friday tulips

I promised tulips a while ago, this mixed bunch was my first of the season.

They are now sadly wilting but they did bring green joy to home and kitchen for quite a while. I do believe it is time to buy new ones tomorrow. In celebration of March arriving, even if outdoors still offer snow and ice galore (though thawing at the moment) March is the first month of spring. Really.

Happy weekend ~

the green boots

I committed a mortal sin today. I colour coordinated handbag with boots. Oh the shame. It was however purely accidental, please believe, and when I had to rush for bus it was really too late to change either.

And as they weren't close to each other all the time all day I think I got away with it. Barely. And as both features have green patterns and different hues it may not have been obvious or even visible to the less than discerning eye. Perhaps.

I got through the day. And if the no-no-colour-coordination squad hasn't called yet I don't think it will, I won't tell and I hope you won't. And I solemnly swear it will not happen again. No, no.

On the bright side of this grave mortal sin, the handbag called Tindra that rarely get out and about these days was absolutely loving every minute of fresh air and having to work for her keep.

And the glorious boots. Well, as I've worn the beloved red boots pretty much all day since winter struck - apart from a couple of days with a pair of old boots that used to be comfy but now made serious way for the return of the aching left foot, ay - feet (and boots) were in desperate need of change. Enter, a pair of siblings, same model (El Naturalista Iggdrasil) but on sale (hooray) and in the most fantastic subdued yet spunky green hues. Love at first green boots sight.

Feet very, very happy. Undersigned concur. And red boots grateful to get some well deserved rest and relaxation from everyday winter wear and walking.

the most beautiful shower curtain the world

Pink~red cross stitch roses print, surely this must be considered the most beautiful shower curtain in the world? As well as machine washable.

I am so very, very happy about the once in a blue moon exception to my personal rule of not shopping at H&M that is this shower curtain. I find it to be not only so pretty in pink-red-style but also the perfect reminder every morning that even if the snow piles are high and still there there’s hope of green gardens and spring to (soon!) come.

So thank you H&M Home. Who knows, I might be back for more…

the denim jacket

In general I'm not a jeans or denim kind of gal, the style and garments may look great on others and I hear it's suppose to be comfy. Me, I've never actually found jeans to be comfortable to wear, rather the opposite actually. Some exceptions to this personal view exist, though they are a few and mostly of the more tailored denim kind.

But when I find one of those exceptions I tend to be very happy and wearing it a lot. Because denim goes so very well with any fabric, style and most occasions depending on accessories. I've treasured some denim jackets over the years and I'm so very pleased about my latest bargain. Something I stumbled over at the outlet village shop (with my number one favourite brand, Danish Noa Noa) just hanging there, all alone, with a 80% discount (~35 $). And in the right Pia size. Sometimes life is good in denim.

I think the pocket embroidery totally rocks and I had serious plans of adding something similar to the collar, but I think the quirky little seams (that I didn't notice when I bought it, seen on top above) are good just as they are. And they match the quirky details on sleeve.

However, I would like to add something special and jazz it up somehow (and brooches just aren't enough) and hey presto, M (yes, generously giving him cred for the idea) came up with the brilliant notion of using the sweet handmade ceramic half eaten apples and worm button set that screamed 'buy us!' at African Touch (a place I really recommend for a good shopping experience on many levels) recently and change the ordinary buttons in jacket now into half eaten apples with wee worm delight.

The buttons, which come in many shapes, are from South African Incomparable Buttons, handmade and oozing uniqueness. Read more about the interesting company's story here.

So come green spring, this fine denim jacket bargain with be yellow-green appley smiley wormey sweet ~

And yes, I do feel very, very fortunate to be living in a very reasonable proximity to a Noa Noa outlet shop... Courtesy of that shop too, amongst other treasures, are gorgeous winter coat (that once turned me into a giant princess cake) and last year's (now more than well worn) plaid skirt.

the pia day

According to the Swedish calender, yet again, today (February 22nd) is and was officially Pia-day. As in 'namnsdag' (name day).

I wish I could say that it has been a grand day in celebration of that distinguished name, but alas with this past weekend's blizzards, freezing temperatures and less than competent people running the Swedish (especially in Stockholm) public transportation system I've spent more than a good portion of the day waiting for the c-trains. No matter how sensible I think I've dressed that has left me freezing to the bones. And in a grumpy mood.

For all sort of reasons really, apart from the appalling public transportation system-problems there's a very distinct feeling of a very displeasing (understatement magna) combination of resistance and uninterest to actually let me use my education/skills/intellect and be of use to the organisation at 'the place'.

It's destructive on many levels and no matter how constructively I point that out, the people who could make a difference don't seem to care. So my days I spend going from being quite angry to try and ignore to being sad. I wish it wasn't true, but I know it too well, this also is an organisation where the master suppression techniques flourish on several levels. It's despicable and now I'm quite desperately trying to find a solution where I can get what I want. How I don't know. I just know that this is not where I should be. Or that I should spend my days doing brainless tasks that any doofus could do. When I'm so much more, in so many ways.

Ah well, at least the sun shone and the skies were painted deep blue for a while today on this Pia day. And somewhere behind green windows, blue doors and red walls I'm sure there's room to be just me and noone else ~

green peas

Not really a fan of green peas. In general. But since I found a bag of them in the freezer past week I've quite enjoyed them in a few dishes.

.

creamy pasta tricolore with soy sausage, peas and carrots

.

lentil and bean stew with peas, carrots and fried halloumi

.

peas-paprika-garlic noodles with quorn

But most of all they do look mighty fine and very green in an orange bowl in snow, don't you think?

the new look, one year later

Exactly one year ago (February 20th 2009) this blog turned all green. Not as in envy or all organic but in looks. Since then there have been hundreds of blog posts appearing here and surely no-one can disagree when I say that that the once upon a year ago new green dress have made them all look so much better?

Looks are far from everything, but for those times when inspiration runs low and clever thoughts turned into words shine with their non-presence a flattering garment does a good deed to hide the flaws.

And for those days when the writing and published posts are of the more inspired kind, the lush green looks surrounds them in an eye pleasing way.

For me the green dress of 2009 has been a source of almost daily delight (and comfort when things feel less than happy green) and I'm glad to say still is. And just for that reason I, this blog, will have a little green post of this and that kind for this upcoming week.

And below behold three of my green favourite things -

one for many years favourite NoaNoa green silk NoaNoa skirt that's sadly falling to pieces and will have to be mended in one way or the other;

a pair of comfy summer shoes from favourite green (as in organic and recycled materials as the shoes are grey. In fact the exact same grey as in one fabulous handbag named Nora with a fantastic green lining...) shoe brand El Naturalista;

green, green garden grass on a warm, warm summer day.

The black addition in photo, despite not being green if not in envy, is another favourite of mine, simply swooning in awe of all the wonderful green prettiness seen all at once.

So, what's you favourite green thing?

on ice - vikingarännet

Vikingarännet (translates to The Viking Run/Furrow/Channel) is an annual (if weather permitted) ice-skating race that takes place on the ice of lake Mälaren between Uppsala and Stockholm.

The 80 kilometres long run - that takes place on the waters of the old viking route with many cultural sightings - first started in 1999 and is opened to amateurs and competitors alike.

Vikingarännet is organised by Friluftsfrämjandet (The Organisation of Promotion of Outdoorlife) and Svenska Skridskoförbundet (The Swedish Skating Association).

The 2010 race had 3400 participants and the winner reached the goal at Rålambshovsparken (The Rålambshov Park) with the time 2 hrs 57 min.

A part of the race passes this little part of the Mälaren waters and as you would never ever see me on skates -

because A) I took numerous skating lessons as a child, I hated most every bit of it (every nasty thing that can happen when you combine slippery ice and sharp edged skates) and every year after seemingly endless weeks it gave me the coveted 'I've passed ice-skating class' medal. The next winter I was a newbie again. I'm totally and utterly without talent or inclination on ice.

B) I have a healthy fear of deep waters. And really don't care if said waters are covered of many inches of thick ice. Underneath are still deep waters and as far as I know walking on deep waters isn't included in the human features -

so I did the much wiser thing. I walked on ice and snow on dry land. With camera. Here are glimpses of said race. I love the way the light and snow make people look like they float in the air. And enjoy watching the diversity of more or less becoming and weather appropriate skating outfits ~

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Read more about Vikingarännet here (both in Swedish and English. Though beware of a website that leaves a whole lot to be desired.)

happy fat tuesday ~

I will, if everything go as planned, be celebrating mine with a well-deserved (not in the picture above) Stockholm super semla. And I hope everyone semla inclined will get a good such one too.

Previous posts and facts on the not so sacred but still very important old Swedish lenten bun tradition can be found here and here.

Happy Fat Tuesday!

and the winners of the postcards - bookmark are ...

The spoilt felines adamantly refused going out into the big white world - snoozing indoors way surpass such silliness - to take part in the big draw.

The loaf was way too busy keeping garden free of blackbirds and other feathered beings not-invited-by-loaf, to lend a helping paw to the draw.

Then decisively and graciously Bosse stepped in. Bosse the monkey - that I thought was a cow but still named Bosse before I realized he was probably a monkey. Just one of those days... - drew the following two winners from the pot ~

one set of 3 postcards plus bookmark will be sent to Denise at A Bun Can Dance...

and braving the snowy ground Bosse decided that the other set and bookmark will travel to

the other side of the world, recipients being the Kiwi gals Julie and Poppy Q.

Thank you for a job well done, Bosse!

And thank you all for giving such wonderful and sweet comments and participating! In an ideal world there would be postcards and bookmarks travelling from my world to each and everyone of yours!

There will however be one set of postcards travelling to a third recipient if she's interested, the one who signed her comment with 'Joni'. Just because her 'anonymous' comment made me more than a little bit teary (in a good way) -

"It was one of those days, when the words won't flow, and the grass isn't growing, so I went to your blog for inspiration. There were many of those days last year.

Now I come here just for the joy."

So if you three winners could please send me your addresses - my email address can be found at the profile page - and the small tokens of my appreciation for lovely comments left will be on their way asap.