Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Gift ideas- in a league of their own edition…

As the title might indicate, these gems are just a tad out of my league, but a girl can dream…
Photos from the links below:

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Folded paper stars - brettede papirstjerner


Once you get the hang of it, these Christmas stars (julestjernene) are easy to make.
Could be made out of all sorts of paper, aspen bark, wrapping ribbon etc.
They make great Christmas ornaments for the Christmas tree, if equipped with a loop for hanging.


Cut four strips of paper, depending on the size you want, vary the length and width of the strips. These are 1,5 cm wide by 42 cm long ( the length of A3 paper).


Fold the strips in two, and cut off a piece on the "open" end, to ease the prosess.


"Weave" the strips together like shown.


Pull the strips to tighten.


Fold one of the top strips down.


Fold one of the strips on the left over to the right.


Fold one of the bottom strips upwards


Slide one of the "right" strips through the "pocket", that was created when the top strip was folded down.


Pull it all the way through.


Fold the shortest strip like shown. Make sure to fold it towards the "back" of the star.


Fold it towards the "front" of the star like shown.


Fold it over to create a smaller triangle. Slide the end into the "pocket" at the top, right at the base of the triangle.


Turn the star one quarter counter clockwise and repeat the three last steps


Turn the star one quarter counter clockwise again and repeat like before. Continue until you have four triangles.


Flip the star over and make another four triangles, just like on the other side.


Fold the lower strip into a triangle towards the "back" of the star.


Repeat on the other three strips.


Slide the strip into a "pocket" like shown.


It will come through the triangle on the other side.


Pull on the strip to make a peak.


Repeat until you have four peaks.
Turn the star over and do the same on the other side.


Once you have finished folding, cut the surplus strips.


Finished star.

All photos by The Norwegian Nest, please excuse the poor quality.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Sunday perfection

This is my version of Sunday perfection when the weather outside is frightful:
A Swedish wood burning stove (kakkelovn), comfy sofa, blanket, ice cold glass bottle of coke, excellent period drama and Indian take out.
Don’t have a wood burning stove? No problem: go on Youtube :)
Photos from the links below:

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Coralie Bickford-Smith



A lot of praise has been given to Coralie Bickford-Smith's clothbound versions of classic books, but a little more can’t hurt… I think they are wonderful, and like true beauties: beautiful inside and out.
Photos from www.cb-smith.com

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Potato soup potetsuppe


In these LCHF times, I thought I would offer this brilliant HCHF alternative. Simple to make and great for cold days:



You will need:

1,5 to 2 kgs mealy potatoes such as russet or Idaho, or the Norwegian pimpernel or mandel.

Two bundles of spring onions

One head of celery

One carton (3 dl) of heavy cream

3 dl milk or to taste

Butter for frying

Salt and pepper 
--------

Peel and dice the potatoes. Boil in salted water until they are tender.

Chop the celery and spring onions according to your preference.  Fry in a skillet with butter, salt and pepper, until they are tender.


Drain the water and mash the potatoes. Add the fried celery and spring onions.

Add the cream and milk until you have the desired thickness.


Extra salt and pepper to taste.  

(Added crispy bacon bits make a delicious variation…) 

Convalescence

I have worked endless hours of overtime lately; at least it feels like it. Additionally the first snow came today. Not the powdered-sugar- winter-wonderland kind, the slush = wet shoes kind. Needless to say I needed a little R and R when I got home.

While I don’t own this Rolls Royce of bathtubs or any bathtub really, I do own the things around it, and that went a long way today.
Photos from the links below:
My own Roy Kirkham tea cup and saucer