February is a short month
And has at least 2 really nice things going for it: Semlor and Valentine's Day. Oh, and the fact that spring is just around the corner! For the Swedes, the so -called winter chaos here was a bit of a disappointment, but I would suggest anybody who can, to import sledges for next winter. You could make a bundle selling those little plastic ones in all the city parks! The children and I are looking for signs of spring on our way to school and the other day we saw the first snow drops. For me, the real sign that winter is about to end. Now, about those Semlor, or Hot Wedge Buns as they are sometimes called in English. This is the traditional Lent bun, as Sunday the 14th is not just Valentine's Day, but also The first Sunday of Lent. Very few people actually fast anymore in Sweden but the buns are sold since New Year's. Cheating! I say and hold out until Tuesday, Feb16 for the first one. I make my own, following the recipe on our website, but of course we will have them in the shop, both fresh ones from 15-20th, and frozen ones to just take home and add freshly whipped cream and a dusting of icing sugar.
Check out our new clothes!
We're going to stock more clothes in the shop - both online and at Crawford Street and we are proud to present Emy Little's gorgeous baby clothes, inspired by the traditional garb from Dalarna in Sweden, an area in the "southern North" (yes, it's actually called that) with very deep local traditions and artworks known as allmoge. You know those little blue or orange wooden horses with swirly patterns? That's a typical example of allmoge from Dalarna. You can take a look at the sister's Åsa and Karin's collection on their website Emy little and of course keep your eyes peeled for them at TotallySwedish!
Valentine's Day needs no introductions, but we just want to point out that it's a Sunday this year. Obviously the 14th of February and that we have cute cards and some seriously good chocolate from RC chocolat with tantalising flavours like rasberry and passion fruit, chilli or liquorice and salt! If your Heart's Desire is more of the traditional types, we also have the more mainstream Marabou Alladin boxes. Don't forget the flowers.
We care about the environment - do you?
We always try to bring the best of what Sweden has to offer and environmentally friendly products are a big part of it. Our latest addition are Ekelund's dishcloths made from bamboo, a sustainable and non-toxic material that you clean and disinfect by sticking it in the microwave! No more smelly, disgusting and soggy rags by your sink.
Pretty in pink. And green.
It's time to spring into Spring! Nyblom and Kollén - known for their clean and classic lines are bringing out a new collection, with not just the usual tea towels and serviettes, but pretty cloth baskets and bunting in pinks and greens. The spring collection is soon in stock so please come take a look and find your favourites. For the full collection, go to Nyblom and Kollén
Most people - if they have heard of it - thinks that it's the Wednesday before that Thursday when all the witches go and fornicate with the devil (because everybody knows about that one, right?) just before Easter, but it ain't so. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent 40 days before Easter (actually 46 days, but you don't fast on the 6 Sundays and is why you stuff yourself silly on Semlor the day before) and the name comes from the Catholic tradition to sprinkle ashes on the repentant sinners who were subsequently chased out of the church to be let back in for Easter. During the Evening mass on Ash Wednesday, the priest sometimes will mark the congregations foreheads with a cross in ash, to remind them about our mortality. It was reintroduced in 1983, after being gone since the reformation (16th Century).
TotallySwedish
