a little thank you

... for all the lovely comments left recently, I had every intention of writing about something else today, but really, so many comments have made me so very happy, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Plus those great and varied questions about Sweden and Swedish life left in the any questions-post, wow, some are trickier than others to answer and I will certainly have to write not only one but a few posts to be able to answer them reasonably well. I will have to rack my brain on some of the questions, which is always a good thing, I may be learning something myself along the way. I truly love it when blogging becomes a discussion, interaction and dialogue rather than always the blogger going me, me, me.

But today is Thursday - pea soup and pancakes traditionally for dinner in Sweden on a Thursday, sadly I haven't had any today, actually I rarely do, clearly something that needs bettering in my life - and once upon a time I thought it would be nice to have a day per week to show off the clever cats sharing residence with undersigned (since the smart dog has his Tuesdays), clever cat thursday was born.

Although it hasn't been a regular thing, because even if the cats of mine are of the ingenious, nifty kind, any day, every day (soMe says not, but that's just begrudging slander, really) the utter cleverness isn't always caught on camera. And what would a clever cat-post be without photos to prove it? Bah, nothing.

This week's clever cat is Prunella - redspotted, British Shorthair, like all of my cats are. I of course, used to have a more mixed bunch, sadly they've passed away due to old age. All of them having had a special place in my heart - since she came to the most clever of conclusion; spring sprung, one can (being a pampered, plush cat) indeed venture out into the garden again.

There is plenty of sun on face and as always, the loaf dog is perfect company, for any clever cat redhead.

when in sopot - café jozef k

A comment from someone in Gdansk, Poland - a city I loved from the moment I set my birthday foot there, money and time permitted I would have returned there several times since... - the other day (hi there, so nice that you found your way here!) prompted me to finally write this way overdue post on one of the most amazing cafés I've ever been to. And to which I constantly long back, one might say it perfectly epitomize exactly what a café should be in my book (of cafés) and wouldn't it be lovely if such a place existed nearby here too...

To start from the beginning, this dreamy café is situated in the seaside resort town of Sopot, a quick train ride from Gdansk, and its name is Café Jozef K. Admittedly, the town of Sopot didn't do it for me, seaside resorts somehow rarely do, although I loved the off-season autumn beach and the long wooden pier (Europe's longest). With lots of quirky seagulls and pigeons waiting to be fed.

It was pure chance (or destiny) that we even sat foot in Jozef K, I spotted its café sign when we arrived by train, tucked away near the station, and thought it might possibly be a nice place to have a coffee after a walk around Sopot before we headed back to Gdansk.

My photos just don't do the place justice, but they give an idea. From the outside it looked tad off-season scruffy, but once inside... oh my, love at first sight. Just magical. Filled with ecclectic and whimsical bric-a-bracs and furniture, quirky little details everywhere, sweet nooks and crannies it was just so wholeheartedly captivating.

They had the menu to match, with all sorts of fantastic teas. I had cherry tea and cactus juice, pink and green, my favourite colour combination. We had a slice of scrumptious cake each while sipping our beverages and soaking up the fantastic ambiance.

Even the bathroom, where I unfortunately didn't bring the camera, was beguiling. I could indeed live the rest of my life in a place like that and be perfectly happy with my fate. Only two flaws I could find with Café Jozef K - a) the fake whipped cream that came with the apple pie, when the lovely ice cream would have been enough, b) that it's situated too far away for frequent visits by undersigned.

Ah, Jozef K, I dream of you ~

moomin matters

It may have had something to do with the fact that the Moomin characters turned 65 years old last year, suddenly there were even more adorable Moomin-items overflowing certain shops around Sweden and country of origin Finland.

I haven't read the books since I was little - but they are certainly on my to-read-again-list - and even if I have neither been collecting, like so many, the seemingly endless numbers of Moomin mugs nor buying everything Moominish I stumble over, I am indeed charmed by the stories and the characters. I think they're brilliant, cute, thoughtprovoking, there's something, someone for everyone in those books, no matter age.

So admittedly, there were lots and lots of irresistable Moomin-stuff around, especially past winter, and yes, some of them happened to scream "get me!" more indefatigably than others. So after last summer's great find of a Marimekko tree T-shirt and fabtastic dress - which are neither technically Moomin-made or labeled, they still oozes Moominish style - and the scissors - which has been of great use and limited to yarn and fabric matters only - and met a real life Moomin, here are a few things I picked up during autumn/winter.

I've found that for my new comfortable pillows my old pillow cases are way too small, I was so pleased when it turned out that these Moomin cases (from Finlayson) were not only sweet looking but also larger in size, fitting the pillows comfortably. Thus it was absolutely acceptable to get (and wish for) more than a couple.

same pillow case, two different sides

And yes, there are still some more pillow case motifs out there screaming my name.

Not that one exactly needed another pitcher, but you have to agree, magnetic. Picked up on the ferry when we had out little winter outing to Åland. Much much better price than in stores. Well-pleased.

Ah, Moomin cookie molds, where have you been all my life? Have yet to actually bake with them though. But I'm sure the cookies to be will taste better Moomin-shaped.

Then, there's this little piece of plastic, that, apart from the pillow cases, have been the best Moomin investment so far - a ticket holder (made by Popomax) for the Stockholm transportation system's Access ticket. The re-usable magnetic refill tickets are the ones hanging to the right - these days you can even design your own motif on them, which I have to say I find rather cool and a perfect, reasonable priced gift for any Stockholm commuter - and the free, boring looking plastic holders hanging to the left.

Obviously having a Moomin ticket holder makes all the perky difference, any day, when using the public transport. Even if the gateman thinks that when refilling an Access-card in a holder like this one is buying a card for a child, clearly he has no imagination. Clearly he isn't a fine Moominist specimen.

any questions on stockholm, sweden?

Given recent events I thought it would be a nice thing to have a little post of Q&A. I'm thinking mainly questions about Sweden, Stockholm, Swedish life in general. So if there's something you'd like to know, that may or may not have been written here before, about us Swedes and Sweden, drop a comment in this post and I'll compile the answers later this week.

I used to blog quite a lot about Stockholm and Sweden, I almost wholeheartedly loved it here, then things litle by little changed, the social climate impaired. Thus, sadly I'm less happy and proud of the state of this country, this beautiful city these days. Politicians out of touch with reality, people's attitude towards life, living, working, the dismantling of what has, in many if not all parts, been good about Sweden, building frenzy and the eager demolishing of beauty, in nature as well as architecture, commercialism and economic growth hysteria to mention but some matters that disheartens me. Daily.

Oh I know this isn't a Swedish thing, other countries, perhaps even most countries, go through this now, more than ever before I feel. It's just so obvious we have to stop, listen, think and change. Our way of living, our way of thinking, our way of acting.

But Stockholm is still, in most parts one of the most beautiful (and versatile, accessible) cities I know. Some days, in some places, for some reasons I fall in love with her all over again. So because of that, I'd be happy to answer any reasonable questions on this city, this country of mine. The answers will, needless to say, be my personal view and quite possibly not written in stone, for ever and always.

So, bring on the questions!

the ikea bakebook

Swedish phrase of the day: title of bakebook means "home-baked is best"

Admittedly, as mentioned here and there, now and then, I'm no fan of IKEA in general. For many reasons. But, when I began seeing photos on the Internets from this new bakebook, with IKEA as sender, months ago I was completely smitten my the layout and style. I had to have this bakebook!

Because I have to say, that, silly as it may be, I rarely buy cookbooks for the recipes alone, I buy them for the photography and inspiration. In fact I can be without the recipes, if I can only have great photography to look at I'm happy to eat porridge.

I only got the bakebook a while ago, for my name day, I was in heaven. It's truly wonderful. Apparently it's a freebie for kitchen customers (at least in my nearby IKEA store), there are a few pages of ads in it too. M got it for free without buying a kitchen, but for being a presumptive-future-kitchen-buyer. The book made my day. I would gladly have paid a reasonable sum for it.

Such creativity - and humour, given the IKEA-concept of build your own furniture - I adore it. Styling by Evelina Bratell, photos by Carl Kleiner. You can see all the photos in the bakebook on his website, if you scroll down a bit. But, the samples here, aren't they just wonderful?

The book has 30 recipes of mostly classic Swedish cakes, buns and cookies but some other well-known cakes with other origins too. Straightforward recipes, creative photos of ingredients and the finished baked goods. I'm not sure if it's available in English too, but of course it should, in the best of worlds.

The only big drawback with the book is that the recipe with Swedish Princess cake contains gelatin. I have never known such stupidity, the thing with completely ruining a perfectly good vegetarian cake/dessert/food in general with adding nasty stuff like that. When there's absolutely no need. Neither a cream cake, nor mousse, cheesecake or pannacotta (which are the desserts that spring to mind here) needs gelatin to be good. Rather the opposite. Quite annoying, to say the least, this is. Of course not every recipe calls for gelatin, but suddenly ordering a piece of Princess cake at a café isn't as simple as it used to be, when one was ignorant. Life before the eyeopening IKEA bakebook.

crispy apple bundles

Today I thought I'd share a really easy recipe-ish for the sweet tooth. Whether it'll become a vegan or vegetarian dessert depends on what kind of ice-cream you decide to serve it with, the bundles/wraps themselves are, if you chose sunflower oil only, vegan.

The measurements aren't at all specific - I'm all for non-specific recipes which you can tweak to meet your own flavour preferences -, but it's so so easy to make so just as long as you use a generous amount of grated apples it'll turn out great.

The packages with phyllo dough I've found in Sweden, so far, are of a ridiculous large size. The dough is brittle (you can't divide it before thawing) and since there's no way I can use it all up I have been giving it to the hungry beings in the forest who have had a difficult winter (which I suppose is a great way to use it up anyway).

I use about 1/4 of that large sized phyllo dough roll and 1,5 apple per portion. Definitely a dessert that should be made, served and eaten on the same day.

Apple bundles

frozen phyllo dough
~1,5 coarsely grated apple per portion
liquid butter/oil (what I always use, but with a dollop of sunflower oil it'll be vegan)
cinnamon, cardamom
caster sugar
if you like;
sunflower seeds, chopped nuts/almonds, raisins, grated almond paste

for serving: ice cream

Thaw the phyllo dough well before baking.

Put oven on the temperature specified on package. Peel and coarsely grate the apples. Put the amount of phyllo dough you want on a baking sheet covered with baking paper. Brush with a little butter/oil. Portion the grated apples in a string on the dough. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon/cardamom and a tad sugar.

If you want, sprinkle with sunflower seeds, chopped nuts, almonds, raisins. I'm thinking a small amount of grated almond paste on top would be nice too.

Roll into a roll-up. Brush the roll-up with a little butter/oil. Sprinkle with tad caster sugar. Bake in oven until golden.

Let cool a bit. Cut into portion sizes. Serve with ice-cream.

changes

When this new year began, I had high hopes for it, I wanted a year filled with lights, hearts and butterflies. For me personally, for everyone deserving, for this planet. So far I think there have been many memorable, light, butterfly moments and positive changes. Though given other recent, devastating events nature doesn't seem too pleased. And sadly, who could blame her...

That said, that acknowledged, here and now I'm still convinced 2011 will be a good year, bringing positive changes. Last week was pretty eventful, on many levels, looks like next week will be too, spring is finally on its way (slowly, slowly), snowdrops showing their tiny, delicate heads in garden, the asphalt on streets is now not nearly as an uncommon sight as it has been for some four long, dark months. Who knew asphalt would be such a welcome sight.

And as for this blog, given those recent lovely events (bear with me, the imminent excitement might fade. Possibly...), I decided now was a good time for a change, to switch from old Blogger to New (yes, slowly, slowly does it). With help from friend who's a star with these matters it was a smooth switch. Semi-lost some things along the way, which I'm now working on putting back where they belong. Removed some stuff, added others, like the Follower widget (see, even I would finally get there). So now all you lovely readers who decide to become a follower too are visible to the right --->

Now, go forth and have a happy weekend, a snowdrops-filled one I hope ~

tad tired thursday post

Common sense says that one shouldn't feel any pressure or obligation with posting something clever, read- and see-worthy every day because of this blogs-of-note-matter - but as most of us know, sense isn't always common. Far from.

I'm still quite overwhelmed with the lovely comments you've taken your time and thought to leave, so so appreciated. Very much. I've even gotten teary over some of them, the serious sweetness is just... lovely and uplifting. I am planning to take time to at least begin working my way through them and reply/blogvisit you kind people come weekend, yes I do.

But since today has been quite a hectic day - of day time matters, which, as things annoyingly are, aren't nearly as pleasing as evening time matters. But that's another blogpost, which granted have been written with tad different words too many times already... - I'll just keep it reasonably short and answer a few questions from newcomer readers.

:: Yes I do take all the pictures in this blog myself. (On a very rare occasion some years ago I posted photos from a friend, just because she was there where there were kittens and I wasn't, quite obviously I had to post her photos then.)

I'm very much not interested in the more technical aspect of photography, I'm going with my gut feeling. Every time. My attitude towards the art of photography is like with life in general, I'm uninterested in people who try to outdo eachother with their supposed insights and know-it-all attitudes. It's just not very flattering and personally I don't find it confidence-inspiring. I want true passion, teamed up with a sense of I'm-knowledgeable-and-confident-but-I-don't-need-to-flaunt-it. I want heart.

:: The loaf dog extraordinaire's name is Malte and he's a Norfolk terrier. The bouncy, cuddly, super-friendly, stubborn (with a heart), energetic kind of terrier. And cat herder. But mostly a kind such of course. He came into my life (planned) as a puppy, at a low-water-mark-in-life and was such a great help, in all his demanding loafie ways. He turned seven years old last summer, we had a rather awesome birthday do then. Snow becomes him, he loves squeaker toys and greenies, he's an eager walker and a terribly good swimmer. Kind of not to the latter, but an awfully cute one.

See, this is what often happens to the "I'm just going to keep it short"-posts. Mind wanders, lotsa sidetracks, post flourish. By reading I suppose one wouldn't know this really is the tad tired Thursday post.

magical neckties

Like so many like minded (mostly bloggers rather than IRL people, I have to say) I rarely see the point, these days, in buying gifts when one can make, create something personal instead. Yes, exceptions exist for me too, but if it's not a book it's most always something handmade by someone else. Why chose boring, un-unique mass-production when you can chose personal and handmade? No point, no point at all. And as personal and handmade come in every price range, no need for fancy, well-made and sweet will more than do, there's something for everyone.

After all the magic socks knitting, I felt the need to make something else in that most magic of magic yarns, my own pink necktie has thus been followed by other magical neckties. The applegreen one has since moved to a new home, with a loving wearer.

The mixed pastel one is up for sale in my Etsy shop (for all things magic). This one has also been paw approved (for newcomer readers; we're big on such important matters in this residence) by the loaf dog extraordinaire aka tie-snatcher.

Then we have the latest one, the consultant necktie for brother-in-law's birthday last Friday. At the birthday-do opening of gifts it was the only present which got spontaneous applause, I take that as a good sign. I'm pretty sure the tie will sprinkle magic and bring good fortune to new life as self-employed.

Right now I'm tying the loose ends on the necktie with purple streaks (right in top photo). It's for M, I think he needs a most magic tie in his life too. Really, everyone does.

happy fat tuesday on women's day

Still very happy about yesterday's wonderful news (of course) - and thrilled over all the kind and touching comments, gosh...

Today though, there's a happy coincidence - or unfortunate if one happens to be a person who feels awkward with the words "fat" and "woman" in the same sentence, myself I couldn't care less, a reasonable amount of fat is essential - with Fat Tuesday and International Women's Day coinciding on this March 8, 2011.

First of all, I find it indeed heartbreaking that in the 21st century gender (and fellow beings) equality hasn't in general come further than this. That there's even a need for a special day to observe women's struggles and achievements, that's tragic. Since every day, every week, every month, every year should of course be equal, for all. No matter gender, no matter species.

Second of all, on a lighter note, I'm very pleased that I will in a little while be feasting on my favourite semla (the Swedish lenten bun ), the Stockholm Super Semla - and no I don't mean the semla amigurumi style, even if I'm rather pleased with those, I mean the cardamom bun, almond paste, whipped cream delight to devour - and yes, there may be whipped cream enough to share with cream loving kitties.

If I could I would share, yes I would, as things are that's not really doable. But I wish and hope that your day is a good one and that if there's no semla to be seen or found in your vicinity, that you're able to treat yourself to some other special thing today.