About

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I’m a thirty-something young woman and for the past several years I have been doing product development for coffee shops and bakeries. It really is my dream job. I decided to start this blog to share some of the little pleasant things in life. It partially is my job as well. Coffee shops are all about creating an atmosphere that is an extension to our living room.

I grew up in Golden Valley, Minnesota and have lived in Finland for over ten years. My product development work joins American tastes and textures with a nordic twist. The USA has always offered inspiration with its vast amounts of foods coming from different cultures. Here in Finland organic and eco-friendly foods are prevalent trends. I have been rediscovering the simple ingredients from Grandmother’s pantry that lost their glamour in the 70s, 80s and 90s and have been using them in new ways. Some of my current favorite ingredients are turnips and beetroots.

Some projects that I am working on or have previously worked on include: Product and concept development with Fazer Bakeries and Restaurants August 2012 to present, start-up company Coffected 2012, Planning and launch of the Rye Muffin with Aschan and Wayne’s Coffee, in Finland January 2011. Crock Pot cook book for Finland in cooperation with Jarden Consumer Solutions April 2011, numerous wedding cakes for happy couples and the authoring of a cook book that is a work-in-progress.

Sometimes the best ideas come from others. If you have an idea or product that you would like me to try send me an email at laila.uljas@gmail.com or leave a message in the comment section.

Photos on this page are by NOAH photography 2012

128 Comments

  3. Great job and great blog! When I saw your mushrooms I felt at home, and then discovered that you live “next door” in Finland! I´ll be back – thank you also for stopping by my blog!

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  5. I love your blog, and feel the sense of a little coffee shop cafe within each of your photos and recipes : )

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    1. Thank you so much for the nomination, I really appreciate it! After thinking long and hard, I decided to not accept awards. There are so many exceptional blogs that it is difficult to narrow down the list. Congratulations to you on your award!

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    1. Thank you for the nomination, I am honored! I have decided to not accept awards but have made a list blog sites that have extended a nomination on my awards page. Maybe it will bring you a few visits! All the best to you!

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    1. Thank you for the nomination, I am honored! I have decided to not accept awards but have made a list blog sites that have extended a nomination on my awards page. Maybe it will bring you a few visits! All the best to you!

      Reply

    1. Thank you for the nomination, I am honored! I have decided to not accept awards but have made a list blog sites that have extended a nomination on my awards page. Maybe it will bring you a few visits! All the best to you!

      Reply

    1. Thank you for the nomination, I am honored! I have decided to not accept awards but have made a list blog sites that have extended a nomination on my awards page. Maybe it will bring you a few visits! All the best to you!

      Reply

    1. Thank you for the nice compliment. Celebrations are the highlights in life but there is a beauty in everyday life as well. I feel that my blog and camera help me to stop and notice the little pleasures. All the best to you, thank you for commenting!

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    1. Thank you so much Irena! I really appreciate the nomination 🙂 You have a very wonderful blog yourself…I love your photography! I add your link to my Awards page and maybe someone will find their way to your blog! All the best to you!

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    1. I really appreciate the nomination Chef Randall, thank you so much for it! I have decided to not accept awards…there are so many excellent blogs out there that deciding which ones make the list seems like a hard job! I will add a link to blog on my awards page and maybe someone will find their way to your very versatile blog! All the best to you!

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    1. Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! I’ll add the link to your blog onto my Awards page and hopefully someone will make their way over to your interesting blog 🙂

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  24. Hi Laila!
    I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award! You don’t have to do anything at all with this – personally, I’m only nominating one blog per award – and you’re it! It’s just so much work, although I am always honored by these nominations.
    here is the link: http://chefmimiblog.com/2013/04/05/awards/
    I truly love your blog and your photos. Keep up the great work!
    Mimi

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  25. Laila, how have your projects been doing?
    You followed my blog Savor the Food here on WordPress. I have a new blog now, Fun with Food (www.savorthefood.com/blog ). I started my own web site. I would like to invite you to view my site and blog and support us there as well.

    I am glad I found your site again as well. I always did like your food creations!! “)

    Randall
    http://www.savorthefood.com

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  26. I’ve been reading Tables of Colors for a few weeks, but this is the first time I’ve clicked on the About page. It’s fun to learn a little more about you and this blog. I also really enjoy re-discovering the simpler foods and ingredients that people once ate.

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  29. I am so enamored of your blog. Beautiful. I am so impressed with your work and thankful you stopped by mine and for the “follow”. I’m very inspired by your photographs and prose.

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    1. Thank you so much for the nomination, you are so kind! I really appreciate it! I will place you blog link on my awards page…maybe someone will find their way to your great blog!

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  35. What a fabulous life! And I love that you are bringing inspiration from your grandmother and stepping back for ingredients that might be overlooked.

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  39. What a great job! Finland is a wonderful country, you lucky duck! Thank you for sharing. Another person who inspires me to greatness. PLEASE KEEP BLOGGING!

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  40. Good to hear that Finland is going organic. Here in southern Germany that’s true as well, and it makes buying produce – and going out to eat – a pleasure. More and more restaurants source locally. Your job sounds fascinating – and fun! —Jadi

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  43. Pingback: Meal of the Moment minus the Moose | silkannthreades

  44. Hi Laila, I’ve just discovered your blog courtesy of Tracy’s blogging party! I’m loving the delicious recipes on your blog. I’m also from Minnesota, I grew up in Woodbury but now I live in Michigan with my fiance. I’m looking forward to more inspiration from the lovely recipes on your blog!

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  48. Beautiful blog, wonderful stories and memories, and delicious looking food. I’m so glad I discovered your site through Fiesta Friday, I’ll look forward to your future posts!

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    1. Thank you Nancy! So fun to have met you through Fiesta Friday. I was exploring your blog and noticed that you live in Detroit! I will be visiting my sister there later this spring…can’t wait to get introduced to your home city! 🙂

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      1. Wonderful! I hope you’ll be spending enough time in the area to really explore and see all that it offers! And I hope it’s late enough in Spring that all the snow is gone;)

  49. Hello Laila! Just discovered your blog; love your photography and stories. I’m looking forward to your new recipes and Finland’s photos 🙂

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  50. Love your blog…I came across after reading another blog cityhippyfarmgirl where you commented. ..yes quite often the old fashioned ways like your foray into your grandmother’s recipes is a wonderful way to rediscover the simple joys of the everyday …my sentiments too.
    Greetings from Sydney Australia
    Keep up your fabulous blog and it’s beautiful spirit.
    http://www.Alexa-asimplelife.com

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