Sue's purchases and travels

Light a candle. That's what Swedes do throughout their long dark winters. I know of spoken of this before but dark dreary days such as we're now having remind me to follow the Swedes'example. Whether its a flame outside a store front, a votive on a store counter, or a candelabra at dinner-candlelight is everywhere warming Swedes through their darkest coldest days. Pop into Klaradal for a look at our extensive assortment of candlesticks...old, new, modern, tradtional, whimsical or electric. We've got them...and we'll help light your day and your way through this winter.

Labels: Dining Sweden, Old Town Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden, Swedish Antiques, swedish gifts

Labels: alpine milk soap, apiana, baudelaire, klaradal, Swedish Antiques, swedish gifts

We've had a sudden change of temperatures here which has me in a springtime state of mind. It's far too early to plant outdoors but I just filled an assortment of tea cups, punch cups and crystal bowls with planting soil and grass seed. My plan is to have real grass to showcase my easter eggs and candy this year. The grass filled punch cups will serve as the perfect base for placecards at the Easter Dinner table. The photo shown is not mine....My grass needs a few weeks in the basement under fluroescent light...but then all should rival this mass of greenery.

Labels: easter eggs, easter ideas, grass indoors, real grass

Saturday we attended a memorial service for a cousin of Peter's who had been an English professor. The service was filled with lots of lines of poetry and prose from artists as diverse as Henry Miller and e.e.cummings. Peter and I stayed in the city following the service and decided to go to the Algonquin hotel for dinner. We thought that this landmark, at which the New Yorker was created, was the perfect place to pay homage to Jack's memory. We arrived late so the restaurant was relatively empty save for a few tables. One especially loud table had two "business men" who spent the evening texting, photographing each other, and being generally obnoxious and "non'literary". I was feeling a little down about the whole experience until I headed to the ladies room. There in the hallway was a handwritten copy of Carl Sandburg's poem "Carpe Diem". I stood in the darkened hall and read the carefully printed poem.

I especially, given the days activities, loved the last few lines:
It lives less in the present
Than in the future always,
And less in both together Than in the past.
The present Is too much for the senses,
Too crowding, too confusing—Too present to imagine.

The present is way too crowding and confusing. And the past, especially on days like this, is a place you want to be...because there everyone is happy, young and with us.

Labels: algonquin, carl sandburg, carpe diem, parl, Swedish Antiques

That's what it feels like when I start sorting through auction purchases. Yesterday I knew I had bought a charming Silver Plate sugar shaker. Today I realized it was made exclusively for Harrod's-the famous London department store. I also knew I had bid on some photos at this same Pennsylvania auction and was pleased to discover the photos were all taken in either Washington DC or Baltimore Maryland...much closer to home than Pennsylvania. Some adorable embroiderd pillow cases feature blue birds and cherries which will be perfect for our President's day celebration next week. I've discovered Norwegian tin and porcelain, a small royal copenhagen plate, as well as charming green glass items perfect for St. Patty's day. I hope you'll stop by soon to Klaradal...where every item and every season is a cause for celebration! Happy Valentine's day!

Labels: harrods, klaradal, sugar shaker, Swedish Antiques, swedish gifts

Labels: klaradal, Oscar Myer Weiner Mobile, Swedish Antiques, swedish gifts

Labels: Sevya, Sweden, Swedish Antiques, swedish gifts

Labels: fair trade. haiti, Swedish Antiques, swedish gifts, tree of life