Crystals

On the ice

We have had some wonderful christmas days in Norway. The weather was nice, cold and crispy which is a bit unusual on the south-west coast.... but we surely enjoyed it!

Merry Christmas

We finally came to a winter white Norway. Now we will enjoy the Christmas days with family, and we wish all of you a Merry Christmas!

Snow, snow, snow!!!!

Our holiday was supposed to start on Friday the 17th. The whole family was looking forward to get on the plane to Norway. As many other travelers we are delayed so we are still in Luxembourg two days later, but we cross our fingers that the plane will take us to Amsterdam tonight... but I have my doubts. Good that it´s a few days till Christmas eve....

Alsace in December

Alsace in France is a place which is great to visit all year round, but preferably in December. You will find small or bigger christmas market in every little village or  town and they all have their unique atmosphere. For 5 years now we have spend the first or second weekend in December in this area, but unfortunately not this year. And our favorite villages/markets are Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and of course Eguisheim were we have found a nice hotel that we alway stays in.

Rooster

Had my "monthly" cooking course again last night. On the menu we had this proud rooster and it was absolutely tasteful.... 

The menu this time was based on christmas (far away from nordic traditions though)

and looked like this:

Coquille St-Jacques en croûte anisée, quinoa au wasabi

Chapon au miel épicé

Bûche aux fruits secs caramélisés

13th of December

Today is a special day in Scandinavia where we celebrate the winter-light festival of St. Lucy and the darkest part of the year. The children wears white long dresses and have candles in their hands and glitter in their hair and sing the Lucia-song and serve "lussekatter" (buns with saffron).

Candles

For our little christmas brunch on Sunday I decorated the table in red and white. I bought red apples and placed white, little christmas tree candles in each and one of them. An idea I got many years ago, but still it makes a conversation around the table....

Friday...

... and we are looking forward to a full packed weekend with friends coming from Netherlands, dinner parties and a "Norwegian before christmas family brunch" on Sunday. That's why we decorated our tree yesterday so we can all enjoy the weekend together. A nice weekend to you too.

Blue hour

After heavy snowfall we woke up yesterday in the early morning hours to a wonderful, winterly landscape. Especially the children enjoyed it since Luxembourg had decided to close the schools and the kids had an extra day off!

Christmas flower

I must have this flower in my living room every December, no christmas without...

Girls lunch

 Had the pleasure to be invited to a christmas/champagne lunch on Saturday. Every thing was perfectly done from the food to the decorations, and I particularly liked the idea to put a hibiscus flower in each glass! Thanks for a lovely day, girls.......

Smell of Sweden

I feel so lucky to have a heritage from both Norway and Sweden, and can pick the best of traditions that they can offer. I know this will be a busy weekend, but tonight it is all about enjoy the moments. The house is filled with childhood smells, like senaps gratinerad julskinka som mormor gjorde, svensk glögg och pepparkakor. (roasted mustard ham, vin chaud and ginger bread). I just love it!

Hearts

December is finally here and I can start decorate for Christmas! Those who knows me know that I am a fan of natural colours and simple items, so no bling bling, plastic or red Santas at my house.... The little heart is handmade and bought at a market, and the other one is found in a supermarket. I just removed the red ribbon and the little bells, and attached a rough wool tread instead.

Voila...

Before and after I

 I've gone crazy again with my spray paint!

I found this old lamp in the basement which I blew the dust of and sprayed in white. Now it fits perfect in my kitchen window, even blends in with the white landscape outside.....

Place d'Armes

This afternoon we went to the christmas market at Place d'Armes. It was crowded as expected, but as long as we have a vin chaud to warm us and some sweet, we are all happy...

Advent

Christmas is getting closer.... This morning we lighted up the first candle in our "candlestick". To be honest we do not have any traditional candlestick for advent. Each year I change, from material to colours. So this year I found this rough and natural candle holder in plaited twigs. The candles are in a dusty, pink beige colour, and the numbers I wrote on some star shaped labels made of zinc which I pinned onto the candles.

Details

Atmosphere photos from the amazing Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem.

13

Can't believe we woke up today to a white landscape and a new teen in the house!
Now we all look forward to celebrate with a restaurantvisit and the new Harry Potter movie.... sending a thought to my mohter in Norway who also has her birthday today, salut!

Cosy

Temperature is dropping and I saw the seasons first little snowflakes today. But I do not care, because I have a bunch of new interior magasines and a nice cappucino to enjoy this evening......

Fleur Würst

Yesterday was the openingday for the christmas shop at Fleur Würst. It is always exciting to see which theme they picked and to see all the nice decorations. I particularly liked the purple decorations this year. It is truly a nice event where they play christmas music and serve vin chaud, champagne and cookies. Oh, I'm so looking forward to christmas......

Petit ognion

Bazar

 We have started a bit early on christmas this year. The Norwegian Church had their annual bazar today, and of course we couldn't let that take place without us. Shopping norwegian chocolate, gløgg and lefser plus buying some christmas decoration and join the tombola. Nice things to do on a rather grey Sunday...

Vernisage

 Yesterday we were invited to a annual vernisage with famous and not so famous artists in Luxembourg. We found some nice and some not so nice artworks, the place was crowded but the champagne was good. 

Vincci Via-66

  Where to stay in Madrid? Vincci Via-66, on Gran Via....