Sad, Then Happy

Hi peeps, so glad you found time to pop in during your busy Friday.

I've got some bits n bobs for you today.

Firstly, mindful of the need to post an OOTD, here's me layered up in a navy linen-blend cardi and a little floral print camisole over a navy longline camisole, all from Next, worn with the old trusty Peacock jeans. It's been a tad overcast these past few days, hence the jeans and cardi-cover-ups, but fortunately the weather has changed today, so hopefully this is my last cardi shot for a while!

 So, OOTD, done.

Next up, dear readers, I have a sad tale. 

Sitting comfortably?  Tissue box at the ready?  Then let's begin. 

Last week when I was rockpooling with GS I fell on a jagged rock and grazed my arm rather badly.  It was gushing with that red stuff, so I threw a few buckets of seawater over my ba-ba.  Forgetting that I was wearing my non-waterproof darling Skagen watch.  Despite nursing it for days in a plastic bag filled with rice, the watch never recovered.  

I was sad.

But out of bad comes good.  Yesterday I bit the bullet and ordered a replacement watch from Amazon.  

It arrived today.  How quick is that!

For several reasons, it's slightly different to my previous one but cute all the same.  

And I am happy.

Skagen is a Danish brand and produces super watches and equally super jewellery. 

I love the straps on these watches.  They are so slinky.  I love the brand and I love my new little watch.  There's a lot of love in the air, eh!

Do you have a fave watch brand, BTW?

Have you tried anything from the Skagen range?

So, having now set a Danish theme to today's post, I'd like to sign off by sharing these pics with you.

I collect stones as mementoes of places I've visited. 

I mark them with the place and date.  These are from my recent holiday in Denmark.

If they're big enough, I write more detail.  The larger one at the back I found three years ago. I know which beach I found in it and when.  I know the type of stone it is (gneiss).  Because it's all been neatly logged on the stone with a white pen.  

And that makes me happy too.

 Lovely, meaningful memories.

Just felt inspired to share this with you.

I collect pine cones and little stones as holiday mementoes. 

Do you have favourite things that you take home with you from holiday?

A la perchoine.



Holiday Food, a.k.a. When I Retire

Holiday food.  Ahhh, how I enjoy it.  What an important part of my holidays it is.

So, one of my souvenir gifts to myself is often a cookery book.  Another is the memories I take home with me of certain foods eaten during holidays that I really enjoyed.  Foods that are often very simple but so delicious.  I then take those ideas and sometimes a book and create dishes back home. 

Sometimes I make the dishes p.d.q. after returning because I am so excited to try them. 

Like an extremely simple snack I ate in beautiful New Zealand just before I returned home. 

Let's call it New Zealand Toastie

A lightly toasted thickish slice of bread is covered with mayo, then shredded cooked chicken, chopped spring onions, a little cranberry sauce, then grated cheese which is then melted under the grill till soft, not browned crisp.  Sliced in half, then in thirds, making a delicious finger food snack. 

How many times I've made that quick and tasty morsel in the 15 years since my visit there.

Sometimes I forget to make those dishes post-holiday, dishes that I was so inspired by at the time that I bought the cookbook. 

And then the oh so entertaining Anna from Anna of The Mutton Years tweaks a memory button and I remember that I bought this cook book in Lanzarote 4-5 years ago and yet I still haven't tried out the deliciously salty and simple Canarian Potatoes that I enjoyed most days of my holiday there.

In fairness to myself, I have been rather focussed on 1930s British cookery books these past few years and have enjoyed cooking from those (more on that another time), so the more exotic stuff has been rather shelved of late.

And when I'm not achieving things I have stored in my mental wish list, culinary or otherwise, rather than beating myself up for being an under-achiever, I comfort myself that I will do these things "when I retire".  You might find this little self-help technique useful.

I've always envisaged retirement as being endless days, weeks and months where I wake up and wonder what the heck I'm going to do today, what I'm going to fill my day with.  And as since giving up work I wake up each day and wonder how the heck I'm going to fit in all of the many things I just have to do today, I tell myself that I can't have reached "retired" yet.  I figure that when I find myself with an endless stream of 24 hour voids, then, and only then, will I be retired.  And at that point in life, I will find myself cooking Canarian Potatoes.

But until then, provided the food memories are simple, I am more likely to recreate them sooner than later (or never).  So let's look at my recent holiday haul.

My culinary wish list can include something as simple as this little plate above.  Something I've never thought to put together before.  Like black bread, a slice of Havarti cheese and some freshly picked strawberries.  This cheese and fruit sarnie may sound a little strange, it did to me, but trust me, this cheese and strawberry combo so works.

  (Whilst writing this, I'm giggling alone in my turret 'cos it's putting me in mind of a Bob Newhart sketch - you have to be really old like me to remember him and his hilariously clever sketches! So for those who are not familiar with his brilliance I give you his Sir Walter Raleigh sketch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XDxAzVEbN4)

Right, recovered from your roll-about-laughing fit?  Then, let's return to the task in hand.

It can be simply slabs of smoked salmon sprinkled with lemon-tasting woodland leaves, served with new potatoes and chargrilled asparagus.  Yumsville!

It can be a summer's serving of fish and vegetables eaten on a deck in a woodland setting.

Simple food usually belies the fact that much thought, planning and preparation has been put into the meal.  In the same way that dressing elegantly but simply, involves the same behind-the-scenes approach to give it the outward appearance of effortlessness, I guess.

Taking the above plate as an example, good, fresh ingredients were sourced locally.  Thought went into how these ingredients could be prepared to maximise on taste.  Planning allowed the hosts to give the illusion that little work was put into "throwing" the ingredients together.  Planning that made the process seem so casual that small tasks could be delegated to involve the guests. 

That's all pretty clever stuff!

Here, the locally-sourced hake was marinated for a while in a mix of fresh finely-chopped herbs then cooked in a cast-iron grill pan over a BBQ.  The kettle BBQ, possibly Weber, was first fired up using a chimney starter.  The hot coals then cooked the fish in lightening speed, allowing the fresh flakiness and moisture to remain in the cooked fish.



I'm not sure whether The Photographer was receiving valuable grilling training at the BBQ from our host, or if felt that he was supervising the process!

Whilst the fish was cooking outside, the accompanying vegetables were cooking inside.  The new potatoes were boiled for 10 minutes, then drained and left to steam in the covered pan for 5 minutes.  I usually cook mine longer so I am looking forward to trying out this timing soon.  Before I retire.

The remaining vegetables were cooked slowly in frying pans.

Freshly-shelled peas, carrots, asparagus, spring cabbage, all lightly cooked with masses of those finely chopped herbs.

On reflection and from memory, it seemed that the task that took the longest was all that herb chopping.  And that's the illusion that elegant cooking creates.

And the simplicity continues.  Here, a traditional breakfast of ymer which is a delicious thick unsweetened sour milk product; topped with Ymer drys, which looks and tastes like finely whizzed dark rye breadcrumbs mixed with brown sugar.  So I think that is what it is. 

A selection of breads eaten with Havarti cheese or jam.  Juice, coffee.  

A table decorated with flowers from the garden cut just before we sat down to breakfast.

I'm wondering if you collect holiday ideas or cookbooks?

I'm wondering if you get cracking on them as soon as you've unpacked the case and thrown that first load into the washing machine.

I'm wondering if they are lying on the shelf right now, yet to be used.

But enough of this procrastinating wondering stuff.  For right now, peeps, inspired by my own blog I'm about to recreate some holiday memory magic.  I'm off to pick some garden flowers for the table.  Start with the simple stuff right now, eh peeps.  On hold is the more complicated stuff in my cook books from Switzerland, Malta, the Canaries ... (both list and shelf seem endless).  I'll get cracking on those recipes when I retire.

 I dunno ... recipes, comedy sketches, self-help lessons ... all in the one post -

I'm just too giving some days!

A la perchoine.

Celebrating the Almost-Midnight Sun

A comfortable drive from our friend's home in Copenhagen got us to Sjaellands Odde
in time for a late-lunch.

Clockwise above: Laying the table, dressed in my Dorothy Perkins black jersey dress !  A cocktail made of gin and tonic, grapefruit zest and rosemary - it worked amazingly well. Pudding of rhubarb crumble, lemon merengue and strawberry tart.  And keeping an eye on more prawns and egg - Skaal!

We spent the second half of our holiday in the north of the island of Sjaelland (Zealand), on the spit of land called Sjaellands Odde.  We stayed at our friends' summerhouse.

The weather during our holiday was HOT!  So after we'd lunched (above) we then went swimming in a beautifully warm sea, in the sheltered bay just a few minutes stroll from the house.
It is quite a anomaly (to me anyway!) that in summer, the further north one travels, the higher is the temperature and the warmer is the sea.

The spit creates a bay with nearby land.  I quickly discovered that the bay's shoreline was filled with jelly fish; it was a rather strange experience, wading through these little transparent blobs to get to a height for swimming. They are much firmer to the touch than I imagined.  I accidently and rather sadly stood on one at some stage, I did yell out "yuck" and I feel bad about that.  It makes me sad.

Later, with salt water and eau-de-jelly fish showered off, it was time to celebrate Sancte Hans Aften.

We became the Stripey Team for the evening.  We realised we had all packed striped tops, so it just had to be done!

A community bonfire was lit on the beach down by the harbour.

I'm pleased to say that no witches were sacrificed, as folklore would have it.  You can just about make out the effigy of the witch in the LH pic.  And then she was gone!  Bit cruel really, considering that witches back in the day were essentially the only healers in the community and witch was a misunderstood name-tag.

The children cooked sausages wrapped in dough on the bonfire, as we did as children.

Bonfire attire was my Magasin stripey top, my Primark scarf and my lovely grey Peacock jeans.

My friends' taught me the traditional song for the event.  We sang about nature, growing crops, meadows ... oh such lovely things to sing about.  We belted it out!

The singing over, the sausages eaten and the bonfire burned and soon it was time to leave the beach. 

We followed some lively music to a nearby bar where much fun was being had.  I was asked to dance by one of the locals and it seemed rude to refuse. 
And No, I am not posting the pictures and video that were taken!



We woke up to another hot day, filled with lots of swimming and chatting.  We spent the day on the beach.  Oh how I love this life.

The relaxed, inclusive way of cooking out in the open air.  Cooking with care, thought and love.

Then later, a leisurely meals with loved ones, eating much later than normal because it seems like one's body clock changes when the days are. soooo long.  Mine did, anyway.  I was up till LATE each day.

Surrounded by a nature at peace with itself

It's magical watching the late night sun playing on the trees.

The summerhouse we were staying in is set in woods.  Deer come up to the house.  Hares spring up from the long grass.  The picture below right is of the so-cute guest house.





The sun setting.  Late.  At this time of year up north, the evenings are warm and still and the sky starts to darken late.  Around 11.30 pm the sky becomes dark enough for stars to start coming out.  Then a few hours like the sky quickly starts to lighten again.  It is rather magical.

When it was truly dark, we ladies left the men putting the world to rights on the terrace over a glass or two of single malt, whilst we retired indoors to play music.  And dance into the wee hours. 

There is no photographic evidence of the dancing, I'm pleased to report, but you wouldn't want to see the spectacle of me dancing,  anyway!

 After breakfast and chatting, it was time to drive back to Copenhagen after having enjoyed some blissful days in the countryside of the land of the almost-midnight sun

A few happy days getting back in touch with nature.

(Flowers picked from the garden before breakfast.

I hope you have enjoyed travelling with me through the island of Sjaelland in Denmark. 

I took in culture, I strolled through my favourite city. I learned, I swam.  I ate well and danced badly.  I saw beautiful countryside and shoreline. I stayed up late enjoying the long days, "occasionally"* with a glass of wine..  I shopped a little and chatted a lot.  

But the best part of the holiday was spending time with my special friends who took care of us so amazingly well.  My thanks and gratitude goes out to you.  In bucket-loads!

*inverted commas inserted by The Photographer!

 I hope my posts have given you a good taste of the Denmark.  A little amuse-bouche of just a small piece of the country and its warm, friendly people. I hope you have enjoyed the diversity of what the island of Sjaelland has to offer ... the city of Copenhagen with its rich history, unique style and architecture, the beautiful countryside and shoreline, a cuisine that goes back to nature and the peoples' roots.

Maybe you would like to spend midsummer in the land of the almost-midnight sun ...

A la perchoine.

Møns Attack!

A summer holiday in Denmark.  Simply perfect.

A hyggelig welcome to Copenhagen

I stayed with two very special friends, seen here displaying the perfume I brought over for them.  I've known these lovely ladies for 40 years - they don't look old enough to have been around that long eh?! 

Now, I talked about "hygge" or cosiness, recently here. Well, as if to prove a point, here it is in action!  As soon as we arrived at the home of the friend on the left,

she busied herself lighting candles, for instant hygge!

Then a delicious meal was put together as we caught up with the news.

Hand-cut slivers of smoked salmon served with a woodland leaf.  The Scandinavians traditionally serve food with a whole variety of flowers and leaves.  I think that we have lost that art.

Served with organic new potatoes and grill-cooked asparagus, as it is the season for both.

Pudd was some small amazingly sweet organic strawberries.  Served with liquorice ice cream.

Yup, the Scandinavians use liquorice in just about everything, including ice cream.  Unusual, but it works.  The Photographer fell in love with it on a previous visit.

A deliciously simple meal, put together with thought and love.

And on to a bit of sight-seeing and exploring.  You will see we were blessed with warm weather.  We joined up with the husband of the friend on the right.  We left Copenhagen behind and drove south through the beautiful countryside of Sjaelland (Zealand) through to the island of Møn (Moen).

Liselund (Lisa's Grove)

Liselund is an 18th century landscaped park with buildings and monuments located on the island of Moen.  The gardens are laid out in the romantic English style.  The park was created in the 1790s by a French nobleman, whose wife was called Lisa.

The girls came here for a school summer holiday.  They were so excited to see it again. The main house is set in a wooded glade.  So pretty.

There is a lovely summerhouse in the grounds.

I'm wearing white jeans with a navy stripe t-shirt, both Peacock and a navy Next linen cardi and Clarks sandals.  My summer holiday taupe crochet bag accompanied me everywhere, as usual!

  

I peaked through the romantic summerhouse's windows.  The doors were locked :-(.

Everything is beautifully laid out in the main house, which is available for overnights, conferences, weddings and so on.  

Have I mentioned that it was so romantic? Maybe one day ... :-)

Coffee and yummy cake in the garden is an absolute must!

Near to Liselund is Møns Klint (the cliffs of Moen)

This is a beautiful 6 km stretch of chalk cliff on Moen, an island in the Baltic Sea.  

In some places there is a 120 m sheer drop to the sea below.  Just look at the colour of that water!

On-going erosion means that some areas are out of bounds. 

Can you see the sea through the hole in the ground on the edge of the cliff?

A huge amount of steps and a lot of path walking is necessary in order to access these beautiful views

but it's worth the effort on a sweltering sunny day as its a gob-smackingly beautiful place to explore.

All that step-climbing and cliff path walking can only mean one thing.  More food and beverages!

After much-searching for a specific highly-recommended kro (inn), Lollesgaard Kro in Nyord, we finally relaxed in its garden.  On recommendation, we ordered open sandwiches of various pickled herrings, chicken salad and beef and the absolute the main event as far as I'm concerned, a prawn and egg sandwich, which I recently featured here.  Yum-myy.

The water comes from a local spring and was so refreshing on such a hot day.

It was just perfect sitting under a huge parasol after such a hot day. 
The kro must be very cosy in winter too, judging from the dining room

After eating, we mooched around the area a bit.  As it was midsummer, there was plenty day for mooching!

The inn is set in a sleepy fishing village, choc-a-block with cute thatched houses.  Bric-a-brac and cottage-industry wares are laid by the side of garden gates.  

Here's some of the stock on display at one house, where home-made skin and toiletry products are on sale, all made from natural ingredients.   One of my friends surprised me with a jar of the elderflower face cream, which I have been using since.  It's super light and yet creamy and moisturising.  And the smell ...

A lovely ending to a lovely first day of exploration.

A la perchoine.