Köttbular (Swedish Meatballs)

As mentioned from last week's post, Ikea's famous dish can now be bought from their food section. A pack of 50-60 pieces meatballs, 2 packs of ready-mix sauce and a jar of lingonberry jam costs 8,90Euro (reduced from 12). Ate (older sister) M bought a set and gave me some of the meatballs which I served with potato and the lingonberry jam I still have at home.

There is a recipe I got somewhere and has been following it before when I hadn't  known yet that Köttbular can be bought from Ikea. Please click here to view the recipe.

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Light

A lamp post against the morning's blue sky

September 16, 07; Disneyland Paris

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(Para sa mga Ilaw ng tahanan. But the photo has nothing to do with this, just wanna use it lol.)

Proverbs 31

10 A capable wife who can find? Her value is far more than that of corals.

11 In her the heart of her owner has put trust, and there is no gain lacking.



12 She has rewarded him with good, and not bad, all the days of her life.

13 She has sought wool and linen, and she works at whatever is the delight of her hands.

14 She has proved to be like the ships of a merchant. From far away she brings in her food.

15 She also gets up while it is still night, and gives food to her household and the prescribed portion to her young women.

16 She has considered a field and proceeded to obtain it; from the fruitage of her hands she has planted a vineyard.

17 She has girded her hips with strength, and she invigorates her arms.

18 She has sensed that her trading is good; her lamp does not go out at night.

19 Her hands she has thrust out to the distaff, and her own hands take hold of the spindle.

20 Her palm she has stretched out to the afflicted one, and her hands she has thrust out to the poor one.

21 She does not fear for her household because of the snow, for all her household are clothed with double garments.

22 Coverlets she has made for herself. Her clothing is of linen and wool dyed reddish purple.

23 Her owner is someone known in the gates, when he sits down with the older men of the land.

24 She has made even undergarments and proceeded to sell [them], and belts she has given to the tradesmen.

25 Strength and splendor are her clothing, and she laughs at a future day.

26 Her mouth she has opened in wisdom, and the law of loving-kindness is upon her tongue.

27 She is watching over the goings-on of her household, and the bread of laziness she does not eat.

28 Her sons have risen up and proceeded to pronounce her happy; her owner [rises up], and he praises her.

29 There are many daughters that have shown capableness, but you—you have ascended above them all.
30 Charm may be false, and prettiness may be vain; [but] the woman that fears Jehovah is the one that procures praise for herself.

31 GIVE her of the fruitage of her hands, and let her works praise her even in the gates.

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That's a mother and wife for you but for your lighting needs, Kichler lighting is the best choice out there....there were also a lot of beautiful and eye-catching chandeliers and installation at Ikea. Just looking at them makes me want to renovate our house....*sigh*

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Ikea revisited

(I'm loving the Iphone 4's camera; such vivid colors)

I can't remember when was the last time I've been to Ikea. I really missed the place. When my kids were much younger we would go there often to buy some klumpert, really needed kitchen utensils or to simply dine at their famous resto for their reasonably priced food.

Köttbular (Swedish meatballs) served with potatoes, gravy and lingonberry jam (a staple in Scandinavian cuisine) is a family favorite. I'd often cook this at home but have always forgotten were I saved the photos. Now though I don't  really need to cook this dish because Ikea has long ago added a food section where Swedish delicacy, recipes and heat-up meals are sold. They conveniently placed this section just after the packing station.

(Salmon on spinach tagliatelle with red pepper, very soft and yummy muffin and my empty glass)

A friend (Ate M) asked me and another friend (Ate Jo)  to accompany her to Ikea earlier. We went around 3 in the afternoon, all 3 without having eaten lunch. Ate M insisted on paying since she was the one who invited us. ;) She had the Köttbular while Ate Jo and I had  Salmon on spinach tagliatelle and sauce with red pepper. Whoever goes wrong with Salmon? It was perfectly cooked to flaking bits with the red pepper accentuating the tender flavors of both the fish and the sauce.

I also got  me a muffin which was very soft and tasty. It has chocolate oozing from the middle and icing with the right amount of sweetness. I filled my glass with lingonberry juice...perfect for my Ruby Tuesday entry! :) Drinks are refillable so I had cola light after finishing this one.

Ate Jo had a slice of Almondy Daim cake (top left), also a Swedish specialty and another family favorite which I forego today. I can anyway buy them from local grocery stores. Ate M had a lighter version with Golden buttercream (below left) instead of Daim chocolate glazed on top.

So do you think I bought a sofa or a clock or anything red you see in this photo? No...I got a set of cutting boards, in bue and red...potato peelers in blue, a red pillow case and tea candles which were all red too...they have the scent of red berries which I really like! ;) Will post that soon...Enjoy the week!

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Renovation and refurbishing

Nowadays, remodeling one's home could be better than buying a new one especially when budget is considered as well as the convenience of staying where you have lived for a long time. Transporting furnitures and stuff or buying new ones doesn't cost only much, its tiring too. Improving your home (remodeling) also increases the value of your home and it also gives you a feeling of security  when things are properly functioning.

This is what I thought when I was home 6 months ago. I have lived in my parents' new house for 10 years and I love how they had planned the whole place. Being old though and lacking space is a bother so I had talked to my brother about renovating it and buying new furnitures. I anyway love playing interior designer using those free online floor planner.

Choosing to remodel one's home means trusting someone how you want it done, rather than doing the thinking yourself or having your finger hammered, leave it to the pros. To remodel, normally connotes making your home look better but there are companies that offer a variety of services including repairs; of floor and wall cracks which is usually brought about by a weak foundation.

I have been on the lookout for a company with many years of experience in construction. I'm all for professionalism and keeping customers in all the happening that they are guaranteed of getting the best. As for the furnitures, there are a lot of stores out there but I'd go for one that handles their business well. Sure they'd have a MYRIAD of things to sort out but if they can't  keep up, the customers get affected too. Any recommendations on contractors or a furniture store you know?

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