & Funky Squeakers. Clearly he knows just how to make an impressive poodle ~

IMG_2597

The Air Castle That Was Blown Up

Better tad late than never, now I too have finished reading the so called Millenium-trilogy by Stieg Larsson, Luftslottet som sprängdes - The Air castle that was blown up, but will be translated into "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest" - I'm so pleased to have reached the final page of the final chapter.

Even though it was quite the ingenious plot and interesting read in most parts, as opposed to the dash overrated Potter books, it was not as well written as one would have liked and in too many parts rather tiresome. Unfortunately the annoyingly patronizing way middle aged men who think they clearly know the way of the world better than most everyone else far from seldom write did shine through in this last book too.

Larsson very obviously doesn't write as cleverly or well as Arne Dahl. However the degree of annoyance was far from as high as in book number two (Flickan som lekte med elden - The girld who played with fire), the story had a swift flow, you knew the characters and it was slightly easier to look pass their more irritating features and the novel's more or less cheap political points and generous name droppings.

As I've mentioned before, I do prefer suspense novels which are written with more refinement (and dry wittiness weaved in if possible.) Even more so when there's a political edge and criticism of the times that used to be and/or the times we live in to the book.

Having said that I must say he did make some excellent points regarding the even more than ever hot topic of the never seize to amaze greediness in the business world and amongst shareholders, golden handshakes and ridiculous retainers for CEOs that has nothing whatsoever to do with how well they've performed their duties. I couldn't agree more.

All these unbelievable perks they get for a job lousy done. With ownership and prestigious assignments actually do come responsibilities - if the company doesn't do well of course the CEO hasn't earned the right to a fat paycheck nor should the share holders get any allotment of shares. That's called incentive to do a good job, to be a responsible owner, one who actually can look above and beyond one's own greediness. And as far as I'm concerned, the same goes for most politicians. Since again and again too many of them clearly have no idea how *real life* works based on their statements and enforcement of political agendas...

The Swedish screen adaption of the first book in the series has recently been premiered at the cinemas here. Needless to say definitely not on my to-see-list.

A bit more about the writer and my views on the first two books -
Män som hatar kvinnor (Men who hate women) ~ The girl with the dragon tattoo
Flickan some lekte med elden ~ The girl who played with fire
- here

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Happy Socks & Cotton Yarn

IMG_5709

Some get happy socks, others get wonderful yarn for some serious spring knitting. Loveliness and happiness in gorgeous colours which ever you prefer.

IMG_5704

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Black & Cream

IMG_5170

Pelle and Waldemar, father and son, doing a bit of garden browsing and longing. Not long now before the full green territory can be enjoyed. Today even the sun was visible around here, and not just in these rather fetching fellows amber eyes.

IMG_5516

Friday, March 20, 2009

Vernal Equinox

IMG_9994

March 20th Spring Equinox - here's to a weekend plentiful of blue skies,

080322 004

awakenings,

IMG_5478

meet cutes and
sweet scented flowers

IMG_4330

~ have a good one ~

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Meet Santiago Huckleberry & Goji Tarocco Orange

IMG_4332

Many years ago I bought a scented candle in what was then one of my favourite shops here in town, it was a French de luxe pamplemousse (grapefruit) candle and its scent was of the delicate yet irresistible swooning kind. The shop discontinued selling these candles and I haven't been able to find then anywhere else. I don't remember the brand of candle but I still have the discreet and sweet package left somewhere and the search will continue on an irregular basis, because this was such a wonderful scented candle, pricey but counting by the burn hours and the inspirational, relaxing times I've enjoyed with it lit it was so worth every penny.

IMG_4337

These two candles I decided to treat myself to a while ago, from Voluspa and when bought in Sweden rather high priced, but then again if the burn hour on these travel candles - and what an ingenious idea is that, mood setting, relaxing travel candles rock! - is 45 hours as the box states then the price is reasonable I suppose.

The Santiago Huckleberry candle has a fragrance combo of Huckleberry, vanilla pods and sugar cane, which makes for a heavenly scent. The Goji Tarocco Orange fragrant is made with gojiberries - the ones which are excellent in smoothies, red and yellow - and bloodorange. The scents are similar to each other, but the latter candle being slightly more crisp and less vanillaey in fragrant. All and all pure loveliness in a pretty travel tin.

Buddha Earrings

IMG_7885

These little swinging globetrotter earrings with Yin-Yang feel are made from hand carved African beads, Chinese jade and ceramic Buddhas from Amsterdam. I think they compliment each other rather nicely. And so far everything is peaceful in the jewellery box, no cultural clashes or upheavals to be seen.

I haven't felt very inspired to make jewellery or knits as lately, too much of musts going on, but by all means have a look at my Etsy shop or the website, perhaps you'll find something sweet that will lift your spring feel to new heights. Always open to making custom pieces, feel free to ask ~

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

I Capture A Winter Castle, part I

IMG_0686

Previously Swedish castle blend here. Now follow the sign to the castle -->

IMG_0682

Stora Sundby castle, private home with parts open for public functions

IMG_0729

Strömsholm palace, royal palace open to the public and ...

IMG_0736

... its pretty parkway

IMG_0762

Tidö castle, outside Västerås, private in parts, open to the public in others in the summers with a toy museum, more here

IMG_0801

Västerås castle, county museum

IMG_1221

Haga castle, Enköping, conference facilities

IMG_1286

Ängsö castle, outside Västerås, open to the public in summers, more here

IMG_1980

Salnecke castle, Örsundsbro, private home, more here

IMG_2045

A glimpse of Uppsala castle, home of the county governor but also art museum and open for conference facilities and private functions

IMG_2252

Skånelaholm castle, Stockholm rural suburbs, open to the public in summers

IMG_2350

Häringe castle, Nynäshamn, conference facilities and afternoon tea, more here

IMG_2269

Venngarn castle, Sigtuna, for sale, more here

IMG_2405

Taxinge castle, Mariefred, the cake castle open for private functions of various kinds

Which might be your favourite castle amongst these?
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...