Z as in Zincica

"Zincica"

 

Zincica is a traditional Slovak product from sheep milk similar to  kefir.

The best kind is called Urda, it is denser than normal salty or sour zincica. Especially in the summer it is a nice refreshing drink.

This dairy drink has been greatly popular in all regions of Slovakia for its distinctive fine taste.

As with so  many other special flavours in terms of food, you have to be raised with these special flavours to  be able ...like them...LOL

Although Zincica is a refreshment by itself, it is often drunk in combination with the national Slovak food:

Bryndzové halusky ( Potato dumplings with sheep cheese and bacon).
 

Y as in Yoiking

A yoik is a traditional Sami form of song.

The old Sami singing style is said to be the oldest musical form in Europe. Yoiking has not always been appreciated as a form of music, however. At one time it was not even called music.

Traditionally, yoik usually have short lyrics or no lyrics at all and is traditionally chanted a cappella, but joiks nowadays may be accompanied by a drum (though not a Sami drum which is used for ceremonial purposes only) or other musical instruments.

Jon Henrik's emotional & powerful original yoik pulls heartstrings on Sweden's Got Talent:

Are you still with me, my dear friend,

Though I no longer see you?

Are you still here on earth,

As you are in my heart?

I lie here and ponder,

It's desolately quiet around me.

Tears break out and fall,

With the thought of you.

An angel that was forgotten here,

Have now got his wings.

Where do you fly now, my angel?

Where do you fly now?

Are you flying through the pearly gates?

Or the end of the world?

Are you flying next to me?

Or am I all alone now?

Wherever you are now, my friend.

Wherever the road leads you.

Promise me you'll wait there,

Until I meet you.

I hope you're happy now.

As I was with you.

And the pain you've suffered,

I hope it's forgotten.

Fly freely, my dear friend.

You are free now.

And until we meet again,

Farewell, my angel.

X as in Xanthippe

Xanthippe, 400 BC, was the name of Socrates wife. It is also an expression of quarrelsome and ill-tempered woman, originally aimed at her.

There are many stories about Xantippa but not many can be considered facts. It is often mentioned that she had a sharp tongue and she was the only one who could close the mouth of Socrates (and the only one to have ever defeated him in a discussion). Xenophon portrays her as a combative and malevolent woman with a bad temper.

In an anecdote comes Socrates home to Xanthippe, who scolds him before he came through the door and ends with a pouring the contents of a chamber pot over him. Socrates remarks then that it was often so with Xanthippe, that "rain comes after the storm."

When Socrates in Xenophon's dialogue Symposium will be asked why he married Xanthippe, he replies that he is like the man who wants to become ride expert and therefore choosing a temperamental horse.

W as in Wings of Angels

Sure, there are angels around us

I know it, because I've seen them

Even talking to them many times

Sitting on their lap and felt their arms around my body

Their wings around me like a soft blanket

Hard holding in me, all my body and soul

Protecting me against all the hardships that come up

With the old and the new in my life

Never have to be afraid to fall down

These arms will not allow it

It is warm and safe

Safely hidden by the blanket of wings

Wings of Angels

AzA 2015

V as in Viking

The Viking Age is the Scandinavian Iron Age last period, from the late 700's to about 1100 AD

The term is primarily used in the description of the Nordic region's prehistory, but also in British and Irish history. The period is counted in other parts of Europe either likewise as part of the Iron Age or as part of the early Middle Ages.

The word Viking means "fjord (or bay) people". There are different theories to how they got their name - either because it all started with people from "Viken" ("the bay" - marked with a red circle in the map to the right), or because the Vikings in their speedy longships would hide in a fjord (vik) and then launch surprise attacks on passing ships. Strictly speaking, only the people who went on raids were called Vikings. They were probably part time farmers, but there was a large population of regular farmers too. Going on raids was practical only to those who lived close to the sea.

In the territory which today is Sweden at viking Age , lived about 100 000 people, maybe even less. (Before Gustav Vasa's reign (1523-1560) we had no information about population)

The average Viking lived about 30-35 years. There were certainly those who were both 70 and 80 years old, but it was rare.

Vikings spoke a kind of Nordic, reminiscent of the Icelandic language as it is now.

U as in Uppsala

Uppsala is the capital of Uppsala County and the fourth largest city of Sweden, after Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.

It had 140,454 inhabitants in 2010.

Located 71 km (44 mi) north of the capital Stockholm, it is also the seat of Uppsala Municipality.

Since 1164, Uppsala has been the ecclesiastical centre of Sweden, being the seat of the Archbishop of the Church of Sweden.

Founded in 1477, Uppsala University is the oldest centre of higher education in Scandinavia.

A young town with nearly 40,000 students who are seen and heard everywhere.

I like it.

It makes the city alive.

T as in Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto 1 - B Flat Minor

I was maybe 12 years old when  I saw on TV a film about Tchaikovsky, his life and works.

It was the first time I heard the a piece of this concert.

I remember when the actor played those impressive accords ..

I was speechless.

Such beautiful music.

Even 40 years later it still is one of my absolute favourites.

S in a Saint

I admit that finding words in English which begins with letters i want..is harder than I thought .

I seem to have to get a "brain-drop" all the time.

In Swedish we call it " hjärnsläpp" it means I do not remember words beginning with certain letters ... my brain has laid off.

Now we have letter S.... and I just come up with one word...Saint

Ok. so this blog post will be about my favourite Saint:

Francis of Assisi.
Why?
Because he seems real.
He has lived, sinned, protected animals, lived in simplicity and done good.

 

What is there not to love about him. ?

R as in RÖMERTOPF (Roman pot, Clay Cooker)

Receipe for Chicken osso bucco with roasted garlic sauce

 Recipe

• 6 chicken thighs-organic with skin
• 2 carrots
• vidalia onion-sliced 1 large or 2 small
• 2 bulbs fresh garlic-prepared for roasting by tipping
• Rosemary, thyme, parsley chopped
• 1 bulb (small) Fennel-sliced
• approx a cup chopped tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup cold water
• low sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup or more dry white wine

Instructions

1.    Prepare chicken by rinsing, drying and seasoning with salt, pepper and your favorite combination of italian dry herbs.  Roll chicken on both sides in this herb mixture.  Drizzle with a little ev olive oil.

2.    Soak clay pot in cold water for 15 minutes.

3.    When ready, make a bed of veggies using the onions, fennel, carrots and 2 bulbs of garlic with the tips cut off.  Place chicken thighs on top of all this.
Set them up nicely on the bed of veggies and add chicken broth to cover veggies but not covering chicken, add the balsamic and all the fresh herbs and spices, salt and pepper to taste.  Optional add white wine also.  Do not let the liquid go as high as the chicken or it will not brown it will boil.

4.    Cover pot and bring to oven sitting on middle rack.  Turn over to 220 degrees C.  Do not preheat, clay pot goes into a cold oven!

5.    Let cook approximately 45 minutes -1 hour , then check , open pot with 2 heavy gloves , carefully and away from your face and take off.
At this point if the broth is simmering and bubbly but the skin is not brown, cook more without putting the top back on.
This should take another 10 minutes to brown.  Make sure the broth is not covering the skin or it will not brown.

6.    After 10 minutes it should be brown, depending on your oven if not, turn it up to 450 until it does, without the cover.  When nice bubbly and brown take it out and put on top of stove.  
Remove chicken pieces to a wooden board and strain out the veggies from the sauce.  Pour the sauce into a gravy de-fatter.  Pour now into a small gravy sauce pan on top of stove, eliminating the fat.  Purée some of the roasted garlic , carrot and veggies ( like 1/2 of them) into the gravy pot.  Adds lots of flavour.

7.    Stir the cornstarch into a little bit of cold water, like 1 tablespoon to 3 or 4 tbls water, stir into gravy, whisking till you get desired thickness,  it will boil , then  lower the heat and let simmer.  You can add more chicken broth as you go along.  Then add to the gravy some chopped fresh parsley....this is like a gremolata because you already have the roasted garlic simmering in the pan.

8.    Slice the chicken and serve with the roasted garlic and vegetable gravy.  Also can add the rest of the cooked veggies to plate.

Mangia!



Q as in Quite a lot of...

Quite a lot of ... of what?

Quite a lot of all the positive things in my life right now.

All of us in my family is in good health right now, 

both  my husband and I have work, we actually enjoy doing.
The sun skinner and  birds are singing.
The grass begins to turn green again and the flowers start coming up.
I have people in my life who care about me and I care about them.

Quite a lot of blessings.

P as in Poet

Tomas Tranströmer (15 April 1931 - 26 March 2015) 

I have never met him but still, I was moved to tears when I heard he has passed away.
Tomas Tranströmer had the magic to express what the heart and soul wants to say, in simple words.

He wrote his poetry in the same way he lived his life.
Simple and humble. After a stroke in 1990, he lost his speech and could not use his right hand and leg anymore. But that didn't stop him from living his live and enjoy playing musik.
One of the greatest acknowledgements he received the Nobel prize in literature, awarded in 2011.

Rest in peace, Tomas.

"In the midst of a life, it happens that death comes and takes the measure of man.The visit is forgotten and life goes on. But the suit continues sewn in silence"

"Do not be ashamed that you are human, be proud! Inside you open the vault behind vault endlessly.You will never be finished, and that is as it should be."

O as in Oolong

Many people are surprised to learn that all teas, white, green, oolong, black and pu-erh are made from the leaves of the same species. While the varietal of the particular tea plant as well as the weather conditions and soil contribute to the final taste of the tea, the significant differences of tea type develop in the processing of the leaves.

The distinguishing factor that determines whether a tea plant will become white, green, oolong, or black tea is oxidation. Oxidation begins after the leaf has been plucked from the plant, and begins a process of being dried, withered, rolled, and heat treated. A black tea is fully oxidized, causing it to turn black, while a white tea is barely oxidized at all, thus retaining its soft, silvery down.
Oolong is a traditional Chinese tea (something between black tea and green tea) produced through a unique process including withering the plant under the strong sun and oxidation before curling and twisting.

Most oolong teas, especially those of fine quality, involve unique tea plant cultivars that are exclusively used for particular varieties. The degree of oxidation can range from 8 to 85% depending on the variety and production style.

My favorite Oolong tea is Darjeeling tea.

N as in Nocturno

Without too many words .. just listen and enjoy.

This is music from heaven which make  the soul  open up and lift to the next dimension and  angels float and dance with their wings.

Beautiful.

M as in Meatballs

Meatballs are a frequent dish on Swedish table.
For  party, for  everyday food,for  the outing .. meatballs always fills its function .. quick to make and incredibly good.
But please, forget the meatballs you bought from IKEA. It is not hard to make  them yourself and they are so much tastier.
Try it!

Meatballs
6 portions
Preparation time: 50 min.

1 cup breadcrumbs
1 cup milk + 1 dl cream
1 onion, grated
1 tablespoon Swedish mustard (type Slott)
1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 tbsp EPICE riche
(1 part ground nutmeg
2 parts ground white pepper
1 part ground allspice
1 part of ground cloves)
1 tsp sugar
800g minced (30% pork, 70% beef)
1 egg
canola oil and butter for frying
1 1/2 cups water
2 tbsp concentrated veal stock
3 cups whipping cream
1 tablespoon broth from pickled cucumber
1 tablespoon black currant jelly


Mix bread crumbs, milk and cream, leave to swell for about ten minutes. Mix in onion, mustard and spices. Mix the ground meat with egg, then add the bread mixture. Scroll bite-sized buns with wet hands and put on moistened barrel. Fry the meatballs in oil and butter, not too many at a time.

Sauce:
Boil out the pan with water and bouillon. Beat off the steak leftovers, add the cream and cook over low heat about 5 minutes. Add a little broth from pickled cucumber and currant gel. Season with salt and pepper. Preheat the meatballs into the sauce if you like and invite pickled cucumber, lingonberries and mashed potatoes to.

L is Lennon

This is a tribute to John Lennon and his song "Imagine". "

Imagine a world without nations and without religion, no heaven, no hell. A world where people do not have to fight for a world where everyone can live in peace and harmony with both self, others and the planet itself
This song "Imagine", written, by Lennon during his Beatles period of time, and I like this song harmonies so much ...
Imagine ...



     

Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky

Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You, you may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will live as one

K as in King of Sweden

Carl XVI Gustaf

(His motto is ‘For Sweden – with the times.’)

Sweden is one of the world’s most stable and egalitarian democracies, with a monarchy that has strong roots and public support.
King Carl XVI Gustaf is the seventh monarch of the House of Bernadotte. He was born on 30 April 1946 as the fifth child and only son of Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and Princess Sibylla.
Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf died in an air crash in Denmark the following year.

In 1950, Carl Gustaf became Crown Prince of Sweden when his great-grandfather Gustaf V died and was succeeded by the then 68-year-old Gustaf VI Adolf, the Crown Prince’s grandfather.
As head of state, the King is Sweden’s foremost unifying symbol. According to the 1974 constitution, the monarch has no political affinity and no formal powers. The King’s duties are mainly of a ceremonial and representative nature.

King Carl XVI Gustaf has a strong commitment to the global environment and is a recognised authority on environ­mental issues. Among other things, he has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Award. He is likewise deeply committed to the preser­vation of Sweden’s cultural heritage and con­siders it important that the public has access to the royal palaces with their collections and parks.
Swedish monarchs date back around a thousand years and have belonged to eleven dynasties, with the current one, the House of Bernadotte, ruling the longest.

The Swedish Royal Family is related to all the reigning royal courts of Europe.

J as in Joy of Life

.... are many! But of all things that bring joy and happiness the best is actually free and pretty straightforward.

It can be a word or a deed, you just have to have the ability to see and appreciate what you get and surrounded by ... because otherwise it really does not matter much ...

Today I was so happy when I found these flowers that have come up from the harsh winter ravaged land, just below our staircase.

Spring is coming out.

At last.

And I have a smile on my face.

I is In Awe

In awe of woken up to a new day again
In awe of the sun's warmth against my skin
In awe of a flower's beauty and same colour every year
In awe of the birds beautiful voices only singing the right notes
In awe of leaves falling to the ground in a slow motion of expiration

In awe of your helping hand stretching towards me
In awe of your soul that helps my soul to grow every day
In awe of the angels' wings which enclose me like the softest silk
In awe of all those whispers in my soul that helps me move on

In awe of the two cells become one and  grow to life
In awe of the baby's first smile, first tooth, first step holding your hand
In awe of my own children grow and mature into fine people before my very eyes
In awe of all my wrinkles that whitens about life's high points and fall

In awe of all that is seen and unseen for my eyes in this rice
In awe of all that is between heaven and earth
In awe of the universe greatness and infinity and its creative hand
In awe of the great mystery which is called LIFE

H as in Happiness

"Happiness is a conscious choice that you do and I choose to be happy."

Bas

Thanks, Bas for these wise words.

I try... really try.

G as in Goodness

Goodness is often translated into a law-abiding, kind and caring person, and the opposite being "evil" that stands for criminal, malicious and greedy.

But is mankind  really striving to achieve moral perfection - to do good?

What is it what we are trying to achieve, and how do we know we have done good?

Most people take goodness for granted. In my opinion it has basically nothing to do with religion. Goodness should not be talked about, it should be done. If we were to realize the importance of goodness no gods were needed. It was confined in the simplicity of "being human".
Henning Mankell said even clearer:

That goodness is what is the basic meaning of what is called humanity. "

F stands for Friends

Yes, I know that I am truly blessed to have many good friends in my life.
Some have been with me a long time since we were 10 years old and we still share our secrets with each other.
Thanks Dadi because you are in my life.

I have met several friends later in my life who have shaped me as a person who cared about me and to have them in my life makes my life richer, better, kinder in different ways.
Each one of you, Ab, Elise, John, has and will always have a special place in my heart.

 

Thank you for your friendship.

I will always remember you Bas and Barbro.

You both have left this world extends too young and too soon.
I miss you so much ..

We will meet again...

E as in Einstein

Actually, I mean Mrs. Einstein.
It's her I want to talk about.

I have recently read Charlie Chaplin biography in which Charlie writes about his meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Einstein year 1926th
Mrs. Einstein told Charlie how her husband came on Relativity theory.

"The whole thing took two weeks from the first thought that everything was clear.
Professor .. (as she called her husband) .. closed in his office for 14 days.
Every evening he took a short walk and sometimes he played on the piano. Without talking.
He got absolutely not be disturbed.
In two weeks, Mrs. Einstein brought his food up to the workroom, did everything that he would not be disturbed.
When he was finished with his work, and he came down, tired, pale and taken, he stuck two pages of his notes on the dining room table.
"Now it's finished," he said to his wife.
And Relativity theory was a fact.

Everyone remembers Professor Einstein, but who remembers his wife?
I'll do it.
Today.

D is for dreams

We all have our dreams.

You know like:

"Unless the money and time and nothing would stand in your way, what would you do then, what is your dream?"

Then I would open a littet place, coffee, with homemade lunch , pies and simple dishes, vegetarian and vegan, cooked by me, of course, with home baked bread and pastries baked by me.

Of course.

This will never happen. Maybe in my next life.For money and time and everything else is still in my way.
But one thing I dream about and that I will carry out in this life is: To walk the whole trek "The Camino de Santiago." More than 800 km of hiking.

Alone, but with many others doing the same journey and with my thoughts to keep me company.

C is for challenge

This is my first challenge and I really look forward to participating in it.
Yesterday, I read about another challenge that I want to do in April.
It will be my own .. but if you want to join me , you are very welcome of course

This Challenge is about  gratitude.
During each day in April, I consciously every day write short things I am grateful for in my life.
Usually it is negative things and feelings we perceive, that makes us no good.
But why are we not as much aware of all the blessings that are in our lives?

Stop and see them, count them.
I will ..

B is for book

Give me a good book and leave me alone .. we'll see you next day..lol ..
If I have a good book in my hands, I can read it 24 hours straight in a row.

I have done that when I was young. Forgot to eat and sleep.

Books have always been a part of my life. Since I was 6 years old and learned to read and took in  secret over  my brother's books, he, who is 13 months older, not a year ... 13 months .. incredibly important to him ... as if that means two years ... lol .. When he discovered it, he was very  angry at me. lol
Why I don't understand, he didn't read a single one of them ... I think it has something to do with 13 months to make ..lol ...

I have read many good books, which have left their traces in my soul.
I can not mention all here but I do want to mention one that I just loved to read and that I highly recommend: "Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Allbom."

Morrie Schwartz was Mitch Allboms favourite professor, his mentor and friend. On graduation day Mitch promises to keep in touch but it will take twenty years before he actually does. By chance he sees his old sociology professor on television; Morrie has suffered a nervous disorder that slowly paralyses his body but not his brilliant mind and not his desire to live life to the fullest.
Mitch decides to visit Morrie every Tuesday - just like during the study years. They talk about love, marriage, feelings, forgiveness, loss and death. Their re-born friendship turns in a last lecture full of wisdom and experience, a lesson in the art of living.

"This book is an act of love, a joint such from the two men, the professor and his student. They take up messages with an ease that only the really difficult can master. Above all, give it confidence and a great joy." (Västerbotten Folkblad)

A as in Angelzuz

Today I start my A-Z Challenge with the letter A, that will stand for my name ... Angelzuz.
When I started thinking about my alias, it was clear to me that I wanted a name with angel in it.

Angels have always been a part of my life.

First in the unconscious and then in a conscious way.

I believe in angels.

I have felt their presence many times.

So my name is Angelzuz.

I am a woman living in the most beautiful and best country to live in.. in Sweden.

A Mother of three children, and the wife of a man I still love after more than 25 years together.

I'm also curious. Very curious to discover new things and the audacity to question things.

I think it has something to do with my age...LOL

If someone says the right way is simply to the right, I start to check out the way to the left, and if someone tells me to do things a certain way, I often ask: "Why?"

I like life, I like people and I am very curious what is between heaven and earth.

I think there are many, many things that are worth finding out.

Perhaps this blog could be a way for me to do just that?