Lantern Light and Evenings on the Terrace
As autumn creeps in and the nights grow darker, our terrace becomes a warm retreat. Lanterns sway, candles flicker, and the woods hum with mystery. A touch of citrus oil keeps the mosquitoes at bay, while a hot cup of cocoa, coffee, or tea adds to the comfort. Wrapped in the glow of candlelight, we soak in the crisp air and the quiet magic of the season—that’s hygge.
A flurry of butterflies in the mint blossoms
No other herb draws butterflies quite like mint in bloom. For a fleeting week in late summer, the air is alive with the flutter of small tortoiseshell butterflies, their bright wings weaving through fragrant purple flowers. A last summer dance before autumn sets in.
Mint and elderflower
A dispenser bursting with elderflowers and fresh mint, steeped into a light, floral, and refreshing cordial—this is summer in a glass. We chill it overnight, then serve it with ice cubes and sparkling water on the side.
Color-changing rose icecubes
These floral ice cubes are not just a visual delight but a refreshing way to enjoy the essence of wild roses in summer drinks. Whether it’s a casual afternoon lemonade or a fancy floral cocktail, they bring a little extra magic to every glass.
Harvesting Ramps Berries: A Burst of Wild Garlic Flavor
In the lush spring, we forage for ramps berries, the juicy, aromatic gems that appear just as the white petals fall. Harvested and preserved in oil, these potent berries infuse any dish with an intense garlic flavor.
Pink Rose Lemonade: A Sparkling Floral Refreshment
Embracing the natural beauty and flavor of roses in our lemonade allows us to celebrate the season in a unique and tasty way. Try making your own batch of this floral-infused refreshment and bring a taste of summer to your table with every colorful, refreshing glass.
Crafting Wild Rose Extract
This process of creating rose extract from our garden's bounty is a delightful way to bring a piece of spring into our home year-round. Whether used in refreshing beverages or as a natural flavor enhancer in sweets, the extract remains a testament to the beauty and aroma of roses.
Basketful of Blossoms: Foraging Wild Spring Roses
In the lush late spring of Scandinavia, we forage for wild roses, an invasive yet beautifully aromatic species. Harvested carefully to capture their peak aroma, these roses vary from lilac to white, each exuding a potent, citrusy fragrance.
Honoring an Old Friend: The Tanning of a Badger's Hide
We recently embarked on a poignant project to honor a familiar woodland companion, an old badger known to us from our garden. After finding it deceased, we carefully preserved its pelt through a meticulous tanning process involving skinning, cleaning, salt curing, a formic acid treatment, and finally, finishing with tanning oil.
Grinding up Wild Garlic Ramps Pesto
In spring, our kitchen buzzes with the making of wild garlic pesto, crafted not from traditional basil and pine nuts, but from the abundant wild garlic in our woods and a mix of leftover nuts from Yule—almonds, pecans, or whatever we have on hand.
The wonderful Dandelion
In the lush landscapes of Scandinavia, the dandelion is a ubiquitous presence, often seen as a stubborn invader in well-manicured lawns but revered by nature lovers for its wild beauty and ecological importance. Far from being merely a common weed, dandelions are celebrated in our family as symbols of resilience and the heralds of spring.
A Wreath of May Flowers
In May, our family embraces the vibrant bloom of spring by crafting a wreath made from an assortment of wildflowers like dandelions, bellis, and bellflowers. Gathered and woven by our youngest, Bear, the wreath starts as a playful crown, symbolizing the joy and exuberance of spring. Later, it adorns our front door, welcoming visitors with its natural beauty.
Sugared Magnolia Stamen
In the lush season of spring, our garden’s magnolia trees are not just a visual spectacle but also a source of culinary inspiration. This time, we turn our focus to a less noticed but equally enchanting part of the magnolia flower: the stamen.
Our Guardian Magnolia tree
Our Magnolia soulangeana is more than just a tree; it is a symbol of our connection to nature, tradition, and the magical folklore of Scandinavia. Each spring, as it bursts into bloom, we celebrate its beauty and the life it brings to our woodland garden.
Crafting Magnolia Spice: A Floral Delight for our Kitchen
In our exploration of natural ingredients, we've transformed magnolia blossoms into a unique spice powder, perfect for enhancing dishes typically seasoned with cinnamon, cardamom, clove, or ginger. Using two methods—oven roasting for deeper, cardamom-like notes, and air drying for a lighter, citrusy essence—we convert the fragrant petals into culinary delights.
Iced tea with Magnolia Blossoms
In a glass, our magnolia-infused iced tea is more than just a beverage; it's a celebration of the transition from spring to summer, encapsulating the essence of both seasons.
Lanterns and our cozy garden terrace
Our little garden nook, nestled beneath elder trees and framed by honeysuckle and ivy, is the perfect spot for lounging in the sun or shade. Lanterns sway gently from natural fiber ropes, casting a warm glow at night, while citronella keeps the mosquitoes at bay. Murkla, our cat, has claimed the coziest seat. With climbing roses and more greenery on the way, this secluded hideaway only gets more magical with time.
Foraging for the first nordic spice: Garlic Mustard
Springtime in our woodland garden means foraging for garlic mustard, a plant known for its garlicky aroma and peppery flavor. Easily identifiable, it's a favorite of our youngest forager, Bear. Garlic mustard, or "Løgkarse," is historically significant as one of the first known spices, used in Denmark over 6,000 years ago.
Creating hazel Wands for a Harry Potter fan
The invitation to a confirmation party for a young Harry Potter enthusiast set us on a delightful quest—to craft a gift that would resonate with the magic of the wizarding world. We turned our creative attention to fashioning wands - Settling on the sturdy and trusty hazel wood, we crafted a wand with a core suitable for embedding 'magical' components.
The Making of a Harry Potter-Themed Puzzle Box
In preparation for a classic Scandinavian confirmation, we embarked on creating a Harry Potter-themed puzzle box as a unique gift for a Potterhead guest of honor.
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