Think twice:

I think this is a great slogan for today !

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

Eleven

It's a pretty unusual day, today.  The Eleventh of November in 2011.

The number 11 symbolize change. Great ! 

We need it. 

Particularly here in Italy.

During  the Victorian era, the idea of the using the language of flowers to express one's feelings became very popular, and this practice is still in use today.

1. Pimpernel

   • The Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) is a tiny wildflower of the lily family. It symbolizes change, particularly a major life change.

   Heather

   • Heather (any plant from the family Ericaceae) is a sturdy flowering shrub that is covered with feathery lavender or white bloom in the spring. Heather symbolizes transformative change, or something growing from the mundane to the extraordinary.

   Lilac

   • The lilac (Syringa vulgaris), which is an early flowering spring shrub, symbolizes growth. It stands for the change from ignorance to knowledge, from innocence to wisdom.

   Black Rose

   • True black roses do not exist in nature, but common roses are sometimes dyed or painted black. A black rose is symbolic of death, particularly the death of old habits, and rebirth into a changed life or state of mind.

   Daffodil

   • The common daffodil (Narcissus sylvestrus) is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, often poking its green shoots through the snow. It symbolizes the change of seasons, the triumph of new hope over despair.

   Delphinium

   • Delphinium are tall, blue spikes of bloom from the family Ranunculae. In the language of flowers, they symbolize spiritual growth and change.

   Iris

   • Iris (genus Iridaceae) symbolize the change from the dreary monotony of winter to the showny rebirth of spring and the renewal of the earth.

   Snapdragon

   • Snapdragons (Antirrhinum) convey the wish that all of the recipient's hoped-for changes will come to pass.

Regarding the philosophy of Numerology it is not the eleventh today. 

It would be 8. 

Number Eight This is the manager. Number Eight is strong, successful, and material vibration. Ruled by Saturn. Keywords: ambitious, business-minded, practical, leading, authoritative, successful, courageous, accomplished and organized. 

If expressed negatively; tense, narrow, materialistic and forceful.

Numerology 

Numerology is the study of the purported mystical or esoteric relationship between numbers and the character or action of physical objects and living things. Numerology and numerological divination were popular among early mathematicians such as Pythagoras, but are no longer considered to be part of mathematics and are regarded as pseudomathematics by most mathematicians. This is similar to the historical development of astronomy from astrology, and that of chemistry from alchemy.

( text from Wikipedia )

My birthdate ends up being the number 1. 

ONE

 Much potential for financial gain and accomplishment. Strong personal desires and needs.Self centered, but capable of hiding it from others though aware of it. The number one will spend time and money to satisfy material needs. Possess great inner strength can overcome any weakness in self. Has administrative and exective abilities and skills. very good leadership capabilities.

Hm......no comment. 

Then it all depends if we believe in all this or not ?

Gunn

  

I am back again

I need to start with apologizing for being on " holiday " for so long. One day in June it just said stop. Actually I looked and some fantastic images from Martha Stewart of Smoothies and said to myself...I do not have good enough photos to show on the blog and what am I going to tell......

I am almost always inspired and manage to create good energy. And manage to create a project each and every day. Perhaps we can blame the heath this summer. It was no way to be in my office all summer with the sun heating my roof to an unbearable sauna. My internet did not reach the garden. Who knows why ? I could care less... Too busy enjoying the life as an "Amateur Gardener"

This summer has been the summer of " Pesto " with a forest of fantastic Basel leaves.

 I will tell More about pesto tomorrow.

I will also come back with a summery of the summers happenings, seaside, Paris and Stockholm. Perhaps some information can be useful for the next Summer to come.

I am also stunned by how many messages I have been receiving from my regular readers asking me to return to my normal blogging. 

Thanks to all of You who missed me.

PS. The photo above is taken by Denis Grunstein. I love her fresh and elegant photos. Click on her name and a world of her photos will bring You into her garden.

Lots of Love, 

Gunn

Summer and Holiday

Spring run past unnoticed and Summer dashed in and stole all my energy for some time. 

I am Sorry, about that. The blog should be back as normal again.

Ending a busy time working on my projects I threw myself into gardening. It is always lovely and gives so much satisfaction and energy. Although, the slugs are faster than I am. A slug eat three times his body weight in a night and they love the broccoli and basil.

It is fantastic to be rewarded and collect the fresh vegetables just before preparing a meal.

The weather turned nasty in the mountains, so we packed our bags and left for the sea, where the sun is almost always shining in June. 

I will tell more as the days go by,

Gunn

.

Riding it out...

As I am on the CLEAN diet and am having a hard time and spent the first three days with a monstrous headache I like to give some ideas on how to deal with it.

 Dr Junger is advising "to ride it out".   Easier said than done...

He is right , it will leave by itself. 

I will share some of my natural remedies I have learned through the years of Macrobiotic living.

1. Green leaves:  Salad can be used. They are the best when collected fresh and should be kept in the refrigerator for a moment. The cool leaves are simply placed on the forehead. Lay down and relax in a dark room.

2. Tofu : pul out a cold tofu package from the fridge and mash it up in a bowl with a fork. Place it in a handkerchief and make a roll about 6 cm wide and 20 cm long.Keep it on the forehead and/or at the back of the neck. If it turns warm. Move it to the refrigerator for a moment to cool down. Repeat again until the headache is left. 

3. Fresh grass: if you have a lawn or a cat box with green grass. Make a cut , place it in a handkerchief and keep it on the forehead.

Stay quiet in a fresh, cool room. Often the warmth can make a headache worse. 

Lay down and ride it out.......

Worth a try next time,

Gunn

Photos and Illustrations at Pria Gallery

 

The week is running away faster than you want. Forgot to tell about these amazing photograps showing in the Gallery Lo Spazio Pria, Biella. The space of itself, is a piece of art. An ex wool factory and one of the most important in the Piedmont history. The spaces are enourmous , white and fresh with a good light.

4 Artist are showing , one of them, Lyle Roblin become a favorite of mine. The photos just spoke to me. Perhaps it is my love for the industry in general. Lyle captures the object as he sees it at - that very moment and -in that very special light. The above photo is my favorite in the show. About 2 by 1 1/2 meters. So still, a sceen from the past and yet so full of life. The perfection produced by a man, perhaps  standing by that table for 40 years. I looks like he walked away....and planned to be back. He left a piece of Art and Lyle was the only one noticing it.

Lyle, himself calls them " The Suspended life of things" a wonderful expression.

 

Lyle told me that this is part of a train in Milano, that we all walk by hundreds of time. I never noticed it. He did. The photo is incredible vibrant. Click on the images, to see them larger, it makes a difference or visit his site. 

The best of success for him,

Gunn

Burning into Spring

Living in Italy, I kind of forget important celebrations we have in Sweden.

 Pagan festival Valborgs Eve is one of them.

It has been celebrated since the Middle Ages and honor the German, 8th century abbess, Saint Walpurga. To ward off evil and ensure fertility, an enormous bonfire is lit to cleanse the land of the Winter.  Dried wood, leaves or anything that can be suitable for the flames are collected months ahead.  A spiritual get together with family and friends. I guess this should always be cherished , although very few care of the origin of the celebration. 

Music and beer is an accessory. 

The feeling is to burn away the long, dark and cold winter and celebrate the warmer season.

I might lit the fireplace and feel Swedish today, 

Gunn

Yellow For Easter

Easter is the time of energy. The moment when nature is opening up to us. 

And the colour Yellow is everywhere. Yellow is a colour of vibration. The rays of mind, stimulating the mental faculties in the creation of thought, and giving help in visualization:

A yellow cashmere sweater from the Scottish brand Drumohr, I made a couple of years ago and I still think this shade is perfect.

 Yellow is arouses optimism, cheerfulness, and a balanced outlook on life.

I made this invitation some years ago, printed on a cardboard and We keep them in the office as joyful coasters.

   The yellow ray of mind, flashing as it does golden streams of awakening light, can be used for mental stimulation.  It is a good color to use in a room devoted to mental pursuits, such as for writers, artists, and all creative workers – the paler shades being especially inspirational.  A yellow-shaded light is helpful when doing mental work as in studying.  Too bright yellow, however, while stimulating at first, will soon have a somnolent effect. I find the colour very modern when it is bright lemon yellow in an interior. When the shade is going warm okra it is sad.

 Generally it arouses optimism, cheerfulness, and a balanced outlook on life, equilibrating in its effect.  By stimulating the higher functions of the brain, yellow aids in developing tact, mental alertness and discrimination, and helps establish emotional balance.  It is said to make joyful through greater attainment of the soul and one’s Self, and suggests as well the joy, gaiety and merriment, the comfort and cheerfulness of the fireside.

nara heltnaturligt - delightly 

A scent of orange and lemon essential oils. It is very uplifting in the morning shower.

  Heroes and heroines of older legends were usually depicted with yellow hair, as it seemed to suggest the lighter, or finer, side of life. Yellow to many of the ancients was the animating principle of life; to the Chinese it symbolizes nobility. 

 As the ray of maximum light, yellow holds first place in the spectrum for brightness and luminosity.  It has a positive magnetic vibration, with a powerful effect on the nervous system although in healing work when nerves are very active and irritable yellow should not be used.

I hope Easter will bring joy to all,

G

Happy Easter !

Easter is almost around the corner.......

It will be nice to take some time off and celebrate with friends and family. Easter is the second most important religious holiday after Christmas in Italy. 

 I can see lots of creative chocolate Easter eggs around. They are hollow and normally has a surprise inside. And we also eat a sweet bread called Colomba and is similar to the bread eaten at Christmas, Panetone. A very important gift giving season as well. 

If the weather allow it is a good time to celebrate by the seaside.

  

This cute little chicken ( a friend sent it to me last year and I kept it my files) make me think of being a child and easily fooled. I thought if I wrapped a fresh egg in some warm textile, a scarf or similar and kept it on the radiator for a week a "real chicken " would be born. I tried many times....

G

Welcome Spring with open arms

Tarassaco in Italian and Dandelion in English or Dent de lion in French ( the tooth of a lion )

The dandelion plant is a beneficial weed, with a wide range of uses. Many are bothered with the sunny flower and prefer to eliminate it and keep a green lawn looking like a catalog photo, selling plastic grass lawns..... Actually, as kids we used to get payed pennies for collecting them on the lawn. 

I say, enjoy all the benefits of the beauty instead. It is a wonderful salad in the Spring . The leaves are full of vitamins, especially A, C and a good source of Magnesium. 

Should be eaten before it is blooming. 

I do pull it up with the root at times , when I find it in vegetable garden, where I prefer to seed other plants. The root is a perfect remedy for an overworked liver. Just brush it clean or scrape it carefully with a knife and chew it.  A great bitter taste.

If you are into healthy drinks, Dandelion coffee is a smart choice.

 How wonderful is this ?

Gunn