japanese tape

When I couldn't find my tape dispenser I decided to wrap presents using these fun rolls. A local shop, Once Around, has a big glass jar of different ones and unlike some places you can buy them by the each instead of a packaged group.

Swedish smorgasbord

We always have Swedish food for Christmas Eve dinner. Here is this year's homemade picked herring. Traditionally the meal starts with a small plate of this fish eaten with knackebrod, which is a rye-crisp type of cracker. Then, using a fresh plate, help yourself to the meatballs, ham, boiled potatoes, gravlax, cheeses, pickled red cabbage and green salad. Often it takes a few visits to the table to try everything. Smorgasbord is wonderful and allows everyone to please themselves (it's OK to pass up the pickled herring but hopefully everyone will have at least a little taste).

cardamom coffee braid - vetebrod

Now's the time for this Swedish treat. We love this bread in our house, in fact I use 3 times the amount of cardamom called for in the recipe. On Christmas morning we spread slices with lots of butter and have it with hot coffee while we open presents. For the second batch I plan to shape the dough into Lucia Buns, small spirals and figure eights.

paperwhites at christmas

These will be all finished by next weekend. But I have some more at early stages of sprouting so maybe they will be flowering. It's tricky, trying to time blooms.

last leaves

Our cat Min enjoyed a sunny spot on a blanket of leaves. Soon after rain was due so I swept them away.

made in Sweden

I found the candelabra on ebay and then bought white candles from Denmark that will fit as standard tapers are too fat. I love the charming hand painted wood, so very Swedish!

Here is hoping that the paperwhites I am forcing will be in full bloom for Christmas. I scouted thrift stores for clear glass cylinders so the cool-looking roots will be visible. The local nursery has a bulbs half price so today I bought some hyacinths to force. I have been inspired by the gorgeous seasonal flowers, bulbs and wreaths at the Swedish blog liljorochtulpaner Can't read a word of it but can't get enough of the photos.

livingroom, newly painted

Weekends are when I get stuff done, so it's taken forever to paint the livingroom. But finally it's done, the ladder and dropclothes are no longer in the middle of the room. I am really happy with the result. Benjamin Moore "Pale Pewter" is the color and it is very Nordic cool and calm and I think looks good with the trim color, "White Dove" (my favorite white.) The curtain rods are up but I haven't decided what to do about curtains--I kind of don't want to cover the beautiful 1930s window trim.