Sue's purchases and travels

We hear a lot about gated communities these days and it brings to mind McMansions hidden behind massive iron structures. The gates shown above are more to my liking and more like a home I would desire. All of these photos were taken in the town of Kalmar which boasts an impressive waterfront castle and is the birthplace of Jenny Nystrom. (The creator of Tomtes as we know them) Each house, in this charming town, looked like it was plucked from a fairy tale. I will write more about Jenny Nystrom as we approach Christmas. Tomorrow I will show some wonderful ironwork we spotted while in Philadelphia. It's a crazy hot day today-lay low, drink lots of water, and read a book. I suggest the Henning Mankell book Italian Shoes which has many descriptions of winter days in the archipelago. Think frozen Baltic sea.....ahhhh I'm cooler already!

Labels: gates, Henning Mankell, Jenny Nystrom, Kalmar, klaradal, Sweden gifts, Swedish Antiques, Swedish Flower Shop

Klaradal just received a new shipment of books. Among them a couple by Henning Mankell: The Man from Beijing (a mystery but not one featuring Kurt Wallender) and a fascinating bit of fiction called Italian Shoes. Much of the latter book features events on a frozen Baltic Sea which might help cool you down on hot humid days such as we had today. We also received a beautiful cook book called Scandinavian Classic Baking which should be enjoyed as much for its stunning photography of Nordic scenery as for the wonderful recipes they adjoin. The Norwegian Tosca cake looks fabulous and I hope to test it soon...and, of course, will serve it to my loyal Klaradal customers. Finally...if you have some little ones in your life we've restocked our Elsa Beskow books including a new one (for us!) called The Tale of the Little Little Old Woman and the always beautiful Flower Festival.

Labels: Henning Mankell, moomin, Scandinavian Classic Baking, swedish gifts, The man from Beijing