Tomten/The Tomte

"Midvinternattens köld är hård,
stjärnorna gnistra och glimma.
Alla sova i enslig gård
djupt under midnattstimma.
Månen vandrar sin tysta ban,

snön lyser vit på fur och gran,

snön lyser vit på taken.

Endast tomten är vaken."

utdrag ur Tomten av Viktor Rydberg

"Deep in the grip of the midwinter cold

Stars send a sparkling light.

All are asleep on this lonely farm,

Deep in the winter night.

The pale white moon is wanderer,

And snow lies white on pine and fir.

Snow glows on rooftop shake.

The tomte alone is awake".

excerpt from The Tomte by Viktor Rydberg

GOD JUL!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Wrapping it up

There are a lot of things being wrapped up at the moment. Presents, projects, and 2011 to name a few.

If you are giving away a bottle of wine this holiday season, how about wrapping a hat and a scarf around it?

From World Market

Here are some more decorations for wine bottles:

From World Market

And here are some elves wrapping their arms around candles.

From CB2

To my sister, who is a librarian, I would like to tell her about an alternative Christmas tree that might be to her liking. No wrapping involved here, only stacking:)

From Instagram

This Christmas book tree was originally created in one of the Anthropologie stores.

Last minute Christmas present suggestions

Are you panicking because you still have some Christmas presents to buy? Maybe you do not even know what to buy. You have an auntie who has everything? A teenager who seems indifferent to everything or who wants a lot of expensive gadgets?

Personally, I think books, food, beverages, and experiences are the best presents to give and to receive.

You can make your own basket filled with food items the receiver likes. For instance, if they like cheese, buy unusual or different kinds of cheese. Add dates, nuts, fig spread, or some fruit. If they like lemon-flavored food, how about lemons, lemon-flavored cookies, Limoncello (Italian lemon liqueur), and lemon olive oil. 

From About.com Canada

A book is almost always appreciated. How about a book that bears their name in the title. If you know they will be travelling soon, how about a book about the place that they are going to or a book by a local author from that area. If they like to cook, then a cook book is the answer. Need to cheer someone up, then Ben Elton is the answer.

Do they have a special interest? How about giving away an experience, such as a cooking course, a chocolate making course, a zip lining session, a massage session, or tickets to a theater or other cultural event.

From Microsoft Office Images

What about to the teenager then? Yeah, that is hard. Maybe a funny looking USB drive, a clean t-shirt, or a hoodie. They might enjoy a concert as well.

From IndyGizmo

Good luck!

Christmas presents

Today I wrapped all the Christmas presents. This year's wrapping paper and accessories are brown and red.

I am particularly fond of these Christmas ribbons.

And those of you who follow my blog knows that I have a thing for felt.

What is it about snowflakes that make people happy and smile? I love snowflakes. I think I could have snowflakes on just about everything during winter.

I hope that you are all done Christmas shopping, because Christmas is soon here. Unless, of course, you depend solely on Santa:)

Doctors and dentists give out candy

The pediatrician always wanted to give the little one a lollipop when we left after an appointment. Sigh. When I tried to explain that I don't do candy weekdays, the doctor stopped offering lollipops. Almost anyway. She would instead, always, take out a lollipop, showing it to the little one, and then, suddenly remembering my preferences, withdraw her hand saying: "Oops, your little one does not eat candy, right." Only, then Irene had already seen the lollipop, so guess what happened? No, she wouldn't get the lollipop, and argument would ensue. This happened every time. But not anymore. Because we have a new doctor now. No lollipops, just pure medical treatment:)

Oh, was I glad that that episode ended. Only last week I became a bit concerned, because I went to our dentist last week and found something that I did not want to see in dentist office. Now, I will not change my dentist. They are extremely professional and I like them a lot. Them means two. I have two dentists:) 

This is what I found in their office. I hope this Christmas tree is only going to stay there during the holiday season.

Anyone else being offered candy at their doctor or dentist?

Pepparkaksbak

The following picture has been circulating on the web the last week or so. I cannot help but find it a little bit funny, mainly because of the word "pepparkaksbak" which in Swedish means "to bake gingerbread cookies." However, in the context of this picture it can also mean "gingerbread butt."

Have you baked yours yet?

Picture from Pettersons blog.

Lucia

It is dark and cold outside this early morning on December 13. My oldest daughter has just left for school, and the house is quiet since no one else has woken up yet. I am laying the breakfast table and preparing the IPad for a little Lucia viewing on YouTube with the little one before she is off to Kindergarten.

Tonight we will celebrate Lucia properly with Santa Lucia music and typical Lucia snacks, such as Lucia buns and gingerbread cookies. And we will welcome Christmas into our house by playing one of my favorite Christmas songs, Jul, jul strålande jul.

Picture from Microsoft Office images.

All numb

Today I spent nearly two hours at the dentist's removing three old childhood fillings and having new ones done. My dentist is fantastic, but I realized booking a time at 11:30 was not such a good idea.

Now it is 2:30 pm and I am sitting in the kitchen trying to eat with half my face and one nostril all numb. Not fun.

And when I laugh it looks like the most fake smile ever. Better close my mouth for another hour or so until I am back to normal again. Whatever that is...

A visit to World Market

I sometimes visit World Market which is a retail store that sells imported products such as food, wine, and furniture.

This store was founded in San Francisco in 1958 and today has 259 stores in the US.

The main reason that I visit World Market is for its food and to buy gifts. Here I can buy salty licorice for my husband and Swedish Christmas soda.

The other day I brought the little one with me and she was fascinated by some of the things that they were selling. Well, which kid wouldn't like to lay their hands on one yard of bubblegum:)

A bit of my Kirkland

I regularly take morning walks in Kirkland. Sometimes with a friend, sometimes on my own. A brisk morning walk is a wonderful way to start a new day.

Today I took some pictures that I would like to share with you.

I usually start off in downtown Kirkland and walk to Carillon Point located in the southern part of Kirkland. Christmas decorations are up early here; already at the end of November.

I like Carillon Point with its marina, several restaurants, and a hotel. Hidden behind the hotel is a small stream.

Kirkland has many sculptures spread out across its city. Here is the Leap Frog sculpture.

Houghton Beach is popular during the summer, but now it looks deserted and cold.

Two birds are killing some time by going for a swim.

It is easy to slip inside the Beach House restaurant for something warm. However, stick to the drinks. The food is not that good here. A nice cup of tea with a view over Lake Washington will do just fine.

Children can look forward to a new playground at the popular Houghton Beach.

As I stroll along Lake Washington Boulevard, I admire the British looking houses of red bricks. Not so common in this part of the US.

And now I am back in downtown Kirkland. There are plenty of restaurants and a few boutiques for women who like to dress up for an evening out, but I lack a men's clothing store, a women's clothing store for everyday clothing, a paper store that sells pens, personal calendars, stationary, and such, and a shoe store.

Via Lago sells women's clothing.

I have yet to visit Herban Wellness, but it looks nice from the outside.

Simplicity Decor sells home decor and is located on our quaintest street, Park Lane.

Sweet Cakes is another cute little store that sells cupcakes. They have a large assortment of gluten free cupcakes as well.

And as I pass the little boy who has got his holiday outfit on, I am content after an hour's walk in my Kirkland.

Have a good day everyone!

Make a change this Christmas

Christmas time is a time to give and love, right? Or not? Are we taking time to think about the ones who have little or nothing at all, or are we just rushing around spending money on things we and our family mostly do not need?

If you want to do something different this year, try Kiva. Kiva is an online lending platform, and on the Kiva website you can make a loan to an entrepreneur somewhere in the world for as little as $25. You choose to whom you want to lend money and then just sign up. You can sign up through your Facebook account as well. It is really easy. And this is a great way to get your family and kids involved.

Hang in there George Michael, Praying for time.

Welcome December

The only time of the year when I want snow is in December, in particular around Christmas. There is nothing that can bring the same kind of Christmas feeling as large fluffy snowflakes falling down from the sky.

If I want snow, it is actually here already; at least up in the mountains less than an hours drive away from Seattle. The ski season has started, and I can see several of my friends posting pictures on FB of their snow adventures in Snoqualmie and Crystal Mountain.

At the moment, though, I am quite content staying put here in Seattle waiting for the snow to arrive just in time for Christmas. Wishful thinking perhaps, because it does not snow that often here.

But I can hope:) Until then, welcome December.

Pictures from Microsoft Office images.

A little gem in Kirkland

I am happy that a new store, Unique Plus, has opened in Kirkland. They sell organic children's clothing and carry sizes from 0-12 years, shoes, and toys among other things. They have a bigger selection for kids 6 and under, but that might change depending on demand I guess.

Unique Plus also has kids events and classes. For December they have:

• Holiday Giving Program where participants will receive a $50 gift certificate from Nikki Gale Photography.
• Classes & Kids Night Out with some exciting holiday classes and parents night out.

For details of their offerings, you can visit their calendar: http://www.uniqueplusplus.com/events-workshops/

When Irene and I visited the store, we picked up a really soft and nice pajama for her.

After counting sheep each night, she has become good at counting and then sleeping:)

Renovation time for fireplace

Just in time for those cold winter months, I decided to renovate our fire place. I wanted a minimalist style that was a bit more in line with Mies Van Der Rohe's "Less is more" aphorism.

Fireplace before renovation:

Fireplace during renovation:

We now have a new fireplace. Gray and in stone. A bit to shiny finish for my liking, but I am happy. However, the gray does not really go well with the brown on the wall, so looking for a white or gray white color for the walls. A friend suggested I just paint the wall above the fireplace to minimize the work of painting the whole living room. If you have other suggestions, please let me know.

Twitter, here I come

Just want you guys to know that I have joined Twitter and I like it!

Hope to see you all there.

@Kickiluran

Naming my company

As most of you know by now, I am planning to start my own company selling Swedish food and Scandinavian design. I have been thinking a lot about names that say something about what I am selling. I would like a name that has some connection to Sweden (and perhaps me).

I think Nordic Delight is a good name, but unfortunately it is already taken.

I would be so happy if you could help me and give some good suggestions.

Thank you!

Ban gasoline powered leaf blowers!

I just want to say that I detest gasoline powered leaf blowers.

The noise they make, the pollution they let out, and the harm they do to the person holding it.

Is there anyone else out there who feels the same?

Microsoft free images

What's wrong with raking, or just letting nature take care of it?!

Happy Halloween!

Today is Halloween here in the US. People put on Halloween costumes and go around to other people's houses to do trick or treat. In recent years, this event has spread to many other countries, and today most Swedes are familiar with Halloween.

I usually just put some pumpkins outside our door for decoration. No scary ghosts or spider webs.

And then we usually head off to a Halloween party where Irene goes trick or treating with friends. Zoe hangs out with friends and they go trick or treating on their own.

This year, Irene will be a bunny and Zoe a smurf. No pics yet I'm afraid.

When I grew up in Sweden, we celebrated All Saints Day on November 1. We would put candles on the graves to remember our loved ones who had passed away. It was thought that the dead would return home after the summer, but before winter, and so the candles were there to guide them home.

All Saints Day is a Christian tradition, but its roots go all the way back to Keltic traditions.

This day is also a day to remember the saints and that is why All Saints Day became a holiday in Sweden.

Tomorrow, I will light a candle for my beloved parents who are no longer here.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Have you seen the troll?

In the neighborhood of Fremont in Seattle, a troll has captured a Volkswagen Beetle and won't let go.

The troll is a piece of art that was made in 1990, and it was intended to revive the then run-down area of Fremont.

And at least all Scandinavians know about the troll living under the bridge from the folk tale "Three Billy Goats Gruff."

Center of attention

Yesterday, Irene was coughing a little so I kept her home from Kindergarten. She did not really have a cold, because we played school for two hours and then we had a photo session where Irene was the star:)

In particular, this post is for you, auntie Maud. Youngest girl not so young anymore.