Scandinavian Advent Calendar Day 18 What constitutes a feast? How much abundance crosses into excess, and is there such a thing as indecent indulgence in fine food? These questions resist easy answers, yet they circle around an idea I hold…
Scandinavian Advent Calendar Day 17 Hello, dear friends! We’ve arrived at day seventeen of our Advent Calendar, and by my reckoning, it’s time to address the Christmas tree. I don’t typically decorate this early—blame my little predator, who views every…
Welcome to 12th century Sweden. A goblet of ale in you hand and a warm cloak on your back, you are ready for the adventure that is Jan Guillou’s novel “The Road to Jerusalem”. The first book in his Crusades…
Scandinavian Advent Calendar Day 15 It’s December 15th, dear friends, so if you haven’t yet decided on your Christmas menu, consider this your gentle reminder call. And naturally, I’m here to offer inspiration drawn from books—what else?—in keeping with our…
“Without bees, the flowers were just flowers, not blueberries, not bread and butter.”― Maja Lunde, The History of Bees Three stories, a central theme, a lesson to be learned : my second dystopian novel of the season, and probably the…
Scandinavian Advent Calendar Day 13 Scandinavian design has captured global imagination over the past few decades. From the functional elegance of IKEA dinnerware to the masterpieces by renowned designers displayed in decorative arts museums worldwide, the message has spread: the…
Drop after drop of fresh crystal clear water. We all know how precious fresh water is on the planet, but do we actually realise the great privilege of turning on the tap or bathing in clean water ? Emmi Itäranta’s…
Christmas is a magical time, the days carry a special kind of stardust on their wings and my imagination goes wild. The woodland creatures seem to tell us stories of great adventures and extraordinary characters. It’s clearly time for storytelling,…
Scandinavian Advent Calendar Day 10 Iceland—what images does that word summon for you? For me, it conjures wild horses moving across volcanic plains, carpets of luminous moss softening ancient lava fields, waterfalls cascading over black basalt cliffs, geothermal springs sending…
Scandinavian Advent Calendar Day 9 Among the many sustainable daily rituals that distinguish Scandinavian life, few have captured my imagination quite like knitting. The Nordic countries have cultivated a particular genius with natural fibers and pattern work—from Iceland’s robust lopi…
