Sue's purchases and travels

 Dorothy and everyone else we are home!

Labels: klaradal swedish antiques, original art, SAS, Swedish Antiques, swedish art

I must be getting older. There was a time when I could stay away forever....no rush to come home...but today I am ready.  I guess if Peter and David were along it would be different.  I didn't have a chance to get lonely on this trip...lots of visits with family and friends of family AND many vendors who have become old friends but....there is something about being home.  My arrival to said home is delayed.  I have been in Copenhagen airport for two hours and have another one to go.  I spent most of yesterday packing and re-packing and yet still my luggage was 10 pounds overweight...each bag!  Kind SAS guy let it go.  I took photos of the storage unit and auction house so you can see what is coming but....phone and lap top must be fighting because they refuse to share with each other.  I will leave you with a photo of my sights today...airports at Copenhagen and Stockholm!  Come see me at the shop!  We will have a mini reveal and Valentine's party on Saturday Feb. 8!

Labels: arlanda, klaradal swedish antiques, klaradal swedish gifts, Swedish Antiques, swedish gifts

I have been walking up a storm and schlepping things everywhere (such as the heavy typewriter carried 2 blocks) yet I am sure I have not lost weight and the reason is THE LURE OF THE PRETZEL.  My Philadelphia relatives might think this signs MEANS pretzels but in fact it signals a Konditori aka bakery.  The candles outside already make it appealing but what is inside is even more special!  Sweden, despite it's lack of religion( I read that only 5% go to Church) really gets into the pre-lenten foods.  The problem is I have been here during Lent and the special foods are still being offered.  In Pennsylvania we have something called Faschnaut Tuesday which is the day before Ash Wednesday.  It was said that people would use up all fat and sugar in the house to prepare for the fasting of Lent and thus came up with these yummy deep fried donuts called Faschnauts.   In Sweden they also make a donut but they fill it with Almond paste and whipped cream AND serve it throughout spring.  It is called a Semla and it may as well be named Heaven.  I have only had one Semla thus far this trip but have had numerous Bullar...usually Kanal...cinnamon.  Everyone, even the 7-11 and McDonalds has these hot and ready.

Labels: Bullar, klaradal, klaradal swedish antiques, Konditori, Semla, Stockholm

I headed to old town Monday morning with Wenche (who is married to Peter's cousin Jaak) an we shopped the antique stores....way too expensive with items costing more than what I charge for the same thing at home!  Then hit a favorite second hand where I found some small treasures and one fabulous treasure chest!  It's more like a small wooden suitcase with silver colored hardware and wonderful painting from 1824.  The temperatures here are not as cold as at home but between the bitter wind and snow covered sidewalks we were downright freezing. We also popped into a couple of women's shops.  I noticed that most every shop in Stockholm now seems to sell small plants.  It's something I might consider for Klaradal.  There is nothing like a small flowering violet or blossoming bulb amidst china and silver for sale.  Quite charming.   I left Wenche at the hotel around 1:00 (13:00!) and then went to two more second hand places at which I found a few gems.  I was ready to collapse by 3:00 (15:00)  Came home, napped for one fabulous half hour then headed out to pick up Wenche for dinner with another cousin, Epp, and her husband. The restaurant is in a local little shopping center.  It was a simple tavern that the new owners are trying to make into a better restaurant. The food was wonderful and we also were able to watch an artist fill in a blank framed canvas.  We dined in the same place last week when he was just starting...now there were almost 4 complete.   It was a fun evening and a full day.

Epp, Ake and Wenche

Labels: klaradal swedish antiques, klaradal swedish gifts, Old Town Stockholm, stockholm antiques

Sunday mornings when in Stockholm I always go to the local flea market.  There have not been as many vendors here these past two weeks as there usually are.  I thought it might have been the weather but learned that the tax authorities have caught up with these sellers.  Most of the vendors here went out of their way to provide me with a receipt...not typical!  I arrived as many of the sellers were just unpacking.  They set up row after row of wobbly old card tables and then unload banana boxes of treasures.  This was an especially good day for art.  I also found an old typewriter that was probably American but had a number of Swedish cities listed on it.  I never realized how heavy an old typewrite can be until I carried it two blocks, through cold air, over icy sidewalks to my car.  On one of the trips to my car I was carrying a large lithograph and equally large oil painting: one in each hand.  At one point the canvas came apart from the frame and as I went to place it back in a large nail cut into my cuticle.  (which is why I always keep my tetanus shots up to date)  I quickly wrapped a tissue around my finger, awkwardly picked up both works of art, and continued my trek to the car.  If you had seen me you would have crossed the street...looked a bit like a bag lady.

Any sane person would have headed home after that but I ventured on to two more second hand shops.  One in the city and one near my suburban hotel.  The latter was having a half price sale and I found wonderful Christmas linens,assorted handicrafts and....more art!

I drove into town to have dinner with the cousin who is visiting from Gothenburg: we have fabulous grilled salmon served with fennel and  sweet potato fries.  I headed back to my room around 8pm where I continued the job of inventorying my purchases and wrapping them for the summer shipment.  (a choice few will come home in my suitcase!)

Monday I will have breakfast and lunch with cousins and shop in between.!

Labels: klaradal swedish antiques, klaradal swedish gifts, loppis, Stockholm

I spent the first half of today with a friend of Peter's Cousin Charlie.  Her name is Marghareta and she and I had never met before but Charlie did a good job filling us in about each other.  She was kind enough to pick me up at my hotel and then we headed to town.  I took her to one of my favorite streets for Antique shops and then she took me to lunch at the Ostermalm Saluhall.  This is a fabulous old market (not unlike Lancaster County's Central Market) which has now also become THE place to dine.  What can be fresher or better than seafood eaten in a seafood market?  We both had baked salmon in the most fabulous vegetable sauce.  Wonderful!  We then walked around the Ostermalm area.  We stopped into the Laura Ashley store where many items (especially clothing) were reduced 70%.  I bought a sweater and then we each bought a pink and white woolen scarf.  We needed it as we walked the town which felt especially cold today.  Marghareta introduced me to a wonderful shop called Garbo.  It was a little bit like garden center meets antique shop.  The shop was lined with pot after pot of bulbs planted in moss and also large glass jars with branches being forced into bloom.  There was also the most gorgeous arrangement of salmon pink Ranunculus and cherry blossom.  Simply stunning and then....amidst some wonderful antiques (even on sale too pricey to buy for the shop) we spotted this dear little boy with a St. Bernard Puppy.  He was carrying him all around the shop and the dog, like most babies, loved it!  We both took turns posing with this bundle of furry love!  When we tore ourselves away from the puppy Marghareta took me to a fabric shop that sells material that is triple the normal width.  Imagine (all you sewers out there) how easy it would be to make curtains, or a table cloth, or a bedspread when no matching or piecing is needed.  We finished our day at one of my usual second hand shops.  Phew...a lot of Stockholm in 4 quick hours.  Not one to call it a day before the shops close...I then headed out solo to the shopping area near my hotel and found some great finds at 3 different second hand shops.  The tough part is figuring out what to carry home with me.  Too many things for my suitcase!  Tonorrow morning is the flea market at Hortorget.. let's hope more vendors brave the cold tomorrow than they did last week.

Labels: Garbo Ostermalm, klaradal swedish antiques, Old Touch, Ostermalms Saluhall, Stockholm., swedish gifts

Today I awoke to a snowy Dalarna.  Everywhere I looked was a Christmas card.  (Especially given that so many Christmas lights and window candles were still aglow) I caught up with e-mail in the charming room shown to the left with a fire to warm me and a great view of the snow covered midsommer pole and an interesting tri-pod of Christmas trees.  I hated to leave but there was a four hour drive ahead of me AND one more stop at an out of the way Loppis.  (second hand shop)  I have arrived in Solna where I will continue my shopping and packing.  My hotel is having problems with their wireless connection so my ability to share photos may suffer....but we'll see!

Labels: Akersberg Hotel, Dalarana, klaradal swedish antiques, klaradal swedish gifts, Solna, Swedish Antiques

My drive to Dalarna was lovely.  It was sunny and the light reflecting off of the snow covered pines and birch trees was magical.  Most of the lakes that I passed were frozen.  I was hoping to spot a moose but, alas, did not.  I did manage to spot two favorite second hand shops.  At the first one I found this fabulous lidded bread bowl.  I have never seen anything like it.  I wonder if it was used to help the dough rise?  It would make sense in this cold region where even now, in my heated room, my fingers are chilled from the draft off my window.  I also found some sweet Sami items including this small knife and equally small bread bowl.  The small items will probably travel home with my in my suitcase.  The large bread bowl will have to wait for the Summer container.

Labels: antique bread bowl, Dalarna, klaradal swedish antiques, sami, Swedish Antiques, swedish bread bowl

Yesterday was my fourth full day in Stockholm and I would like to say I did a ton of shopping but, alas, that is not the case.  The first night that I stayed at the cousin's flat someone backed into my rental car at the driver's door.  It was easy to see who had done it given that the snow showed tire tracks from a reserved space to my car.  The trailer hook hit the door at the hinge.  It was difficult to open and close so I had to exchange it.  Not something that is quickly done.  (Luckily the cousin contacted the  person who owned the space and his wife came forward and admitted the damage) So....
Let's talk about the Swedish Gift Show.  I saw a number of things that I liked.  Shown to the left is a photo of the designer of some wonderful trays that feature Gothenburg, Stockholm and Helsinki.  I asked if she had an Oslo image but she did not...perhaps next year.  These will be coming in my summer container along with a fresh collection of Moomin cards and trays. The fellows shown below make clever 3-d cards of Dala horses, Midsommer poles and even an Eiffel tower.  These, also, will be here late summer.

The show was refreshing after the mega gift show in Atlanta.  This had just a few sections and was easily seen in my two days there.  My favorite area was Nordic design.  There were so many bright and happy items from which to choose.

Labels: Formex, klaradal, Stockholm Gift Show, swedish gifts

The week before I left for Stockholm NPR ran a piece on Sweden, the game of Bandy, and Somalis.  It seems that Swedes are working with Somali youths to teach them Bandy, a classic Swedish game played on ice, in an effort to help them assimilate into the culture.  I had never heard of the game before.  Imagine my surprise when I learned our young relative, a twelve year old girl, plays on a Bandy team!  Tonight I went with her Grandfather to watch her practice.  Their drill included having everyone lie on the ice and then get up quickly and skate to the other side.  There were lots of practice shots and a few of the Bandy balls (hard plastic and often pink) came very close to hitting us.  (no protective glass between the rink and sidelines)  It was a delightful cold crisp evening!

Linda in uniform on the bandy rink

Linda in a practice drill of Bandy

Uh...no thanks I'd rather stand!

Labels: Bandy, klaradal, Sweden, Swedish Antiques, swedish gifts

The flat where I am staying my first five days does not have internet connection.  I am, however, able to come to the cousin's place and sign on to her internet.  This is the first chance I have had to write.  Stockholms these past few days has been like the Holiday song...."In the Bleak Mid winter - Snow on Snow on Snow"  It has been snowing non stop yet there is not so much accumulation.  Despite the snow I headed to Hortorget Sunday Morning knowing that a few die hard vendors would still be selling there. Not only were pickings slim but there were also snow covered!  Stellar shopper that I am....I was still able to snag a few fun items:  A tomte flask, great vintage tins, and a small tobacco holder among them.  The rest of the day I spent at the local auction house picking up previous wins (lots of Art) and bidding on their next auction.

Labels: flea market, Hortorget, klaradal, klaradal swedish antiques, Stockholm, swedish gifts

Summer photo of a favorite restaurant:  Agaton

I head to Sweden this afternoon.  I will arrive just in time to attend the Swedish Gift show for a couple of days.  I am hoping to find some new, fun, Scandinavian items for the shop.  I understand it is pretty cold and snowy there but I still am eager to go.  I love the beauty of Sweden in winter.  Yes there is a shortness of light but the candles in most windows and the flames outside restaurants and shops add to a magical experience.  I will be staying with a cousin for the first five days.  I am not sure if internet will be available to me there.  If so I will blog every day.  If not then the next time I write I will be in Dalarna...land of the Dala horse.  The shop remains open in my absence...every day.  So please stop in.  We are expecting new linens from Ekelund and lots of new Scarves and jewelry.

Labels: Agaton, klaradal gifts, klaradal swedish gifts, Stockholm, swedish gifts

I wrote this post awhile ago but was having trouble with my Ipad am doing it now.

I am in Atlanta for the gift show.  It is, absurd as it sounds, time to buy Christmas.  It's also time to buy lots of items for the shop.  The Americas mart offered a free demonstration by Marcus Samuelsson to promote his new show the taste. Marcus was soon entertaining and thoughtful and funny! He prepared 3 dishes.  A Swedish meatball with a touch of barbecue sauce. Served with a combination of mashed potatoes, carrots and apples was his first dish.   He next prepared a paella type couscous which was so simple even I could make it one evening . He ended with a spicy rib served with lettuce and a pepper slaw.  I did not have a seat (due to very delayed flight) so was not able to sample most items but did get to taste the potatoes and the pepper slaw.   Marcus Samuelsson is a cool guy but he likes things hot hot hot!  If you haven't read his book YES CHEF by all means do- it's a delightful memoir with lots of references to life in Sweden.  I read it on my kindle but bought a copy so I could get his signature and a photo w him.  I brought along a tin of his Lingonberry green tea which delighted him so he signed that too!  I spoke briefly to him about Sweden (and that I am going next week) and about Geis ( sp?).  He was delightful and kind!

Labels: Atlanta mart, Gift show, klaradal swedish gifts, Marcus Samuelsson, yes chef

I grew up in a house filled with art.  We lived in North Jersey (Clark to be precise) and my parents would always take us to the Greenwich Village Art Show each year.  (Maybe even twice a year...it might have been held spring and fall)  We would wander the streets checking out each artists works.  We also would usually visit the Museum of Modern Art.  Over the years our walls were filled with work created by the various artists we met at these shows.   My father did not attend college and my mother had just one year at the University of Pennsylvania so their love of art and their "eye" for art was not something learned but rather innate.  I am so happy they shared and nurtured it with me.
My own house is filled with art.  Some I created myself, some are from a wonderful
 artist, Lila Oliver Asher, (now 92) who lived in our old neighborhood of Chevy Chase, and the rest are from my many trips to Sweden.  Original art is in abundance there...especially art from the 30's and 40's.  I'm like a kid in a candy shop when I go there to find stock for the store and a piece or two for myself.

What's Missing from this photo?  Art!

My husband and I are looking for downsize.  All of the new condos boast open floor plans.  Sounds great and roomy and airy but where are the walls for art?  Windows are great but where do you hang art?  I'll go to an older unit before giving up walls and thus my art collection.  How are artists to sell their works if people haven't the space to display them?  Let's hope the tearing down of the walls is a trend that will fade and allow more space for art.

Lila Oliver Asher Print

Labels: klaradal swedish antiques, klaradal swedish gifts, Lila Oliver Asher, open floor plan, swedish art

My parents were married 63 years ago today.  My Mom died shortly after their 57th wedding anniversary and when people would ask my Dad how long they had been married he'd answer:  Not long enough!  So sweet.  He only lasted one more year without her.
My mother always said she chose January 6 to marry because the church would still be decorated for Christmas.  I just now realized that it didn't matter about the church because Dad was Lutheran and back in the 50's Lutherans and Catholics could not be married inside the church.  Their wedding was at the rectory and I am guessing their reception was at home.  Why did I never ask them that question?  Or perhaps I did and simply don't remember.
In our house we keep our tree up until January 6 which is traditionally known as the feast of the Epiphany and also known as Little Christmas.  That celebration and tradition has pretty much disappeared in the states but I notice that Swedes seem to keep their holiday lights on up to and even beyond this date.  I guess part of it is because it is another way to light their homes on these dark days of winter.  Eager to see if lights are still up when I arrive on the 17th.  Meanwhile...happy little Christmas!  And Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad-we miss you!

Labels: epiphany, klaradal swedish antiques, klaradal swedish gifts, little christmas, sweden tradition, ted and rose Landis

Labels: klaradal swedish antiques, klaradal swedish gifts, Norways Slow TV

Labels: klaradal gifts, klaradal swedish gifts, marimekko, marimekko napkins, Swedish Antiques

Peter and I have different backgrounds.  He is a first generation Estonian American whose father was a Lutheran Minister. I am a Heinz 57 with French , Irish, and Pennsylvania  German blood who was raised catholic and had a father who was born Mennonite.  The main thing we had in common? Both of us were born in Philadelphia.  This common bond ( and love for each other) brings us back to the city of brotherly love and the mummer's parade each new year 's day.  This year the air was chilly but the crowd fun! We got there early to secure best grandstand seats ( you need tickets) and enjoyed the comics and other groups in anticipation of the string bands.  This year we loved lots of the routines but Quaker city was our favorite with their theme of California here I mum!  I was lucky to get a photo with the captain of this team (They later were voted first place !)  My uncle, George Simmers, was one of the founders of the hog island comics but this year I  must admit that Quaker city won my heart as did the Philly Phanatic shown below!


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Labels: klaradal gifts, mummer's parade, mummers, quaker city string band