Sue's purchases and travels

If you have yet to buy a Valentine's gift for your SwedeHeart it is not too late to stop in at Klaradal (assuming we are not snowed in)  Shown below are just a few of our heart items.  We've also lots of jewelry, scarves, chocolates and more!

Labels: klaradal swedish anatiques, klaradal swedish gifts, Swede heart, Swedeheart, Valentine's day

Love the new tulip patterns from Ekelund linen...I think they feel more like spring than the earlier versions which had a lot of fall colors.  I like being in the pink! (and we are happy to wrap these linens for you in our flowers of Sweden wrapping paper with a pink or green ribbon!)

Labels: Ekelund, ekelund linens, klaradal swedish antiques, klaradal swedish gifts, tulpan

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 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

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

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

Booked my flight to Stockholm today!  Will spend 2 weeks shopping for Klaradal.  Plan to attend Formex...Stockholm's Gift show.  This photo shows the booth of Gunnila Anwall.  She offers trays and cards featuring her  fabulous watercolor designs.  Call me crazy...I love Stockholm in January!  Actually, I recently heard our new ambassador speak at a Lucia celebration held at the house of Sweden.  He talked about the quiet splendor of Stockholm in January and I could not have agreed more.  It is magical! Cold....but magical!

Labels: Gunilla Anwall, klaradal gifts, klaradal swedish antiques, klaradal swedish gifts, stockholm snow, stockholm winter

This year we closed the shop on Christmas Eve and traveled to Lancaster county to visit with my sister Pat and to have dinner at the historic Accomac Inn.  We had last been there more than ten years ago to celebrate our Dad's 80th birthday.  The temperatures were frigid (20 degrees) and the wind blowing off of the Susquehanna river made the walk to the entrance seem endless.  The entry is in the middle of a long screened in porch which they had decorated with numerous real trees...still the wind was whipping!  Once inside we immediately warmed up thanks to the crackling fireplaces and general warm interior.  I was a bit disappointed in the holiday decorations which were npot true to colonial times (Glass jars filled with bright holiday balls instead of fresh greens :(     ...) But still loved being in this historic inn.  It is true what they say...you can't go back again.  I remember this as being the ultimate dining experience which it was not.  Perhaps I have grown a bit in my experiences and I fear they have slipped but would still recommend this lovely restaurant if for no other reason than the fabulous building in which it operates.  

Labels: accomac inn, klaradal swedish antiques, klaradal swedish gifts, Lancaster PA, york pa

The boiler at Klaradal refused to kick in yesterday.  Temperatures INDOORS plummeted to 54 degrees.  We had just received a shipment of the Nordic stripe socks shown here and I put on a pair to ward off the chill.  They really helped!  The good news is the repair men were able to get the heater going.  The bad news is they said I needed a new boiler.....just what a small business owner wants to hear. Oh well....at least we have heat to finish out the year and I don't have to resort to putting the nordic socks on my hands!

Labels: klaradal swedish gifts, nordic gifts, nordic socks, nordic stripe socks, Swedish Antiques

The upper class of Great Britain, who NEEDED the servants to work on Christmas day (Who will put our paper rubbish in the bin?) traditionally would give them December 26 as a day off AND would present them with a gift aka a box.  Thus boxing day.  For me, traditionally it has been a major shopping day-usually to buy 1/2 price gift wrap.  That is until I realized one day that I had enough gift wrap to cover my entire house and that of my family!  For the last 10 years I have been at Klaradal on December 26 watching customers enjoy the discounts as I once did.  Happy Boxing Day!  If you read this blog and shop my webstore please know that Ekelund Holiday linens are 25% off.  You will need to e-mail us a list of what you would like. We will write back with what is available and your final total.  I think things will sell out quickly!

Labels: boxing day, ekelund linens sale, klaradal sale, klaradal swedish gifts

Klaradal had a nice little mention in the Washington Post Sunday newspaper.  There was an article on expats and we were mentioned as a good source for Swedish cooking items and candies.  We are sooooo much more than that but appreciative of this mention in the post!  Here is the link.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/an-expat-washington-christmas-antelope-and-ptarmigan-can-be-tough-to-find/2013/12/21/e29bf9f8-667a-11e3-a0b9-249bbb34602c_story.html

Labels: expats holidays, klaradal swedish antiques, klaradal swedish gifts, Lucia procession, Swedish Christmas gifts, Washington Post

Wow...three days to Christmas and just 2 more shopping days at Klaradal.  Remember to take a moment...even though you feel as if you haven't one to spare...and just relax. Give yourself time for a cup of tea and a Christmas cookie in front of the tree or a fire.  It is so easy to run yourself down during the holidays.  Enjoy the season....everything doesn't have to be done.  I made the decision to NOT unpack 3 bins of decorations.  Our holidays will still be happy!  Hope yours is too!

Labels: klaradal swedish antiques, klaradal swedish gifts, Swedish Christmas gifts, swedish foods

A customer, with teenage children, first told me about this Video.  We watched it together.  It was so weird and yet so mesmerizing and the refrain downright addictive. Some people still haven't heard of it...here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jofNR_WkoCE

The Norwegian duo that does this is called Ylvis.  They recently came out with a book (which we stock) and said they created the book to make money.  You've got to love their honesty!  The book is a big seller at our shop-I hope I can get more!  What DOES the fox say?

Labels: jul gifts, klaradal swedish gifts, swedish books, swedish gifts, what does the fox say, ylvis

I love the Christmas Carol, The Holly and the Ivy.

The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown,

Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.

Refrain:

Oh, the rising of the sun and the running of the deer,

The playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir.

I guess that is why, years ago, when I was aware that Portmerion had a holiday china pattern of that name it became a frequent entry on my Christmas List.  Now we have enough to serve the whole extended family on Christmas Eve.

And today there is enough snow that I opted not to open the shop.  I am, instead, home finishing my Christmas decorations and switching out my Portmerion Botanical plates for the Holly and the Ivy.  There is not running of the deer in our yard...just a gently falling snow and occasional appearance of Tillie, our neighbors sweet Cocker Spaniel!

Labels: best gift shop 2013, holiday gifts, holly and the ivy, klaradal, klaradal swedish gifts, maryland gifts