My favourite part of a blanket would have to be the satin along the edges. These cushions celebrate blanket ribbon in all it's hues and leave the satin edge free for little hands to explore. Growing up, we only slept with blankets when were at my grandparents. There is a certain security in going to sleep with the satin edges clutched between fingers. ...

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This weeks thrifty find isn't mine.  It's my daughter's.  She spotted the little pirate toby mug and exclaimed "just like Mum's!". The shopkeeper carefully wrapped it for her and added "It's always good to have collections," before handing it to my beaming 6 year old. Their providence is nothing exceptional.  A simple "Japan" back stamp. They both have little chips.  However, they make...

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Spring comes at the other end of the year in New Zealand, but it is celebrated just the same.  We could lay claim to fields of Wordsworth's daffodils.  But we often forget have our own poetry too.  What better way to celebrate a spring in full flight, than with a little Baxter, wrapped around a teacup. Blow Wind of Fruitfulness Blow, wind of...

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After a week in Oslo, we parted ways.  My sister and Dad traveling to Sweden and me heading home to  a very patient family.  Dad enjoyed every minute of showing his girls around the land that so captured his imagination.  A land with a history of exploration, both ancient vikings and pioneering polar races. Vikings, polar ships and symbols It is also home...

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Sometimes the best places are the ones you find by accident. My sister and I loved Tronheim and cannot rave highly enough about Antikvariatet, the little bar we sought refuge in.  We arrived on a very sunny afternoon, so sunny that the parks were full of sunbathers.  In the evening we headed out and found some where for dinner only to be caught...

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A little south of Roros, a little north of Tynset, there is Tolga.  We stayed here as we caught up with friends and enjoyed spring in Norway. I will let the pictures say it all.    Looking over the valley  Possibly the best reading spot in the world.  Early morning sun streaming in and a view of the Glomma River.      ...

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Spending a few nights in the hut my father restored, was one of the great privileges of our trip.  While the restoration was a summer well spent for Dad, it's upkeep has been a labour of love for Dorotea. Dorotea is the granddaughter of the original builder of this 1923 summer house.  Over the years the walls have been warmed with weaving by...

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   Much of my family history is rooted in the adventures my parents had before they met.  For various reasons, my father, Bob, kept returning to Norway.  One such trip was in the summer of 1975.  Dad had a little British car that was made for driving on the other side of the road. I can attest to just how unnerving it would...

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Given a chance my sister would sell her soul to be a professional foodie.  There was no way we were going to Paris without eating ourselves silly. We were duly sent of food adventure with a few tips from our amazing hosts, Grannie Annie and Stuart. If you are planning on similar adventure there are three things to remember 1 - One block...

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I had read up, I knew where to go and then threw the book away.  I had a simple mission in mind - I wanted a pair of embroidery scissors for my mother.  If you plan to go accidentally craft shopping, stumbling upon these places might just make your day.  I know they certainly made mine. Le Rouvray  Le Rouvray is a little...

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One of the nicest things about staying with friends while on holiday, is being invited to see their favorite places.  Every Wednesday and Sunday, around the corner from Grannie Annie's, there's a market.  Overnight it springs up under the Metro Line. Grannie Annie leads the way  It's one of Grannie Annie's favorite haunts.  She smiles and greets the stall holders, shows us where...

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There are little details that you take for granted in large cities.  One of them is grafitti.  We found this striking Napoleon on our first day in Paris.  From them on, I took great delight in hunting out the little personal markers as we meandered through the streets.  There was a strange series of little monster cutouts pasted on buildings, tigers in concrete...

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Every good journey starts with an excellent travel companion, a book and fantastic hosts.  Our trip would not have been nearly as much fun without the hospitality, time and generosity of our many hosts as we made our way through Amsterdam, Paris, Oslo, Tronheim and Tolga*. You have your Lonely Planet and other travel guides telling you where to go, but I prefer...

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