Sue's purchases and travels

This afternoon, after many consecutive days of 90 plus degree temperatures and NO rain we finally had a torrential downpour. It lasted for a few hours and when I left the shop this evening my gardens rewarded me with some marvelous fragrances the most recognizable of which was dill. Is there a more popular herb or garnish in all of Scandinavia? We always clip it into our boiled potatoes, sprinkle it on poached salmon, or mix it in with sour cream and cucumbers for a classic summer salad. A favorite hot weather drink, after Vodka tonic, is water infused with cucumber and a bit of dill. It tastes like summer in Scandinavia! So, as the weatherman warns of rising temperatures I prescribe a tall pitcher of iced water mixed with sliced cucumbers and bits of dill. Take in a shady spot and repeat as needed.

My son and I toured Philadelphia yesterday and had a wonderful time, despite the incredibly hot weather. This is the city where America began and is so steeped in history that it's easy to walk the cobblestone streets or brick sidewalks and imagine life in the 1770's. We visited Independence hall (Where the Declaration of Independence was approved and signed) and also the Liberty Bell. A short walk from these is the home of Betsy Ross, the woman assoicated with the first American flag. Philadelphia has a wonderful visitors center where we spotted the "colonists" pictured aboe. The good news is that Independence Hall and Liberty Bell are not only free but also Air conditioned! Many of the Swedes I know visit New York and DC but never stop in Philadelphia. It's a city that has so much to offer including Old Swedes Church which speaks of early Swedish immigrants. It's great for kids and although we just had one day we could have easily filled a few more. Let Freedom Ring....Visit Philadelphia!

The other day I wrote about dining at Comet Restaurant. One of the wonderful details was a small, old fashioned, doily placed in the bread basket. It was a charming touch and a perfect use for those tatted rounds we often have piled in the linen closet. I don't know when the paper doily first appeared on the scene but I imagine it was supposed to replace it's cotton twin...which it most certainly did! At Klaradal we sell both paper and fabric doilies. The paper ones are from a British Company and come in combinations of very feminine solid or floral pinks. (they are shown to the left and far right) The old fashioned ones are generally white or ecru and perfect for that "naked" bread basket you have at home! I also, while searching the web, found the middle photo which shows using an assortment of doilies in the center of the table to create a lacy runner. Anyone planning a tea or ladies lunch should pop into Klaradal for table setting inspiration. The same company that makes the paper doilies also has darling sandwich stands, shown above, and packages of mini crackers to use as conversation starters. (By crackers I mean the cardboard cylinders that one pulls at both ends....not the salty crispy treat...which I also love on the table...but not as a conversation starter!) Hej Dor....I'm off to Philadelphia for some touring with my son!

The past couple of days the heat and humidity, so typical of a Washington DC summer, have given way to sunny and delightful 80 degree days. It won't last long but while it does thought I would inspire you with a few Swedish summer dining ideas. The first picture is a beautifully presented crate of fresh sea food served at our cousin's 2007 midsummer feast. The bowls of berries and towering Kransekake were also from that fun Summer party. The platter being held by my husband and sister in law, Tina, is something we made last week from Fine Cooking magazine. We just took some cedar plank grilled salmon and placed the slices on top of a bed of arugula, fennel, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, black olives and whatever else is growing in your garden! Everything was topped with a Greek style vinaigrette. It's a great make ahead meal since the salmon may be served hot or cold. Happy Summer! Happy Weekend!

The other night we happened upon yet another house hunters International in Scandinavia. This time the couple was looking for a house in Uppsala. They were moving from Orlando but were surprisingly open to taking in the whole Swedish experience. They opted for a house downtown in the midst of everything. They decided not to have a car but to live like the locals and use bikes for transportation. It made Peter and I both yearn for a chance to live overseas for a year or so....of course, our 17 year old son, who is just learning to drive, would not welcome a change of lifestyle! (Nor would we push it!) If you'd like to view the show click on the link belowhttp://www.sidereel.com/House_Hunters_International/season-23/episode-8

When I visit the local farmer markets I can't help but recall this charming Jordgubbar (strawberry) caravan we saw while on the island of Oland. The Swedes love Strawberry Season, I guess because it tells them summer is finally here! I love how most grocery stores will have a small card table set up outside at which a local will sell the berries. Usually the table has a sweet berry printed cloth and is , of course, laden with the most delicious fruit! Think I'll head to the kitchen for some berries right now!

Yesterday's article on summer homes on Gotland resulted in my reviewing our photos from a visit to that island in 2007. One of the silliest, yet charming, places we visited was Serigarden. It is the work of one man and his son who together created a garden of whimsical colorful characters. Some of the statues are based on storybook "stars" others just a product of imagination. I don't have a photograph but remember that there was one statue of a mermaid with rather large bare breasts. Peter had joked that the father spent extraordinary amount of time on that one siting the need for perfection as he crafted the breasts! It was quite silly and quite fun. I guess, as a lover of primitive art, I was especially enamored with this destination. If you are heading to Gotland this summer I suggest you stop in!

Today's Wall Street Journal has a feature on summer homes in Sweden. They specifically feature homes on the island of Gotland and its neighbor Faro where Ingmar Bergen lived for 4 decades. They show a number of homes...many way too contemporary for my taste but they still manage to capture some of the spirit of Gotland. We visited there a number of years ago and have wonderful memories of our time there. The walled city of Visby was charming, although, having spent a lot of time in Tallin, we were not as enamored with it as others might have been. I loved the rocky beaches, the Gotland sheep with their signature grey curly fur, and a the shops and restaurants of Visby. The photos shown here are from our trip. To view the Wall Street Journal Article click on the link below. http://online.WSJ.com/article/SB10001424052702303823104576391260598650634.html.

Picked up my son from camp yesterday. He's shown here with his counselor. We spent the day sitting on the porch. He was texting, I was reading and at one point we played monopoly...for old times sake. This morning he awoke in time for me to make him blueberry pancakes before heading off to the shop. While mixing the batter I heard, on David's country station," Today is your day" by Shania Twain. It was a perfect moment-with perfect pancakes! It's nice to have him home again. I'm not sure, unfortunately, that today is MY day...I gave Peter and David the beautiful pancakes shown then made two for myself...they burned. Oh well--maybe tomorrow will be MY day!