40 days Christmas liquor

40 days Christmas liquor

Someone at work mentioned something about the 40 days Christmas liquor (40 dager julelikør - in Norwegian) . I had never heard about it, so naturally went online to check it out. And as expected by those who know me well, I had to give it a try.

As of right now, it doesn’t look too appetizing ! But, only time can tell, and I have to wait 40 days to see if the brown and soupy looking brew has become a Christmassy tasting liquor. 

Here is the basic recipe:

-          One glass jar

-          40 cl of alcohol ( I used Vodka)

-          1 orange pricked 40 times

-          40 coffee beans

-          40 sugar cubes ( I used brown sugar )

-          1 vanilla bean

Place all the ingredients in a clean, sterilized glass jar.

Place in a dark cupboard, and forget about it for 40 days.

Strain, and store in a glass bottle.

Come back in 40 days, and I’ll let you know the result….

God moves in a mysterious way - Antique sampler from 1886

I love adding new, and interesting pieces to my sampler collection. This sampler comes from the UK and features in delicate and tiny cross stitch the famous hymn by William Cowper (1731-1800) “God moves in a mysterious way…”

The stitching show skill, and was undoubtedly worked by an adult. The piece in un-signed, apart for the words “Grandpa’s hymn 1886”

As far as I know William Cowper never had any children, so I assume this hymn must have been a personal favorite of the grandfather who was the beneficiary of this beautiful embroidery; worked presumably by an adoring grandchild.  

The frame was damaged and not worth saving, so I had the seller send it to me only on the card the needlework had been stitched to. I was a little concerned when it arrived as it had visible signs of bug damage, namely the tell-tale sign of having been eaten and burrowed through ! I carefully examined it, even ripping a bit the cloth in the back to make sure there were no live bugs, or eggs. The last thing I want is a colony of critters eating their way through my cupboard ! Thankfully it looked like whoever did the damage had long gone, but just for safety sake I’ll keep it apart from other items until I can get it framed properly.

In the middle of the fifth verse the poor stitcher had obviously ran out of thread and had to change to one of a slightly different color. A good reminder to make sure you have enough thread to complete a project, and if possible from the same dye lot to make sure the colors are uniform.  

Evidence of a little bug having burrowed their way through the embroidery

Details - You can see how the cloth was lighter before from the marks where the frame had been,

Tiny cross stitches

The full sampler

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

Alsace museum

Last week my husband and I, along with Rosaline took a little 5 day trip to visit my family in France.

We always try to fit in something educational and new each time we travel, and while there is a million places to see and visit in the region, the weather was not very encouraging for exploration. So we settled on seeing at least one museum in Strasbourg, the choice being simplified by the simple fact that there is not much open in France on Mondays.  

We were not disappointed, the 110 years old Alsatian museum was well worth a visit. From the outside it doesn’t look like much, but once you get in you find yourself in a charming old building and three floors of exhibition.

If ever you find yourself in Strasbourg and want to learn more about life in Alsace in the 18th and 19th century, we can certainly recommend this museum. Beside it’s free for children under 18 years old, and within walking distance of the train station.

For opening hours and more info in English see here: Alsatian museum

Entrance to the Musée Alsacien in Strasbourg

The courtyard of the museum

Lot's of lovely details

Replica of a well-to-do farmers living room

With my sister and Papa

Traditional ceramic tile oven

Interior of a peasant house

I found the white bed-bound figure in the background a little creepy

Everyday objects - Lacy baby bonnet and booties, and a wooden potty.

A collection of molds for almond dough and Springerle cookies