Sunday, July 31, 2011

Discovering Burgsvik - Part 1

As it's now only 2 more weeks before Hamra Krog shuts its doors for the season and we move back to Visby, I decided it's about time I start discovering this part of the island some more! There's loads more to the South of Gotland than Hamra Krog and Ainas Ateljé so it's about time I start exploring a little!

I have decided I will reduce my opening hours a bit and take more time for sightseeing and other fun stuff.
My new plan started off well: dinner at Gåsens Lada (the goose's barn, believe it or not) was just as pleasing to the eye (and camera lens) as to my tummy :)

Some might think we were spying on the competition ... if we were, we have absolutely nothing bad to remark :)



Friday, July 29, 2011

This week ...



This week, one year ago, me and Jamie discovered the beautiful Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera and walked 12 km in flip flops from village to village, each one more beautiful than the other. I strongly recommend it to anyone - although I'd bring sneakers ;)



This week, every year, on the 27th of July, my mum's sister, my mum's aunt, my dad's brother, and me, all turn one year older.
This year, I was too busy enjoying my day, my brand new red rubber boots & all my other birthday treats to congratulate all others so here it comes: Happy Belated Birthday to all of you!
And thank you to all who congratulated me!


Sunday, July 24, 2011

Since we didn't have internet, the news started as a rumour at Hamra Krog ... people called friends and family on the mainland to get more information, but it was only yesterday, when someone came in with the newspaper that revealed the horrifying pictures of the bombing in Oslo and the killings at Utøya, that we could even begin to grasp what happened.

There are no words for this ...

Oslo and Utøya ... my thoughts are with you.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Mother Nature's Dramatic Nature



We all knew it would rain when I took this picture of the sky above Hamra Krog last Thursday. What should have been a very busy night for all of us ended with hundreds of people hurrying home to escape the rain, thirty thousand lightning strikes flashing through the sky and the whole of Gotland without electricity. 
Not your average thursday night! 

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Drying for Freedom

I found a petition online to stop the prosecution of a woman who got sued for growing vegetables in her front yard ... She was charged with a misdemeanor for not having a "suitable" lawn in accordance with the city code
Never knew people can actually be put in jail for wanting to provide their families with their own organically grown vegetables!
In a world where sustainability is of critical importance it's ironic that governments punish the very people who take positive action.

... but something I've never really thought about is the fact that so many people aren't allowed to hang their clothes to dry in their gardens or on their balconies - in so many communities outdoor line drying is simply banned!
I guess I always accepted the reason: it's just not that aesthetically appealing ... but what about the environmental impact of forcing people to use the tumble dryer while outdoor drying is better for the environment and our clothes?


Drying for Freedom is a film about our right to protect the planet.
Fight for your right to be environmentally friendly!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

At the end of a smile, there's a laugh 'n' a half

The scary bug that crawled out of the bread I was looking forward to have for breakfast this morning definitely didn't make me smile ... but here are some of the things that did make the list today:


Inventive sign at the bakery next door ...


Effective mosquito net ...


Crazy inventions


Very enthusiastic vendors and big boys sharing candy floss :)


Cow Poo Bingo!


Young Entrepreneurs ...


And happy customers :)

Friday, July 15, 2011

Days off are my favourite kind of days ...



A fantastic organic lunch at Rute Stenugnsbageri (possibly Sweden's best bakery) maybe? 




 A sneak peak into Fotografiska's (Stockholm's photographic museum) newest exhibition facility, located at the wonderful Fabriken Furillen BEFORE the official opening? :D


 Chilling & people watching on a sunny terrace, dinner in great company, ice cream, and going to the movies to see the last Harry Potter movie?

Yep ... days off definitely are the best thing about working :)





Live Music

 One of the things Hamra Krog is famous for is their impressive list of live performances you can come enjoy all through the summer, 
but even in Ainas Ateljé you might get some live music ...


not tonight though - tonight I close early & will be part of the waiting staff in the restaurant.


Thursday, July 14, 2011

Love love love

Lotta's stuff doesn't need much commenting. 
People love it, people buy it, that's how it's supposed to be :)



Sunday, July 10, 2011

Delectable

Those who were curious enough to click on the link below may have noticed something new in my shop...
Delightful objects that go under the name "delectable" and are the creations of my former-colleague and friend, Lotta.
I will most certainly put pictures of all of her things on here soon but until then you can find some on Lotta's blog.


(photo taken by Rebecka Jonsson)

Link Love

Today is a special day!
Today, for the first time, my shop appeared on another blog then mine!

Thank you Rebecka Jonsson :)




For Rebecka's post and more of her pictures click HERE

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Sea Cows? Beach bums?




Cow herding was one experience ... going for a beach walk and finding yourself in the center of attention, in the middle of a bunch of cows was something else!
I didn't have my camera with me the first time so I just had to go back once more (overcoming a slight sense of unease), and what at first seemed like very angry looking creatures, turned out to be friendly and curious animals and even though they were slightly suspicious they didn't mind to stick around and model :)

I know I've written about meat production before and how it's spoiling the world so this post might sound a bit contradictory ... but compared to conventional meat farms I do believe these cows have it a lot nicer, strolling on the beach and all, and that has to stand for something ... right?

Friday, July 8, 2011

Leva Husfabrik

 I've written about Leva quite a lot now but I just can't get over how much I love that place. Every time I'm there (and that is pretty regularly) there's something new to look at. They seem to be trying out & testing new business ideas all the time and they don't seem to lack inspiration!

Even though I've now seen them about 100 times I'm still as in love with the Leva Husfabrik "showroom" constructions as the first time I saw them. Eco-friendly houses in beautiful materials with huge windows that can be combined and designed to fit anyone's lifestyle.

I'd take one right away if I had the land for it! But for now it's just a dream for the future and a blog post - which is almost just as nice :)







(special thanks to my model, Zandra :D)

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Loppis Love











Going to flea markets is addictive! I get so impressed by all that accumulated beauty (remember, beauty is very subjective ...), colour coordinated or not.
My heart nearly broke when Luqaz sweetly pointed out that I probably have to set a date when I will stop buying things for my shop ... after all, the season does finish really early in Sweden and after the 15th of August there won't be that many tourists around to buy my treasures.

We don't want our next apartment to look like a flea-market now, do we?

Don't we?