Welcome to my blog.

After a few random posts I've decided to dedicate this blog to my life long project of Japanese food
and culture (and my life in general, especially my travels).

Since my first taste of sushi back in 1997 I've been interested in, and frequently been making
Japanese food.
My interest in the country and culture started long before and continues to evolve.
I was lucky to finally visit Japan in October 2008, again in November 2019 and hope to be back soon.
In July 2012 I visited Japantown in San Fransisco, the next best thing!
I was lucky to be back in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019 thanks to the fact that we now have family living in California.
Both small and big adventures will from now on, as time permits, be shared with you.

I will post other recipes and pictures too, mainly cooking projects, plants and art projects
(including my new love - making kumihimo braided objects).

I hope you'll find it interesting, and feel free to leave a comment or ask questions!

I write mainly in English, but there will be some Norwegian too, especially posts about things
that mainly have Norwegian interest. Tutorials are bi-lingual.

Wednesday, 21 August 2013

New braiding

Ok, so I didn´t just lay around in Sweden in some spa... I´ve been braiding too!
Here´s some of my latest creations:


Coffee and yellow wrap-arounds. Hand made hand model by me....


Purple wrap-around in 100% silk. Love the fresh color!




Matching wrap-around bracelet and earrings in 100% silk. Pearl grey; lovely, versatile color.

You can get them here: krysantemum design online shop

I will list more silk bracelets soon, I´ve made 2 with 16 threads in pink/greys and pink/purple/greys.



Sunday, 18 August 2013

Summer in Sweden

This summer, for the first time in 8 years, I was able to visit the Japanese spa (onsen) in Stockholm called Hasseludden Yasuragi. It´s beautifully situated in the Stockholm archipelago, some 25 minutes drive from the city centre or by boat.

This was my 4th and what later that week turned out to be my 5th visit. :)
We enjoyed 2 wonderful days there before heading to our rented summer house in the archipelago. On our way back, my mother in-law (bless her!), suggested we´d stay another night, so we did!
I miss the place already and it won´t be 8 years until next time, that´s for sure!

Here´s some pictures I made, it does't do this paradise justice, but gives you a glimpse....

Our room the first two nights. You carry your towel and bath gear in the basket.

Our room the last night (a week later). We got a large room with separate living room. We didn´t really need it, as we were mostly bathing... My daughter in yukata, you wear it at all times, even for dinner. 

The bar on the 2nd floor with outside terrace where you can see the sail-in for Stockholm.

Fish-spa! It was tickly and fun... We did it several times and the feet got super soft!

Indoor washing facility. This is where you do your washing ritual. You sit on the small chairs, wash and pour water over your head with the bucket. 

Outdoor hot springs. All-year around temperature is 40 degrees C. In the winter you can sit outside even when it´s snowing and freezing cold! Summer wasn´t so bad either....

See the homepage for more info: www.yasuragi.se
But; shhhhhhh, don´t tell everyone!