Mias Landliv

Random Sunday photos

2012-01-29T11:49:00.011+01:00

Random Sunday photos for today´s entry... without any particular significance or agenda. Just whatever caught my eye.

A nifty new waffle maker from Moods of Norway (a lovely Christmas pressie from friends) in an uplifting hot pink colour, that makes waffles in the shape of a tractor (not unlike the one we have in the barn!)

Signs of life are always welcome in the dead of winter, here in the shape of a geranium (recently brought indoors from its winter hibernation in the outhouse).

Loving the colours in my kitchen/living room at the moment. Colour in the dead of winter = happiness!

The grey cable knit cushion is coming along... slowly. I do get to knit a row or two every now and then, whenever I sit down for a sec on my fave cosy chair.

From that very chair I have a perfect view towards this bright patchwork cushion that lifts my spirits no end.

And of course more small signs of life on the cherry branches, after a few weeks in the warmth of our living room.

Small glimpses of my Sunday... hope yours is a lovely one too!

Heart of steel

2012-01-26T12:00:00.006+01:00

In all honesty I do dearly hope my heart is not made of steel... but I do have to admit being a tiny bit fascinated by steel. Even though I am very much a country girl at heart, I can not help but be drawn to some of the more industrial elements in decor.

I like to think they counterbalance some of the prettiness I like to surround myself with. Last august I bought the Tolix chairs that I am most pleased with. And when I found this steel wagon from House Doctor in my friend Eva´s fab webshop Landcharm I just knew it would be a nice "steely" addition to my home.

Not only does it look good, it is pretty nifty too. I love the industrial look wheels, and I love the fact that it can house some of my ever increasing collection of decorating books. As regular readers of my blog will know, books are one of my weaknesses.

Winter has us in its cold grip at the moment. We have a bit of snow, it is cold and grey. On days like this I enjoy spending time indoors, staying close to the wood burning stove. And browsing through some of my favourite books, which are now even closer to hand.

At it again...

2012-01-24T14:46:00.010+01:00

I have ever so many projects on the go... so many WIP´s to finish. So the obvious solution to my predicament is of course to start yet another one! And not just any old project, but yet another knitted cushion.

Maybe it is the cold dark season we are in, but there surely is nothing quite as pleasing as running warm soft yarn through ones fingers, while one knits something cosy and comforting. Of course one can always argue that there is only so much comfort to be had in a knitted cushion...

But then surely you have never tried to knit one in the lovely soft "Kashmir alpakka"-yarn from Sandnes Garn. This time I have chosen to change my design a bit. For one I am using knitting needles size 5,5. The cables are knitted out if 6 stitches, with 3 purl stitches in between.

Every now and then I am drawn to grey, and on this grey winter´s day I am loving this grey wool. Tomorrow I might go for orange (as if!) but today grey comforting wool it is. And eventually I will have yet another knitted cushion to add to my collection!

R.i.p.

2012-01-22T16:35:00.013+01:00

Freedom is a wonderful thing. But freedom can also be dangerous, especially if you are a hen. I am afraid for Klara Klok (Clever Clara) it was fatal. Now Klara Klok was indeed a clever chook, born and bred here on our smallholding. She was the eldest hen in the flock, the leader of the pack, even though the rooster in the henhouse may have thought he was in charge. And Klara had seen a few of them come and go in her day. Sure enough, nobody messed with Klara.

But the other day, when the whole pack were out and about roaming the grounds, danger struck from above. Taken quite unawares the poor chooks fled for cover. Only eight (out of 17 hens and two roosters) made it into the safety of the henhouse. The rest were scattered all over the grounds, in the bushes, under the deck and in the barn. By twilight I had managed to salvage all but three, quite safe in the knowledge that at least Klara Klok was clever enough to find shelter.

The next morning two of the missing hens appeared from nowhere, quite safe and sound, heading straight for their run. But not Klara Klok. A while later I found her, in the thick of the lilac bush, where she had ended her day as Goshawk´s prey. I have heard that the birds of prey always go for the most handsome hen. Sadly enough it turned out to be true (apart from the George Clooneys of the henhouse, that had made it into the henhouse in time).

In the nine years I have kept free range hens, not once have I lost a hen... or a rooster, to a predator. That is until I lost Klara Klok the other day. I am sad she is gone (even though she had stopped laying eggs, except maybe the odd one on a warm summer day). Dear Klara Klok, you will be sorely missed, and never forgotten. R.i.p.

"The Summer memories"-quilt

2012-01-20T14:30:00.011+01:00

"The Summer memories"-quilt is finally finished! It has been a long time in the making, mostly due to shortage of backing material. On the outset I just had a pile of assorted fabrics and a wish to be thrifty.

All went swimmingly until it came to the backing... which I did not have! My favourite quilt backing is the white linen from Ikea, but it turned out that they did not have it either! Until now. But I guess it has been worth the wait, and I am tickled by the end result.

I am also tickled by the way the quilt matches the "Sweet and sour"-crochet cushion I made last spring. It was totally unplanned, for sure, but one would be forgiven for thinking that they were indeed made for each other.

Not to mention the knitted blanket. I do love how good they look together. Now I do not necessarily strive for a matchy look. In fact I try to go for the opposite.

Yet I do like it when things are in harmony, and when nothing jars the eye. And I am particularly pleased with the harmony these makes of mine create. By accident, for sure.

But then again, I guess I am fond of certain colours, so I tend to work with them time and again... and in doing so create a kind of harmony in the process. Needless to say, I am happy with the end result, and the guest room has got a new look.

Thank you for all your wonderful comments in regards to my garden. You are just too kind!

My garden

2012-01-19T14:48:00.006+01:00

My garden - my joy! Constantly changing and evolving. But what did it look like in the very beginning? This entry has been greatly inspired by the lovely blog "Roser og Patina" and her fascinating story about how her beautiful garden came to be.

The spring of 2000, our first spring here, and my garden was just a dream. Reality being quite a different story (sorry about the poor quality of the photos... pre-digital ones). We had just finished building our little house, and there truly was no garden to speak of. Just a lot of possibilities.

By the spring of 2002 the potager had started to take shape, even though everything was still looking very bare. But I had got my six long coveted raised beds and stone pathways. And after a bit also the white picket fence, that now surrounds and protects the potager (our plot is a windy one).

Later... much later... we expanded with more raised beds for a cutting garden, in a different part of our plot. And a couple of years ago they were even further expanded to a total of 10 raised beds.

My garden is a flat space, that I slowly (but surely) try to section off to different garden rooms. Every year we plant more trees and bushes, in an effort to create hight, and to protect the garden from the winds (I do wish we had done so right at the start).

We have also planted hedges, but all these take ages to grow to any size to speak of in our tough climate. And after every cold winter we lose some. Mainly roses, but after last winter also all the honeysuckles that climb along the wire arches. Mice play havoc under the snow, damaging fruit trees, roses and hedges.

But my pride and joy remains the potager. This is where I grow most of our vegetables, and this is where many of my favourite perennials can be found, surrounding the white picket fence.

Even before our little house was built, I had already drawn plans for the potager, along with the "alley-beds" that lead to it. We have yet to lay the stones along that very path (hopefully this spring/summer). The white picket fence also needs a new lick of paint this coming spring (on hindsight white may not be the most practical colour for garden fence).

But then again I never was practically inclined. And as for the fence, I would not have it any other way. On hindsight there are a number of things I could have done differently. But the wonderful thing about a garden that it is never finished. It is constantly changing, there is always room for improvement. Which makes gardening such a fascinating activity.

Quite pleased

2012-01-16T16:48:00.010+01:00

This cushion cover started out without any grand design or plan. All I wanted was to use up some of my wool left over from other projects.

Sometimes no plan is a good plan! I am in fact quite pleased how this little project turned out. I love the randomness of it.

It is not as colourful as most of my other crochet cushions, but I do love the subtle layers of creams, blues and greys.

I have used white linen for the backing, sewn envelope-style, with ties. And voilà, a new favourite has been born! (Note to self; no plan next time...)

New kids on the block

2012-01-14T15:25:00.008+01:00

There are new kids on our block... or rather two new roosters. Such handsome fellows. They have replaced "the fierce one", who was getting far too protective of the hens for his own good.

So the poor bugger ended in the pot, while these two brothers have taken his place. Now these new kids are of a gentle nature, a joy to have around, yet just as popular with the ladies, as the "fierce one" was.

Our winter so far has been a very mild one, with only the odd snowfall, that seems to disappear within a day or two. I do not mind, and neither do our feathery friends.

Usually they are incarcerated in the henhouse all winter long, not being able to set foot outdoors for months on end, due to all the snow (that they do not appreciate).

Not so this year. And they sure are making the most of it, spending every daylight hour outdoors, roaming the grounds, where they are able to scratch the ground to find the odd treasure, and some (not so) green grass.

Best I could come up with...

2012-01-10T16:33:00.012+01:00

I so wanted to start something new at the beginning of the bright new year. Preferably something colourful (never mind all the less colourful projects from last year, still waiting to be finished...)

But I have run out of colourful wool and fabric. So this is the best I could come up with. Not much, I admit, but it is what I have to work with at the moment. I do not know what it is with a new year, but it always makes me yearn for colour.

Maybe it is just the time of year, when the nature outside is void of colour. And with the freshly fallen snow the world outside is truly black and white (gratefully with a blue sky, though...) So in my hunger for a new colourful project I have started stitching hexagons.

I do not plan to make anything substantial (like a quilt), just a cushion cover. I am very fond of this one, and even though the one I am working on now is not going to be quite so colourful, there is always the odd chance that my friend will actually approve... hihii.

On a different note... very much in the spirit of "the same procedure as every year, James" I am yet again full of hope. Hoping for fresh green leaves and tender cherry blossoms.

I have picked a bunch of cherry branches from the garden, hoping that in a couple of weeks time I will be able to be enjoy this. I am so looking forward to new growth... to spring, light and colour. Both inside and out. Meanwhile I´ll be stitching my hexies.

Change is good

2012-01-08T14:45:00.007+01:00

Change is good... don´t you think? There is hardly anything I like better than to change things around in my house and my little studio. Nothing major, just a change in textiles, colours and the small things around me.

Today it is my little studio that has gone through a slight change. Until today it looked like this (by the way, if you click on the link you will see that I have yet to finish all the various projects shown in that post, save for the colourful knitted blanket).

The quilt on the day bed is a favourite of mine, made mostly out of various Cath Kidston fabrics. It has, on several occasions, graced the sofa in our living room, but never before the day bed in my studio.

When a particular quilt or blanket is not being used, it is stored in the old white cupboard in my studio. The cupboard contents are constantly changing, all depending on what is being used, whatever new I have made, and what has found a new home.

But enough change for now, I really better start doing something useful, rather than keep fiddling with my stuff. As mentioned earlier, I have several projects to finish (so that they can find their rightful place, either in the house or in the cupboard!) and new ones on the go (more about those later). So I better get cracking...

Coffee break

2012-01-05T14:43:00.007+01:00

The fact that I am a tea drinker is well documented here in my blog. While the fact that on most days I enjoy an afternoon coffee break is not (not that it is such an earth shattering piece of news that it deserves documentation as such. But then again none of the stuff in my blog is...)

Nonetheless, I do enjoy a cup of coffee, usually accompanied by a sweet something. But since this is a bright new year, and really the time for various resolutions (quitting sweet stuff being one...) I have enjoyed my cup of coffee today without any such guilty pleasures. And plan to do so way into this new year.

Since I have no sweets to go with my coffee, I take sweet pleasure in the colourful stuff around me instead. It has, in fact, become quite a habit for me to start the new year colourfully. This new year being no exception.

I plan to continue the colourful start way into this new year too. Plans for new projects are under way... soon to be documented here. I do love a new year... a new start, don´t you? Have you made any new plans or resolutions?

Spot the difference

2012-01-03T15:30:00.012+01:00

Spot the difference. Or rather... what is new in this photo. No, it is not the rosy cushions, neither is it the colourful crochet blanket.

Nor the pretty roses (the same ones as in the previous entry) in the vintage jug. The blue and white Spode coffee cup is not new either.

No, I do not blame you for not spotting what is new, as the new one is almost the same as the old one... hihii. Yes, we have bought a new white sofa!

The old one had served us well for some 16 years (the last eight in a white guise, as opposed to the original beige). But after such a long service the poor thing was definitely looking (and feeling) worse for wear.

A new year... a new sofa. Ektorp from Ikea (the very sofa that can be seen all over Blogland, at least in Scandinavia). Not that it worries me. We needed a new sofa, and as luck would have it Ektorp is now on special. A good start for the new year!

All is well that ends well

2011-12-31T16:30:00.010+01:00

All is well that ends well... I guess it goes both for this year and for my knitted blanket! Only a few hours left of 2011, and what a way the year ends. This last day has been a glorious one, cold and sunny. Just the way to end it. And to welcome a new one.

As for my knitted blanket, it too seems to end well. Regular readers will know about my doubts in regards to this very project, but I like to think that it all came together in the end. I have used these days between Christmas and New Year to assemble the rest of the squares.

And to crochet a little border, including a picot edge, to finish it all off. I chose to do the border in white, as there is enough colour going on in the blanket itself (about 16 different colours, I think... I am afraid I have lost count of them all...)

The blanket is made of 150 squares (10 x 15), knitted mostly out of Falk (Dale) and Smart (Sandnes Garn) using knitting needles 3,5. One square is made out of 27 stitches x 27 rows of garter stitch. I got about 3,5 squares out of one ball of wool.

I am pleased to have finished this project before the year ended. 2011 has been a good year, and this blanket did not turn out half bad either... all is indeed well that ends well. 2012, I am ready!

2011

2011-12-29T18:07:00.016+01:00

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

2011 - the year that has been. Just a few photos... it was difficult to choose only one for each month. But I did. Mias Landliv anno 2011. Wonder what this entry will look like in a year´s time (here is last year´s entry). Wonder what 2012 will bring? If you hang around you just might find out...

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL! THANK YO FOR BEING SUCH A GREAT BUNCH.

A good girl...?

2011-12-27T16:15:00.009+01:00

I hope you all have had the loveliest of Christmases. Thank you for your Merry Christmas-wishes, for e-mails and even presents. I am so grateful for them all. You truly are the best.

We have had a lovely Christmas, just the three of us (Zara, the dog, being the third one). Delicious food and drink, lovely long walks in the woods (never mind the storms that have been howling most days) and just enjoying each others company.

We opened the presents on Christmas Eve (according to Norwegian tradition). Oh my, I do believe I have been a good girl this past year... so many lovely gifts!

Books, blue and white GreenGate china (I have had my eye on the little jug for ages!), Kusmi tea (thank you Marianne!) and some nice cotton yarn for new crochet projects, along with a crochet hook and home made pouch for keeping them all in.

But the biggest surprise was a new pair of original Muckboots. Just what a country girl needs. A good girl indeed...?

Random December ramblings

2011-12-20T15:37:00.015+01:00

Do sit down and have a cup of Christmas tea and chocolate cake (the recipe can be found here) as this is a long rambling post about random Christmassy things a casa mia.

Remember the oranges and cloves from my post the other day? Well, now they are (finally) done and are here to spread their lovely scent in the room.

Look who is here for the holidays! The lovely Zara is going to spend Christmas and New Year with us. We could not be more pleased.

We would love to have a dog, but being able to borrow this lovely creature every now and then is the second best thing.

No Christmas without angels, and here is one of my very favourite one. She has made many an appearance here in my blog, and is likely to make many more...

My tree is also decorated with angels.. and baubles... and cones (not a single Santa, his helper "nisse" or Santa´s sleigh in sight..)

Last, but not least... my Christmas stockings. These are the very first pair I made several years ago. They are the "mother" of all my other stockings.

Since I made these I have developed the design a fair bit, but this first pair remains a firm favourites in our house. So much so that my hubby does not want me sell them, or give them away as gifts (like I have done with the others).

Ah well, who am I to complain... these stockings hold delightful memories from Christmases past. There is certainly a lot to be said for old favourites.

It sings...!

2011-12-18T15:31:00.008+01:00

I started knitting these squares for a blanket back in July. But never before have I been so unsure about my choice of colours for a project. Usually I have at least a vague idea of what I am trying to achieve, but this time it has been a struggle.

I started out with a few of my favourite colours; blues, pinks, greens and lilacs. But then I started to have doubts. Was it too plain... was it too boring... So I tried to add different colours; bright yellows and even orange (not my favourite colour by a long shot).

But none of them worked (for me). In the end I decided to go with what I had, only to include a light bluey grey. So here you have it. But does it sing...? Yes, I like to think it does. These are "my" colours, after all. Not that the blanket is quite finished yet.

I have six more rows to assemble (making it a total of 15 x 10) and a (hopefully) pretty border to crochet, to finish it all off. Also I am hoping that the finished result will look a bit neater after I have given it a quick steam press (not sure it is the "right" thing to do with wool, but it does help against the bulging).

Calm and bright...

2011-12-16T16:44:00.007+01:00

The run up to Christmas is usually a busy one, and more often than not I tend to find myself under a fair bit of stress. This year has been different, though.

Our nearest and dearest have this year chosen to celebrate Christmas under balmier skies, so the cakes were baked early, the presents wrapped and exchanged early, and out little house decorated earlier than usual for the parties.

And now, one week before Christmas, all that is left to do (well, not quite, as I still have some cards to write..) is to enjoy it all. Truth be told I am totally loving it!

The Christmas tree has been decorated with old favourites, things I have collected over the years. As for the presents under the tree, they are still a well kept and prettily wrapped (thanks to family and friends) secret.

Trees, angels, oranges and stars...

2011-12-13T13:55:00.009+01:00

You will be forgiven for thinking that such "an impressive" title is followed by all manner of interesting things. Not quite the case, unfortunately. This is just a random post about my Christmas preparations, while the storm is howling and rain is pelting down (soon all the snow from my recent post will be a distant memory).

Never mind the storm, indoors all is cosy and warm. A little Christmas tree has found its way into the living room, where it will remain, unadorned, through the Holiday. The oranges and the small bowl of cloves have a purpose, too. The plan is to decorate the oranges with the cloves (I do love the smell of those two together), but since daylight is so scarce, I did not get to do it... and to take a photo of the finished result... before the light disappeared.

I can not be called a minimalist, and most likely I will never be one, but recently I have found myself wanting less things and more space around me (no mean feat in a small house). This includes Christmas decorations. In the beginning of December I brought down from the attic my (one!) cardboard box of decorations. Out came the angels and my Advent lights, and the rest went back up. This little angel is one of those that made it.

Back in early November, while I was still just dreaming of my Christmas decorations, I planned to "go rustic". It seems I am more or less sticking to that plan. Another (smaller yet) Christmas tree has been plonked, quite unceremoniously, into yet another white jug on the window sill. It too will remain unadorned.

As for the star (in the title), it refers to the one in my laundry. There it shines, night and day, all through the Holidays. Just as it has done for the past (give or take) six years. And hopefully will continue to do so for Christmases to come.

But the main "star" of my Christmas is still waiting for its chance to shine. No Christmas without a big, "proper" tree (this one will be decorated!). Ours was bought yesterday, and is still waiting in an outhouse, in a bucket of water, to be brought indoors. Hopefully tonight, as tomorrow evening is the date for our annual Christmas dinner with friends. To be continued...

How are you getting along with your Christmas preparations?

December morning

2011-12-10T11:56:00.005+01:00

I do like me a slow leisurely morning (I have never been a "rise and shine"-person, and usually require a bit of time to "shine" in the morning), like this Saturday morning in December. A cup of tea, a wood burning fire and a bit of crochet, just the way I like it.

I am still working on the bluey grey cushion cover. Some more grey wool has been bought, and I hope to get this finished some time soon. Not that there is any real hurry, as I quite enjoy the process.

There is no denying that Christmas is fast approaching. But my "decking the halls" seems to be a slow process. What I enjoy most about Christmas decorations are the flowers and the scents. And I have made a start at both. A white azalea and lovely Christmas potpourri.

Not to forget my beloved victorian angels. They are the first decorations to come up every December. This year being no exception. But this year I am in luck. Not only do I have the usual angels to hang in the living room window. I even have a new set of angels to hang in the bedroom.

My mother-in-law had a clear out this summer(!) and threw these lovely creatures in the bin. But as luck would have it my alert father-in-law (who remembered my fondness for these very angels) rescued them. Now the angels have a new lease of life, and I can assure you never again will they be thrown in the bin!

The first snow

2011-12-07T16:13:00.008+01:00

Autumn has been unusually mild this year. Apparently the mildest one since they started recording such things, some 100 years ago. Which is quite a contrast to last year, when the unusually severe winter set in early November (making it the coldest November in 100 years).

Truth be told I have quite enjoyed the mild weather, and have not longed for snow. That is until now, when the fast approaching Christmas has made me dream of a white world (there is only so much I can take of the darkness, and now that the sun sets around 3 pm, and it is more or less pitch dark by 3.30, I long for some light).

To my delight it started to snow last night, the very first snowfall this winter. And it continued to snow throughout the night till this morning. Once the clouds drifted away the sun came out and shone from a clear blue sky.

How can I not love the snow? It makes the whole world (from where I stand) look so pretty and squeaky clean. And Christmassy. I wonder if it is too early to start dreaming of a white Christmas...?

First Paris... then party!

2011-12-05T16:34:00.009+01:00

As previously mentioned I had a special day in November, one that my loved ones thought worth celebrating. So first I was whisked off to Paris. Then it was thought that a party was called for.

So a party we had, though just for the immediate family. Now I do not often show you a prettily decorated table, as pretty tables unfortunately are not my forte. There have been the odd photos of a pre Christmas dinner with friends, and of a barn party for a larger group. And that´s about it.

This time I did my best to set a pretty table, using all the assorted china, glasses and chairs at hand (I never seem to have enough of any one of them). And the lovely roses (by now starting to look shabbily pretty) given to me by my hubby on my very day.

The long and short of it is that we had a lovely party, with lots of laughter (and the odd tear...), good food and wonderful company. And now that I am done with the celebrating I believe it is about time to start thinking of the approaching Holiday in earnest...

Dear Santa...

2011-12-01T17:56:00.006+01:00

I guess it is a bit early to hang a pair of Christmas stockings at the end of ones bed, hoping that Santa will fill it with all manner of delightful things. But then again that is not why I hang them there in the first place...

I do so because I like to think they bring a bit of Holiday cheer into the room. And who knows, maybe something nice will show up in the stockings come Christmas morning.

But these stockings are not supposed to hang here. After finally having finished the pair, that has been a long time in the making, they are off to the Basnes Christmas Fair (along with a few others).

Meanwhile... Dear Santa, a bit more daylight would not go astray, so that it were indeed possible to take a decent photo...

On my merry way...

2011-11-30T15:12:00.009+01:00

Finally I am on my merry way as far as the "merry" knitted squares are concerned. But it has been such uphill work. Every time these knitted squares have made an appearance in my blog (and it has been a few!) I have received several questions about their assembly. To which I had no answer.

After having finished all the squares, and having stared at them for weeks on end, I finally took the plunge and started stitching them together. Just like I had done with the grey blanket (crocheting them together, maybe with a contrasting colour, was discarded after some time´s contemplation).

I do find it difficult to get a neat result. Stitching the vertical seams is easier, as I can always use a matching colour. But the horizontal seams are worse. I have been told that if an exact colour for stitching is not available, use grey. In this instance I considered light blue to be the next best thing...

I still find the stitching uphill work, but I do like the finished look so far, so continue I shall... merrily! I would love to get this finished by Christmas, but from where I stand it does not look promising. I shall keep you posted.

(The lovely roses in these photos were given to me by my lovely hubby on my lovely day yesterday).

Volume III

2011-11-28T14:12:00.007+01:00

About one and a half years ago I very nearly closed my blog. But before doing so I had my blog printed out as a blog book. Which turned out to be two whole books (after then 3,5 years of blogging).

A while back my blog had its 5th anniversary, and I thought it was about time to order my 3rd book. And so I did. The book took some time to come, but here it is... Volume III of the saga of Mias Landliv!

I am sure Mias Landliv will one day cease to exist (at least online... unless, as an old biddy, I will continue to blog about the goings on in the old people´s home... Somehow I doubt it!). But with these books Mias Landliv will not be completely gone, and I will have a lasting memory, a diary really, of all these blog years.

I have ordered my books from Blog2print. If you order your book before the 30th of November you get a 15% discount. My "Volume III" is a hardcover book, has 270 pages and cost about $106, including shipping.

When in Paris...

2011-11-25T21:46:00.013+01:00

When in Paris it really is impossible not to make a stop at Galeries Lafayette, all decked out in her Christmas finery. Quite impressive, quite festive.

When in Paris you really have to have some chocolate... And of course we could not resist all the pretty packaging, with all the sweet stuff. A few treats to our friend and family, and some for ourselves for Christmas.

When in Paris you really have to have some macarons, and we could not leave the place without bringing some home with us. Macarons seem to be the rage in Bloglandia, and now I know why.

No Paris without lovely lotions and potions. I am partial to L´Occitane products, and even though they are widely available all over the world it still was tempting to bring some home from Paris. Also, I found a new perfume to love, Diamonds by Armani (Italian, I know...)

My love of books is not exactly a well hidden secret, and yet again I found it hard to resist a lovely French decorating book by Michéle Lalande. The French do it just so well, don´t they?

I have several books by the same author, and even though most of them are in French, I do enjoy the lovely photographs (even though most of the time the writing is incomprehensible).

So where did we stay in Paris, you might wonder? I can heartily recommend this little boutique hotel nearby the Opera. Most of the delectable shops and sights are within walking distance from this hotel. And we did walk...

We stayed on the top floor, in an attic room. It was indeed a lovely room to return to after a log day out and about the streets of Paris. And more often than not, we indulged in a lovely restorative bath before re-venturing the streets of Paris.

But one of the best things about this lovely room was the little balcony and the view of the rooftops of Paris, basking in the morning sun. I do hope to return, both to Paris and to this delightful hotel, one day.

Meanwhile, I do want to remind you of the Basnes Christmas Fair, starting as of tomorrow.

Paris love

2011-11-24T22:57:00.009+01:00

The reason for my recent silence is... Paris! As it happens yours truly has a special day this month, one that my loved ones thought reason enough to celebrate.

So taken quite unawares, I was literally swept off my feet and flown off to Paris, to celebrate that very special day.

Now I have been to Paris only once, way back in my youth... more years ago than I care to remember. But Paris stayed in my mind as one of those places I would love to return to. And now I have.

Paris was at her best behavior and welcomed me (or so I thought) with sun, bright blue skies and pleasant temperatures.

I did many of the touristy things expected of one; Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Latin Quarter, Sacré-Coeur, Montmartre... you name it.

And I loved it all. In fact, I love Paris, and can hardly wait to return. In the mean time I better brush up on my French, which at the moment is limited to merci, bon jour, au revoir, bon soiree and the like...

Next time I will show you where we stayed (right by the Opera), and what I brought home from Paris...

Slow

2011-11-16T15:32:00.010+01:00

Things tend to move forward slowly for me, it seems. Craft wise, I mean. I am always eager to start a new project, often forgetting that I already have several others on the go. But the temptation to start a new one is hard to resist, and more often than not I give in.

As has been the case with my latest crochet. I started it a while back, but lost interest, and left it lying in the basket with the wool. Until the other day, that is, when I once again picked it up and set to work, quite liking what I saw (if I may say so).

Something else (without any comparison) I found lying about the other day, when I emptied the compost bin, were these bulbs. There, under layers of composted garden debris, I discovered them. I have no idea what kind of bulbs they are. And how they ended up in the compost bin is anybody´s guess...

As for my crochet, it is about to come to another halt, as I am running out of wool. Something that was bound to happen, I guess, since I initially started it with wool left over from other projects. But there never is enough left over wool, is there? Not even for a cushion cover...

Mist

2011-11-14T17:31:00.002+01:00

The mellow fruitfulness is long gone but the mists seem to prevail, as this November has proved to be particularly misty. I do not mind, as I quite like the mysterious atmosphere the mists create.

Not that there is anything remotely mysterious about my activities of late... I have been quite busy in the garden, preparing it for the approaching winter. And if I may say so, I am quite pleased with the results.

The compost has been emptied and spread over the raised beds for soil improvement, making it a real feast for the hens (all the juicy earth worms...) Not that the compost is the only place for such delicacies...

The currant bushes have been pruned (I am afraid it is ages since it was last done). A bonfire is planned for tomorrow, to burn all the cuttings. I can hardly wait for the lovely wood smoke in the misty air.

All the flower beds, in the potager and elsewhere, have been cut back and cleared (I task I often fail to do before the snow falls) and they are about as ready for winter as can be.

And so am I, even though I would not mind if the misty weather continued a bit longer. I quite enjoy it and love to be outdoors this late in the year. As do the hens... a hen party in the mist.

Xmas workshop

2011-11-10T15:38:00.010+01:00

Some of you regular readers might remember I was a bit of a busy bee last autumn, making stuff for a Christmas Fair. And some of you have asked whether there will be a fair this year too.

The answer is yes. There will be a new Christmas Fair at Basnes, and I will have some stuff there this year too. Christmas stockings, for one.

So it is about time to get cracking. I have set up a little Christmas workshop in my studio. This is the outcome so far. A pair of stockings in the making, utilizing old lace, ribbon and some such.

Another pair is also on the go, making use of snippets and small scraps of fabric. Mostly in blue and white (with a bit of Cath and GreenGate thrown in for good measure).

These stockings are such fun to make. A bit of candle light and some Christmas music to set the mood, and time just flies, making it almost hard to leave my little studio at the end of the day.

(Despite my previous resistance, I seem to be getting into all things Christmassy...)

Rustic

2011-11-08T16:28:00.008+01:00

This year I thought I would be prepared. Two years ago I collected some green moss in early November for my Christmas decorations, while last year winter set in unseasonably early, leaving me no choice but to buy imported green moss from Denmark. Quite embarrassing really since green moss is plentiful in the woods just behind our house!

Even though I so far have refused to think about Christmas just yet, it does not hurt to be prepared, right...? So in the lovely sunny afternoon sun (the first we have seen of the said sun this November) I took a little stroll, basket under my arm, into the woods. The mild weather was just about as far removed from any nostalgic idea of a white Christmas as can be, yet I could not help but start thinking a little bit about the coming festive season.

Yesterday I bought the first hyacinth bulbs. Now for us in Scandinavia hyacinth really is a Christmas flower, and not a spring bulb, like in many other countries. Hyacinths also happen to be my very favourite Christmas flower (along with amaryllis). So with the hyacinths and the green moss I think it is safe to say that I have indeed started some tentative Holiday planning.

This year I am thinking rustic. I do not usually go to great lengths to decorate for Christmas. For me the most important thing is the tree (no Christmas without one), together with flowers and candles. Of course it is still early days, and things are subject to change...

Have you started planning your Christmas decorations?

November

2011-11-06T19:19:00.009+01:00

November is not my favourite month by a long shot, and I tend to think there really is very little to commend it. Daylight is increasingly scarce, and the days tend to be gloomy and wet.

This year´s November being no exception. But today I decided to try and find some beauty in a gloomy November day, and accompanied by my trusty camera I went out to look for that very thing.

Of course I did not have to go far to find something to lift my spirits. I headed straight towards the barn. A month ago it was still empty, save for the pile of manure waiting to be spread on the fields.

Now I am pleased to tell you the manure is long gone, and the barn is once again populated by our lovely flock of sheep, including a handsome new ram "Peder", who is proving to be quite popular with the ladies.

I often tend to think of November as an "in-between" month. A month in between the glorious autumn colours of October, and the joyous Holiday celebrations of December.

As I rather not think of Christmas yet, I prefer to enjoy the last of autumn colours in my garden instead. Of course these colours are starting to get quite scarce by now, but there is still some to be found.

Last year the snow came early , but I rather hope that will not be the case this year. Right now I think November as this is not half bad as is, after all...

How about you, do you like November?

What I´ve been up to...

2011-11-05T14:28:00.015+01:00

Oh my, is it really three weeks since my last entry (the longest break in the saga of Mias Landliv so far)...? And oh my, what a lovely bunch of readers you are, so generous and so encouraging. Truly the best ones a blogger could ever wish for. Thank you!

So what have I been up to lately? Nothing much, really. Just a bit of dabbling, like redecorating my little studio. Or maybe it does not quite qualify as redecorating.

The "Denim Love"-quilt, that lived outdoors all summer, has come to stay in the studio. Resulting in a bit of shifting around of bits and bobs. Nothing major.

I have actually grown quite fond of the "Denim Love" quilt. And seeing that it has come to stay indoors, I will in the distant future (called next summer!) need a new one outdoors. So a knew one is on its way. Same look, same colours, nothing original.

I have also been fiddling with a bit of wool. I found some blue, cream and grey wool left over from this and that project. I am thinking I just might have enough wool for a cushion cover.

I have also bought yet another decorating book; "Etcetera" by Sibella Court. This time I was lured by the original cover. And it is quite a lovely book, but not quite "me".

But back to more yarny stuff. Since my last entry I have knit the front of the latest (in a long line of) cable cushion(s). But then I ran out of wool... and steam.

And then there are the knitted squares, that hope one day to be made into a pretty and colourful (have you noticed that so far in this entry there has been a strong blue and white vibe going on? These last two photos are a happy exception) woolly blanket. I still have 16 more to go (only 16, you say...?)

Well done you, if you have managed to stay with me till the end of this long entry. Yes, we have indeed reached the end. Now do feel free to tell me how much you have missed me (as if!) while I was on my wee break, cos I sure have missed you!

Some of you wondered about the lovely dog Zara in my last entry. I am sorry to say she is not ours. But we love to have her stay with us every now and then. Hence her appearance in the blog from time to time.

Celebration...?

2011-10-15T15:46:00.012+02:00

Today is a special day. A day for celebration. As it is exactly five years ago that I posted my very first "Mias Landliv"-entry on this blog. Five years!!!?

So today I have baked a cake and invited the ones I share this household with to join in on the celebration.

Zara graciously accepted the invitation. As did my hubby.

But the thing with this lot is that as soon as they have had their piece of cake they lose interest and are out of action. (No prizes for guessing what is missing from this picture...)

So I am left to my own devices with the celebrating. Unless you, of course, would like to join in? Or maybe you too have lost interest and think I have worn out my welcome...?

Five years, and a whole lot of repetition, like this latest knit of mine (almost the same, but with a twist). So maybe the time has come to quit while I am ahead... Either way, there is more cake to be had.

Beautiful spaces

2011-10-12T16:19:00.008+02:00

Where to find inspiration for beautiful spaces...? One good place to look is Rachel Ashwell´s latest book "Shabby Chic Inspirations and Beautiful Spaces".

Her pretty book appeared in my mailbox yesterday, and there sure is lots of wonderful inspiration to be found, if you are "shabby chic-inclined". I especially enjoyed the photos of a shabby man´s home!

I also love old portraits , and therefore totally adore Rachel´s creative nook, including this pretty painting.

Of course there are loads of beautiful homes (twelve, to be exact) to look at and admire in the book, some more theatrical (and maybe a little less livable?) than others.

I am happy to own most of Rachel´s books, and even though I am most pleased to have been able to add her latest book into my collection, I think her previous book is my favourite one to date.

Are you a "shabby chic-lover"?

Hard pushed...

2011-10-09T14:39:00.012+02:00

We had a dandy frost last night. The first one of this season. Which of course made short work of all the annuals and tender vegetables, like zucchini (I am so glad I tiptoed out there last night, aided by a torch, to pick the last ones before they were ruined by the frost).

Usually the day after a frosty night dawns bright and sunny, but this was not the case today. Grey it was and grey it has continued to be. And to make the matters even worse, it has started to rain now (I guess we ought to be grateful for the fact that it is rain, not snow, after all. As it was forecasted to be on higher altitudes).

One thing is certain, that autumn is here, whether we like it or not. As I tok a stroll in my rather sad looking garden today, I feared I´d be hard pushed to find anything uplifting and redeemable out there (unless, of course, one is a sucker for bare branches and dead leaves...)

But to my delight there still is a bit of colour and, indeed, beauty to be found. I do find autumn colours quite charming, but was also delighted to discover a few brave flowers, that did their best to shine and brighten up this dark October day. Asters, along with rosehips, for one.

And there were a few roses too. Like this Canadian William Baffin. It has been very late blooming this year, as I had to cut it back a good deal after last winter, which was a particularly hard one.

Another brave one is this Comte de Chambord. She was a new purchase this summer, as I lost the one I had this past winter. All I can hope is that this one will make it till next year...

Hard pushed indeed... but I am glad I did take that little stroll today, as is really pelting down now, and there is no way I feel like making another one. But with the aid of an umbrella I just might be able to make it into my little studio. The heating is on now, and it is quite warm and cosy there now.

Pukka comfort

2011-10-06T21:00:00.006+02:00

Well into October it is obvious that autumn really is here. Even though the day today was a sunny one, the wind was anything but warm. I have been working in my little studio today, but after a few hours I was chilled to the bone (note to self: turn on the heating).

So I came back into the house, lit the fire, and brewed myself a cup of tea. I am a tea lover, and drink tea first thing in the morning. Followed by several cups throughout the day. Always black tea, drunk with a dash of milk.

But today I tried something different. Herb tea. And not just any herb tea, but Pukka tea. Now there is hardly a kitchen in the whole of blogosphere that does not feature this pretty packaging, including mine. But today was the first time I actually drank it. And I can assure you it will not be the last.

What kind of tea is your favourite...?

Summer memories

2011-10-05T17:39:00.002+02:00

My latest scrap quilt has been a pleasure to work with. It is full of summer memories, as most of the fabrics I have used somehow seem to remind me of summer.

There is the turquoise summer skirt, hubby´s blue summer shirt, the pretty Cath Kidston fabric I bought this summer, the slightly faded cushions from summers past, the left over lining fabric from my summer bag. And so on.

At the outset I worried that I might not have enough fabric for a whole quilt, but it turned out I had more than enough. And then some. All I need to buy now is the backing. And the wadding, as you can probably tell I have yet to quilt it.

Which will be a pleasure too, I am sure. Even though the quilting bit is not my favourite task when making a patchwork quilt, I will enjoy this one. How can I not, when I get to see all the pretty reminders of summers past run through the machine, while it works its magic? Summer memories indeed!

Brown

2011-10-03T14:20:00.008+02:00

I like brown. Always have, and always will. There have been periods in my life when my home has been full of earthy brown shades. Yet in recent years I have explored other brighter colour combinations, and all that has been left from my "brown days" is my brown furniture.

But come autumn I feel the urge to surround myself with quieter, earthier tones than the pretty pastels that have been the norm lately. White, I am sure, will always stay with me. Yet I love contrast, and what better than a bit of earthiness to contrast with the paleness.

I have been "out and about" this past week, and on my travels I came across this lovely "Vintage by Fé"-shawl. I intended to wear it myself, but seeing how good it looks on my bedroom chair it just might end up staying there...

The furry white cushion is also a new purchase. And all of a sudden I feel that autumn really is here, and that I am just about ready for it. And for a bit of vintage earthiness. Brown is beautiful, would you not agree...?

Closer to home

2011-09-26T11:32:00.007+02:00

As regular readers of my blog will know, we keep a small flock of sheep of an ancient Norwegian breed called "gammelnorsk spælsau". It is a lovely breed, the animals are hardy yet gentle, quite affectionate even. The ewes are excellent mothers and mostly have uncomplicated labours.

A while back the breed was near extinct, as commercial sheep farmers prefer the more meaty white variety. So more often than not the "spælsau´s" fate is left to eager idealistic "hobby keepers" like ourselves, where the love for this ancient breed outweighs monetary gain.

Our flock consist of 24 ewes, one lovely ram and 31 lambs. All summer long they graze at summer pastures further away from home, and we only get to see them on our short weekly visits (to make sure all is well with their world). But come September we bring them closer to home, to graze on the green pastures around our house.

I do like to have them closer to home, so I can see them from my kitchen window. And at the spur of a moment I can go for a cuddle, should I feel so inclined (yes, they ARE affectionate). But even better, in just a months time most of them (minus the young rams, and some of the young ewes which are sold as livestock) will be back in the barn for winter.

As a sheep keeper autumn and winter are my most favourite time of the year. I love the quiet calm contentment in the barn. But we are not there yet. The straw bedding from last winter (full of manure) is still waiting to be spread on the fields. Due to recent rain the fields are saturated, making it near impossible to manoeuver a tractor. But soon... I hope.

Look what I found...

2011-09-24T14:30:00.007+02:00

In my attempt to bring some more cosy colour into my autumn living room, while still sticking to my beloved pastel colours, I went for a rummage up to the loft to see if anything usable could be found there.

And I think I found it. A colourful kelim rug that has been hiding there for quite some time. Now I know I have previously made a few feeble attempts with rugs. Without much success, I might add.

Even the one I now brought down has made a short appearance in the blog before, only to be returned back into the dark attic. But I am fond of this kelim (suppose it is the reason I have been hanging on to it for years), so once again I am willing to give it a go.

I do like to think it adds a certain element of cosiness. And I like the colours in it, and tend to think that they go with my otherwise lighter, brighter colours. But what colour do I see in the rug...?

Orange! I have always thought orange is not "my" colour, but here it is, in my rug. And now that I have a second look at my knitted squares (from the previous entry) maybe I should not have been quite so harsh with the orange wool I bought (and returned to the store). Ah well, it is never too late...

Does it sing...?

2011-09-21T15:49:00.009+02:00

My latest woolly blanket is growing, slowly but surely. And I keep adding colours to it as I go. I started out with more or less the same colours as in the cushion to the left, but soon found out that I needed more.

I have added lighter colours, as for a while I felt it was getting a bit too dark (for my taste). Then I felt that it did not "sing", and needed a bit of razzmatazz, so I bought some bright yellow and orange wool.

But they did not work for me (I guess I am not quite daring and bold enough...?) so I returned the wool to the store and replaced them with more lilac and light green.

The squares are a joy to knit, while watching the news or just taking a break with a cup of tea. And a ball of wool is easy to bring along when going for a visit (yes, I always need to bring something along...)

I still have some 50 squares left to knit. So there is a chance to add more colours. Even though I do quite like the look of it so far I do not hear any "singing". But then again maybe I do not need to. What do you think...?

September

2011-09-19T14:17:00.010+02:00

September - the first autumn month. Early September usually feels more like an extension of summer, but now later into the month it is quite obvious that autumn has indeed arrived.

This year more so than before. But then again it is what I say every autumn... that autumn seems to arrive earlier than ever before. Yet this time I really think it is true.

The leaves are changing colour and many trees have shed theirs already. The productive potager has called it a day, and I have started tidying up.

By this stage not many flowers are to be seen in the garden (at least not in mine!) save for the odd rose that somehow has survived the rain and cooler nights.

As for apples, I can not say I am expecting a good crop this year. I think the exceptionally cold May, when the apples trees blossomed, is to be blamed.

I consider myself lucky if there is enough apples for an apple cake or two.

Then again I can not complain about the blackcurrant crop. Which has resulted, not only in delicious jam, but in lovely blackcurrant cordial. The bottles are now stored in the outhouse, waiting to be consumed on cold winter evenings.

My tomatoes, on the other hand, will not stretch far, as out of one plant I got all of 10 tomatoes. Three of which managed to ripen outdoors. The rest I have brought in, hoping they too will in time turn red. If not, "fried green tomatoes" it is...

Cosy and snug

2011-09-15T13:12:00.006+02:00

Mid September already and summer is definitely over. Even though the temperatures are still relatively pleasant it will not be the case for long. Time to make the home snug and cosy again.

What better way to do it than with wool, sheepskin and the like. Our bedroom is my favourite room in the house, any time of the year, but even more so now that the cooler season is over us.

I love to read in bed, with a cup of tea at hand. And I do love "September" by Rosamunde Pilcher (not a coincidence). Now it will not be the first time I read it, neither will it be the last, as I am one of those capable of reading a favourite book time and again (the same goes for watching a favourite movie).

So this is where you will find me on dark September evenings, cosy and snug. Where will I find you?

Precious

2011-09-13T15:22:00.008+02:00

All summer long my garden is full of flowers that I love, but have a tendency to take for granted. And I am ashamed to admit that I do not always make an effort to bring a bunch of them indoors to grace the table. My excuse for this is that during the summer we tend to spend most of our time outdoors.

But come autumn it is an altogether different story. Every flower from the garden counts, maybe because they are becoming exceedingly rare. And I do my best to fill the house with flowers while I still have a chance.

This autumn flowers from the garden are extra precious as all the rain has ruined their beauty before time. But a tiny bunch of them has been picked and unceremoniously plonked into an olive can, which in no way diminishes their beauty, but rather accentuates it.

Thrifty chic

2011-09-11T17:36:00.008+02:00

"Thrifty chic - interior style on a shoestring" is a new book to me (but maybe not to you, as it was first published in 2009) and one that I truly like. Thrift, recycling, make do and mend... you name it.

All of the above are close to my heart, as it is how I have always decorated my home(s). And lately it has even become fashionable. Not only has recycling become popular, but with thrift you can create a very personal home, far removed from mainstream style (and high street stores).

This book is full of photos of lovely homes decorated with thrift, reused and recycled items. It also contains a "how to"- section with great projects, ranging from padded headboards, lampshades made out of buttons, knitted patch throws (not unlike the one I am working on at the moment) to patchwork pillows.

Speaking of patchwork... my latest project is coming along nicely. It truly is the epitome of thriftiness, as all the fabrics are either recycled clothes, old soft furnishings and left over fabrics. Some have even been found at a local recycling centre.

I am fascinated by the idea of making "something" out of "nothing". And not just making something, but hopefully something quite pretty and useful too. Which really is the essence of patchwork, I like to think.

My patchwork quilt is growing, and so far I quite like what I see. Pretty blues and turquoise (my latest fancy), along with white and rosy pink. It is a joy to make, this little thrifty project of mine. As for chic... remains to be seen.

Worse for wear

2011-09-08T21:11:00.006+02:00

I regret to say that my garden is way past its prime, and is definitely looking worse for wear. I do not have a lush late summer/early autumn garden, just as I do not have a pretty spring garden.

Probably because I have in shied away from yellow, orange and red flowers, the typical late summer colours. So I have to put my trust in the annuals. But even they are looking quite forlorn by now.

The only yellow flower in my garden is this late blooming perennial, tucked away behind my little studio as it has not been allowed anywhere near my flower borders. But boy, am I glad to have it!

As once again I seem to have a craving for more colour. For most people autumn is all about earthy and mellow shades. But for me... it is all about colour, in my house and in my garden. How about you?

Another scrappy one

2011-09-06T17:23:00.008+02:00

It has been a while since I last made a patchwork quilt. All summer long I hardly paid any attention to my good old trusty Husqvarna sewing machine. But now I feel a definite longing for some quality time, in lonesome solitude, in my little studio along with the aforementioned trusty one.

There is only a slight catch... I have hardly any fabric to work with. For the longest time I have been intentionally working through my fabric stash, and hardly having bought any new at all. Apart from these, of course.

Truth be told, I am in fact most fond of scrap quilts. Where old pieces of clothing and other snippets of fabric, with a few pretties thrown in for good measure, end up in one charming quilt. Nothing too planned or too studied. These kind of quilts appeal to me the most.

So here is me hoping that I can stretch this little collection of left overs, vintage fabrics, old shirts and summer skirts into yet another scrap quilt. The last one I made has become a firm favourite.

Now that I have nearly convinced you lot (not to mention myself!) that this is indeed quite possible I am off to my little cubby house to start cutting into this lot. And I do have an idea how I hope the end result will look like. I shall keep you posted!

Autumn

2011-09-02T15:55:00.008+02:00

There is no denying it... the air is crisper, the evenings darker, the nights cooler, the colours changing and the leaves falling. Once again autumn is here.

Every year it comes as a surprise, as if I am not quite ready for it yet. As is the case this year too. But there is nothing else to do but to brace oneself for yet another cold season.

Actually I have grown to like autumn, once I get used to the idea that summer really is over. In a way autumn feels like a new beginning, with more time for craft and other things that otherwise have been put aside during the busy summer season.

Busy or not, I have managed to finished this blue an white ripple that I started back in January. And I am mighty pleased with it. It is so soft, warm, cuddly and... woolly. Seeing that this one is finished I am ready for new projects. Autumn... bring it on.

Speaking of autumn, this entry is my contribution to the "Autumn Mood"-challenge at NIB. Lots of lovely inspiration to be found there.

But before I go, do let me thank all of you who shared your lovely, delicious recipes for broad beans and mushrooms in the previous entry. I can see I will be very busy indeed these coming months, cooking, tasting and enjoying. Thank you!

A good crop

2011-08-31T21:29:00.008+02:00

This summer has been a strange one, weather wise. I just heard on the news that it has been the wettest one since they started recording such things, some one hundred years ago. Yet I have had a good crop of some things, while others (like beets) have not done quite so well.

Broad beans have certainly done well this summer, and today I picked, shelled and blanched yet an other load. Now broad beans are not the regular fare here in Norway, and save for growing them yourself you are not likely to come across them here. I am quite partial to broad beans.

But since they are not commonly available here they do not figure in the Norwegian food tradition either. So I am short of a recipe or two on how to prepare them (the usual way I serve them is to give them a quick boil, and "Bob is your uncle"). Do you happen to have a good recipe that you would be happy to share? I sure would love to know.

Broad beans I grow in my potager, but mushrooms grow in the wild. And this year there has been a glut of them in the woods behind our house (must be all the rain). They are, of course, best eaten freshly picked and quickly fried, but the second best choice is to dry them. Which is what I have done this year (my freezer is still full of cantarelle from last summer... and the summer before). Good mushrooms recipes... anyone?

Tolix love

2011-08-29T09:25:00.010+02:00

I can not remember the last time I bought I stick of furniture... The ones we have, have been in service for years, and have followed us from town to country. Most of them are either inherited or bought second hand. And that is quite the way we like it.

But for the past half a year I have had a secret love affair with the classic Tolix chair, and have wanted one "to have and to hold". And now all of a sudden I have four of them! And I do love them.

I especially love the distressed old look of these particular Tolix chairs. Just as I love the bluey greeny colour. Even though the old patina is not really a genuine article. Just as the chair itself is not really a genuine Tolix.

Not that I care of such "minor details". As long as I love love love the chairs. So far I have chosen not to have any cushions on the chairs, but to be honest they can be a tiny bit chilly to sit on.

So come winter I might choose to have some sheepskins thrown over them, for warmth and comfort. Yes, that might be a good idea. And just in case you wonder what kind of chairs I used to sit on earlier, click here.

Basket case

2011-08-25T19:00:00.007+02:00

I will leave for others to decide whether I am a total basket case or not... but I will freely admit to being extremely fond of baskets. I have quite a few of them and use them for all intents and purposes. But I have never had one like this before.

But what do I get with the gift voucher, worth quite a bit of money, that I got for my winning photo. So many lovely things at Lille Maison I am spoilt for choice. To be honest, the decision was not a difficult one.

As soon as I saw this basket I knew it was the one! And I knew where I would put it too. In my little cubby house come studio. Where there always seems to be a shortage of storage space. I know I will put this one into good use. And I think it looks pretty smart too...

Rule the roost

2011-08-24T14:27:00.010+02:00

Our henhouse has not had a resident rooster for about a year and a half. That is until this summer, when a handsome new gentleman moved in.

He is very popular with the ladies... while he is fiercely protective of them, making sure all is well and that no harm comes their way.

So much so that he does not allow anyone else into the henhouse, including me. So I usually wait until twilight to collect the eggs and to refill their water.

The ladies, on the other hand, are very productive indeed and give us the tastiest eggs, the yellowest egg yolk you ever saw.

That is, unless they get broody, and have their eyes set on offspring instead, not budging for 21 days on end. In the last year and a half this has been a useless activity, seeing that there has been no rooster about.

But now there is new hope in the henhouse, and who knows, maybe "the patter of tiny feet" can soon be heard in there....

Late summer

2011-08-22T15:46:00.010+02:00

Summer is on its last leg here in Norway. I know our summers are short but sweet, yet this year I would not have minded a bit more of the sweetness bit before we head towards yet another winter.

Gratefully there are still a few warm lovely summer days to be had, like the one today. My garden is doing its best to show off its last bit of glory.

Most of my perennials are done flowering, but the annuals are still doing nicely, allowing me to pick bunches of them in abundance to bring indoors.

Most of the vegetables have been harvested by now, save for the root ones, which are still allowed to grow another month of two. Root vegetables are no "delicate flowers", and actually improve in taste after a frost night or two (not that we have had any yet...)

But there sure is a bit of autumn in the air, and we are more or less prepared for the approaching cold season. The firewood is dry and piled high in the barn, ready to be brought indoors when need be (we have already lit a fire or two this August).

The hay for the sheep´s winter feed is also in place in the barn. Come winter the hay will not only feed the sheep, but with its lovely scent remind us of warm sweet summer days.

Have a seat

2011-08-18T18:24:00.011+02:00

To fall in love with a chair... is it really possible? Quite possible indeed, as far as I am concerned. My latest love affair is with this "Tolix-look-alike"- chair, bought from here.

I had been eying it the best part of this summer, but not daring to take the plunge as I really did not need it, so could not quite justify the cost.

But when I the other day once again went over the the shop to swoon over it, I discovered that the coveted chair was on special, with a 40% reduction now in August.

So it did not take me more than a split second to place my order. And then the waiting started, and the anxiousness... whether the chair actually did live up to my expectations.

Today I got the chair home, and I am happy to tell you that it is all I could hope for, and then some. So much so that I have placed a new order for three more chairs, to go around the dining table. A set of four chairs... a serious love affair indeed.

Summer diamonds

2011-08-16T00:06:00.009+02:00

I had high hopes for this summer... I had visions of warm sunny days stretching for months on end, and me myself enjoying it all from the comforts of a deck chair under the parasol, where I would stitch away on my patchwork diamonds (OK, I did plan to do a whole lot more during this summer too...)

But as we all know, fairytales do not really come true... and this summer turned out to be a very wet one. Really the wettest one for decades. And me myself... well I did not get to do much of the planned stitching under the parasol at all.

So my diamonds in the rough have not really turned into the summer jewels I had high hopes for. But in all fairness, I have worked a little on the forsaken diamonds. And now the best part of the summer is over, and early autumn is approaching.

As much as I love summer I do have to admit that in due course I am ready to welcome autumn too. Summer is such a busy time, when "everything" is supposed to happen, and even on rainy days (of which we have had a fair share this summer) I have not been able to slow down.

But with autumn comes calmness... time to reflect and to create. Already I feel myself drawn to the grey shades that for me signify autumn. I do like the way my lilac diamonds match the grey. So from now on they are autumn diamonds. Not a bad idea, actually...

What a lovely day it was

2011-08-12T15:04:00.011+02:00

What a lovely day I had yesterday. The day was crisp, bright and sunny after an exceptionally chilly and gray day just the day before.

But the best thing about yesterday was a visit to Ellen and her charming home together with Eva.

Now those of you who do not know Ellen, she really is the queen of recycling here in Norway, and the author of several popular books, along with "Sjarmerende Jul" and this year´s "Sjarmerende Uterom".

Ellen lives in a quaint little red house, full to the brim with charming recycling ideas. And her delightful enclosed garden is equally full of recycled goodness (check out the first two photos in this entry, and you get the drift).

Ellen treated us to a delicious lunch in her garden. We enjoyed the food, the pretty surroundings, and each others company. Between three likeminded bloggers it is not hard to find things to talk about...

I had such a lovely time, and we all agreed that this was not the last time we met! Thank you, Ellen, for your friendship and for your hospitality.

And more thanks are in order! This time my gratitude goes to you, dear readers. "With a little help from my friends" my photo won! Thank you all!

Take one rainy afternoon...

2011-08-10T16:08:00.015+02:00

Take one rainy afternoon, a bowlful of blackcurrants, two overly ripe bananas, a handful of last year´s beets, a bit of wool and a dog... and what do you get? Quite a bit, as it turns out!

Out of the bowlful of blackcurrants I made jam, and out of the two overly ripe bananas I baked a banana bread.

And out of the two of them I got a lovely afternoon snack (maybe not the obvious combination, but not a bad one at all, as it turned out).

Out of the handful of last years beets (that had been forgotten at the back of the fridge) I got a jar of pickled beetroots.

Out of the colourful wool I knit more squares, and just had to see how they look together so far.

I have to admit I quite like what I see, so I think I will stick with these colours. I still have plenty to knit when the next rainy day comes along, as I am not even halfway done with the squares.

While I have been busy with all of the above, Zara the dog has been busy keeping an eye over the field behind our house... "I spy with my little eye... a sheep!"

I have to say Zara has been patient enough for long enough, so she is about to be rewarded with a long walk. I am about to face the elements (rain, wind and only +9C) and venture outdoors. Safe in the knowledge that there is more banana bread and blackcurrant jam to be had on my return.

(Just in case you wonder... Zara is a labradoodle, staying with us for a few weeks, something she has done quite often this past half a year. She is a delightful dog and a lovely breed for those of us with allergies).

"Mary Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow...?"

2011-08-06T16:48:00.007+02:00

I am pleased to report that my garden grows very well indeed! I love to pick flowers from the garden and there is quite a bit on offer at the moment.

I also harvest peas most every second day, to eat and to store for winter. It is such a pleasure it is to sit outside on the deck and shell them.

What we do not eat immediately I blanch and freeze, to be enjoyed later, during the cold winter months. I do love a well stocked freezer by the time autumn comes.

On a different note: Do you happen to remember this entry about my summer paradise. Would you believe it, it has been picked out as one of 10 finalist here. Do go and have a look. And do feel free to vote for my entry (it would be much appreciated :)

Flowers and vegetables

2011-08-02T22:59:00.012+02:00

Summer is moving on, and August is here with hot humid days and dark cooler nights. A few roses are still around, but my perennial borders are well and truly past their prime.

But this is the time when the raised beds of vegetables and annuals for cutting come to their own. Every day I harvest peas, beans, zucchinis... you name it.

I do miss the optimism of early summer, but I do love the bounty of late summer. This is when I reap the rewards of all the sowing in May. When I pick the veggies in the morning, still covered with dew, to later appear on my dinner plate.

Honestly, there really is nothing sweeter than peas, freshly shelled from their pods, enjoyed directly al fresco. You truly knew anything sweeter... and here we are talking about a vegetable, not a fruit or a berry!

Speaking of berries, though... the red currants and black currants are there for the picking. As are the blueberries in the woods. I see I will be busy indeed the next few weeks. The joys of late summer...

Surprising myself...

2011-07-31T17:30:00.008+02:00

Just when I thought I had figured it all out I surprise myself by wanting quite the opposite. Just when I thought I was all for colour and retro style I find myself going "back to basics".

It might well be that the recent dramatic events are partly responsible for the need to surround myself with less colour.

Somehow there is safety in the calming old white, in textiles that have stood the test of time, that are smooth to the touch and restful to the eye.

It is reassuring to wake up in the morning to the beauty and scent of the delicate roses from my garden.

Safety and reassurance is what I long for at the moment. At the moment I seem to find it in everything white. The need for more colour might come again later, but at the moment it is "back to basics"...

Colour on a Wednesday

2011-07-27T22:14:00.010+02:00

I have a dear friend who has known me most of my adult life. She has seen my various homes and different decorative styles come and go.

She has always been supportive of whatever I have been up to. But after I had posted this entry, she told me she wondered "what on earth is Mia up to now...?"

She could really not see anything promising come out of my latest attempt. But here it is now, for all to see. A very colourful "vintage/retro" cushion.

I, for one, am tickled by the end result, as I like to think it turned out far better than I dared hope for. You (and my dear friend), on the other hand, are entitled to your own opinion...

And just in case you wonder... there is now falling out over a cushion cover, when it comes to old friends!

Comfort

2011-07-26T09:46:00.007+02:00

Even in the darkest hour there is comfort to be found. I am forever grateful to you, dear blog friends from all over the world, for caring. Thank you!

But even in dark times life has to go on. And we find comfort in the near and dear. To take our minds of, at least for the teeniest while, from the recent events, we took a walk in the woods yesterday, to marvel at nature´s beauty and bounty.

With a basket under our arm, we filled it with the loveliest mushrooms in no time (must be due to all the rain we have had lately). And the comfort that can be found in a lovely meal with ones loved one can not be under estimated.

Baked potatoes served with sour cream and grated cheese, and the delicious fried mushrooms, enjoyed in candle light, made for a luxurious meal, despite the humble ingredients. Comfort food indeed!

No matter what has happened and how hard it has been, life does go on. We try the make the most of it, take pleasure and find comfort in the small things in life, that really are not so small at all!

Lost for words

2011-07-23T18:41:00.006+02:00

Yesterday Norway experienced horrendous acts of terror and violence that have left us all devastated.

While trying to comprehend what has happened I find it impossible to take it all in, and am lost for words.

Yet I wish to thank you for your words of concern and comfort, and for having us in your thoughts and prayers.

Modern Vintage Style

2011-07-20T15:19:00.010+02:00

I do not seem to be able to resist books, and my latest acquisition is a real treat. If you have a passion for all things vintage, quirky and bohemian, then you will love stylist Emily Chalmer´s book "Modern Vintage Style".

The book is full if delightful photos of interiors with a contemporary take on vintage style. I have to admit my heart skipped a beat (or two) at the sight of this lovely bedroom.

How lovely is that bed with its layers of vintage quilts and crochet blankets? And the different retro wallpapers. I wish I were that brave...

Modern Vintage Style is no ordinary "style" book, as "modern vintage" goes beyond being a "look". And none of the homes featured in the book were created overnight.

Inspired by this book I have taken some baby steps in creating my own vintage style. So imagine my delight when today I was at the receiving end of this lovely vintage coffee set.

A friend had bought the blue and white coffee cups in England some 41 years ago, and now gave them to me (being well aware of my love of blue and white). How lucky am I? Modern vintage, here I come...

The more the merrier

2011-07-14T19:20:00.006+02:00

I guess this applies to many things in life... "the more the merrier". What I have in mind, though, is the more colours, crochet and knitted blankets and crafts in general, the merrier!

Not that I exactly work at the speed of a lightning, but I do knit new squares to what I hope in the end will be a colourful, pretty, warm blanket (yes, yet another one!) So far I have mainly used wool I already had in my stash, but will shortly add more colours to this mix.

I am thinking more blues, pinks and not least purples and lilacs. All in wool, or in a wool/alpaca mix. Don´t you think it sounds quite delicious indeed?

I have not yet decided whether I will add crochet squares to these (like in this one). Or maybe I will crochet the squares together with a contrasting colour. Remains to be seen... I "only" have 139 squares to go!

My summer paradise

2011-07-12T17:53:00.009+02:00

High summer! The weather is fickle, but enough warm sunny days to be enjoyed. And I do! I am a bit of a homebody, and like nothing better than to spend the short Norwegian summer at home.

My favourite spot to enjoy these lovely summer days is the hammock. There really is nothing quite like it, to indulge in a lovely afternoon nap while listening to the gentle breeze and bees buzzing by.

It is also comforting to know that the house is not far away, in case I should want a refreshment of some sort. These days freshly picked strawberries are high on my list.

A bit of reading material at the ready, should I want to spend some time dreaming and scheming of new projects, and need a bit of inspiration.

The view is not half bad either... as I can see a bit of my beloved garden from the hammock. And a bit of blue sky (if I am lucky)!

NIB has challenged us to show our summer paradise, and this is my contribution to the aforementioned challenge. You can find all the contributions here.

Sunday favourites

2011-07-10T23:25:00.011+02:00

A few months ago I had a brainwave, to do a "Sunday favourites" entry in case I lacked ideas for a post on that given day. But since then it seems I have had enough to "show and tell", and there has been only that one "Sunday favourites".

That is until today. It is after all summer and holiday-time, and not a lot of "blog-worthy" stuff goes on around here. So "Sunday favourites" it is.

And what could be more blog-worthy than the very first mushroom hunt of the season. I know it is a bit early, and in fact I do not recall ever having picked mushrooms this early in the season. Not that we picked a glut by any definition...

But what could be lovelier than to sit on the deck in the early evening sun, cleaning the pretty golden delicacies, and then quickly frying them in butter for a taste of heaven, or rather... a taste of the woods...?

And then to enjoy them in the glow of the late evening sun, accompanied with a glass of chilled wine. Pure heaven. One of my, not just "Sunday favourites", but summer favourites indeed!

The best one of them all...?

2011-07-08T20:21:00.003+02:00

The peonies are on their last leg, but still hanging in there. The roses are at their height, and there are strawberries in abundance.

I know every season has its charms, but I tend to think it does not get any better than this. Would you agree...?

The potager... and more

2011-07-07T16:31:00.009+02:00

Summer is a wonderful, busy time. The days pass by in a pleasant flurry of activity. Friends stop by, a leisurely lunch is enjoyed on the deck. And a lot of precious time is spent in the garden.

Now it is not just a pretty plot with perennials and a lot of promise of good things to come. For now there is even ripe stuff to pick and eat in the potager. And don´t we do it too.

Every day we pick more ripe, sweet, red strawberries than we manage to eat. And they taste just so delicious, more so than any store bought strawberry ever did.

The abundance of strawberries is partly thanks to the (less than becoming) blue netting, which we use to protect the ripening delicacies from hungry birds. The strawberry plants were very young last summer, and produced only a handfull of berries, most of which did indeed disappear into the the bird tummies.

Around the white picket fence, that surrounds the potager, I have planted my favourite perennials. One of which is the stately delphinium. I have them in various colours, ranging from pink to lilac, purple and various shades of blues.

But there are also other good things to eat in the potager than just the strawberries. Lettuce, radish and spinach end up daily on our plates. And more good things are just around the corner.

In the newer veggie/cutting garden, where I grow taller veggies and annuals for cutting, things are looking promising too. The broad beans and peas are in full flower, while it will be a little while till the annuals put up their show. But I like to think it is worth waiting for...

Me and my Mano...

2011-07-02T19:53:00.006+02:00

The warm sunny days from my last entry (thank you so much for your wonderful comments regarding my garden!) seem to have taken a break, and for the last few days it has been bucketing down like there is no tomorrow. So indoor activities have once again been on the agenda. Not that I mind a lot, since I am "good" at indoor activities :)

I even have a brand new Kähler Mano cup to enjoy warm and cold drinks from. Now for those not in the know, Mano cups are it, the "hottest" cups to "have and to hold" at the moment. To be honest, I have secretly coveted them (they come in many lovely shades). So imagine my joy when I found this red beauty in my goodie bag (donated by House of Oslo) last weekend.

Speaking of hands (mano is hand in Italian) I do indeed enjoy working with my hands, and lots of new ideas of what to make constantly pop up in my (pretty?) head. So take one rainy summer´s day and I am on a roll... A new hexagon cushion cover is (slowly) taking shape, and quite vintage/retro looking it is too (just as I had hoped!) I am recycling some old clothes and bedlinen, bought at our local recycling centre.

But not all is recycled, as this pretty pink and blue cushion is in fact brand new. Another lovely surprise from a goodie bag last weekend, this time donated by Kremmerhuset (sorry about all the "advertising", but one does feel gratitude, one does feel obliged).

But back to my rainy day-projects (am I confusing you totally...?), I have started something else too. I found some colourful wool left over from this project. Of course I have nowhere near enough wool for the project I have in mind (only a more colourful one this time). As if I did not already have enough projects. Well, at least I will not be lost for something to do when it buckets down...

Glorious summer days

2011-06-29T15:09:00.012+02:00

To wake up to birdsong on a glorious summer´s day, to find out that the sky is blue, the sun is shining and the temperature is just right... it does not get any better than this.

I love to open up the doors and windows to the summer breeze (never mind the flies and bumble bees that end up inside the house) and leave them open all day long. I wonder barefoot out to the deck and into the garden, to check what has come up, or started to bloom, during the night.

The roses have indeed started to bloom in earnest, and all the flowers are doing their best to attract the bees that fly from one flower to the next, gathering nectar for the lightest, most delicious summer honey.

The potager (kitchen garden) is doing fine, and all the veggies are coming along nicely, as are the strawberries (now with a less attractive blue (!) netting to protect them from hungry birds).

On days like this I am happiest at home, in my little "paradise" on earth, just enjoying the day, doing nothing in particular (I did harvest the rhubarb yesterday and baked a rhubarb pie today, using this recipe).

No photos of today´s pie available, though, as most of it has already gone... enjoyed with vanilla custard and coffee. But at least I have plenty of rhubarb in the freezer now, for the long winter days to come (which I prefer not to think about at the moment...)

In fact, I wish it were always summer, filled with glorious days just like today. I wonder whether I would tire of it... if it were always "perfect"? What do you think?

More denim

2011-06-27T00:20:00.008+02:00

What a fantastic bloggers get-together it was on Saturday! I met so many lovely bloggers, and indeed had the time of my life (alas, without my camera...) Thank you, Solveig, Ann Helen and Julie for arranging it, and for making it a day to remember.

When in Oslo, and able to do a bit of shopping at reduced prices (a special deal for us interior blogger for the day!) I found it hard to resist this rag rug the minute I saw it. A rug made of recycled denim (old jeans!) How great is that? After all, you know me and my fondness for blue denim...

Now I have had bare floors for several years now, even though from time to time I have tried various rugs on them (without much success, I might add). But I believe this rug is different, and indeed a keeper.

And now it graces our entrance... one that rarely is used, other than by first time visitors. Our everyday comings and goings happen through the back door by the laundry. So this rug will not get a whole lot of heavy traffic. And it does go nicely with all my denim "stuff"...

What should I wear...?

2011-06-24T17:06:00.010+02:00

What to wear tomorrow? This seems to occupy many an interior blogger´s mind these days. As tomorrow is indeed the big day, the day for us bloggers to shine and glitter... the day for our first ever get-together, arranged by NIB.

When it comes to clothes, I do not tend to glitter and shine... My taste in clothes does reflect my taste in the way I decorate my home. I prefer the same colours; light blues, whites, browns (as in my bb - boring brown - furniture!) and greys, as these simply are the colours I feel most comfortable with.

I love my denim blue jacket, which I wear a lot, just as I love my Ilse Jacobsen rubber boots (I do, after all, live in the countryside). I also love my new white summer tunic (by the same Ilse Jacobsen), but I am not sure that any of these are suitable for a "glitter and shine"-get together.

Speaking of glitter and shine, the only garment that does exactly that is another favourite one, the brown linen tunic, which I wear with white leggings (this is after all Norway, and the summer so far has been anything but warm). So the brown one it is going to be... I think.

Worn with matching brown sandals... unless it rains cats and dogs (like it has done today) and I end up wearing my trusty rubber boots instead. That would really make me glitter and shine, along with the 150 or so other bloggers. One thing is certain, though, the denim jacket comes along, rain or shine (or glitter!) Wish me luck...?

Does your clothing style reflect the way you decorate you home?

Sweet summer

2011-06-22T10:33:00.009+02:00

The melancholy from my last post is gone. How can I mourn the passing summer, when it is in fact at its most lovely, and when there is so much to enjoy? Not least my beloved garden.

Many of my favourite roses have started to bloom. The strawberries in the potager are ripening (and are under a constant threat from the hungry, cheeky birds. Netting has been bought, and will soon protect the ripening berries).

Lettuce and spinach will soon be ready to eat, and most everything is coming along nicely in the potager. The perennials and roses, that grow along the picket fence, are doing their best to make a stroll around the potager a particularly delightful one.

Like I have told you many times over, the past winter was a particularly tough one here in my neck of the woods. I lost a few roses, all the honeysuckles (that climb over the wire arches) and a few fruit trees. So I am even more grateful for the roses that did make it. Like this beautiful Canadian, Therese Bugnet.

The perennials, though, did not seem to mind the cold winter, and neither do they seem to mind the wet summer we seem to be having at the moment. They do their best to bloom, and delight me no end with their colour and beauty.

Summer melancholy

2011-06-21T00:13:00.010+02:00

Summer... my favourite time of the year. June... my favourite month. An evening in June, on the deck, with a view of the garden... my favourite time of all.

A June evening on the deck, when the light seems never ending. It is magical.

Watching the swallows fly over the garden, the seagulls come to beg for breadcrumbs, listening to the cockoo´s beautiful song. All of this just spell "summer" to me.

Yet it is tinged with a bit of melancholy... as it is only a matter of hours till summer solstice. Once again the days will get shorter and the nights grow longer.

But the warmest summer months are yet to come. More evenings to be enjoyed on the deck, watching the bees, the birds and the garden. More roses to bloom, flowers to pick and veggies to harvest. A good deal more of summer fun to be had.

On a different note... thank you Wawanna for kind words about my blog.

Colourful Friday

2011-06-17T21:11:00.008+02:00

After a lovely sunny June evening yesterday we woke up to a wet and grey day today. And I instantly felt the need for a bit of cheering up.

What better way to do it than with colour? In fact, I do feel the need for more colour in my life again, after a more "sober" spell of neutrals and whites (not to forget the blues that are a constant).

Also, I feel a vintage vibe coming on, and the wish to explore the more (dare I say it...?) retro look. Not that I have anything to show for it, but I do feel the need for a slight change. Whether I will be able to pull it off is an altogether different matter...

Neither do I possess many retro goods as such. This jug, though, is one of the very few vintage ones I do have, given to me by my mother (who received it as a wedding gift umpteen years ago).

Retro goods or not, at least I can play a bit with colour, using what I already have. The result of which is a new summer guise (the previous, more "sober", look can be seen here). Now which one do your prefer? And how do you feel about the increasingly popular retro look (one that I do not master... yet)?

June evening

2011-06-16T22:45:00.011+02:00

Is there anything more delightful than a June evening in the garden? The lovely evening light, the sun that does not seem to ever set.

I do love to take a little stroll, to enjoy the colours, scents and sounds of the garden and surrounding countryside. Everything seems so fresh and lush. And the cold winter is just a distant memory.

I have enjoyed pottering about the garden this summer, so much so that I am still not quite done with it. Hence the rose and some annuals, still in their shopping bag, just home from the nursery today.

While others have been around a good while, and are doing their "thing" just right. Like this old rose (the only one that was here when we moved in) with its repeating flowering and delightful scent.

And lupins. I love them, count on them... and they do always "deliver". So I have planted them all over the place, from wide flower borders to the kitchen garden.

Is there indeed anything more delightful than a June evening in the garden? I do not want it ever to end...

Summer Living

2011-06-12T13:09:00.009+02:00

The sun is back, after a few days of leaden skies and heavy rainfall. And I do love the sun. However, the reappearing sun made me notice how tired and "un-summery" like my living room looked. Obviously a lighter summery touch was called for.

I started by picking a lovely bouquet of summer flowers from my garden. The first "proper" bouquet of the season. It is indeed a joy to walk around the garden, gathering a bunch of lupins, veronicas, irises, cornflowers and so on. My favourite flowers. All blue, I might add :)

As for indoors, the observant reader may notice that the rug is gone back to the attic. Again! I do have to admit that I prefer bare floors, especially in the summer.

Gone are also the woolly cushions and the sheepskins (save for the one in the wing chair, which is just too comfortable to sit on for it ever to be removed). As is the denim chair cover, replaced by a white loose cover.

I am generally fond of a light touch in interiors, and never more so than in the summer months. White loose covers, a rosy cushion here, a pastel coloured crochet throw there, some geranium cuttings in a favourite turquoise box, and summer has indeed arrived, inside and out!

Mount Usher Gardens

2011-06-10T16:53:00.013+02:00

Home again! From a wonderful vacation in beautiful Ireland. What a lovely country it is, with its amazing greenery, charming architecture and pretty gardens. One of the best examples of all of the above must be the Mount Usher house and gardens.

Voted the best and most romantic Irish garden to visit, and one of Monty Don´s (and my) top favourites anywhere (and I dare say Monty Don has visited a few more gardens than I have!)

The gardens are a true Robinsonian jewel, with its naturalistic approach to planting and landscaping. "This is an art which does mend nature, change it rather; but the art itself is nature".

Robinson advocated using permanent planting rather than bedding plants, and believed in achieving an apparently informal garden experience by mixing the native and the exotic.

I spent hours wandering around the extensive gardens on the banks of the river Varty, admiring and dreaming. After which I was more than ready for a delicious lunch at the Avoca-run Garden Café.

If Mount Usher gardens are my top favourite garden anywhere, then Avoca must be my top favourite store anywhere! And the Avoca Greenhouse Garden Store is a case in point (I only wish I had a larger suitcase... but even so I managed to squeeze in a plant or two...)

But now I am back home again, ready to give a little bit of attention to my own plants, which seem to have doubled in size in my absence. Full of new energy and inspiration I can hardly wait (for the rain to stop and) to set to work!

Sanctuary

2011-05-30T17:00:00.007+02:00

I am lucky enough to have a little studio of my very own, one that I am truly fond of. This little outbuilding started out as a garage, but after a bit of work ended up as my sanctuary.

I spend a lot of time here sewing my patchwork quilts, but I probably spend an equal amount of time just daydreaming. Like I have done today.

I do love this little space of mine regardless the seasons, but I think I love it most in the summer. It is almost like being in a treehouse, with lovely dappled light, now that the surrounding trees have grown bigger.

Yet as much as I love this sanctuary of mine, I am about to leave it (and you, dearest readers) for a little summer vacation. "The Emerald Isle" beacons, and I am about to spend some time there.

I plan to leave my trusty Mac at home, so there will be no blogging from this end for a while. But I will be back before you know it, and normal service will resume.

The garden at the end of May

2011-05-29T17:11:00.016+02:00

I can hardly believe it, but May is already coming to an end. Like I have told you before, this past winter was a particularly tough one. But with April spring really arrived, with warm temperatures and sunshine, making everything turn green at record speed.

So in April I had very nearly forgotten (well, at least almost...) the past winter. And really looked forward to a lovely early spring. But spring at our latitude is a fickle one, and come mid May it changed its mind and decided to turn chilly again.

And chilly it has remained, not to mention windy, making gardening an activity for the brave only. I am a fair weather gardener, and since the weather has been anything but fair these past weeks, my garden has more or less been left to its own devices.

Though not completely, as I have finally managed to sow all the seeds, both veggie and annual ones. A few brave ones have even germinated, but you really need a magnifying glass to see the small seedlings. Now I pray for fair weather, so that the little ones will not completely bowl over in the chilly wind.

On top of the few seedlings (LOL!) I do have quite a good number of perennials, and a few roses, in my garden. But not many of them are in bloom yet. I do wish I had more early flowering ones, so I will probably have to do something about it till next spring (then again, this is what I say every spring...)

In the photo below you can see the newly planted May Bush (spiraea cinera?) hedge, either side of the flower beds. They were actually planted last summer, but the bushes are still ever so small (we needed a large number of them, and were lucky enough to get a good deal at the nursery for these small ones), so you might need a magnifying glass to see them too...

As for the apple blossoms this spring, I do not know what has happened to them. It may be the chilly winds, or it may be the fact that they blossomed well and truly last year, and have decided to give it a miss this year....? Either way, May is coming to an end, and as much as I love spring, both my garden and I are ready for summer, I should think...

Lilac love

2011-05-25T23:18:00.008+02:00

I do love the changing season, and all the things that are unique to that particular season. And I love to record them in my blog... e.g., the first snowfall of the autumn, the amount of snow that winter, and come spring the first wood anemones, not to forget the lovely lilacs.

I do love, love lilacs... the scent, the colour. And the fact that they really are the harbingers of summer. So I pick them by the bucketful to bring indoors, so that their lovely scent can spread though the house.

I have yet to master the art of making the lilacs last in a vase (I am aware of the trick of boiling the stems, crushing them with a hammer and so forth, but to no avail). So I indulge in a fresh bouquet of lilacs every day, if need be, for the season is a short one...

"Everything is coming up roses..."

2011-05-24T17:33:00.009+02:00

I wish that were the case... that everything really were coming up roses. Literally. Alas no! No roses to be seen in my spring garden yet. And some roses are never to return, as they did not make it through the winter.

So what is a "material" girl to do? She has to find her roses elsewhere. And what better source for roses than pretty fabrics and china.

For the past few months I have been in a "blue period", favouring all things blue (and white). But now I really long for roses, and for a bit of "romance" in my life.

This pretty Greengate fabric fits the bill, so today I have spent a few happy moments in my studio, making these cushion covers (while a gale strength wind, more suitable for autumn than the fair month of May, was blowing outside).

I am quite pleased with the way these cushions turned out. And now I want more roses... How about a lovely new patchwork quilt entirely made up of rosy fabrics? I better start collecting...

Another weekend at Kathrine´s

2011-05-23T13:19:00.017+02:00

Another bunch of lovely ladies chose to spend a weekend with me at Kathrine´s. And what a delightful group they were.

Most of the ladies were new acquaintances to me, but it was also lovely to find a familiar face in the group. Last time it was Yvonne, this time Ragnhild.

All the ladies in the group chose to start working on a nine patch quilt. In addition some even gave "the denim love-quilt" a go.

All the ladies were fond of the colour blue, together with white and beige, so all the quilts were worked in this colour scheme. Though in delightful variations.

Some even shared my fascination for the humble blue and white teatowel. This quilter arrived with a basket was full of this lovely material, which shows in her work :-)

Recycling was also popular, so material as diverse as old damask, embroidered tablecloths, children´s outgrown clothes, not to forget the forever useful old worn out pair of jeans, was used.

But not everything was blue and white... as a bit of red was allowed to creep in. It is fascinating to see the diversity of the work, though all based on the same theme.

Thank you, lovely ladies, for attending my workshop. The pleasure was all mine. New workshops at Kathrine´s have been planned for the autumn. More about this later...

Also, a big thank you to NIB, for including me as one of the nominees in the "country style"-category. It is an honour!