Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I wish You all a Happy Joyful Christmas Holiday !

G

Care & Share

If You wish do make a last generous gesture, keep in mind my favorite Home,

Care & Share in India.

,Gunn

Christmas Eve in 2 days

The last days before Christmas are so great. 

We are busy wrapping gifts in all sizes and colors. Christmas is the most exciting time of the year for me. The atmosphere is positive, joyful and friendly. The busyness of planning, cooking, decorating, shopping and meeting friends for a last drink before Christmas.

Oh...social life...

Gunn

Anita's Ginger Cookies

I am completely crazy about Anita's Ginger cookies....They are fantastic all year and very suitable for the Christmas table. The spicy taste of Ginger is wonderful. They have just the perfect amount of crunchiness ...

 Many of them disappeared as I took this photo and are gone by the time this word is written...

Gunn

Detox before Christmas

After running around Christmas shopping it is a pleasure drinking a Detox Infusion with Orange peel and Cloves. It is also recommended during the holiday when we tend to over eat all the good food and sweets. You can also add some regular black tea to the infusion for a Christmas tea.

Take a few Cloves, I would guess 6-8 for 2 cups and let simmer slowly for 15 minutes. I like it strong in taste and perfume.

Peel an Orange, needless to say...organic. Add it to the infusion and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.

An Orange was a precious gift for Christmas some years ago.

Try it !

Gunn

Christmas Decorations in my home...

When Christmas comes around it is a pleasure to adorn....

One of my favorite and perhaps one of the easiest as well is a large glass vase with a candle and some greens. Sometimes Pine, sometimes Ivy wrapped around the candle. i fill the bottom of the vase with  2 cups of salt. This helps the candle to be still.Note, do not use sugar as insects and mice would love it.

Another wonderful easy decoration is a good looking flowerpot in the perfect size for a large candle. I normally fill the pot with sand where i place the candle. The empty space around the candle is filled with white moss.

I often make a wreath of different greens and use it as a candle holder. It is a great center piece for the Christmas Eve dinner.

There is no Christmas without an Amaryllis flower , they are so tall, proud and elegant....

A classic decoration is Pomanders, orange with cloves. It makes a lovely gift. 

The scent alone of citrus-spice is very inviting. 

 I love a white Christmas but is weak for the traditional red as well. The bedrooms are normally getting some red details. Blankets, pillows and slippers for this moment. It gives a warm and friendly mood.

 Red apples are never a mistake in a Christmas decoration. This time on a bed of pine branches.

The garden takes care of the decoration by it self....

 Chinese lanterns are also making a festive mood.

The Rosa rugosa in the garden is left to seed for Christmas ornaments.

Here is a good example, a wreath made by a friend. 

All the presents are very decorative as well, to keep around for the gift giving moment.

Merry Christmas,

Gunn

Santa Lucia Celebration

It was the day of Santa Lucia today, as the day is over for me by now. 

We had a fantastic day at Un Momento Nordico. We had an " Open Day " celebrating Santa Lucia " with the traditional glogg (mulled wine) , warm apple juice with lots of sweets and salmon in a few variations.

The shop has been open for over 3 years and I am very proud of having wonderful clients. This was our forth Santa Lucia Party.

Under the arcades of the Sanctuary Oropa, Biella ,there was also a group of Swedish girls singing Christmas carols and showing the traditional procession, organized by the community of Ronco,Biella.

The celebration, which is headed by "Lucy" and the eight bridesmaids with lighted candles before the Virgin Mary will celebrate the anniversary of Oropa, finds it origins in the tradition according to which Lucy, Siracusana girl of good family, brooke off the engagement to devote her life to the marginalized and suffering: It is said that with a lamp attached to the head began to walk narrow passages of the catacombs to distribute the assets of her dowry to the poor. 

Martyred under Diocletian, Saint Lucia is revered for centuries in Sweden, probably due to the Christian missionaries who spread the cult. celebrated on December 13, Lucy, "bearer of light" is remembered by a girl dressed in a white robe and a crown of seven candles, which collects offerings and gifts to be distributed during the Christmas holidays.

Gunn

The power of Color Red

A as in awesome red or awesome A ! Just Love strong graphic letters.

This red hooded sweatshirt in superfine cashmere is one of my travel favorites. 

It's a Joseph.

If I had to choose one flower as a Christmas decoration, 

it would be a beautiful Amaryllis belladonna.

Pretty cool Prada coat in a fantastic red. You will not go unnoticed in this. Red is a color that makes you feel dynamic.

Lunch in Tokyo. 

The beauty and simplicity of the fish served on a lacquer red table, amazingly strong.

I am selling these beauties " kabbeleka "in Un Momento Nordico made by artist,

 Tina Hellman at Sturehofs krukmakeri.

Red is not the color you dress in when feeling shy. Read article by Elisabeth Agnell.

How about a pair of designer socks for Santa Claus ?

The tree of Love ? All in hand crotched patchwork. Sweet !

 "Una Coppa " in red glass by Italian Maestro Lino Tagliapietra

New boxes for the Loveliest Rose scent from nara heltnaturligt

The perfect " Little Red " in jersey

I found these mirrors at Few and Far in London. I think they are really very nice of "cut out" in metal sheets. 

Red fruit for Christmas is very decorative.

The philosophy of Red - Read Jim Slate's article - here

Feeling red at the moment,

Gunn

Saffron Buns

Or Lussekatt as we call them in Sweden. 

I am in Stockholm this week, just a few days before the traditional Santa Lucia celebration and there is Saffron buns are to found in every form and size. I can also notice a slight happy childish expression on faces when the bun is eaten. It probably brings back wonderful memories from childhood or from the previous year...

It is also commonly thought that this golden piece of bread has a magical power. It was the pagan goddess Freya who brought the treasure in the darkest time of the year. The bread symbolizes the power of the sun. 

We have them with coffee, preferably in the morning. 

This is how You can make them at home; 

My favorite recipe is with quark /cottage cheese, which makes it softer and less dry.

Plan on 2 hours for 50 buns. Ingredients for the dough: 

50 gr fresh yeast 

150 gr butter ( unsalted)  

5 cups of milk ( the real thing )

 250 gr quark 

1 egg 

1gr saffron ( i suggest to look for a good quality. No need to be stingy before Christmas ) half a teaspoon of salt

2 cups of sugar

17 dl flour 

You will need 1 egg for brushing and 1 cup of raisins for garnish at the end. 

Let's get started.....

Crumble the yeast in a large bowl.  

Melt the butter in a saucepan (slowly so it does not burn)....I manage to burn everything. Add milk and heat to a finger warm temperature , 37°  Stir until all is dissolved.

 Add quark, egg, saffron, sugar and salt. Work the flour into the dough until it is beautifully smooth. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it rest in a warm place for 30 minutes.

 I love to clean up and have a cup of tea....

Place the dough on a lightly floured work bench.  Kneed it smooth and glossy.      

Split it into five parts.  Plan 10 buns of each part, rolling into 20 cm sticks. 

Make an S and place them on a baking tray with baking paper. Press a raisin into the S on each side. 

Let them rise again until doubled in size for 20-30 minutes. 

Just remember to keep the kitchen free of curious visitors and without draft.....  In my house that would be 4 dogs, 2 cats, husband, staff and in-laws.

Now it's time to brush them with a beaten egg. I have the perfect brush from Iris Hantverk / Un Momento Nordico  

Bake the buns in the middle of the oven 225° C for about 8 minutes. 

Let them cool on a pretty kitchen towel from Axling's / Un Momento Nordico 

Buns are best eaten fresh. Or freeze for at the most 3-6 months.

Enjoy ! 

Apples Can Help You Sleep

One of the biggest worry of the day is ;

- How did You sleep ? - Did I sleep well or not ?  - Am I getting enough sleep ? 

One of the most successful pills over the counter are pills to help us have a restful night. 

I prefer to look for help from the nature. 

This is my remedy and it is tasty, simple to make and very helpful.

Take an Organic apple, cut it into a few pieces. Add it to a large cup of fresh water in a sauce pan. And the pinch of salt of course. Let it simmer for 20 minutes. Filter the Apple  from the infusion and the apple goes in the compost...

Drink it warm in your favorite cup before bedtime.

Try it ! I promise it will help,

Gunn