December 29, 2012













I have two sisters and two brothers and all of us spent Christmas together at our parents this year. 15 people and a dog. (We might be too many for one house in some years.) I am very happy about this bunch.



December 24, 2012







I had Eva over a week ago and we had such good times, much of them over breakfasts. On Sunday we went to Goodpie Bakery's Galleria Keidas (Fleminginkatu 7), it was my first time, and I have to say I was very impressed. A beautiful place, gorgeous details, yummy side dishes you get to choose from for your breakfast buffet and perfect old-time Christmas carols. And our deep conversations. Happy days.

On Thursday my holiday started off perfectly. After work I stopped to listen to a string quartet in a metro tunnel; they played Bach so beautifully (and I was so happy and emotional over the holiday just starting) that I stood there tears streaming down my face. The day was topped off by Home alone at a friend's place. Happy days!





On Friday we had pizza at Krisse's new place where she just started renovations.



Now have a blessed, peaceful, beautiful Christmas everyone. Eat well, play your
favorite songs and cherish the good times with your nearest and your dearest.

December 13, 2012

Nora has an online christmas calendar for Otto who's in Cairo at the moment. (Nora and Otto are such sweethearts, I just love spending time with them.) I promised to do day 13 and here's what came out of it.

 
(The first version of this short film was shot by Helena in Sis.deli after breakfast, with coffee cups and people on the background. I shot this second one when I came home because the light on the windowsill was so good.)

December 8, 2012



First Aid Kit's concert last night, oh wow. A beautiful, strong, inspiring experience that I will remember for a very long time (Simon&Garfunkel's America as encore!) I was so completely blown away by Klara's singing.

(The photo is from 2005; I was an au pair in England for the summer. Here we're on the backseat with Amber and Ebony heading to a funfair. This photo is one of my all-time favorites.)

December 6, 2012



Here's fudge number one in my quest for the perfect fudge recipe (that makes them taste like Marks and Spencer's Buttery Fudge a friend of mine brought from London last winter).


BUTTERY FUDGE


200ml raw sugar (mascobado)
300ml light cane sugar
75ml water
25ml golden syrup
60g butter
1 can condensed milk


Put sugar and water into a large heavy saucepan. Stir over low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Add butter and syrup and stil until the butter has melted. Add condensed milk and stir until it comes to the boil. Boil very slowly on low heat, stirring every minute or two, until soft ball stage (the mixture will darken to a deep caramel colour and will start to form sugary crystals on the sides, sounding like sand when you scrape it).

Remove from the stove and beat the fudge with a wooden spoon for 5-10 minutes until it starts to thicken. Pour into a 20x20 pan lined with a baking paper and leave to cool. Cut into squares when cold.

I beat mine for only 5 minutes and suspect that I stopped a little too early with the boiling; my fudge didn't quite form sugary crystals on the sides but since it had been boiling for quite some time already I was afraid of burning it. The fudge tasted really good but the texture was not what I was after; mine was soft and velvety but I want a darker taste and a sandier texture. I think I'll have a new go on this recipe and bravely let it boil longer and beat it for another 5 minutes and see if it gives me the Marks and Spencer's texture!

December 5, 2012



I love the calm of winter and the sound of snow crunching under your feet. I love planning and making and getting christmas presents. I love breakfast. And Jamie Oliver.

December 1, 2012







I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich.
(Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford)