Teatime

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I am totally enamoured with the new range from Disaster – namely Songbird . Cute espresso cups with vintage themes, these are also ideal for serving sorbets or chocolate mousse in, and the teapot is exceptionally adorable.

You can find more info about these products here  and see other cups and teapots we have in stock.

UTLOTTNING!

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UTLOTTNING! STEAMCREAM x 2 . My Flower Girl blogg
har en utlöttning på två ladybird steam cream
Gör så här.
1. Ni måste vara en Happy Hedgehog ‘gillare’ på facebook för att delta.
2. DELA detta tävlingsinlägget på din facebook Logg samt SKRIVA där och på hennes blogg att du vill vinna
KOLLA Här http://myflowergirl.blogg.se/2012/may/utkast-maj-9-2012-1.html
 Winners will be announced on flowergirls blogg. 25 maj.

The ‘Real’ Downton Abbey

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I have just finished reading the story of Lady Almina, the Countess of Carnarvon, who lived in the ‘real’ Downton Abbey. That is to say, Highclere. Fascinating read, and a great window in to bygone times. She was one of the original so called ‘Buccaneers’, a name coined for wealthy American girls who married into titled families in England. Google Edith Wharton – The Buccaneers for another book, by the same name.

The illegitimate child of a Rothschild, she went on to inherit his fabulous wealth, which enabled her to live an extraordinary life. From hosting three day parties that cost in the region of £300,000 in todays money, to setting up a hospital for soldiers injured in the First World War, it is an extraordinary account of Almina’s life.  The Fifth Earl of Grantham is perhaps best known for his part in the excavation of King Tutankhamun.

The book is available to buy at Amazon, or Adlibris here is Sweden. (English version)

A review of this book by The Guardian can be read here. It also features a link to another book  by William Cross, which gives a rather contrasting view on her life.
If you are taking a trip to England, a day trip to Highclere might be in order!

 Highclere är öppet för besökare. Vill du se Highclere med egna ögon? Slottet ligger på dagsutlfyktsavstånd från London, och nu är det möjligt att förbeställ biljetter och se öppettider

Klicka på länken

www.highclerecastle.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Pancake Day and FettisDag, what to do?

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Feb is the month when traditionally Swedes tuck in to Semla

Follow this link and you can read an enlightening article by Rob Hincks at www.sweden.se on these very Swedish buns . As a Brit abroad, however, it does present a problem. Pancakes as in Shrove Tuesday tradition with sugar and lemon, or, semla?

The problem is also easily fixed by doing both of course. Be rude not to.

What not to do. NEVER leave a Semla unattended. This baby semla that I bought, was as you can see sampled by ‘Pumpkin’ so I have no idea what it tasted like, but he seemed to give it the paws up.

Semla Semla Semla. Is mine.

Time to shop shop shop!

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This week sees the start of a lot of Trade Fairs in Europe. The shop in Hantverksbyn will be closed on 19th 20th January while I head to Stockholm to see what is new. Then in February it is time for the UK trips where I will meet up with the lovely K who assists with UK buying  and we shall be sourcing those items that we never knew we needed

We have already earmarked a few special companies, and ordered some gorgeous handmade items from a fab designer in Britain which will be winging their way here in the next month or so.

Photo Tim Walker

Trettondag jul.

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Here in Sweden the 6th January is a holiday. (Epiphany)

On my way home yesterday, I saw this chap digging up a pheasant he must have buried. I got to within a metre before my nerve went, and retreated, quickly!

Click on the photos for a better view.