Favorite Things

A New Favorite Thing!

Martin says "Oh Mary, you've here. I've been waiting for you. I have a gift for you that I'd like you to open. Mary says "Well Martin... What on earth did you get me?"
Martin says "Go ahead and open it but be careful."

Mary shrieks with joy and says "Oh Martin, it's one of those special Swedish horses. Please tell me all about it."


Mary places the horse on the mantle and Martin begins to tell Mary what is is. "It is a Dalecarlian horse or Dala horse (Swedish: Dalahäst). It is a traditional wooden statuette of a horse originating in the Swedish province of Dalarna. In the old days the Dala horse was mostly used as a toy for children; in modern times it has become a symbol of Darlarna as well as Sweden in general. I thought because we live in a Swedish house that maybe this Dala Horse would bring us good luck."

Mary exclaims "Oh Martin, I just love it. It looks hand carved and hand painted with great details and oh so special. Let's take some photos of it so others can see. I bet Marta and Erik know all about these."

A Closer Look
(Hubby calles it a Kloppen Ploppen. He's so silly!)

Credits: Viking Treasures Store, Long Grove, IL. A Norweigan and a Swedish flag fly outside the door of the treasure trove of gifts shop in a sleepy tourist town in Northern Illinois. Hubby and I had to travel north to pick something up and we stopped at this store. I spotted the Dalahast on a key chain for a reasonable price but it was way too big and mass produced. Then I spotted the tiny Dalahasts in the case that were all one of a kind. The store clerk told us they were all hand carved and hand painted from wood. I would have settled for the key chain as it still would have been usable but Wonderful Hubby bought me this most precious Swedish Horse. I wasn't expecting that and gave him a Big Smooch right in the store while the clerk wrapped up my tiny treasure which is now one of my very Favorite Things.