cushion, malte and waldemar

Usually he acts like a little furry steamroller when a feline snoozes on the favourite ol' sofa cushion. But on the very occasional sometime he isn't all me, me and more me, but quite considerate. The little loafie.

herta and isak

You might remember the not very successful but quite entertaining swimming lessons of one loaf dog extraordinaire late last summer. Very much contrary to his two very playful and water loving friends he wasn't too pleased with the water games.

This post will be about those two swimming friends. Two dogs I think are total charmers and a pride for both for the labrador breed and dogs in general. Even if they have their quirks, like chasing after bears in the nearby woods where they live and a fondness for rolling around in interesting piles of... smelly stuff in the same woods.

But as those quirks are something I haven't had a close encounter with they don't really count when I'm talking sweet, friendly, chocolate (I love that brown nuance of deep chocolate), silly, lovable dogs. Herta and Isak.

They seem to have an endless source of energy, which after a day spent together makes one little loafie quite, quite tired. And as they ingeniously take terms in playing with Malte, one takes a nap while the other one plays, he never gets a moment for simple contemplation. And even if he is an energetic snow bouncer he likes those peaceful moments too.

While both are active dogs Isak loves the water, swimming and fetching stick upon stick upon...

He might sit still for a brief moment or two, but he still exudes a restlessness and wanna-play-ness that soon turns into a big, chunky chocolate ball of fun

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while Herta is able to play in a more dignified and ladylike (well) manner.

She is such a sweetheart and one of three furry reasons these get-togethers are such great and unpretentious fun a few times per year.

winter salad

I'm on a mission to use up the bits and pieces of this and that stored and left in the back of kitchen cupboard and freezer. I really hate throwing away food, even if it doesn't happen that often it does happen to often for me, especially with the dry ingredients which I seem to buy for a single purpose and then not really sure what to make with the rest (like polenta, any great ideas? No, I really didn't enjoy it fried) and if the due by date is a year or so back, well, bird food it become (which I suppose is a good thing too). If possible.

I like quinoa when I eat out, not so much when I try to make something with it at home (and not only because it is rather unfortunate and suggestive to look at...). But finish that not-so-recently-bought box I now will. So I made a winter salad the other day for lunch. And it turned out grand, colourful, pretty, healthy and satisfying on many levels. Easy to make and very simple to adapt after what's in the fridge at the moment.

Rinsed, peeled and sliced carrots, beetroots, salsifies and parsnips. Baked in oven with oil, salt, pepper and garlic on 200 degrees C for about 20 minutes (depending on size).

Cooked quinoa and then seasoned with salt, pepper and basil (I'm sure thyme or some other favourite herb would be great too).

Cooked the edamame and added them to the above.

Crumbled some feta cheese over the dish and sprinkled sunflowerseeds.

It was a lovely meal with many flavours and textures that complimented eachother well.

snow bouncer no 30.013

Today the since two years main camera of undersigned went and took its 30.000nd photo. I was there and I was proud. Yes, proud of that possibly nerdy achievement.

The favourite photo of this day, January 7th 2010, was that of one terribly excited furry bouncing ball in snow, photo number 30.013 ~

It's far from a technical masterpiece (obviously) but it does exude the vast amount of happinesss, carefreeness one holder of floppy ears can enjoy on a snowy day wearing an oversized red woolly sweater with snowflakes (bought some six years ago when he was a mere 1/5 of his today's self and I thought he wouldn't cope with a cold winter. It was the smallest size and it still is silly big).

That's the feeling I love about it, the dog, the fleeting moment captured. That wouldn't be possible without camera reliable (most of the time). So thank you, most dear gadget of mine.

pug and night owl

Meet pug and

the night owl,

two bracelet friends that were my birthday treats to self. I had been ogling a snazzy pansy bracelet for a long time, but when I saw friendly pug my heart melted a bit. And of course pug couldn't travel all alone so night owl kindly offered to accompany. As I am a night owl, born and bred, I quite willingly accepted.

The design idea is sort of similar to these, Victorian prints of turned into quirky plastic coated jewellery, but as far as I'm concerned the design and locking mechanism on the pug and the night owl bracelets a more successful. Yes I did find them a bit unusual and tight when worn at first but I soon got used to the style of wearing them slightly above wrist. And they always make me smile when I notice them peeking out from under the arm of my sweater or cardigan.

The night owl print I find a tad too dark for perfection (but it is a creature of the night so that was perhaps to be expected) the pug is almost too adorable. They came in the prettiest of wrappings and let's just say that when my urges for a new bracelet (or necklace or brooch or earrings...) will emerge come spring (or any other occasion suitable for a bit of celebrating) I will most probably come a knocking on the Etsy door of Mama's Little Babies as it is a shop of many alluring things...

baby it's cold outside

-20 degrees Celsius to be exact. The average weather complaining Swede - it's too cold, too hot, too rainy, grump, grump and gnarl - probably doesn't agree, but I think it's beautiful, wintry and very Scandinavian. The usually very distinct differences between the four seasons on these latitudes is one of the things I appreciate so very much about living where I do.

It's fine being outdoors dressed appropriately - and layering with cosy winter cardigans, shawls and socks is truly one of winter perks - and indoors, well even if the heat pump doesn't fully approve of these temperatures and I'm so not looking forward to the next few electrical bills, it is kind of cosy too. Especially if you're this furry trio of two daughters and one mum...

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full english

Having sampled my way through B&Bs from north to south, east to west in England and Scotland and had my fair share of full vegetarian English/Scottish breakfasts I have to say that my overall view of it is positive. I'd even go as far as to say I find it (apart from the emphasis on dead animal parts on plate for some) rather endearing somehow. Prepared healthy with good ingredients it's such a great and satisfying way to start a day. I'm far from sure I'd want it every morning, all year round, for the rest of my life, but now and then and on holiday I'm a great fan of a warm plate for breakfast.

Swedish breakfast habits are very personal and vary a lot, they may include some of porridge, 'filmjölk' (sour milk) and cereal or granola, sandwiches, fruit salad, veggies, juices, yoghurt, tea, coffee, hot cocoa. In general I'm a tea, sandwich, grated carrots (latter due to the carrot defect) gal, sometimes sour milk + granola and fruit or porridge with apple sauce if I'm feeling tad adventerous.

The nice thing about a 'full English' is that it really is a perfect lunch or dinner. As well as a perfect way to recreate some lovely holiday memories. This what I had for lunch today ~

It was frabjous (even if I'm still a long way from mastering the perfect scrambled eggs).

What do you like for breakfast? When at home, when on holiday? What is a breakfast must any day? And how does the perfect breakfast/start of a brand new day look?

sunday sweetie

Some days a photo of one of the blessed things in life is enough as blog. 11 plus years and still as sweet and irresistable as the day she arrived. Eulalia ~

heavenly bisques

The discovery of exceptions to one's don't-like rules are always very pleasant. So from the same place as the I-don't-like-meringues but these are dreamy I give you - heavenly bisques.

They're ridiculously oversized - one third or possibly a half will do to tame the sweet tooth - the buttercream isn't very buttery (hooray) but tastes so very lovely and smooth of raspberry or pear, the almondy base is both crunchy and chewy in a grand way, it's covered in marzipan that isn't overly sweet.

The three layers compliment eachother so very well and that the buttercream - that I in general very much do not appreciate in pastries, cakes and cookies - is of a very reasonable amount in these delightful bisques.

The bisques fortunate enough ending their days in my residence - before they make some sweet teeth happy and end up in someone's tummy - they even get their own private colour matching guards. Fancy that for fancy bisques.

pink magic

In the last shivering hours of the first decade of the 21st century I did finish a pink project in magic yarn. So from glimpse, behold the magic tie.

As both 'pink' and 'magic' are two words, one notion and one colour, I treasure I will let this crocheted project be the guiding light and symbol for what I wish for me, myself and I in 2010 - I wish for this year to be flowing of colours and interesting details, I wish for it to be filled with lovable creativity and gentle eccentricity, mind-evolving positive challenges and pink wonders (big ones would be wonderful but I certainly won't say no to the smaller ones).

This is wish for own self and my world. For my wishes and hopes for well-deserving others, hoppeti-hop over to my guest post at the stockholm by pixels fellows...

With best wishes for a wonderful new year,
greetings gal with magical pink tie and dotty dress ~* ~