The Town Höör

The Town Höör

There are many words in Swedish that are very similar to words in English, just spelled a bit differently. The name of the nearest town to our village that has a Grocery store is not one of those words. This town with the Grocery store is called Höör. Because in English we do not have the letter "ö" the name of the town (that I always have to say when I tell others where I live) we pronounce with a regular old "oo", which sound just like another English word we have.

 The building pictured above is a Hospital of some kind. The woman in the neon vest was hospital security and wanted to know what I was doing. When I told her I was taking some photos of the building to show Americans what Sweden was like she looked at me so puzzled. Her reaction is strangely typical for a Swede when I comment on the design of a building or anything else in Sweden that is so wonderfully different from what I'm used to. I think it's a shame that more Swedes don't have more pride for the things that make the country like a dream to others. I think that this reaction could be because of how much Swedes value modesty in their culture. A very similar reaction is the line I get all the time from Swedes, "I am sorry, my English is so bad". To all my Swedish friends reading this: NEVER SAY THIS AGAIN because it's just not true.

These are some shots of the really old part of town. There are many house made of stone and wood. Everything is extremely clean and there many fantastic yards and parks, with absolutely nobody enjoying them. I think because I come from a place that has so many more people, to me many towns in Sweden are like this one. I feel like I am the only one there but everything is manicured and well cared for.

There is a river that runs through the center of town that makes all the old buildings even more charming. To many American's, Swedish towns like this one look like they are from the storybooks that we read as children. Sometimes it does not even seem real to me. I guess the fact that the nearest Bar or Restaurant to our house is actually a small castle would give you an idea about what kind of a place I am looking at here.

Blue and White

 Blue and White 

I have a weakness for blue and white china. I especially love my collection of blue and white vases because they look different with each type of flower. During the winter months when there are no roses in the front yard or wildflowers in the meadow down the road, they look great empty as well. The little Japanese pitcher you see in the photos is my newest thrift shop find. When I am adding to my collection I don't look for anything in particular. I have seen so many different items with so many different interpretations of this classic color combination. The only requirement I have for items in my blue and white collection is that it must be fabulous. The quality and harmony between the white porcelain and cobalt paint must stop me in my tracks. Not all blue and white china does this for me, only a selected few make the cut each year.

 I think that my dog and my husband appreciate my collection as well.......

 Just not that much.........

DIY Project 1: Design Your Own Dishware

DIY Project 1: Design Your Own Dishware

In a world full mass produced, cheap, white dishes why not take the chance on customizing your own unique dinnerware. Since my total immersion in to the Fika culture I have grown a little tired of all my old coffee mugs because I drink from them so many more times during the day. Although I love to keep and use old things, I also need change and newness in my life. In short, I want it all.

 

It's lucky that making your own signature dinnerware, as many times as you want is not difficult or expensive. You can usually find these Glass and Porcelain pens for about $3.00 at most good craft stores. The one pictured here is from Panduro Hobby in Malmo, but when I did this project in the States I used pens from a company called Pebeo . All you really need to get started in a cheap piece of dinnerware of your choice (I got these mugs at the grocery store for about 50 cents each), your paint pen and a plan for how you want your dinnerware to look. I suggest looking for inspiration online or your favorite magazine and drawing with a regular pen on paper first just to get your creative juices flowing. Make sure you have cleaned and dried the dish you are drawing on beforehand. Also keep a cloth handy to wipe away any mistakes made on your way to perfection.

After you are happy with your design follow the drying directions on which ever Glass and Porcelain pen you have. Some say you have to just let it stand and dry for 72 hours, while others require that you let it sit to dry for a period of time and then cook it in the oven to seal. I have used them all and I think the pens that require the baking make a better quality product. Also, the pen companies all claim that items painted with their products are dishwasher safe....it's just not true! Hand wash your item and care for it like the piece of art it is.