Cecilie Moestue

Need help to get in the Christmas mood? Why not visit Møystad farm near Hamar in Hedmark? In the café you are served delicious traditional Norwegian Christmas meals. And if you still have some Christmas gifts to buy, there is a little shop on the farm.

Traditional flatbread and different mustards is served with the Christmas meals.

The shop sells nice gifts, included these cute cups and dishes. You can also buy the book about the farms around Mjøsa called “Mjøsgårdene” by Dinamo Forlag:

The photos in the book from Møystad farm are taken on a nice summer day. Here are two of them. Well worth a trip in the summer, too! (Photos: Nina Ruud)

Photos: moystadgard.no and Nina Ruud.

I know it´s soon Christmas, and not Halloween! But I just love these pumpkin photos from the Norwegian blog Matogurter. They are taken at Vik, in the south of Norway, at Jæren. A farm offers pick-your-own pumpkins, with great success. If you are interested in the recipe for pickled pumpkin in the last photo, you find it here (in Norwegian): Matogurter.no.

All photos: Matogurter.no

Next time you are driving on the main road (E6) north of Oslo – why not stop at Minne Gaard for a coffebreak? By the old bridge at Minnesund, you find charming Minne farm café. They serve homemade bread from the stone oven. The owner, Mette, is a barista, and have learned bread baking from the famous baker Morten Schakenda in Lom. It´s tempting to enjoy fresh pastries and a cup of coffee in the stylish café next time I´m on the road!

All these fab photos are taken by Nina Ruud from a new book called “Mjøsgårdene”, (Dinamo Forlag) written by Ingeborg Sørheim from Sveinhaug farm. Find my blogposts about Ingeborg here and here.

All photos: Nina Ruud

Are you a big fan of lefse, like me? On Saturday I learned how to bake traditional Norwegian lefse (potato pancakes) and flatbread at Skjerven Farm in Oslo. It is highly recommended for all fans!

Flatbread in the making – with the mini corrugated rolling pin.

My friend Hanne in action, owner of the food blog “Matmisjonen“. For more photos from the event, read her blog post here (in Norwegian).

Our fab teacher, and owner of the farm, Tori Bakke, with our homemade batch of lefse.

A Christmas Market is arranged in December every year at Skjerven Farm. Here you can buy the yummy lefse and flatbread, too.

Looking for the best burgers in Stockholm? Go to Vigårda! This is gourmet take-away food, based on natural ingredients, at a good price. Worth a try when in Stockholm!

All photos: Sara Danielsson/Vigårda.se

A friend of mine has been to Sketch – and I was stunned by the photos of this magnificent place! After some research I found out that the French Master Chef Pierre Gagnaire have devised the menus in the restaurants. That makes the place even more interesting, and on my list for future London trips. I have chosen photos from the restaurant the Parlour, one of three restaurants in the house. Have a look at the website to see the rest of them. Each one is a design heaven.

All photos: Sketch.uk.com

Where to drink coffee in Fredrikstad? Go to Kafé Nyt in Østfold Art Centre. This charming café serves nice cakes, contemporary art on the walls, and a beautiful view! What more can you want?

All photos: ostfold-kunstnersenter.no

For a romantic weekend away – why not go to Derbyshire in England? I recommend staying at the lovely Peacock hotel in Rowsley. We stayed here last year, and it was fabulous.

And if you are into British costume dramas you will not be disappointed by the location. The hotel is situated nearby Haddon Hall, a stunning English Tudor and country house, where three versions of “Jane Eyre” have been filmed. Chatsworth House is also just a romantic walk away, where “Pride and Predjudice” was filmed.

As we walked through the moors and pretty villages – we kept wondering – when will Mr. Darcey appear on a black horse?

And for foodies – you will not be disappointed either! The restaurant is excellent. And with friendly staff, (thank you, Jenni), a nice cosy bar with local beer, a stunning scenery and lovely garden – what more can you want for a romantic getaway? (And by the way, it´s only a short drive from Manchester airport. Through beautiful scenery, of course).

Photos: Eirik Solheim and thepeacockatrowsley.com

Lifestyle shops and cafés are popular in Norway, and they keep popping up in Oslo, and in smaller towns. This one, Larsen, is a new shop and café in Hamar, Hedmark. It looks so nice and stylish! Next time I´m in Hamar I´ll have a pit stop here, for sure! Take a look at their Facebook page or blog to read more about their products, coffee or happenings.

All photos: larsenhamar.no

Want to stay in a small boutique hotel – but you need a little help to find it? Then I can recommend using a professional travel website. I have listed several here on my blog, in the left column, under “search hotels”. My favorite is i-escape.com and sawdays.co.uk. And I also recommend the newest one, Welcome Beyond.

Here I found Monaci delle Terre Nere, a beautiful small 6-bedroom hotel in Sicily, Italy. Located near Mount Etna, amidst an organic farm overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Maybe a choice for next trip to Sicily?