Today we celebrated first advent Sunday, and lighted the first candle in this year's advent wreath. Last year I made three—one out of paper, one of fabric, and a miniture one using christmas tree candles and egg cups. This year's advent »wreath« is not really a wreath, more of a foresty bump with lots of birdies on it :-) We've had many an argument wether or not it was a crying shame to light these innocent lil' creatures.
No animals were harmed during this shot.
Feeling awfully Christmassy, I also started a long planned (or long dreamed, rather) foodie project: I'm making a traditional English Christmas cake. I have high hopes for this puppy (which, I might add, is of considerate weight and sturdiness).
The creature has soaked in booze, been sifted, stirred, whisked, spiced, baked and boozed some more. And it aint over yet! Now it shall sit for three weeks, to be regurlarly drizzled with ... more booze. Then decorated. Then (hopefully) enjoyed.
I have never even had Christmas cake before. And have no idea what I have gotten myself into.
Am I in for a treat?
Happy 1st Advent Sunday! And happy beginning of Christmas month:-)
The little family of Coffee Owls has a new member, and it'sapink :-)
Same hi-quality 100% wool. Same hi-glass class eyes (or was it the other way around ;o)
The grey/yellow Coffee Owl (which has been the most popular so far) is temporarily out of stock.
But shall soon return! Camilla Engman is collecting »Morran art«, and making a book.
This weekend is Copenhagen Book Fair-weekend. I went yesterday, and in spite of the fact that Friday is a normal workday, the place was packed. Yes, of books ;o) and of book-lovers too. Ain't it great?!
Judging by the amount of visiters, it seems the book is still a beloved media.
It's always fun and inspiring to look at covers, and the foodie in me was drooling all over all the fabulous cook books. Especially Marie Melchior's Når livet er en fest (When Life Is A Celebration) and Anette Eckmann's Naturens spisekammer (Nature's Larder).
(The picture right above here is from the little publishing house Batzer & Co. Now, I cannot say I have read all of their books, but a few, and the ones I have, have all been of the mindblowing, life-altering kind, and are without exception among the best books I have ever read. I am actually quite awestruck by this! Some record in my book ;-)
Accidentally bumped into Blues Brothers later last night :-))) Into this scene; Amazing Aretha, her bouncing hips and pink slippers singing at her and hubby Matt "Guitar" Murphy's joint: Soul Food.
:-) Take it away, Aretha!
Today, I'm baking sellery in salt crust. Smells autumn-y and sweet. M-mmmm! Soooul Foood indeed ;-)
Many a fledget Coffee Owl have flown from the nest lately. Last weekend I emptied the shelves of yellow yarn, and grapped some pink, white and earthy tones too.
... But...what...then... that five-needle thing next to the book... is that a xmas ball then??
no-no. Can't say I'm a one-project-yarnie ;-)) 5-10 project-yarnie more likely! This is the beginning of a pair of long wrist warmers for work. A wonderful (and fast) no-recipe thing. This warmer here is already almost ready.
On my way to work yesterday. Autumn has been so mild, and the mornings dim and silent.
Wauw! Feel as if I've been in a regular time warp. Where did those past two-and-a-half weeks go??? Work have been ca-raiizy, which made my brain shut down for brief moments :-))) Last week grocery shopping I used the self-service register like I've done so many times before, and I actually placed two cartons of milk in my shopping bag without scanning them first! ...
Me: »Miss! Theres something wrong with the screen—the machine won't let me continue«
Helpful-lady-at-register: »You have to scan your groceries before putting them in your bag. Otherwise it's stealing«
Me: »Oh«
Man! Did I feel stupid. I actually bursted into a lame explanation of how I'd had a really busy day, but she'd already turned to help someone else. I alternately laughed and shook my head all the way home.
But alas! Now Weekend has put its warm, soft arms around me, and though I still have to work a little, I also want to blog! And knit! (got mi'self a brand new book, and yarn in new colors for Coffee-Owls-to-come to share with you later).
I updated my website during the holiday. Or rather -- made a brand new one. Which—thanks to very-user-friendly IWeb—was actually easier than updating (plus the old site felt a bit outdated). The link is here if you want to see some of my work stuff: christineclemmensen.dk
See you soon:-) I hope your weekend treats you with soft- and mellowness!
:-)
The schools are closed this week, and rain and sunshine fight over who's stronger. It's an equal match!
Just a quick hello, with a crooked face from yesterdays trip to Tivoli.
I'm kind of holiday-ing, or have been yesterday and today, but also updating my portfolio, and the next couple of days I'll be working some. I'm using iweb for my new webpage - and am blown away by how easy it is to use. How fortunate, since I'm no html-master.
I hope you are well, hope that autumn is treating you gently.
With random.org as little helper, I found two winners of the fruity earrings :-) Congratulations KayLovesVintage & Mathilde :-) And thank you, everyone, for playing :-)))
I took time off yesterday. And ended up watercoloring. Felt amazing to make something that wasn't for anything ...
... favorite colours ...
this color-combo (above) were inspired by this amazing shawl from Facile avec Cécile. Aren't like those colors at all though—inspiration works in mysterious ways! (click to enlarge)
Whenever I can, I walk to where I work. The walk takes me through my beloved old city, and there are numerous routes to follow. I try to walk different ones each time. Each one holds a small present.
Yesterday took me through Christiansborg, into the garden, and through the collonades. The noise of the city are kept out by these light sandy gray walls, and made room for a different sound; of horses. Turning my head, a door was open, and I snug into The Royal Stables. What a treat.
I so wasn't supposed to be here, but when a staff passed me (and my obvious phonecamera), he silently ignored me and went on with his day, so I snug out again, to go on with mine.
Torvehallerne, a brand new marked place in the center of Copenhagen, opened last Friday, and today we went to browse and perhaps make taste buds happy :-)
and did we ever ...
dried cape gooseberries, mandarin orange, and mango
fresh honey still on the wax:
It was a feast!
Foccacia from Il Fornaio (section C9)
Cheese from Ostelageret (section G5)
Olives and dolmades from Stig's Oliven, and for the sweet toof; dried cape gooseberries, mandarin orange, and mango from Exotic mix (section A2)
and fudge! (There was a whole section of fudge!)
...did you catch the toof-link;-))) If not, here it is. Proper linked: My Milk Toof; playing Monopoly (these guys crack me up every time :-)))
Why is it, that all things tiny just makes me go »aww...« ?! Well, these little guys made my head tilt with the velocity of a summer lightning!
Naturally, I'd like to share my miniature excitement, and what better way to do that, than with a tiny GIVE-AWAY. So if you'd like a pair of earrings—fruit of your choise—leave a comment to this post before October 1st :-) Please state which pair you'd prefer to win (see the little number under the earringees?) I will draw two winners, and notify directly. I hope you'd like to play along.
(btw—the book on which the earrings are photographed, is the lovely »FLORA« by Nick Knight).
(lastly; a little »after«-image to go with the »before« from ... well ... before. I may not be the most active blogger these days, but I s'rre finish me teacozies ...)
One of the great benefits of having an office is that I seldomly work on the weekends anymore (as opposed to every weekend before). This has freed what feels to be a massive amount of time—time for some of the »homy« stuff I love so much.
Today I spent the entire day in the kitchen. I made a batch of pickles made from my late grandmother's recipe. (You can find a couple of pictures, and the recipe here if you like: at Clemmensen & Brok)
I made a cake and a terrine from the giant zucchini. Wheat and rye buns with nigella seeds, sausage rolls, basil pesto, and for dinner; spicy chicken wings with root ragout and creamy polenta. (might have gone a little bit overboard—admittedly I was kindda beat once we'd finished dinner :-)
The beginning of tea cozy from Saturday. Much too tired to knit now. Perhaps tomorrow.
The photo doesn't show, but the zucchini is massive! As long as my arm from elbow to fingertips. I shall make zucchini cake, and a zucchini terrine with eggs and cheese. They had so many they gave them away for free at my local farmers market: Din Baghave (Your Backyard). Here they sell only locally grown—often organic—veggies, fruit, eggs, flour etc. all year 'round. Such a lovely store.
New issue of Marie Claire Idees arrived today. It is the best. And I have always liked the fall issues the best. This one didn't disappoint! I'm autumnly inspired now! :-)
I hope your Saturday is mild. It rains here :-) Wonderful. Favourite. Fall
:-)
The collages below are from a window decor in Copenhagen. The artist is photographer Arthur Meehan. He made this for danish designer Mads Nørgaard. More pictures here, here (links from madsnorgaard.dk)
This calls for a second post. WAUW! Made the Pull-Apart from Joy the Baker, and .... I have no words. Only recommendations!! Please make this if you feel even remotely tempted. It's HEAVEN! Thank you JtB for one awesome recipe :-) YUM!
before and after second rise
Listening to Depeche Mode's old album Some Great Reward. It's my favorite DM album—so smoothly put together. I wouldn't want to listen to these tunes in any other order.
Book Thief recommendation by Tracey at Quiet Paws here. Gilead was recommended by a client of mine. Looking forward to both reads. (and such pretty covers too).
Little Me is now a real doll. Her characteristic yellow rain coat and black tulle skirt are currently at the tailor's (and those guys are very busy at the moment – making graphic design instead of doll's clothes, but please don't tell her ;o)
She's posing on some new books I got for the studio: Letterpress and Los Logos. And her hair—not the official Coraline hair-cut, but Little Me likes wearing it long. For now.
Camilla Engman is collecting »Morran art«, and making a book.
The schools are closed this week, and rain and sunshine fight over who's stronger. It's an equal match!
1. Mette 
Btw, really recommend Facile avec Cécile. Many sweet diy's.
Yesterday took me through Christiansborg, into the garden, and through the collonades. The noise of the city are kept out by these light sandy gray walls, and made room for a different sound; of horses. Turning my head, a door was open, and I snug into The Royal Stables. What a treat.
Today I'll make this Pull-Apart from Joy the Baker (I mean, who can resist pictures like that !!??)
Little Me is now a real doll. Her characteristic yellow rain coat and black tulle skirt are currently at the tailor's (and those guys are very busy at the moment – making graphic design instead of doll's clothes, but please don't tell her ;o)
