Advent means Arrival

It means the arrival of light and even though this is the darkest time, it's also filled with lights, both on the high streets and in the home. Enjoy the dark times and celebrate a little more with candles at breakfast, lunch and dinner. I wish one could find as many Advent light fixtures here as in Sweden, where almost every window is lit up at this time of year. This is the time to do those arts and crafts project in time for Christmas, and of course some Christmas shopping!

Scandinavian Christmas Fair for charity
This coming weekend, on November 28, TotallySwedish and a bunch of other well known companies are participating in the Scandinavian Christmas Fair at the Holiday Inn, Egerton Rd in Guildford, Surrey. The event is organised by Word Of Mouth Event Networking - Women - and will benefit the registered charity, Teenage Cancer Trust. 10% of all proceeds will go directly to the trust, helping make a big difference and there are raffles and fun all day long. Do join us between 10.30 and 4pm.

Those of you who took the opportunity to drop in after the Church Christmas Market this last weekend know that we are bursting at the seems with lovely Christmas things. All Christmas foods and drinks are in, both in store and online and you can order your Christmas goodies up until December 1. Either fill in a form online, in the store, fax it or even call, though the latter is not always ideal. After December 1 you can of course still buy stuff, we just can't guarantee it!

Have you for example tried Glögg yet? It's getting more and more popular each year and we have 2 new and exciting kinds: Blossa X, with saffron and Dufvenkroks- known as the "posh" glögg - with lingon- and blueberries! We also have the traditional Christmas breads in the freezer: Kavring and Lussebullar.

If you are in the mood for some serious presents, we have 4 kinds of gift hampers that make very good Christmas gifts, if we do say so ourselves. One is a Lucia Hamper, with Lussebullar, Ginger snaps and Glögg etc, Luxury Hamper with Vilma's and Valma's products, Paradise Chocolate box and Mulled Wine among other things and 2 Christmas Hampers; one for the Swede and one for the non-Swede!

Do you have a little Madicken at home, aged between 3 and 6? We have the perfect Christmas dress for her, just like in the beloved Astrid Lindgren books (we have those as well!). From Nyblom och Kollen of course. We also carry their gorgeous table linens, napkins and runners, as well as Christmas tree decorations. Who said you need baubles?
The Gold Standard. He did it again, our favourite fisherman. Ola of Kiviks Ål&Lax, has again won a gold medal for his fabulous fish. This time for the Kivik Apple Sill and a silver medal for his beautiful and tasty smoked salmon. Well done Ola and congratulations!

We're all a-Twitter
We're still just trying it out, but we hope as many of you as possible will follow us - TotallySwedish1 - and help out with useful ideas on culture, music, arts, food and news that are Totally Swedishly fun!

Swedish Christmas at Wigmore Hall
A perfect way to celebrate the final days before Christmas with Swedish and British festive songs and carols for all the family. The programme includes a couple of Bach favourites, Gounod's famous Jewel Song from Faust, the world première of a story by cellist Mats Lidström for narrator, piano and cello and a musical recipe for Christmas cookies! Swedish mulled wine (ok, Glögg) and gingerbread will be served in the interval. Just as with the Christmas fair, proceeds will go to charity. Ticket prices range from £12 - £28 (under 16s £12). It starts at 7pm sharp. Welcome! For more information and tickets: From Sweden Production and Wigmore Hall

Recipe of the month.
I know this is not really a Christmas Recipe, but pumpkin is very seasonal, cheap and tasty this time of year and Västerbotten Cheese is always great in any dish! Enjoy.

Pumpkin Lasagne with Västerbotten and mustard
For 4 people.
700g Pumpkin and/or Butternut Squash, weighed without the peel but with the seeds
125g mascarpone
125g creme fraiche
100 g grated Västerbottenost
1 tbsp strong, seeded mustard (moutarde à l'ancienne)
200 ml single cream
lasagne
a splash of milk
olive oil
salt, pepper, thyme

Peel and chop up the pumpkin. The smaller the bits, the quicker it cooks, obviously but don't go too bitty. The long rit cooks, the more flavour you get out of it! Season with salt and pepper as well as thyme and sage. Heat a generous glug of olive oil in a pot and add the pumpkin. Put the lid on and let braise until soft. Once it's cooked through mash it up - if it's a little wet, take the lid up and up the heat. It's supposed to be a bit like mashed potato. Mix the puree with mascarpone, creme fraiche and half the Västerbotten. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Pour a splash of milk in an oven proof dish and put down your first layer of lasagne plates. Pre-cook if you want, but it shouldn't be necessary. Alternate the pumpkin and lasagne and finish with a layer of the pasta.

Mix the rest of the cheese with cream and mustard and put on top of the pasta.
Bake in the oven at 200°C for 20-30 minutes.
Serve with a green salad with walnuts and/or walnut dressing.

Mackmyra - Swedish Whiskey
Yes, Sweden has a genuine, bona fide whiskey and its called Mackmyra after the small town where it's from. On Friday, December 3 you are welcome to us at TotallySwedish for Whiskey tasting and Q&A with Lisa Collins from Mackmyra, between 2pm and 5pm.
Bring a friend along and try the First Edition, as well some special editions that are coming. You can of course buy a bottle or two - perfect gift for whiskey lovers. We'll even gift wrap it for you if you let us know beforehand. Welcome!

We wish you all a nice Advent!

TotallySwedish