A taste of Swedish Summer..

Hello hello! Today is the 'second day of Winter' here in Australia (the official first day of Winter is June 1), and as such I am going to cheer myself up with a post all about Summer.. ! ;)

After yesterday's post I received a lovely email from a Danish girl who lives in California, and we got talking about sweet childhood memories and home made cordial.. Yum!

I remember vividly the arrival of the 'first strawberries' of the season.. Not imported ones, but locally grown, real Swedish strawberries bought directly from the farmer..! 

My mother would send me & my sister by bicycle to buy them, knowing full well that we'd nab a fair few strawberries on the way home..  Because who can resist freshly picked, sun-warm strawberries..!?!

Apart from fresh berries, lots of wonderful, seasonal treats would make their way to our table through out Summer, and this always included my grand mother's home made strawberry (and rhubarb) cordial.. Sometimes she'd mix it with elderflower or red currant too..

I have been searching high and low for the original recipe  she used when we were little, but I can't find it (to my despair!). But the one below looks pretty good and I might in fact attempt to recreate a 'glass of Swedish Summer bliss' for my own children. We're really spoiled here in Australia because we have fresh berries and fruit all year round..!

Enjoy, and please let me know how you go.

xx Charlotta

P.S. 

If you can get your hands on 'wild strawberries' (the kind that grows road side or in the forest..) DO use that instead as these berries are so much sweeter. My favourite!

Today I am dreaming of..

Summer escapes... Aqua coloured water... White beaches....

Home made strawberry cordial... A fragrant garden..

Frosted rose petal cake... And a day without rain... *sigh*

Warm hugs from a wet & grey Sydney.

xx Charlotta

Images: 1. Design Indulgences, 2. Enchanted Dream Weddings, 3. Paula Deen

Terribly Swedish and Royal tablescape by IKEA..

When Sweden slips into Summer the whole country is transformed. Everyone celebrates the knowledge that for a few weeks, life will be easy, full of sunshine (well at least 'light'..) and carelessly fun. IKEA will capture this through a series of table scapes and event inspiration over the coming weeks.

This very first one is referred to as 'Royal Celebration' and is the real-life dinner setting that was styled & designed by IKEA decorators for the newly wed Swedish Crown Princess and her Prince charming Daniel. Hasn't IKEA come a long way since the days of 'pure rational and practical solutions' people!?! I love it!

Simple and fresh, with warmth added by the timber clad walls and personal blanket for each guest. I love it when party hosts supply blankets, because despite the famous 'white & light nights' of Swedish Summer the temperature drops quite a bit.. The equivalent here in Australia, would be offering a fan.. :)

Each table is decorated with layers of freshly cut twigs of 'Pear blossom' from 'Wij Gardens' (styled by local gardener Lars Krantz). The Swedish pear trees only blossom for one single week a year, making them extra special. 
With the addition of some scattered lanterns, a Swedish Summer's table doesn't really need more than that - even it it is meant for Royals..!

For full story and pictures visit IKEA Family Living.

Warm hugs from a wet & windy Sydney..

xx Charlotta

Image credits: 1. Tumblr 2-4 IKEA Family Living