Love Your Homes

A day for romance...

2012-01-29T17:34:00.000+01:00

it may not be Valentine's yet!

but I better grab this day

and enjoy the splendour of my fav Amaryllis,

before it's all over for this year!

❤

Building an alley....

2012-01-17T23:12:00.000+01:00

is perhaps not what one had in mind!

At least we didn't,when starting up
the project at the end of the summer,
building an extra workshop for carpentry!
Nor did we expect the immense number of hours
to be spent scraping off the layers of paint from these
late 1700 century doors.....the cold made us stop for now.

The family grapevine has graciously
been saved, now climbing a new wall.

The narrow alley has been equipped with a large lantern from France.

The weather is tedious, sloppy wet snow dripping from the roofs.

What a difference a door makes

2012-01-08T19:29:00.000+01:00

Today at lunchtime......

with a recuperated window merged into the old door

This is pretty much a year ago.....

X-mas holidays are over
and it's time to go back to work!

Tut i luren

2011-12-30T18:51:00.000+01:00

with other words....

We wish you all, A Merry and Prosperous one to be!

I/we have another table to set....❤

Ia o Kletus

Meanwhile.....

2011-12-17T14:57:00.000+01:00

awaiting for that marble counter top to arrive,

the new bay window in the kitchen area is finally opened up.

The scaffolds came down the other day and cleared the view,

a first coat of paint will do for now!

Today's view is pretty covered in fresh white snow

and the 90 year old laburnum tree in front is standing strong.

Tomorrow's buffet for the annual Christmas party

with family and friends is being prepared.

Hubby,

the pilot chef is in charge of pots and pans,

enjoying his time off!

I better lay that table......❤

Hiding out.....

2011-12-04T15:50:00.001+01:00

doors,

but still on the inside from the cold nips.

Yesterday at 4:00 pm.

Today at 10:00 am, the second of Advent.

We just made in time for the snow to show up!!

❤❤❤

Falling back......

2011-10-30T20:52:00.001+01:00

this morning was the first....switching our clocks

for winter time!

Waking up with the sunrise gave some brief seconds

to capture the sparkling beams.

and yes they were brief.....there one second...gone the next

This gentleman is up and sharp! Very focused indeed....

Winter time now puts the daylight out at 5 pm.

Such a bore!!

Building a nest

2011-10-13T18:53:00.000+02:00

takes time........trust me!

It's also a lot of fun.....

and educational

spending time at cabinet-maker's workshop.

A more than a 100 years old set of a glass-enclosed veranda

is being restored to fit into the kitchen porch.

Folding doors that easily open up on sunny days...

and one can slip outside to the joining porch.

This is the new fasad.....

and

this is what it looked like a month ago!

This isn't over yet......trust me!

I'm working on it...... ☕ Ia

Silky classic tartan

2011-09-03T20:23:00.001+02:00

never goes out of style!

a Mulberry textile, a distinguished pattern for this British brand.

Custom-made......this time for myself.

A private project stacked away for years.......is finally done!

An entrance needs a nice back-lining,

rough Belgian linen balances well with crisp silk.

Keeping it in a contemporary style!

Something pours.....

2011-08-30T21:45:00.000+02:00

in the garden.

Before......last summer

A ditch turned deeper and deeper

and became a playground for grown up males

The lawn had an extra layer of soil

a serious amount of loads wheeled out.

A tidy pond needs daily cleaning....a butterfly net works excellent!

Entwined in ivy and freshly cracked slate

Perhaps a place for some mallards to grow a pair.

I love these ones....take a look at Marieberg, a most charming place!

Pull me a light.....outdoors!

2011-08-21T20:52:00.000+02:00

At last I had them exchanged for these

A special order of 5 units

Handmade in the Netherlands

Made out of copper and weathers beautifully in my garden

Pretty in the dark,

Ia

P.s Scroll down if you'd like to see the old lighting.

By the seaside.....

2011-06-29T01:53:00.000+02:00

one hour from Stockholm by car and a ferry, just in time for a late dinner

and a nightcap on the jetty while the sun starts to set at 11pm.

Shot with my iPhone and while my iBook is running free sharing the
same surf, blogging is a peace of cake.
.
I love hi tech on the island! Else I go for wild strawberries and some
games of Scrabble, I think I will try the App for iPad.

☀ Ia ☀

Dressed in a black hat

2011-06-18T20:48:00.000+02:00

Operation roofing exchange is finally completed.

Almost all the mouldings have now been painted in white linseed oil.

Pinnacles x 3

This is the original from a french antique dealer,

mounted onto the lower ridge.

The other two have been copied at the local foundry.

Photo shot late evening at 21 pm.

The décor by the ridges and the bargeboards we draw up by hand ourselves.

Outdoors lamps from Pradier in France.

Summer vacation starts now!

I like it espaliered...

2011-06-15T20:46:00.000+02:00

Mallows

Roses

Hydrangea......

Geraniums

Vine sneaking up on the hydrangea

Clematis and ivy to the left, hops to the right.

It's feels great to be back in charge of the garden again!

All the plants are now in order and ready to meet with

the summer season. The just need to spill themselves over

to fill the espaliers to the top.

❤ Ia ❤

How to distract

2011-06-09T23:18:00.000+02:00

one's eye!

Or to be more correct......how to trick someone not to see what's

really ugly. An old staircase made out of concrete some 50 years ago,

is bugging me (always has) and by adding a few distracting items

to it, you may bring forward the focus on them instead.

Meanwhile I'll concentrate on the next project for the house.

How to draw up a sketch for a new exterior facade panelling

in collaboration with the architect. We are basically

using the original drawings from 1910'.

The petals of the rhododendrons are staring to come off!

Pictures taken at 10 pm today,

the daylight is amazing right now.

❤ Ia ❤

One happy windowsill.....

2011-05-31T00:49:00.000+02:00

it was always meant to be!

From the very first sight

The cut off top of this antique candlestick holder has no foot

and has been integrated into the windowsill.

Even at late summer evening dinners,

the dark finally falls for some short couple of hours.

Standing strong!

❤ Ia ❤

Kitchen clean up......

2011-05-25T21:18:00.000+02:00

vad gör man inte för efterlängtade söner, som kommer hem på besök över sommaren

och som ber om att få laga mat ordentligt. Städar hans rum???

Jag röjer kök och polerar pots and pans....

Målarburken hänger med på ett hörn...alltid

One Demanding Supervisor

Chef de la cuisine Jr is returning home for the summer in a couple of days and

I'm having a serious cleansing of the kitchen.

Preparing for a welcome home dinner......means checking on the cutlery, pots and pans.

Liquor inventory...perhaps not necessary but just in case anyone wants an avec

to go with the coffee after dinner.

Matte...Hur är det nu i den där kastrullen???

Aaahhh!!!! Boiled cod....got to be mine!! Of course it is, darling...

I guess the seats will be occupied with friends and family this summer.

A full house again......and long nights.

The top remaining from the antique candleholder has finally

been mounted into the windowsill!

❤ Ia ❤

Folding some napkins

Spring reward....

2011-05-22T22:40:00.000+02:00

I've been keeping my fingers crossed the last couple of weeks.

Nature is surprisingly rewarding.

The buds opened up slowly a few days ago.

This is the start of the season of my rhododendrons,

this pinky one named "Elegans", has been with me for 25 years

and has never ceased to surprise me.

Even after the hard winter and some scaffolds with ladders leaning

against them, not to forget all the roofing construction junk on top of them,

they chose to burst into blossom prettier than ever before.

❤ Ia ❤

Between the bird cherry and the lilacs......

2011-05-14T01:48:00.000+02:00

is a well known phrase at spring here in Sweden

and is pretty much just about to happen.

An intense and short time when fragrances are exploding in the air.

So, I never cease to try and get the picture why the finals of the

World championship in hockey are taking place at this time of the year.

Sweden has made it to the final game this year, playing against Finland

and I've been clearly advised that the big tv-screen is booked on

Sunday at 08 pm.....and it's not negotiable!

Now, being a woman and ahead of schedules I could also foresee

a source of irritation to occur Sunday at 08 pm.

The daylight is getting longer by the day now and will most likely be

blocking that screen. This is of course one spectacular occasion for

negotiations that would render in little or no objection...

so playing my cards well...

one screwdriver and 10 minutes later, the old shutters are finally

integrated into the bay window, serving their purpose for the

coming final!

May the best team win......

✔☻ ✔

Blueish

2011-04-17T23:13:00.000+02:00

everything I do takes a lot longer than I planned for.

Building a new company website is at times beyond my comprehension.

Being a control freak over pictures slows down the progress.

Finally this mix of a customer's embroidered silk drapes and

my private antique chairs was approved to pass.

Handmade tassels from the Parisian manufacturer

Declercq Passementiers, since 6 generations.

Professional inspiration when creating a website has been most

accurate the last couple of weeks and once again I returned

to my sources of books by Charlotte Moss, a truly talented

american interior designer.

Her 7th and recently published book just reached the shelves in Sweden,

you can order it easily here.

I'll put it on top of my other six and keep on working the site.

❤ Ia

Skype cat....

2011-04-03T13:31:00.002+02:00

I thought I should have a small chat with my youngest master, now online.

I'd like to share my latest news with him......

Can someone help me to connect, thank you!

I don't mind the time difference, I'm A cat!!!

Now my young master, I sleep the night in your empty spacious bed

and once in a while I also have a rest in someone elses arms.

I know you're not a blogger and I'm not keen on Facebook,

so Skype is really the thing for me....I can see and hear you're

doing well. ( still I'm quite sure you sneak in mom's blog once in a while,
so here I am, safe and sound).

Love you dearly,

❤Kletus❤

What's next...

2011-03-25T20:25:00.003+01:00

an interior house spring cleaning perhaps?

I don't think so.....most likely not on my future schedule for a while!

The next cleaning after having the décor at the ridges fixed

and the scaffolds dismantled, will be my garden
....now one messy junkyard!

Final layers of linseed oil to be completed as soon as the warm
season of spring is here.

Ia, filling up a dumpster with junk!

The goverment...

2011-03-13T19:40:00.000+01:00

is one of my nicknames!

by now also wellknown among the roofers!!!

The tinsmith already knew and and as team we worked out a

solution for the ladder to the chimney sweeping.

I liked his idea having a made to measure one folded

into the same level as the roofing tiles.

Ia, one exhausted construction leader ❤

Rise and shine

2011-02-27T17:15:00.000+01:00

wonderful early morning sun!

Also a most revealing phenomenon!

Time for some polishing of sterling silver.....I'll probably find any

possible excuse I can come up with during the day

but also start making plans for laying a table at this Easter festivity.

This is what the table looked like last year!

I'm not a fan of typical Easter arrangments,

still I cheerish the gathering of family and friends

over a good meal, so does my chef de la cuisine.

I better be done with the table before

he sets off, taking charge of the kitchen.

What did your Easter tables look like....what will they look like??

❤Ia❤

Uppfluffat

2011-02-23T08:28:00.000+01:00

med nål o tråd

En nypa inspiration...

Some vintage lace.....

Egentligen tycker jag klädsömnad är lite väl pilligt.....men

nå'n gång blir det väl sommar o fest igen!

❤ Ia ❤

Some old lace mending turned into evening wear.

Morgontrött..

2011-02-22T06:00:00.000+01:00

hum hum hum....bara förnamnet!

Även kaffemaskinen får sig en riktig rengörning emellanåt!

Byggnadsställningen är fortfarande kvar???!!!!????

Vissa nöjer sig med färskt nytt vatten i sin skål/glas.

Även om vi har olika morgonrutiner så kör vi lite färglöst
tills värsta morgonfrisyren har lagt sig!
Morgonsolen är obarmhärtigt avslöjande vare sig vi vill eller inte.

Vem drog upp rullgardinen så här tidigt??
Fast det här funkar ju också...när man är trött i håret på takläggare.

⌚ Ia ⌚

One fatigue family saved by a fresh and rinsed coffee machine,
no wake up calls are needed in this household. It's all taken care
of by the roofers, now returned after all the snow shoveling.

Me and my mate Valentine

2011-02-14T19:21:00.000+01:00

home alone after long wonderful weekend.

A house filled with dear friends and family,

sharing meals, memories and future.

Today I'm up for final preparations having a plate of limestone

cut to protect the wooden floor in front of the tiled stove.

Precise measurements are done using some leftovers of an

old plaster board. Makes it easy to readjust the round part for

the tiled stove and have a perfect template made for the stonecutter.

Odd remains made of nature's own materials add significant elements into interior decoration.

Sometimes perhaps unexpected but also a great way of recuperating old building materials.

Flourishing lines of sandstone painted in mortar, aged cast iron,

limestone from the nature's quarry in contrast with fine silk damask.

❤Valentine's Day❤

P.s. Our youngest tuned in (longhaul) on Skype for a dinner chat with everyone.

Most appreciated.....❤❤❤

En liten stund senare

2011-02-08T18:52:00.000+01:00

Wrapped up nicely for protection upon delivery.

Ten minutes later........unwrapped!

Merged into daily life.....

Romance blending with rough. A mix of

structures and materials trying not to overdo

one certain style, tuning up or down.

Life savers , while walking the aisles of

the annual Furniture exhibition!

❤Ia❤

Anyone for pink..

2011-02-04T18:26:00.000+01:00

eller andra ljuva pasteller som stämmer

med ljusets återkomst? Detta fenomen har

intresserat mig i många år i inredningens värld.

Redan nu kan man se en förändring

runtomkring sig i klädval och inredning,

Jag har numera förstått att det kanske inte har

med årstiderna endast att göra utan att även

det Nordiska ljusets påverkar oss, mer än vi tror.

I år har inte bara mina kunder utan även jag

själv har ramlat dit, den gustavianska lilla

soffans rosa sidentyg gör mig oerhört glad

och lyser ikapp med ljusets strålar genom

fönsterrutorna i väntan på våren.

Glad blir jag också av mina kollegors

fantastiskt fint utförda arbete under

min frånvaro. Vissa moment i verksta'n

är fortfarande tuffa för min rygg och

jag har lärt mig att ta skeden i vacker

hand och be om hjälp.

Mönsterpassat, trådrakt och rätt spända bisband.

Nu spelar nog inte ljus eller årstid in helt i mitt val,

tyget har haft en stark påverkan i mitt val.

För att behålla den rätta karaktären av möbelns stilepok

blev valet av sidentyg avgörande, relativt tidlöst i mönster

men med en aningen mer vågad färg i dagens mått.

One happy pink lady, Ia

The return of the famous Scandinavian Northern daylight

is up by 15 min per week.

Vivid and brighter colours are already often seen in daily life,

people wearing spring collections under their outerwear despite the snow

and the cold, which continues it's majesctic control on us over here.

The daylight is not only returning, it's also becoming stronger by the day!

Colours picked for interior decorations also tend to be the ones of the pastel

palette, associated with spring. Lots of pink, green, lavender.....and more.

This spring not only my customer's choices...also I decided to go

for pink silk for the gilded Gustavian sofa.

Classic pattern with a flair of colour.

Being a member of the Swedish Upholsterer Board,

I'd like to contribute on my talented colleagues, for

taking care of this darling sofa whle I was away from

the workshop. A most skilfully craft work performed

by true artisans, my eyes are smiling with pleasure!

Stockholm International Furniture Fair is due next week!

Watering....

2011-02-01T23:49:00.000+01:00

plants, while out of town! Someone should have had......

Alive and well when departing!

Now, one of many empty urns.....iofs är ju myrten lite svåra!

Torkat är ett säkrare kort, tycker maken.

Jag brukar spara makens buketter ett tag.

Still, shared favourites are in good health...

och till sommaren flyttar trädet ut igen!

How do you cope with your plants when traveling?

❤Ia❤,

natt piggelin och med en sopsäck torkat

Pulling my curtains....

2011-01-30T03:18:00.003+01:00

Trötta ögon och ännu tröttare fötter.

Coming home after an intense journey not only with tired feet and

heavy luggage, but also with some sleep deprivation and a lump in my throat,

I'm rather grateful being given the weekend free to curl up in my bed to try

and catch up with the 9 hrs time difference before the workshop requires

my full attention by Monday. Jet lag has never been my cup of tea.

Rolls with fabric by Colefax & Fowler have been prepared during my journey, some of the

benefits with today's high technology makes it a little easier to survey

the progress of the business work, online with Skype and e-mail while traveling.

Checking in on the upholsterer for approval.....the little antique sofa came out just like the way we agreed upon...gilded late Gustavian style, now has new silk fabric from the manufacturer

Lelievre in Paris. Can't wait to see what the stools will look like! Click the name and browse their site.

Chandeliers have been cleaned before hung........but for now,

I'm pulling my bedroom curtains for some rest.

I want to make an early start tomorrow morning using Skype again,

this time to talk to my son before he's off to bed in his new home town.

Jag kommer nog att behöva vänja mig med 9 timmars tidsskillnad i ett par år,
tack o lov för dagens teknik med snabb o enkel kontaktmöjlighet. Fast lika
hjärtsnupet blir det i alla fall, om inte oftare......hur ska detta gå!

❤ Ia ❤

A checklist......

2011-01-14T01:03:00.000+01:00

soon to be completed.

Djurens sinnen går aldrig att ta fel på....

Vi är noga övervakade i våra förberedelser inför avfärd!

Resväskor och pass har alltid varit anledning till oråd.

Denna gång inkluderar resan flyttlådor och matte har

ett plåster bredvid sig i logistikens kedja dessa dagar.

Countdown for takeoff........✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈.....where to?

Staden med den karakteristiska dimman, den stora studentstaden....

Staden med spännande antik och loppmarknader.

❤Ia❤

Mother and son are making

final preparations and ticking their lists of what to do's

before closing the bags and boxes before take-off.

Traveling and living abroad as a youngster is a humble

opportunity, being granted for international studies is

an experience that broadens the vision of multicultural

acceptance and approach.

This time I'll be leaving a very big piece of my heart

behind when heading back home again, my youngest son.

Now I know what my mum felt like when she once

left me behind decades ago.

Though we will have great fun

getting organized on the hills of San Francisco.

Someone is not approving to this at all.....guess who??

I'm being examined by the minute trying to run the logistics.

I guess Hubby will be number one on top of the chart when

I get back home again in a couple of weeks.

Xo, from a brave but proud Mom, letting go of that cord,

thousands of miles away from home.

Play it again, S.......

2011-01-06T18:21:00.000+01:00

on a snowy day, worst ever this year!

Even a painted lady becomes alive when the candlesticks are lit...

on this late afternoon.

A diverse mix with gems of various memories rest on top

while playing a song on the piano, taking advantage of

some extra time caused by the bad weather.

I hope you are all well out there!

❤Ia ❤

Moving on.....

2010-12-31T14:05:00.000+01:00

the weather is cold but beautiful and sunny this very last day of 2010.

Family will be gathering over a good meal, looking forward into 2011.

We are soon up for a major change in our lives, a most exciting experience.

Look what I caught climbing the stairs, heading for a bed and some rest before New Year's dinner!

We wish you all a prosperous 2011 around the world!

♪ Klocka ♫

Just in time......

2010-12-22T20:49:00.004+01:00

to join the Christmas Holiday. I saved her a spot to rest after a long journey.

Nu väntar vi bara på att husse som korsar Atlanten för sista

gången detta år, ska trotsa snöyra o kyla och hinna hem i tid.

Ingen jul utan husets mästerkock!

✩

✩ Ia ✩
☆

☆ ☆

Ett tråg fullt......

2010-12-21T18:03:00.001+01:00

med snart 30 års sparande av äldsta sonen och mitt

tävlande i julgranspynt .... i alla fall delar av dem.

Till vardags numera samlade på vinden. Idag klär mor granen

tillsammans med husets katt, tävlar gör hon inte längre utan vill glädja

sin vuxna son med traditionen av husets julgrans utstyrsel...

....men först skall alla lösa barr ruskas av och avlägsnas.

I år valdes handmålat med gammalt filigran och antika frostade

glaskulor i en salig röra. Vissa måste träs om på snören då de torkat.

Och sen är det inget pling i kulorna, Kletus!

☆

☆ ☆

This year's ornaments and trims for the Christmas tree decor have

been selected from the attic's storage. For almost 28 years I've been

competing against by eldest son ( the only competition I've ever had in

my whole life whatsoever ) decorating the family Christmas tree to

look it's best ever. Every year we have been scrutinizing the market

and antiques, making our picks separately, then adding them to the

tree when the other one was out of the house.

Today my son has his own apartment and works hard with

little time for Holiday preparations. So his mum has picked

some assorted ornaments from over the years and will try to

honor him by keeping the family tradition and dress the tree

herself this year, accompanied as always by the most
expectant housecat. He's been sniffing it for a couple
of days now.

Also grown up men love a beautiful Christmas tree.

Updating of thorns.....

2010-12-17T21:48:00.002+01:00

on some of the gutter's finials, finally accomplished.

Great teamwork with the tinsmith, my design and finishing

coats of paint (along with some others stuff I prefer not to mention)

to achieve the the right surface matching the new roofing tiles,

glazed in black.

The extreme and cold weather is hard on the roofers, they are

using the 7 hrs daylight efficiently and then really deserve a

good rest. I've never heard so much giggling and laughter

during the day on my roof ever before. Great spirit, thanks guys!

Jag är glad för vissa traditioner som går av rena farten i huset,

speciellt vid Jul. Just nu svischar dagarna förbi med jobb, benen är

rätt tunga, fortfarande. En liten vila ovanför trappan är rätt skönt.

Husets tolkning av Lusselelle får hänga med ett tag till.

Tomorrow is set aside for the foundry, moulding reproductions

of the pinnacles. This is the original.

❤Hej å hå❤

Med näsa för tryfflar.....

2010-12-09T16:33:00.000+01:00

eller kanske mera allmän ursäkt för

hamstring inför julen.

Gottegrisar är vi allihopa......men först preppar vi för

husets årliga fest av vårt eget Lussebarn.

Choklad och tryffel med champagne kommer årligen från Charbonnel.

Vissa saker vill husets gottegrisar inte göra avkall på.

Numera kan man beställa smidigt online, tack o lov!

❤ Ia, i tidsnöd o duckar för byggnadsställningar!

P.s. Some assorted chocolates recommended for Christmas,

truffles filled with pink champagne.

Charbonnel, a chocolatier housed in London and established in 1875,

proudly wraps up in hand-made boxes and ships worldwide.

Uttråkat läge.....

2010-12-08T01:09:00.000+01:00

för små katter i vinterkylan.

Längtar ut liksom, men vädret är inte bättre på någon sida av huset.

Sen en massa byggnadsställningar högt o lågt med en massa bråte!

Winter is hard on us cats right now, I prefer a warm cosy

linen duvet and some shearling on top of me.

Bye the way, I was finally caught in action in the middle of last night,

for drinking from Mum's glass of water, even though I have my own

bowl on her bedside table. She's been suspecting me for some time.

Verified with an Iphone camera!

She loves me just the same.

☃ Kletus ☃

P.s. Ia says hi, she's busy acting as a henchman for the roofers,

painting watercups and gutters while also dealing with orders in the workshop

as always close to Christmas.

En hel del senare........

2010-11-27T07:00:00.003+01:00

samt utrustad med ett gott tålamod,

fick jag sen min målbild klar. Det tog ett år +. Se här!

Mitt skapande sker oftast i lager av linjer och balans mellan

olika material samt ytfinish och lätt asymmetri som är behaglig för ögat.

Mönstrade tapeter kan vara svåra och resultatet genom fönstret

blev denna gång precis så effektfullt som jag hoppats.

Till och med normala kaoset i köksentrén lurar ögat tillsammans

med tapetens mönster, kontrasterna suddas ut.

De gamla munblåsta originalglasen i fönstren mjukar i sin tur

helheten från matplatsen. En del glas saknas och får så vara

för att behålla en viss charm och praktiska prathål.

Det springs rätt mycket in o ut genom dörren.

❤Ia, som skyndar långsamt!

After more than a year, the tapestry of the wallpaper

from Colefax&Fowler is finally completed.

The small kitchen entrance needed some reflections

along the process of getting the different

layers of lines to work well together.

This is how it all started!

Skenet bedrar....

2010-11-19T20:32:00.000+01:00

man kan tro att vila o ro hägrar denna tidiga morgon.

Skymningsrelät har precis släckt all belysning utomhus runt huset.

Frosten ligger vackert på de gamla tegelpannorna.

I verkligheten ser det mer ut så här..........!!!!!

Operation takbyte är påbörjat, morgonfriden är ett minne blott...

Hu, vad jag är trött i håret,

❤Ia❤

Early November morning nipped by frost,

providing a misty scenery for a day.

The veritable action takes place around the corner...

operation roofing tiles exchange is now on.

There are no late mornings any longer,

the skylift turns the key with the daylight

and the scaffolds start squeaking as the

craftsmen swing themselves up

I must say I'm impressed, it's crazy cold

but I've seen nothing but a great spirit.

To follow.....

Goda egenskaper....

2010-11-14T20:31:00.000+01:00

vid full kalender!

I'm truly brilliant at having power naps on the couch.

Christmas orders are filling up my calender,

but I've learned my lesson to offer a reasonable

amount of time for my deliveries. I prefer

handing over my work with pride.

I do not possess the quality of playing the piano, as others in the

family do, but I enjoy being a listener. Music has every quality for
boosting.

♪Ia♪♬

Out of office.......

2010-11-04T17:32:00.001+01:00

having no public office next to the workshop at the moment

and trying to seperate my needles and tools from the paperwork in

a more quiet area of the house, my stationary is now temporarily

installed on the top floor.

My very small and old cap table, late Gustavian, has a natural distressed

surface of linseed oil paint and now acts as a desk for the computor.

Thank lord for wireless network for printing etc....

Blending functional hi-tech device with old interior styles and

gracious textiles is what makes my day peaceful at heart while working.

I will always stay open for technical improvements.

Decorating my home is on the other hand rather a different matter.

I'm a hopeless fusspot over tiny details,

you may ask my tinsmith about today's watercups!

How do you blend??

★Ia★

Autumn delight....

2010-10-30T20:22:00.000+02:00

Ingrid Maries grow ripe at late October

and shall preferably be picked after

a frosty night or two.

An apple with a herald from the Danish island of Fyn.

The story tells about the one seedling from a Cox Orange

taking root amongst the raspberry bushes a hundred years ago.

This year our single tree has produced a bumper harvest

and I'm preparing goodie-baskets for family and friends,

to bring home after tomorrow's brunch.

This juicy apple tastes it's best at Christmas but may,

when stored suitably, preserve well until April.

XX Ia xx

Ponding......

2010-10-27T21:36:00.001+02:00

efter många års tjat gav jag då äntligen med mig.....

men inte till vad som helst och inte hur som helst.

Detta är min måltavla, hittad hos en favorit blogg, Trouvais.

Hur går det då???

Lite långsamt kanske i inspektorns ögon,

men trots allt framåt.

Seriös leklåda för vuxna karlar!

Seriösa katter däremot har gjort sitt för dagen och tar sig

gärna en sömnlur bakom köksgardinen i solskenet.

❤Ia❤

I've finally surrendered after 20 years of harping

and agreed on having a smaller pond

constructed in the garden.

But not until I found my inspiration from

one of Trouvais posts earlier this year.

I never thought it would be of such fun for someone else,

it's really a playground for adult males.

Bricks of stone, buckets with concrete, layers of armour,

electrical devices for a water cascade,

stone caisson for drainage...etc etc etc!

It's a never ending list.....

Regularly accompanied by the house cat, who needs to

rest for a bit, preferably on a windowsill

in the kitchen while the sun is warming up the pane.

The cold weather arrived rather early this year and working in

mortar will now have to rest until the next spring.

Passing on...

2010-10-26T07:52:00.001+02:00

yesterday's company-mail.

On the air today!

Hennes nya bok släpps nu i Sverige.

Or watch later at TV4play!

I heard it through the grapevine...

2010-10-24T21:58:00.001+02:00

is one of my fav songs with Marvin Gaye

and has been on my lips all day.

Today's harvest gently picked from topped roofing!

Bringing in this season's grapes on a cold, rainy day and you need to warm up again.

Wrapped up.......and then some comfy loose chair covers to rest on.

These blue grapes have to come off after a night's temperature below the freezing-point,

for a better result and before being drawn off into bottles.

Some are left over for raisins.

❤Ia❤

P.s. It is possible to grow grapes in Sweden,
we have done so in a small number for 20 years.
We have chosen vines hardy a severe climate,
suitable for the Stockholm region.
Both blue and green logs have grown robust over
the years, they even made it through last winter's
extreme cold.......knock on wood !!!

Birdie nam nam....

2010-10-11T20:28:00.000+02:00

Today's outlook

At full bloom May 2010

Plenty for everyone

Still with a ❤

Ett lindebarn.....

2010-10-06T02:18:00.000+02:00

är ett gammalt hus, i alla fall för mig.

Maken är rätt klar i sitt val. Glaserat SVART!!

Så har det nästan 100 år gamla bitvis mossbelagda taket gjort sitt,

många av pannorna har tjänat sitt syfte och denna gång behövs

en radikalare åtgärd, det räcker inte att bara byta papp och läkt

samt byta en o annan takpanna.

Med hjärtat i byggnadsvården plöjer jag nu all tillgänglig facklitteratur

om takläggning och plåtarbeten, byte av tak innebär oftast även nya

fotrännor och stuprör. Diskussionerna går höga.....

Jag letar febrilt gamla vattkupor med krona att utgå ifrån.

Tips mottages ytterst tacksamt!

4 more to go.......jag tror inte plåtis blir glad på mig!

Så om ett reveterat trähus i kalkbruk och kalkfärg efter konstens alla

regler, skall behålla sin nuvarande karaktär och få ett "nytt"

återvunnet taktegel med patina kontra nytillverkade handslagna

glaserade takpannor i skimrande svart, ger mig aningen huvudbry.

För att inte säga hjärtsnörp...jag måste bestämma mig snart!

Husets själ har ett hjärta, det är jag alldeles säker på.

Den nedan gamla betongspiran klädd i zinkplåt kan bli avgörande,

upp på kökets taknock, ovanför det lilla fönstret skall den.

Spiran skall inte målas!

Kanske gör den sig bättre mot SVARTA takpannor.......eller?????

I ❤ for my house,

I'm up for a big decision, perhaps the biggest ever,

regarding our almost a 100 year old house.

The roofing tiles in terracotta have finally served their purpose

and only replacing laths and roofing felt won't be enough this time.

Hubby has made his choice of glazed tiles in black handmade reproduction

.....I'm slightly filled with anguish and as a profound hunter of recuperated

building materials, I'm still rather vague on deciding if to try and find another

well preserved stock of antique tiles in terracotta.

Eventually this old pinnacle of concrete covered in zinc plate will

help me out, it will be mounted as an embellishment on the lower ridge

on top of the kitchen wing and above the small window.

It will not be painted!

I'm scrutinizing methodically all available literature on the market,

restoring and replacing a roof also involves the plater's part of making

new gutters, preferably by reproducing original models.

I've found an old watercup to start drawing sketches from.

Being an admirer of the tinsmith's work, I'm sort of looking

forward to this heavy work ahead of us.

I just have to make up my mind for the pick of tiles.

The house has a traditional coating of lime mortar,

painted in very pale pinky limewash, the window frames

are whitewashed and the borders are in black linseed oil.

The shutters are also painted in linseed oil, oxid green and has

turned pale over the years.

BLACK OR TERRACOTTA??

Preppad o klar....

2010-10-01T06:00:00.002+02:00

Stadig frukost denna soliga sista Septembermorgon, insvept i varm pläd.

Genomstretchad och hyfsat uppmjukad. Obs ... iförd sockiplast!

Samt diverse bestyr vid tvättstället,

egenbyggt med måttbeställd skiva av återvunnen kalksten.

Varför detta ??????

Jo, en förkväll med uppackning hos......

Besök välfyllda promenadstråk med kaxig kuriosa denna helg! Läs mer HÄR....

❤Ia❤

This weekend the annual fall marketplace for antique dealers is taking place.

As a regular visitor I've learned the importance to set off well prepared.

Once there you easily find yourself lost in the all the fun of bric-a-brac!

Embrace yourselves...

2010-09-28T09:55:00.003+02:00

höstens härliga film, Tuva Novotny spelar med i

Take a peek.....

Svensk premiär på fredag!

Let yourselves go,

biodags girls!!!

P.s. Pay attention to the marvellous voice of Richard Jenkins.

Trudilutta dig.......

2010-09-26T23:59:00.001+02:00

We have a new tenant in our house.

Charming little fellow.....

and he doesn't seem to cause any rivalry either as long as he stays put.

The little statue is made out of sandstone,

he is slightly weather-beaten by age,

having lived a long life for many centuries
playing his flute in a park somewhere.

Now in caring hands,

❤Ia❤

Business associate......

2010-09-22T06:00:00.003+02:00

min trogne kompanjon gillar de numera temporära kontorsrutinerna

hemma i köket.

Vårt permanenta tillhåll har nu hamnat i en containter ute på gatan,

kontoret har så att säga blåsts ut. Tack o lov är verksta'n orörd än så länge!

Vidare värst effektiv tycker jag inte att han är, han power nappar för det mesta eller smiter ut på toan hela tiden......en massa matpauser skall han ha också. Stretchar o töjer på sig pysslar han med en hel och då

är jag faktiskt snabb att hänga på, blir stel som ett krokigt grenverk av att sitta still och sköta papper.

Som hantverkare blir man lätt "bagarens barn" och jag prövar nu att

nåla fast ett gammalt franskt bröllopslakan för att testa lite.

Risken är stor att det blir hängande så för en tid......

Märkligt nog kan jag inte finna maken till detta par bland mina hyllmeter av

antikt linne. Kan inte begripa varför lilla kollegan inte är intresserad av att leta!

❥ Ia med kompanjon Kletus, idag blev hans stämpelkort inte godkänt.

My office has been totally demolished, tossed away in a dumpster.

So for the time being most of my company's paperwork has to be

made sitting at my dining table in the kitchen.

My sweet fellow companion is rather lazy and prefers having continuous

power naps on the table next to my computer, preferably being caressed by

my right hand most of the time...when he's not paying a visit to the loo

or having one of his many breakes for a snack.

We do have workout sessions once in a while during the day,

a relief for a stiff back that is not supposed to sit on a chair for very long.

I'm trying a new idea for unlined drapes in my kitchen and so far I've

managed to find time to have one in a pair of two antique French wedding bed sheets

pinned onto the old drape......just as a check to see if it works well.

Now I don't seem to find the other one, stacked away in the storage room

on a pile of textiles...somewhere!

At dawn......

2010-09-16T11:09:00.001+02:00

mid September

Blue sky reflecting the window pane.

Sun setting earlier by the day.....

Best time of the day......giving me a short break to contemplate.

Now is also the time to organize the garden.....slowly bit by bit.

emptying out pots.....covering some of the plants in soil, to

protect the roots from being detroyed at winter frost.

We are being supervised......

Music in the air today.....do you remember!!!

Have a great September Day!

❤Ia❤

First and last.....

2010-09-09T13:32:00.001+02:00

Cleaning up a workshop that has been closed for almost 6 months

consumes a lot more time than I'm really up for.

Displays being dusted.....a tediously boring work.

Once done.......

I can focus on spreading my tables with beautiful embroidered silk again. Much more fun!

Needles on an antique pincushion.

I prefer standing while working but there is a old industrial stool to rest a leg against.

One of the last projects before closing in the beginning of April

is now being documented and filed as completed.

A Ralph Lauren design "A Poetry Walk" in chocolate, handstitched drapes in 3 layers with lining

and blackout, hanging on a special ordered rod in pewter. There is no pleating tape used in the

heading of the drape, the rings are sewn directly onto the top with a linen thread. The rings are then twisted in pairs towards one another to shape natural heavy pleats and will retain the full witdh.

The calender is slowly filling up with appointments, autumn is here

and I'm back on track, if only part time so far. The rest is to be......

By a ✂ hand, Ia. Happily playing with her tools again!

Fredagsmys..

2010-09-03T21:43:00.000+02:00

med en son under pågående reklamutbildningoch som debatterande familj,

hamnar vi titt som tätt i tyckande o tänkande i ämnet.

Nu har Kletus hamnat i fokus som exempel på hans uttryck av livsnjutning.

Hoppar han upp på bänken och sätter sig vid spisen,

är han sugen på lite kokt torsk. Vi fixar......med pepparkorn o lagerblad.

Aj aj Husse, du får blåsa lite!!

En god stunds borstning sitter heller aldrig fel...

En liten mysstund. Ömsesidig kärlek som och ska vårdas.

Kan det vara något för reklamens värld?

❤Ia❤

Our youngest son is now enrolled in an international bachelor's program in advertising

and quite often at the dinnertable we end up having discussions (yes, this is a debating family)

and ideas in this subject. This time our house cat cuddly behaviours came up as a suggestion

for a draft. What do you think?

The motive goes -

On Friday evenings in Sweden you are supposed to focus on having

a relaxed time after a week of hard work.

There is a running TV commercial on one of the major channels

and if I'm to translate it from Swedish it goes something like "Friday cuddle".

The only contradictory could be that the ad is for potato chips, not fish!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Skruvläge.....

2010-09-02T14:05:00.000+02:00

att jag är en fantast av gjutjärn kanske har framgått med tiden.

Eldstadens tegelväggar valde vi att klä med gamla skivor i

gjutjärn med sirlig dekor, när den uppfördes för 25 år sedan.

Den gamla vedspisen från Norrahammar inhandlades från en

byggnadsvårdsbutik och renoverades efter konstens alla regler.

Jag har alltid jobbat sida vid sida med husets hantverkare och denna

eldstad växte fram med gemensamma ritningar på väggen under

byggets gång. Ett rätt givande sätt att få ordning på de små detaljerna.

Andra små detaljer som verkar sitta på sin plats, enligt mitt senaste

röntgenbesök är alla 4 bultar och 12 skruvar i ryggen.

Jag gillar ju metaller, titan funkar det med!

Nu skall jag väl stå stadigt.......

❤Ia❤

The old word of wisdom saying the heart of the house is to be

the open fireplace is somewhat true. The snug comfortable delight

from a log fire in the kitcehn on a chilly fall morning.....

I'm rather fond of works performed in cast iron and when we

had the openfire place made 25 years ago, the walls inside

were covered by old plates of ornamented cast iron.

The wood stove is a hundred years old and has been meticulously

restored before being installed.

P.s. My latest x-ray pictures of the spinal fixation are telling all the 4 bults

and 12 screws are just in the perfect position and look really well so far.

Tekniktrassel.....

2010-08-28T02:14:00.001+02:00

njae, jag vet inte riktigt!

Det är en ständig dragkamp här i huset om var gränsen för estetik

och praktisk bekvämlighet skall gå.

Teknikbegåvad problemlösande herre med en digitaliserad hustrus olika

behov ger emellanåt upphov till ibland veckolånga debatter här i huset.

HAN som tycker om att lägga tyngd på praktiska, väl utförda arbeten.

JAG som tycker att lägga arbete på detaljerna i det evinnerliga.

Här är ett par närbilder på kopparplåten efter önskemål från några

läsare. Plåten blänker rätt mycket i kameran och ger inte riktigt rätt

nyans. Så småningom skall ytan behandlas för att påskynda lite

ärgning av olika partier. Köksblandarna fick bytas från en oxiderad

mässing till krom för en bättre balans, det var ytterst nära att

slutresultatet blev av pubstuket.

DÅ kan jag lova att veckodebatten hade blivit till minst en månadsdebatt!!

Ibland spelar det ingen större roll med vare sig teknikens under

eller estetikens vara eller inte vara. Ett par tända ljus vid kvällens middag

och bärbara datorer känns som ett överflödigt sällskap.

Fast det är klart, lite soft musik med hjälp av Spotify och trådlöst

nätverk är vi rörande överens om. Det behövs ingen debatt i den frågan.

❤Ia❤

I'm, upon request, posting some pictures of the countertop in copper.

The camera is not being accurate a hundred percent, the surface looks

a little bright and shiny. It will be later be patinated to become slightly

verdigris green on some parts of the copper.

The deck mounted mixers by French Horus were first supposed to have been of

antique brass but were wisely changed for chrome.

If not, it would have been very close we were to end up having a pub design

in our kitchen...wicked thought!

Som katten kring het gröt.....

2010-08-23T20:59:00.000+02:00

är nog ett rätt ärligt statement kring detta plåtarbete.

När något inte stämmer/ saknas eller är i obalans i en rumsmiljö,

är det ibland enklast för mig att själv reda ordning i funderingarna.

Lite otippat val denna gång blev till slut rätt lyckat.

Köksöns bänkskiva som tidigare var trären har nu

klätts med den brända kopparplåten.

Efter 3 dagar med svetsen var jag nöjd med rosorna och slitaget,

plåten var färdig att läggas på.

Hela familjen blev förvånade över det positiva resultatet.

Takbalkarna blev mindre framträdande, den eklektiska balansen hos

de olika stilarna har fått jämvikt. En perfekt inredning blir lätt opersonlig,

vissa saker får gärna störa min inredning så där lagom.

Mitt kök skall hålla för tuffa tag, mycket folk, mycket mat, mycket musik och

gärna ett o annat danssteg när lusten faller på.

❤Ia❤

My work on the welding of the copper sheet is now completed.

After a little more than 3 days trying to achieve a distressed look with

some discoloration I was finally pleased with the result.

One of the countertops in the kitchen has for many years

been annoying my sense for the right balance in my kitchen design at home.

I decided to solve the matter in a more unexpected way,

as for the choice of material and manufacturing procedure.

The whole family is satisfied with the result, the rough look

with yet a little luminous and at the same time bruised surface

made a perfect match to rest of our kitchen, which has

an eclectic mix of styles represented.

There is a Rococo chandelier, Gustavian chairs,

a custom-made Industrial modern ventilator and also an old open fire place

with a wood stove. There are also French Tolix stools.

To much white is tricky in an area with a ceiling height of 14 feet

and we wanted the original beams from 1916 to find a balance in the room.

Now, both the beams and the copper countertop add just the right

amount of rustic feeling high and low, instead of dominating separately.

En svetsloppas liv.....

2010-08-16T23:44:00.000+02:00

o leverne.....

Tänk att det kan vara så kul med en koppar plåt

och en svetslåga....nu har jag putsat i 3 dagar.

Svettigt men inte speciellt tungt arbete,

rosig om kinderna o nöjd är jag.

Resultatet kommer om ett par dagar när hantverkarna

är klara med sitt och åter svept ut genom dörren.

❤ Sov dax, i morgon bankas det vidare. 0700 sharp!!

Having fun.....welding flames on a sheet of copper is fun!

It's not particularly hard work, all you need is to be

rather persistant as it is consuming a lot of time

to attain your request for a final result.

I'm warm with rosy cheeks, have been for 3 days now.

This part of the ongoing kitchen project is done and

will soon be mounted. As soon as the craftsmen are

done and left the building I will get to it.

Show u later, gotta sleep....tomorrow starts 7 a.m.

Kantarellös.....

2010-08-11T23:34:00.002+02:00

men inte boklös

Vädret på ön var inte nådigt, varma vindar och tungt regn blev till

slut ett herrans åskväder med mer än 2 500 blixtar på en timme över

en nattsvart himmel. Mer än nog för vem som helst att ge upp hoppet

om att finna kantarellyckan i skogen.

Väl hemma i stan försöker jag få tillbaka kroppsvärmen och kryper

gärna upp i en soffa med en pälspläd och inspireras av någon av de

nya böckerna som nyligen beställts från Amazon.fr och co.uk.

Gigantiskt och bra utbud, mindre än 48 timmars leverans och då till din dörr.

Böcker är tungt, hemleverans är guld värt!!

Jag har valt en mix av böcker av olika kulturers stilar inom inredning

och arkitektur, ett sätt att sätta fart på den kreativa inspiration

som jag nu behöver inför den snart stundande återgången till mitt

arbete i verkstaden som har legat i vila sen i slutet av April.

Måste erkänna att det känns aningen trögt och bortkopplat efter denna lång frånvaro.

Här syns lite gamla böcker som ofta även används som inspiration.

Former o linjer finns överallt, ett par antika brandknektar får

fungera som liggande bokstöd istället för att gömma sig i kakelugnen.

Kletus trängs med mig i pläden, hans huvud i min ena hand.

Min andra hand bläddrar i böcker. Jag tror inte han bryr sig om

böckerna, men han kurrar nöjt med mitt sällskap i soffan.

Det är gott nog åt mig, nöjd kisse...nöjd matte!

❤ Ia

Autumn is now getting closer and having vacation in August also means

spending evenings on the porch in the dark with candle lights, wrapped up in blankets,

often listening to the heavy rain and overwatching thunderstorms.

The other night there were more than 2 500 lightnings struck in one hour over the skies on the island, more than enough to make anyone give up looking for chanterelles in forest.

Before leaving for our cabin I placed a major order of interior design books on

the French and the British sites of Amazon. Books are really heavy to carry

and being a book freak I can't but praise DHL for delivering

them right up to my front door, in less than 48 hrs.

This time I have chosen a mix of books from different cultures décor and architecture, to get back in mood professionally. I'm due to go back to work again in a couple of weeks. Rehab and recovery have served their purposes and there is no excuse for extending my vacation after the end of this month.

I treasure my books and really can't tell if one is better than the other, they become special to me in different ways and even if I don't read one for many years I can easily refer to it and happily

bring it down the shelf to enjoy once again.

Island in the sun.....

2010-08-05T10:16:00.002+02:00

har vi hoppats på ett par dagar nu.

Semestern tickar....va' e solen??

Nu väntar vi inte längre!

Vattnet är strypt.....rörmokaren grejar på.

Vi drar till ön med pick o pack.

Fleecetröjor och gummistövlar är med.

Det ryktas om mycket kantareller på ön, mmmmm!

Smörstekta på stenugnsbakat bröd....kom nu så drar vi!!!!!

❤Ia❤

Hubbie is back home and the vacation is running.

The plumber has shut the water off in the kitchen,

while doing his things for a couple of days

So there is no turning back, after having been awaiting for the sun

to return for some days now. We stuffed the car with warm sweaters

and some wellies, leaving for our cabin in the archipelago of Stockholm.

Rumours say the forest is yellow with

chanterelles.....can't wait to have some fried in a pan

with butter on a slice of coarse rye bread.

....SLURP....

The house is very silent....

2010-07-29T19:15:00.000+02:00

today, it's raining outside, a pouring rain!!! The air is humid.

Everybody in the house is taking the day off.....listening to the rattle of the rain.

Taking a nap upstairs perhaps, even a blanket feels cosy today,

but I have my suspicion...

YEP, he prefers my stools at late afternoon!

A silent rattle,

Behind.....

2010-07-24T20:52:00.000+02:00

this window

Bor ett herrskapet...

Mulberry, sådär 150 år gamla från Rörstrand.

Av mig inköpta med 25 års mellanrum, går ibland o fundrar på

vad som hände med den omålade.

På tallrikshyllan finns också lite Stjärnsund från Gefle.

Bakom samma fönster bor nu också ett projekt.

❤ Ia,

home alone once again,

someone has gone ✈.

Behind this window stays a pair of china,

almost 150 years old, but bought

in two different antiques stores 25 years apart.

I always wondered what happened

to the plain undecorated one,

Still I like them both for being identical and still not.

DJ Clabbe med förfest.....

2010-07-17T19:27:00.000+02:00

på Radio Stockholm 103, 3 dånar ur fönstren,

när jag svänger upp i mitt kvarter efter dagens promenadpass.

Jag stapplar innanför dörren, kikar in i köket och inser att

maken har rockat loss under matlagningen inför kvällens middag.

Man kan inte annat än att dras med i det sköna soundet med Clabbe,

vi minns ju Oppoppa på 70-talet som växelvis sändes från Skansen

och Sollidens scen. Om jag inte kommer ihåg fel medverkade

Ted Gärdestad i ett av dessa program hos Clabbe.

Vi rockar vidare med dukning på altanen och bjuder hela

kvarteret på skön 70-tals musik i afton.

Undrar om dom tror att det är FF hos oss i kväll!!

❤ från en musikglad familj,

Music is in the air tonight!

Have a great summer evening.....

Sleeping pill....

2010-07-13T15:53:00.003+02:00

anyone!

The present heatwave is worst at night and whilst suffering from
severe lack of sleep in this house,

someone came up with a brilliant idea worth trying.

Take a deep frozen Gel-Pak....frysklamp går också bra.

Wrap it up in a linen towel.

Put it under your pillow/s.

Last night I slept like a baby on cool linen sheets.

My headbord has a loose cover of an old French, embroidered

by hand, linen sheet from mid 1800 and mixes well with these

new French procucts in linen from Caravane

Take a look at their website

for some gorgeous quality and colours!

Sleep tight!

Kära vattenslang....

2010-07-11T22:08:00.000+02:00

ett bevis på att jag behärskar bevattningen här hemma i hettan.

Fönstren står på vid gavel för lite svalkande korsdrag.

Det är ingen idé att rulla ihop den ens...

Plocket vid köksgaveln ska ha sitt.

Andra roade sig med nya leksaker i värmen idag!!!!!!!!

Den här nyheten tuggade i sig ett helt träd under eftermiddagen.

Jag kom med svaga tillrop och fortsatte att vattna i skuggan.

Fast med jämnade mellanrum baddade jag Kletus för lite svalka

med en blöt linne handduk.

Jag vattnar lite till.....och hör slamret från köket och finalmatchen

i VM i fotboll, månaden är över och sonen börjar jobba i morgon.

Happy ☀ shine !

The last week's weather report announced a heatwave and here it is,

today we scored almost 90 farenheit. Rather unusual in Sweden.

Still in the city, waiting for the August vacation, we put much effort into

any type of a cool breeze such as fans, open windows to bring on some draught.

Being outdoors watering the plants, I kind of like the different sounds

streaming from a household out on the street.....telling me what is

going on in the kitchen or in my son's room watching the World Soccer finals.

I'm being part of it by distance.

Gateway Ulriksdal

2010-07-05T10:36:00.000+02:00

Värmeskygg, ja! .....

så utökade promenader sker i skydd av charmiga boskéer,

lövsalar av lind, som anlades under rokokons tid på 1740-talet.

Carl Hårleman var arkitektekten på modet, detta ingick i hans förslag

för viss omarbetning av Ulriksdals Slottspark.

Visserligen revs delar av anläggningarna efter Karl XI:s död 1872,

men Ulriksdals Slott har än idag en härlig park för promenader, glädje och...

...en hel del ögonfröjd. Vindlande promenadvägar och romantiska

upplevelser var rokokotidens ideal. Besökare än idag uppskattar
den vackra och spännande trädgården, många förtjusta utrop hörs bakom buskar o träd.

Skugga har bästa solskydds faktorn.

Slottet sett från dagens Lusthus,

som har formen av en stor fågelbur och

står på resterna av Lusthuskullen Mons Mariae.

En gång en hyllning från Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie till sin hustru

på 1660-talet. Då hette arkitekten Jean de la Vallée.

Svårfotad skapelse i trä....med krönet i järn.
Både slottet och parken bär spår av flera stilepoker genom århundraden.

Det pågår febril aktivitet i området just nu.

På dagtid anordnas Sommarsalongen och på kvällstid

spelas musicalen "Life of Bellman". Besök deras blog här!

Väl hemma igen hägrar en tupplur på köksaltanens sofflock.

Trötta smussiga fötter behöver vila lite......

Roligt sätt att samla intryck inför jobbstarten till hösten!

❤ Ia

I'm extending my walks, now in the park of Ulriksdal's Palace,

not very far away from my home.

The last couple of days have been really warm

and I preferred to walk the majestic bosquets of lime trees

in the formal garden, offering a cooling shade and also

in the appreciation of long lasting beauty.

In a royal environment in one of the most interesting

historical gardens of Sweden and very close to Stockholm,

the park is at the moment also simmering with activities for the summer,

such as picnics, dog walkers, exhibitions,

the rock'n roll musical of the wellknown

18'th century poet and musician Bellman

and much much more....
Read about Ulrikdsdals Palace here!

We prefer to stay outdoors as much as we

possibly can this time of the year...

and the weather is gorgeous right now.

Home alone.....

2010-06-26T23:08:00.001+02:00

är vi, Kletus o jag.

Emellanåt kan det vara lite skönt med egen tid. Litegrann...

Kalkad husfasad i blekrosa nästan vit ton,
som kvastats på tradionellt vis och det glittrar i kvällsolen.

Dubbeldörren är beställd hos Allmoge Snickerier i Leksand för många år sedan.

All fasadbelysning kommer från franska Pradier.

Nåväl, gräsänka i lagom tappning går väl an, men ibland kan det

bli lite väl trist tycker vi nog......speciellt vid högtider!

Kaffepaus allena i sen eftermiddagssol.

Kletus deppar vid trädgårdstrappan.

Matte försöker piffa upp tillvaron med lite rosor.

Nu får Husse snart komma hem från jobbet, tycker vi nog båda

...fast det blir ett rysligt farande fram o tillbaka

innan det är dags för semester i sommar.

Vi passar på att slöa solskenet....Kletus o jag har all tid i världen just nu!

❤

Sweden is now celebrating Midsummer,

with traditions as profound as Christmas.

The daylight is only gone for a very few hours

and the myth tells the maid to collect

7 different wild flowers, to put them under

her pillow when she goes to sleep.

She will meet her future husband in her dream.

I met my husband at Midsummer's Eve, 28 years ago,

before I went to sleep but I did dream of him the whole night.

He had to get to work early the next day, 28 years ago.

Guess what, my husband had to get up early this morning

Midsummer's Day to go to work, to the same work.

We had our anniversary yesterday.