Chilly out, warm in.

Actually

.....am going to keep this up. I reaaly enjoy writing. Often I want to write about things properly. Facebook just doesn't lend itself to writing. Status updates aside, one cannot express oneself adequately! Way back in September, my darling hubby bought me this ipad for our anniversary. I couldn't figure out how to update the blog on it, so I just let it slide. Sliding is not good. Moving forward is good. So now I shall! 2012. Soon I will be all of 41 years old! On my birthday, I will be exactly half my daddy's age! Since he is most definitely not computer literate, I can share his age online. Imagine. My dad is double my age. 2012. Being inspired by a fellow Scot to eat GI food. Won't mention her by name, but she reads this. 3 weeks into GI food, and I am hooked. And BTW, yes, the sugar craving magically disappears, and the mummy tummy magically shrinks! 2012. Opportunity. I am returning to work properly! I spent 4 months working at a daycare centre. I realised that having 3 little ones of my own, well, work was an extension of home. But.....my self confidence is restored, thanks to amazing co workers and sweet little ones. I am good at my job. Soon I start a new job as a mother tongue support teacher. Part time, teaching. Its me! To be continued.....

Hmmmmm

Wonder why its so hard to keep this updated? Can't decide whether to continue, or whether to just concentrate on Mrs MacOlsson on fb. Opinions?

Autumn is here....

and Sweden is looking beautiful. Crispy mornings, with sunny windy days, beautiful sunsets and nights drawing in. Mushrooms are picked, apples made into pies, and life is busy, but good. After six years at home, this mamma is now earning again. The oldest Macolsson kidlet has started school, and Mrs MacOlsson has ventured out into the world of paid employment again. I work 30 hours per week at a local nursery, or preschool. Yes, its an extension of the last 6 years at home! However, pleasant colleagues and that monthly paycheck make the transition smoother than expected. Time is precious. Doesn't stretch to everything I would like to do. Balancing isn't easy, but practice makes perfect! We had a wonderful summer. Flew home. To my childhood home, where my children played on the same beach mamma played on, in the same playpark, ,, went to the same seaside cafe, paddling pool and most importantly, spent time with their beloved Nana and Grandad. And now, my firstborn walks happily into school each day, is learning so much each day, is growing so much each day, and yet at night, when she sleeps, still has the same expression she wore the first night she entered this world. Slightly smiling, long long lashes, rosy cheeks.....and still snoring! Kidlets number 2 and 3 are growing so fast. They still have those dimply hands, and chubby cheeks, but they are stretching, reaching upwards and outwards, expending so much energy that we can't keep up at times. But at night, they sleep, like their big sister, slightly smiling, long long lashed, rosy cheeks....and snoring. Here they are, in my beloved Scotland, at a place called Chanonry Point, on the Black Isle. For the uninformed, its in the Highlands, and the place to go to if you want to see the Moray Firth Dolphins.

Return of the elderflower!

Since updating my status on facebook, and boasting about my 5 buckets of elderflower cordial in the making, I've had a couple of requests for the recipe.
Its a tried and tested one, super easy, and pretty much foolproof.

You need a bucket with a lid, but no other special fancy equipment.

Pick approx 30 elderflower heads. Ignore any little beasties as they will be
euthanised (sorry!)
Put in the bucket
Pour over 2kg of sugar. In Sweden sugar comes in a 2kg bag, so no measuring needed!
Add 60g of citric acid granules. Again, comes in handy packs here!
Wash and slice 2 lemons. Add to bucket
Pour over 2 litres of boiling water. This is the euthanising part.
Stir well to make sure the sugar is dissolved.
Put the lid on the bucket. Leave for 5 days in a cool place. (We have a food cellar so
that is ideal) Stir every other day.

Strain through a muslin cloth into a pan, measure the amount and add the appropriate quantity
of preservative. I use natrium benzoate. This means you don't need to freeze the cordial and it keeps for well over a year. If you don't add the natrium benzoate, it will keep for about a fortnight in the fridge, or you can always freeze it in plastic bottles. We don't have a big freezer, but we do have a big food cellar.
I prewash my bottles in boiling water before bottling the cordial.

To serve, dilute with ice cold water, if you like serve with a couple of slices of lemon. Some people use sparkling mineral water, but I just like the oldfashioned way. I dilute it in 1 part cordial to 4 parts water.

I have also used the undiluted cordial to make elderflower parfait.....leave a comment if you'd
like that recipe!

Long time no see!

I'm ashamed to say how long it has been since I logged on here. Life has been super busy and the MacOlsson family has not left much time over for blogging! However, we are all just dandy, trying very hard to be good, and generally enjoying this wonderful pre Summer season here in Sweden. The lilacs are blooming, the rhododendrons are blooming, the sweet peas are stretching up the wires, Mr MacOlsson's cornflowers are sprouting nicely , the strawberries are starting to form, and all over our garden the wild strawberries are promising sweet treats to come.

I've posted before about recycling and just have to share again about its delights! Today I went with all our recycling and a couple of books we were finished with. Came home with a fabulous working Brother sewing machine which is much fancier than my own one. AND this beauty..



A vintage Arabia jar with lid in absolutely perfect condition! For those not in the know, Arabia is Finnish porcelain. As with all Finnish china ware, it is both funky and functional, and very sought after. Not everyone appreciates it though, luckily for me! I see on ebay the same ones go for a great price - but sorry, I am keeping this lovely piece in the macolsson household.
Last time I was there, I picked up 6 Arabia dinner plates, the exact same as our ones we use every day, so after a swish in the dishwasher, we now have enough matching dinner plates for us AND for when we have visitors!

So what about your finds? Bargain stories please!

Off to pick some lilac - you do know that you can make the most delicious cordial from the blossoms, don't you? Get picking.

Spring Fever

There must be something about Spring which awakes the creativity in me. Or is it the possibility of laundry blowing in the wind which inspires me? Whichever it is, I thought I should dive into my fabric stash and make some peg bags. As every good Swede knows, the best way to dry is outside on a line. Oh, and I really ought to say as every good Scottish woman knows......






I think this one is my favourite. The fabric is remnants picked up for a song at the local fabric shop. I thought I
might make a tote bag, but this is a great way of using it up too.





And this fabric, was a table cloth, which I bought on sale
for a ridiculously cheap price. I made some chair covers for our old kitchen chairs (sadly all broken now, but that is another story), a tea cosy for a friend, and there still is
about 1 metre left for future projects. Any ideas?