Staying in

The heavy rainy season is here to stay.....

Hand knitting is a new yoga exercise, I think. 

And it is really time to start thinking of what to knit this winter. I got started on a wonderful over sized grey ( obviously ) cardigan last year and it is time to continue and hopefully complete. I find it very relaxing knitting simultaneously when watching movies. It is a great therapy in our stressful workaholic lives. Isn't this vintage photo from LIFE fantastic ? 

Perhaps a long scarf will change our moods. 

Give it a try,

Gunn

My new invention......

Too lazy ........

to go into town for food-shopping today, made do with what I had in the pantry and out came a really nice lunch. I wish to share it with you. Hash browns are easy to make and are very tasty. They are mostly eaten for breakfast with bacon or sausages in the UK and the North America. I had it with beans and steamed kale as I am almost a 100% vegetarian. I say almost because we eat fish on special occasion's and in restaurants. The kale is a touch over cocked, I normally prefer it crispier and the green colour should be more vibrant. No one is perfect....

We don't really have a habit to make hash-browns in our house but I love them sometimes.It makes me think of my years in New York. 

I used 4 potatoes in the large grater.

Luckily there is still some fresh Zucchinis in the garden.

I grated them as well and mixed them in with the potato. With some salt and fresh black pepper. Add a fine cut onion as well.

Normally hash browns are made with milk. I had a lovely organic Kefir ( Yogurt ) at home and I actually prefer the taste. Mix it in and strain out as much water as you can.

Fry it in butter ( organic will do ).

I ended the meal with a Mint infusion.

You should try it........

Gunn

A river of sheep.

I went to downtown Biella this morning to pick up a picture frame at the glass supplier. 

 I turned around and there were 1000 sheep and 5 donkeys passing by. 

This is an unusual sight in Biella. 

They had left the mountains early in the morning and were moving to their winter residence. 

I assume they are raised for their fleece since I live in the city where the main industry is textiles.  I love this about Italy, it is a country with lots of beautiful suprises. 

I would call them .....a bunch of Happy sheep !


Gunn

Wayne is back with - Bryan Ferry

Bryan Ferry – Olympia

The new CD from Roxy Music's front man Bryan Ferry is his best in years. Olympia (Kate Moss is on the cover) is his first new collection of new songs in over 15 years. It is Beautiful, refined and elegant. With Ferry's signature sound, it is similar to the Roxy Music album 1982 Avalon but sounds contemporary. With the original members of Roxy Music, Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera, Andy MacKay, and a long list of famous collaborators, the music is lush and gorgeous on both the ballads and dance numbers. Unlike some of his earlier albums, the dance numbers  move, they are not stagnant. This album really works. It is time to listen to Olympia, 

Note: A reformed Roxy Music with most of the original members is currently on tour in Europe. www.bryanferry.com

Planning ahead

Christmas seems far away......

Counting the days it remains only 61.  We had an amazing October day in the country today, warm and sunny. Guessing it might be the last.  Wandering through the woods and the garden made me think of planning for the Christmas decorations for this year.

Collecting moss, leaves, rose hips and all the possible red seeds one can find. It is a good idea to start storing some material already now and keep them outdoors in the cold for the right moment.

I spread them out on a big table under a porch.

Chinese lanterns are very decorative and make a fantastic wreath. I collected them in the end August and dried them for the wreaths. 

These are just some examples of we prepared last year. 

Love Sundays in the garden,

Gunn

Heart shape

The shape of a heart is always very sweet and attractive as a decoration. 

We just received these wooden hearts for Christmas in the shop and I think they are lovely. 

It also made me think about why the heart shape is so special. 

The heart has long been used as a symbol to indicate love and affection in European folklore, in felt, in wood work, in painted objects, mostly painted red. 

It is also a symbol we learn at an early age. Declaring love for one and other.

Many classical philosophers and scientists, including Aristotle, considered the heart the symbol of thought, reason or emotion, often rejecting the value of the brain. Hm....I guess we all experienced that..... 

This is the heart I used to make my post at the Valentine's day.

 In Sweden, the traditional Christmas ginger snaps is often in a heart shape and if you poke a finger in the center of the cookie and it brakes in three pieces, you can make a wish that comes true. I guess it always has to do with love.

Love to all,

Gunn

Recycled Reindeer

To recycle a reindeer, 

sounds crazy and awful for an  (almost 100%) vegetarian. But on the other hand these wonderful antlers would go up in flames if Annika Bergstrom did not go and rescue them in the butcher farm. I have been looking at them for a few years at the Swedish fair , where I make my purchases and thinking.....no I can't.   

They are so striking in form that who can resist ?

I admire her having the courage to go to a butcher ......i would be freaked. She is carefully selecting her pieces and creates objects as this candle holder.  She is also making very large hanging light fixtures.  Her company is called Lapland wild design.

Due to harsh climate up north, very north where the Sami population, the largest indigenous ethnic  groups in Europe, reindeer husbandry is an important aspect of Sami culture. The export of reindeer meat from Finland is one of the fastest growing segments of the Finnish  food industry.  

I also managed to include some reindeer skins. I touch them and think it looks like my dog, Olmo. We, Swedes have a tradition to using them in the garden in the winter and have this crazy habit of going out for picnic in the -  minus 30 to 40°  Today it is a fashion to use as a decoration  around the house.

Dear, what a beauty ! I love his eye, looking at the photographer.

Sofia Jannok, a Swedish singer in the Sami language. She is amazing with her  yoiking.

I can really recommend a holiday in Lapland. personally i have never been , but it should be on the next travel itinerary.

Gunn

nara heltnaturligt

Many of you might think ....
what is happening to nara heltnaturligt as I did not show a post for some time. One reason is that my office is such a mess that I can not find that perfect photo I have in mind for my next post. It will show, sooner or later. 
We are developing some new products for a new launch. It is just that developing skincare is not like designing a sweater. It takes time with many testers and many test people involved. We are close to what we like to have.
And then you get to the sensitive packaging. It just takes time. And when it is a good product it is here to stay. Just look at the Chanel no 5. Don't we still love it. 
No wonder it is still the "ichiban" perfume in the market.


Just wanted to keep you informed,
Gunn

An expression of refined taste

As I told you sometime ago in a summer post that I had taken the diploma of food , so I can introduce some nice and unusual products at Un Momento Nordico.

Products are starting to drop in. We received the very nice Clipper Tea of perfect blends of the choicest leaves. Tenderly picked, skilfully graded and lovingly packed to ensure its refined taste and flavour. 

The company's principle is " Always pure, natural product - there isn't a single artificial ingredient in any of the products."

The packages are amazing .I just  Love the graphic presentation. Very well done.

It should be the perfect gift item this fall,

Gunn

Chest nuts

It is the time of chestnuts.

 It is easy to roast them in the oven and have an afternoon treat. The aroma of the roasted chestnuts are alone a pleasure to enjoy.

I favor a cup of green tea but some of my friends prefer a glass of red wine.

The tea cup in the background was a birthday present from a dear friend, ceramic designer in Sweden, Jytte Sjoberg.

The first thing is to cut a cross on top of the nut and prepare a bed of salt in a saucepan suitable for the oven.  Place the chestnuts on top of the salt. It is good to sprinkle a touch of water. Heat the oven and place the pan low for about 30 minutes. They should be enjoyed warm and it is easier to peel. 

You are aloud to use your hands in the country.

Love October,

Gunn

Oscar and I

"No man is rich enough to buy back his past"

Oscar Wilde

 Oscar Wilde and I have our birthday on the same day.  Just 101 years apart.

Happy birthday to us !

"One should never trust a women who tells one real age. A women who would tell one that, would tell one anything" 

Oscar Wilde

Surviving !

I found this fantastic book on my husband's desk.
Hand bag size, 8x10x3 cm
It is a tiny pocket book with first hand instructions how to survive in any place at any time, when we are stranded. How to be prepared for any type of emergency. In the jungle or by the North pole. There is many useful tricks and advise for everyday troubles. How to tie a cord well enough that it will last. How to make a fire without matches as they never are around when you need them.
You can also download it from itunes and have it handy on the iphone. 
Be prepared at every moment.
Gunn

Feeling desperate

If this is how your office is looking, mine does....
My advise is to You .  Get a glass of your favorite drink, herbal tea, fresh juice or Merlot. 
Cross your legs and lift the arms out on the side and say OOOooooooommmmmm in a low voice. 
I promise it will help and all these post-it messages will disappear. Feel the positive energy and the vibration of your voice. 
I hear that the colour yellow is in fashion this season.


I am going...OOooo
G

Goat cheese

I am really lucky to have the best organic Goat cheese maker just up the hill from my house. L'albertana, located in the pre-alps at 800 meters altitude. The place has a fantastic view and waste green hills for the goats.  He is a supplier to Peck in Milano and is also shipping to quality restaurants around the world. This is where I get my special treat once in a while.

Talk about Happy goats .... and curious.

Goat cheese is sometimes called chevre and is a cheese made from the milk of goats. Organic cheese is made from happy goats...The cheese comes in different forms and is mostly soft. Nice and easily spread on a toast. The cheese is more common in hardy landscapes where it is not suitable for cows , Mediterranean countries and Middle East. The flavor is tangy and slightly sour. It is easier to digest and very suitable for children or the ones who do not like the cow milk, like me. The milk is high in vitamin A and potassium. L'albertina makes many wonderful varieties and forms. I love the one rolled in ash or in crushed grape seeds. Another top of the list is made with figs , aged well and has a similar feel of a Gorgonzola but tastier. 

I love to eat the cheese with fresh figs from my garden or on top of a good herbal pasta. I can also recommend a slice of a rustic sourdough bread , heated in the oven with a glass of Barolo.

Needs to be enjoyed,

Gunn

Des Pres Boutique

Enjoy our wonderful and uplifting scents with nara heltnaturligt !


We are having a couple of promotional days at Des Prés at Marunouchi, Tokyo
and are presenting our product directly to our clients while enjoying a fresh fruit drink with organic cookies. The shop is smart, elegant and friendly and the perfect place to house nara heltnaturligt. Thanks to all clients. Thanks to the staff. Thanks to Tomorrowland group.


More happenings will take place this fall. Just keep updated with our calender at naraorganics.jp


Gunn

Skin care

Body brushing, face brushing and rubbing the skin with a rough linen towel should make all the difference in the world...

I sell these items in my shop Un Momento Nordico in Biella and use them myself almost daily.

The big body brush is handmade in wood and horse hair and is fantastic to brush the body with upward strokes. Slowly and friendly. 3 times a week is good.

The skin should be our best friend as it is doing a lot of good work for our health every day.

The smaller brush is a soft horsehair for face brushing. I make small circular movements all over the face before I use my tonic and face oil. Ending with my favorite face cream. It is keeping my face fresh with a healthy glow throughout the day.

The 100 % linen towel has it's roots from the finish culture of sauna. It is good to dry the body after a shower with this kind of towel. It is helping the circulation and of course keeping  the cellulite stay far away. 

I am thinking of both men and women.

Stay happy !

Gunn

Happy dogs

A relaxed and playful dog has a nice turned up tail in a U form.

But it does not always mean they are friendly, says Cesar Millen. My dogs are always happy  with a strong wagging tails, when asking for play or for their meal .

A wagging tail can also mean excitement or agitation, to warn another dog or person to stay back. It is also important to read his position of the ears. Moving forward is friendly and going backwards is attention. 

Dogs talk and can learn many words. I am always teaching them many new words and connecting my body language to it.   When I lay down on the grass. That is playing. When i raise my finger they will sit. When I point my finger down and say "terra" they will lay down. When I say "mangiare" they run for the kitchen.  And we have many more situations like that. 

The only thing I do not manage to teach them is to jump all over me when I get home.They are stubborn ( I guess they learned that from me as well ) and want's to do it their own way.

 But most of all they wants to share their happiness with me.

"No animal should ever jump up on the dining room furniture unless absolutely certain that he can hold his own in the conversation." -Fran Lebowitz, author

In the most fundamental way, dogs are great communicators. We understand that a beeline for the front door means he's happy to see you. We know that a lethargic walk means he's feeling under the weather. We know a pooch is craving a snack when we catch him staring at the treat jar. Our dogs read us with ease—the average pooch understands up to 165 words, signs, and signals, says Dr. Stanley Coren, best-selling author of books such as What Do Dogs Know? and professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia. And some breeds—Labradors, Border Collies, Poodles, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Golden Retrievers—can comprehend up to 250 words, signals, and sounds.

I wish i had taken this fantastic photo. It is from Beneful.com

Gunn

Avocado facial

 The days are getting cooler and we almost forgot about the the warm summer days. 

Our skin will loose the luster it got in the hot climate and need some extra help.  It should be a good moment to take some special time for Yourself. 

Taking warm baths , with nara heltnaturligt bathfoam  of course, in your favorite scent. 

Or making simple home made facials with avocado. It is so easy to forget what we easily have available at the vegetable counter. Avocado is a naturally rich moisturizer for the skin. The natural oils in avocados are rich in Vitamins A,D and E. It also contain potassium and chlorophyll that  help clarify and purify the complexion. 

Mash a ripe fruit into a creamy texture and cover your face and neck. Leave it on for 15 minutes and gently rinse off with water...

You feel the difference at once.

Gunn