Merry Christmas!

This year I was sure I was going to add a little color to the x-mas decorations, but as always, endend up with what I always do, the greys, the browns, the whites and the blacks. Everytime I walk into a colorful home I (everyone else but mine...), I get really cheerful and happy, but when I try to add some color at home, I am not comfortable at all. I guess I have to admit once and for all, that I am not a color person. Maybe it will grow on me, but for now, I´ll stick with the colors of nature...

Here´s my Christmas tree. Goes with the rest, doesn´t it?

Merry x-mas everyone!

Photography: Trine Thorsen

And the winner is...

The big day is here and the winner of the competion is about to be drawn. For those of you who participated (surprisingly few actually!), here are the correct answers:

 Goro

 Krumkaker

 Sandkaker

 Berlinerkranser

Smultringer

 

 Sirupsnipper

 Fattigmann

The competition was also sent out with a newsletter to my clients, so there are a few more people that participated which has not left a comment on this blog.

So there will be no cheating, my mother will now perform the draw :-)

Tamtaratamtaratam... (drumroll)

The lucky winner of a one day workshop is: Lena Hovind Olsson!
Congratulations!!!

This feature (with the recipes) is to be found in the current Christmas issue of BoligDrøm and Danish, BoligLiv.

Photography: Trine Thorsen

Food and styling: Tara Ballantyne

A Christmas gift for you?

In Norway we have an old tradition saying that you should bake at least seven different sorts of cakes for Christmas. This Christmas I would like to challenge my Norwegian or Norwegian speaking readers :-). The winner of the challenge can win a one day workshop in digital photography on Mars 3rd. 2012 for herself or a friend/girlfriend (Sorry, girls only...). Want to participate? This is what you have to do:

Name the seven different brands that are in this image. Hard to see? Visit my website/new work and look for larger images.

Send me and email with your answer and write a comment on this blog when you have sent it. Do not post an answer on this blog. You´ll just help others to win :-). 

Are there many participants with right answers, a winner will be drawn. 

The draw will take place on December 24th. and the winner will be announced on this blog.

Good luck and hurry, you have only ten days...

Photography: Trine Thorsen

Food and styling: Tara Ballantyne

Wood works

I don´t there should be any doubt that my boyfriend and I are into wood these days... Tall and wide shelves, tall and narrow shelves, small shelves, tables, benches and consoles, we make it all! Common are simple furnitures with clean lines, mostly painted in white. Our favourites are the things we make to keep our logs in. Neatly stacked logs are so decorative, and with a piece like this you don´t need much more... Soon we will try and make a blog or a website with bigger images, sizes and prices. Until then, you´ll have to visit this blog for regular updates.

Photography: Trine Thorsen

Edible gifts

Nothing is more thoughtful that giving away a homemade gift, and nothing greater than receving one. Especially when it´s edible! The "hours" you have spent making that special treat for that special person has to warm everyone´s hearts. Getting this edible gift will not only warm your heart, but the whole you.

Imagine a cold winter night, curled up under a blanket, reading a good book,  your favourite magazine (or blog?) AND a home made sweet and spicy Chai tea.

If you want to warm someone´s heart (and body) this Christmas you should give away this home- made Chai tea. Leave behind the recipe for a Chai Latte and you´ll be friends forever...

You need: 

1/2 orange

1/2 dl cardamom seeds

6 cinnamon sticks, crushed

1 tbsp cloves

1tbsp black peppercorns

1 tbsp coriander seeds

2 tbsp star anise

1/2 dl Darjeeling tea

You do:

Preheat the oven to 95 degrees Celsius. Cover a cooking tray with greaseproof paper. Slice the orange in 3 mm thin slices and put them on the tray. Dry them in the oven for approximately 2-3 hours, turning them once in a while. When finished, mix all the ingredients, except from the Darjeeling tea and store in an airtight container.

Chai Latte:

6 dl milk

2 tbsp Chai mix

1,8 dl water

1 tbsp sugar

1 1/2 tbsp Darjeeling tea.

Warm the Chai mixture with milk, water and sugar on medium heat for 20 minutes.

Add the Darjeeling tea and let it stand for 3 minutes.

F:Y.I.

This recipe and more we did for an edible gift feature for Bo Bedre´s Christmas issue which is out in Norwegian stores now.

Photography: Trine Thorsen

Styling: Tara Ballantyne