Dish

The Swedish dishcloth is ultra-absorbent, ideal for mopping up all sorts of messes in a beautiful fashion. They are also biodegradable and go right into the compost heap when you are ready to say buh-bye. Designed and hand-printed in Sweden and England, priced from $7. We especially love the new holiday patterns for hostess gifts and stocking stuffers. Find at: Bella Casa, Heart of the Home, Oil and Vinegar, The Pan Tree, Provisions by Duchess, The Wired Cup and other fine retailers.

Do you look at everyone else’s front porch floral urn with envy? Those graceful pine boughs with just the right amount of bling to herald the season? Learn to make your own seasonal urn-inset or contemporary seasonal floral tablescape at Zocalo. The urn-insert class is on November 24 or December 1, the floral is December 8. Call 780-428-0754 to reserve your spot. Zocalo, 10826 95 Street, 780-428-0754, zocalo.ca.

Check out the new menu at the Blue Chair. “Our new chef Luis Daniel Diaz Mora (Daniel) is a recent transplant from Lima,” says owner Harold Wollin. “The Andean kitchen loves different beans, potatoes, with a definite penchant for chili, cilantro, onions and lime, but the real beauty is the various ways to use grains like quinoa.” Love music? Think of the Blue Chair for NYE. The Blue Chair, 9624 76 Avenue, 780-989-2861, bluechair.ca.

Liquorice fans couldn’t get enough of Lakrids by Johan Bülow last year. Created on a Danish island by a 23-year-old, Lakrids is a handmade boiled liquorice like no other, available in sweet, salty and three seasonal flavours: Rose Gold (cherry chocolate coated); Silver (dark and mint chocolate); Bronze (salty caramel). Find your fix at the Italian Centre Shops and Maven and Grace from $14.95.

North 53 is now offering Sunday brunch from 11am-3pm. Their casual atmosphere (complete with a DJ spinning mellow grooves) is a relaxed spot to spend a Sunday afternoon catching up with friends. Indulge in a few brunch cocktails such as the London Fog or the Fruit Loop (tastes just like cereal milk) and the stick-to-the-ribs menu. We love the build-your-own-stack, buttermilk pancakes at $2 each with a host of toppings both sweet and savoury, the pork pie (or vegetable) pie redolent with south of the border flavours and the over the top delicious fried chicken sandwich, complete with poached egg. Soon to join the North 53 family is Baiju, downtown in the Mercer Building. North 53, 10240 124 Street, 583-524-5353, north53.com.

Jack Wear has parlayed his experience as a wine importer into A Taste Of Murder, a fascinating murder mystery set at a wine festival at the Shaw Conference Centre. The detectives have to solve the murder of an unpopular wine agent and in doing so are submerged in the belly of the wine business. The story gallops along to a satisfying conclusion while leading the reader through countless Edmonton locations and references.

Stasia Nawrokci brought the Rainbow Scrubbie to Canada over 25 years ago. Made by her brother in Poland, these virtually indestructible yet gentle scouring cloths have become essential in the workshop, the kitchen, even in the bathroom for foot care. New patterns and designs have joined the classic striped scrubbie. Find at the The Pan Tree, Barb’s Kitchen Centre, Hallmark in Southgate, Hillaby’s, Hole’s, Greenland and Salisbury Garden Centres, rainbowscrubby.com.