Do good and be well

Bye bye...

2011-12-27T00:07:00.003+01:00

...and see you soon, I hope, at my new blog Sömsmånen. I'm leaving the brooding behind and start anew with things that might inspire you. Welcome!

Sömsmånen will be in Swedish. I know that I'll feel more comfortable that way, or at least I think so. You know, you can always translate... Or get back to me.

Sömsmånen is the Swedish word for "sewing allowance". Only in my language it's a combination of the words for sewing and moon. Pretty, huh?

You may have given up...

2011-12-05T11:44:00.003+01:00

..or never have bothered at all. Here I go again.

Hoping that you all are well and that love is with you, in any form and any way. Quoting the great philosopher Burt Bacharach "that's the only thing there's just too little of ".

Heart Hjärta Corazon Coeur

2011-02-13T20:44:00.002+01:00

I had some trouble with embedding the clip from youtube in the previous post. The internet kept closing down as soon as I pasted the clip. So, anyway, I meant to say that I worry a lot but I recognise the growth that is taking place. And the liberation, and I so cherish that. I grow too, as a mum, having one of my children in another continent.
How are the words continent and incontinent related, I wonder?
Have a happy Valentine's day tomorrow, by the way!

Down in Africa...

2011-02-13T20:27:00.004+01:00

...is where my daughter's at. And my camera too. She's visiting Uganda with her school as part of a project concerning water supply and AIDS prevention. Yeah, serious stuff.

Here she's crossing the equator, the first in the family since her dad in 1964. Ylva is the tall girl in the back with sun glasses.

I'm proud. And I do worry.

Reading

2011-02-08T13:04:00.007+01:00

Gee, I almost fell off the chair - 8 comments and it's almost a year since I last posted! Then I realized Eleanor on her own made 3 comments ... But still! Thanks a million for the affection I feel from you all.

This is a fantastic book, I just finished it:

Or, actually, this is the book I read:

I bet I'm the last one to read it so this is probably overkill - but read it!!

I also read this book since we last met:

The Swedish title is - hold on - "Niceville". So weird you just don't get it. But read this one too.

Yes, I'm posting this so I can use pictures I didn't take myself. We still have a camera situation here. The one I use is actually on it's way to Uganda, Africa. More about that next time!

Ok, I've been gone...

2011-02-06T21:08:00.003+01:00

...so long that I really don't expect anyone to visit any more. But - I often read your blogs (and yours too) and I feel kinda bad for sneaking around. It's like I don't allow myself to comment when I don't update my own posts. So. In order to feel better about myself and - most importantly - because I miss you all, I will post again.

I'm not going to try to explain why I stopped. Let's just leave it to the fact that I had a huge credability crisis on my own.

I'm much the same, though. Shorter hair. An invisibly wee bit older. Waiting for a new pair of intellectual (mid life crisis?) glasses to arrive. Picture from the optic store.
Like most women in Sweden I have a full-time job. This has for a long time been a stressor to me. Not the hours as much as the identity it supposedly gives me. My job is not as creative as I would've wanted but this is, for many reasons the one I've got. I used to teach but I got a bit bored of the politics in education so I quit. That was a bit more creative than my current occupation, but that didn't help much.
This hasn't been a big problem but I've felt a bit limited because people seem to judge who you are from how you make your money. But suddenly last weekend in a conversation with friends, Johan said "but you don't have to answer a question about what you do with how you make your living. If someone ask you what you do, or what your work is, you are allowed to answer with 'poetry, changing the world, raising kids or travelling' or whatever you want". How true.
This has led me to phrase all sorts of interesting and true work that I do.
So I:
¤ make a difference - world improver
¤ raise four kids - improvisional artist as well as councellor of career and matters of the heart
¤ try to recycle as much as I can - environmental activist
¤ figure out at least one novel plot a day - visionary author
¤ have a nice and clear soprano voice - singer
¤ make my best dinners when there really isn't anything in the fridge - chef
¤ put textile items together - textile artist

The list could go on. It's not hybris. It's a question af definition, more like "because I say so..."

God. I've missed this. What do you do?

Ever heard of Davy Crocket?

2010-04-05T18:28:00.002+02:00

I spent today with my Mr Hellyle's sister and her family. And their cat.

Happy Easter - Glad påsk

2010-04-03T09:48:00.001+02:00

La dolce vita

2010-03-31T17:51:00.004+02:00

I've been celebrating my brother's 50th birthday. He is the successful one in our family so the party was held at a fancy spa on the west coast. With photo restrictions which I find very appropriate. I would not like to think I'mk in somebody's blog or family album - wearing a swim suit and a funny face.

This is part of the view from the place:

I can't believe people actually go sailing in conditons like these, 4 degrees C in the water and 3 degrees C in the air - and a brisk west wind.

And this is part of the interior.

This is another kind of celebration;

The snow is gone (nearly) and the creek is overflowing. And today as I went lunching with Jeanette I wore these boots. So spring is actually here - cheers!

Gggrrr - self control...

2010-03-23T21:18:00.004+01:00

Do you remember? A very sweet daughter, whom I love very very much and would do anything to see smile, dropped my camera in a lake one sunny summer day 2008 and it affected my blogging severly. Last Friday bad luck struck again - the camera is broken in the same pair of hands. Unintentially, I know, but still...broken.

Therefore, an old picture. Isn't it amazing what a tan and a new set of eyes can do??

I'll save the world. Check the last link...

2010-03-08T18:38:00.005+01:00

I've been doing some spinning. Jag har spunnit lite, 3 hg garn hänger på utvridning i tvättstugan. När man har entyrådigt garn beter det sig ibland som en telefonsladd (minns ni?) så man kan behöva räta ut i härvaor med tyngder på.

This is why I need a spinning wheel. Ni ser ju att jag behöver en spinnrock.

Jag har sytt ett kollegieboksfodral av lite gammalt manchestertyg. Jag fick idén från petalplum men jag har långt kvar till hennes skicklighet. Och sen sydde jag på gamla virkade dukar.

I've made a note book cover from som courderoy leftovers. I got the idea from petalplum but I'm far from her superb skill. And then I attached little crocheted what's-their-names on the front.

Detta är väl jättekul? Om inte helt nytt...

Isn't this fun? Check me out, the Swedish heroine...

Love and peace

2010-03-05T20:40:00.001+01:00

Let me wish you a peaceful weekend with the help of the divine Miss M - and the equally divine Mr Gabriel. Be well!

A Swedish post about spinning wheels...Sorry

2010-03-03T20:58:00.004+01:00

Finns det någon därute som vet hur man kommer över en fungerande spinnrock? Några tips? Vad ska man titta efter? Hur känner man igen en bra spinnrock?

Detta är alltså inte min spinnrock, men jag drömmer. Kanske har du en i garaget som bara ger dåligt samvete.? Jag vill inte lägga pengar på en ny. Det är så mycket roligare med en som varit med ett tag, eller hur.

Sorry, friends, I'm asking my fellow country women for guidance in finding a good spinning wheel. Feel free to contribute with your experiences and expertise!

Travailler- work - arbeta

2010-03-03T20:00:00.003+01:00

De här byxorna är franska och kommer från La laboureur (Arbetaren/hantverkaren). Jag tycker de är urfina. De har hur mycket genuina kläder som helst. Som vanligt är min inneboende känsla för kvalitet och estetik inte synkad med mina ekonomiska förutsättningar...

These pants are from the French La laboreur (the Worker/craftsman). I think they're terrific. This website is in Swedish but I'm pretty sure you can google them easily. As always, my innate sense of quality and style is not synchronized with my economical standard...

Jag föreställer mig att jag lätt skulle kunna mura ihop en fast utegrill i trädgården iförd ett par såna här byxor.

Winter season - or do you believe in spring??

2010-03-01T18:55:00.006+01:00

Det är inte rimfrost i håret. Det är jag som har slutat färga det... That's not frost in my hair. I've quit dying it.

En liten hälsning från landet.

Underbart att kunna gå på tur bara 10 mil hemifrån. Vi hade det toppenbra, eldade brasa, stickade (mest jag...), läste och lyssnade på OS på radion. Semester, kort sagt.

Nyttigt för alla att inte vara uppkopplade och att vara utan TV.

We had a great time. Sat by the open fire place, knitting (that'd be me..) reading and listening to the Olympic games on the radio. Good for everyone not to be online and to be without the TV.

Det tog ett tag att skotta fram huset...

It took a while to get through the snow to open the door.

När vi väl kom in första dagen var det bara 4 grader inomhus så Olle åt korv och makaroner i pappas dunjacka. Stoja tyckte det var för kallt att ligga ner!

Once we got in the first day it was only 4 degrees Celsius inside. Olle had his macaronis and sausage in dad's down jacket. Stoja thought it too cold to lie down!

Holiday

2010-02-23T10:21:00.001+01:00

I'm off for a few days. Going skiing! Be well.

Nu tar jag skidsemester! Ha det bra.

Walk a mile in my shoes

2010-02-19T17:48:00.003+01:00

Dreaming of another season... Still, enjoying the first cool and white and looong winter we've had for years.

Drömmer om annan årstid... Fast njuter ändå av vår första kalla, vita riktiga vinter på många år.

2010-02-18T20:05:00.002+01:00

I had a great evening with Jeanette and the girls. Food, wine, knitting and talking. Plus the unexpectedness of the electricity going out and leaving us in the soft lights of candles and the shouting between Mr Helylle and daughters checking what rooms possibly still had lights on. The electricity guy came and quickly discovered the fault. He had the goodness to pretend the error was outside and not in the house, which saved us 3000:- ($400, 439A$, €295). Talk about right man at the job, at least from our perspective.

Jag hade en toppenkväll med Jeanette och de andra tjejerna. Mat, vin, stickning och prat. Plus det oväntade strömavbrottet som lät oss sitta i det milda stearinljuset endast avbrutna av hojtandet mellan Herr Helylle och döttrarna som sprang runt i huset och kollade vilka lampor som fortfarande lyste. Elkillen kom och upptäckte snabbt felet. Han hade godheten att låtsas att felet inte låg hos oss men utanför huset vilket besparade oss 3000:-. Snacka om att ha rätt kille på rätt plats, i alla fall ur vår synvinkel.

All hjärtans dag - Valentine's day

2010-02-14T14:47:00.003+01:00

I gave myself a theme. Hearts, naturally. I had a hard time finding then around my house, till I entered my youngest daughter's room. Abundance. Not all photos taken there, though.

Jag gav mig själv ett tema. Hjärtan, så klart. Jag hade lite svårt att hitta dem runtom i huset, tills jag kom till yngsta dotterns rum. Överflöd. Fast alla bilder är inte tagna där.

All you need is love. And it, actually, is all around....

LOVE

2010-02-13T10:38:00.006+01:00

A woman sits in a meeting, listening to smart people's thoughts about the nearest furure depending on greater or smaller fundings. Her mobile is on buzz so she can peek at it discretely to see if anyone from the outside world needs her.

She is yawning, discretely too.

Suddenly a buzz from the phone. She frowns, that's the longest serie of digits she has ever seen. Obviously there's something wrong with the phone.

Meeting continues.

Another buzz. Same strange numbers.

Meeting is over. Back to her office.

Oh, one new message. An unknown voice - in English..?

"Hi, is this Anna? I like the sound of your voice on the answering machine. By the way, this is Eleanor..."

Woman (me) sits down on her chair - totally amazed, thrilled, bewildered and so, so filled with warmth.

Listens again. Yes, it's true. Eleanor has called from Australia one Wednesday evening, just to see if I'm OK and to let me know that she misses me.

I call back at once. First a strange noice and disconnection, Yeah, most likely the company phone won't allow loooong distance calls. Naturally I try again. Another kind of signal and suddenly a young, kind voice answers and I ask "Is this Eleanor?" "Ooooh, Mum!!!" Noises and then, there she is.

A wonderful woman who you all know to have a heart that knows no boundaries. With the greatest concern for others, combined with a warm curiosity for all sorts of things and all sorts of people.(What other non-crafter would go to a craft fair just to see how it works and meet people who do craft??) Of course she called me. Where the thought crossed my mind from time to time (especially with you, Mary from the Blue Mountains, during the harsh times) I never got any further.

We chat - hurriedly, what is the cost of a call like this, will the accountants notice that I used the phone??

I swam in love all that day.

First I called the one person I knew would recognize the feeling, Jeanette of Handmade. Then I called home and learned that Eleanor had talked to Siri, 19 too. Siri was equally thrilled and know wants to go to Australia instead of somewhere closer...

Anyway, this call made my day. And much more.

Love to you all.

Stuff that we do. Sånt som vi gör.

2009-11-27T20:39:00.002+01:00

Skriver till Bolibompa. Writing to the children's television.
Tänjer på origamikonsten till det yttersta. Stretching the art of origami to the bounderies.
Bygger koja. Building a house.
Övar inför jullovets cirkusnummer. Kolla, kolla, det är min kortkofta i Norogarn, Kureyon. Bra att ha ifall vi åker på turné till Japan. Då blir de allt imponerade!
Practising circus acts for the upcoming Christmas holidays. Behold my short cardigan in Noro Kureyon. Good to have if we go on tour to Japan. That'll impress the Japanese!

Black - Svart

2009-11-22T17:58:00.004+01:00

Jodå, jag har visst svart ibland. Det är en skön färg som slätar ut och inte ställer krav. Det var längesen jag la ut en helfigur, förresten.
Yes, I do wear black sometimes. It's a comfy colour that soothes and doesn't make demands. It was a long time ago since I posted a full figure photo, by the way.

A walk by the sea - strandpromenad

2009-11-13T18:04:00.002+01:00

Skåne är antagligen som värst så här års, grått, disigt, blåsigt och eländigt. För mig som inte är född här innebär november en stor vånda - kommer det att bli kallt och vintrigt till advent?? Hoppas, hoppas. Fast man kan ju inte sitta inomhus ändå.
The southern part of Sweden, Skåne, is probably at it's worst this time of year, grey, misty, windy and miserable. For me, who's not from these parts originally, November is one long agony - will it be cold and wintry by advent?? Hoping desperately. No reason to stay indoors though.

Tänk er att gå ut med fiskebåt en sån här dag. Imaging going fishing a day like this.

Fjärran från sommarens turisthorder. Far from the tourist masses of summer.

What day is it for you?

2009-11-08T18:41:00.002+01:00

Jag har inte haft huckle på länge men faktum är att det värmer gott när tmperaturen sjunker. Jag känner mig lite för gammal för att ha mössa inomhus. Ser ni att jag har clementiner hemma nu (i handen på bilden, faktiskt!)? Jag gnällde ju lite över det för ett tag sen.

I haven't used a cloth in a long time but it's actually warming when the temperature is sinking. And I feel I'm too old to wear a cap indoors. See, I've got clementines at home (in my hand in the photo!). I was whining about that a few posts ago.

Jag har virkat lite på sista tiden. Detta är lingarn som har stärkts med trälim - för lite trälim visar det sig för den mjuknar lite.

I've been crocheting a little lately. This is flaxen yarn that I starched with glue you use for wood - not enough glue it turns out because it's getting a little soft.

Jag stickar också så klart. En luvtröja till lillkillen. Det började som en väst men efter ett par dagar kom Olle på att han nog egentligen ville ha en "sån där väst med ärmar". En tröja. Sen kom jag på att det vore käckt med luva också. Vi får se. Jag har ju som vanligt inget mönster...

Naturally I'm knitting too. A hooded sweater for the little man. It started out as a waistcoat but after a few days Olle found out that he really wanted "a waistcoat with arms". A sweater. And then I thought that a hood would be nice. We'll see. As ususal I have no description.

Vad är det för dag? Skriva-snyggt-dagen för den lille sonen.

What day is it? It's well-writing-day for the little son. But actually it's Father's day over here.

Smash-and-grab.

2009-11-07T18:52:00.005+01:00

Kommer ni ihåg den underbara väskan jag fick av min mamma i påskpresent? Den finns inte mer. Inte hos mig i alla fall. I går eftermiddag medan jag var inne i ett konditori för att köpa Gustav Adolfsbakelser (gissa om jag ångrar mig!!) slog någon sönder bilrutan och nappade åt sig väskan och min jobbryggsäck. Nu saknar jag mina jobbpapper, skinnhandskar, nystickad mohairsjal, min kalender - arrrgh- min sminkväska och... jag vet faktiskt inte riktigt, jag kommer hela tiden på småsaker, extranyckeln till mamma, ett par guldörhängen i sminkväskan som jag skulle lämna in på lagning. Suck. Fast idag fnissar jag lite åt den kvinnliga polisen som sa att kvinnor alltid underskattar värdet på det de har i sminkväskan. Det stämmer nog.

I was robbed yesterday , someone smashed the car window and stole my shoulderbag - the one I got from my Mother last Easter - and all my work papers and calender. And all my make up. I keep remembering things I had in my bag, like the golden earrings I was going to hand in for repair. I was only away for a few minutes and I parked in a quiet street . Sigh.
Today I was giggling a little (a little, mind you) over the police woman who said women always underestimate the value of their make-up. Probably true.

A walk in the forest - skogspromenad

2009-11-01T12:17:00.003+01:00

A walk in the woods. Quiet, still and a constant hollering of children finding mushroom, moss covered stones in troll shapes and - ?? What is this??

We saw the golden shining reflections from far away and made our way through the underwood.

Some kind of balloons??

Yes indeed, a whole bunch of balloons for Mother's day - which is in May... We also found the biggest mushrooms I have ever seen!! Is it edible? Poisonous? No idea, but it sure was impressive.

Mess and colour - stök och färg

2009-10-28T15:50:00.004+01:00

Over at A common place life you can read a post about sharing the real - real life. I think I always have, some of you remember the messy mirrors, unmade beds and other unwomanly sights I've shared with you.

But, I have to confess I never post a picture of myself that I find unkind and unflattering... That's ok by me. And I bet those of you posing to post do the same!?

But in order to stay true to myself I've found it helpful to stay within the range of probability- or running in to other bloggers would be embarrassing (you know I found out that Jeanette at Handmade lives across the park from me).

So here it comes:

Late October is grey and dark. I do my best to bring colour to people I meet. I turned it up a notch - behold the Tizian red! (Yes, I make as much fuss about my hair as ever before - I just spare you the details.)

Speaking of colours, this is my closet. The mess below is real too. The little man is away with his father for a few days and since I don't have to rush in to his room when he has a nightmare I don't worry about the lego on the floor. The pain of stepping on a piece of lego with sleepy feet is close to that of a biliary colic (that's my new word for today = gallstensanfall!)

2009-10-26T19:49:00.003+01:00

No, I was all wrong in my last post. It wasn't glamour I needed, it was a good old night in with different projects going on and lots of tea and cookies. I got it and now I'm human again.

tisdag - tristdag

2009-10-20T20:04:00.002+02:00

Some days just don't lift. They stay at ankle height and just work their way down. Today was like that to me. No clementines left, one week to pay day, dog hair everywhere, dishes and brain killing drama for teenagers on TV. But do I complain? Yes. Bring me some glamour. Quick.

En del dagar lyfter inte. De håller sig i ankelhöjd och jobbar sig nedåt. Så var det för mig idag. Inga clementiner kvar, en vecka till lön, hundhår överallt, disk och hjärndöd tonårsdrama på TV. Men klagar jag? Japp. Ge mig lite glamour. Snabbt.

Tabi socks and tea

2009-10-19T19:27:00.005+02:00

I bought a pair of Japanese Nike sneakers. That was in July so I had plenty of time to finish the tabi-socks in alpacca. Now I'm warm and cosy, bring on the autumn storms! I'm also armed with incredibly delicious saffron tea so there's no stopping me now.

Update

2009-10-16T10:18:00.005+02:00

If you're paying attention you can hear the cranes passing over the city, hovering high up in the air. I consider them my birds but this time every year I realize they belong somewhere else too. beautiful birds. The japanese think so too.

Since it's been a while I'm updating my personal info through the help of Alexis.

The thing is to answer in one word - just one.

1. Where is your mobile phone? Bra

2. Your hair? Short

3.Your mother? Intense

4. Your father? Dead

5. Your favourite food? Müsli

6. Your dream last night? Forgot

7. Your favourite drink? Gin&tonic

8. Your dream/goal? Peace

9. What room are you in? Office (!)

10. Your hobby? Living

11. Your fear?Loss

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? San Fransisco

13. Where were you last night? Choir rehearsal

14. Something that you aren’t? Quiet

15. Muffins? Blueberry

16. Wish item? Sewing machine

17. Where did you grow up? Vänersborg

18. Last thing you did? Staffmeeting

19. What are you wearing? Sneakers

20. Your TV? Ignored

21. Your pet? Kids

22. Friends? Few

23. Your life? Rewarding

24. Your mood? Relaxed

25. Missing someone? Grandma

26. Vehicle? Minivan

27. Something you’re not wearing? Ladylike

28. Your favorite store? Myrorna

29. Your favorite color? Green

30. When was the last time you laughed? Today

31. Last time you cried? Forgotten

32. Your best friend? Husband

33. One place that I go to over and over? Österlen

34. One person who emails me regularly? Boss

35. Favorite place to eat? Home

And I'd like to add:
36. Tattoo? Lizard

37. Work disciplin? Mostly

38. Why do you blog? Share
39. Skill you wish you had? Cartwheeling

40. Favorite trait in others? Tolerance
Play along, if you like!

Höst och återkomst - Autumn and return

2009-10-15T19:16:00.005+02:00

Kära, kära vänner.

Jag har egentligen inte haft något särskilt för mig sedan sist, jag har bara levt livet, vardagslivet utan större åthävor. Ibland är det tillräckligt. Det finns några djupsinnigheter jag tänkt ut som jag nog delger er så småningom. Just nu är jag bara tacksam om någon av er är kvar där ute.

Dear, dear friends.

I haven't really been up to anything special since my last post. I've just been living my life, an ordinary life without any fuss. Sometimes that's enough. I have some profound thoughts I'll probably share with you ecentually. For now, I'm just gratful if anyone is still out there.

You'd never have guessed...

2009-08-16T12:22:00.004+02:00

A couple of nights ago I met with Jeanette and Monne to craft and chat (and eat and drink). Jeanette explained to me how the linking to other's older posts work - which would've made my last post quite different because I would've guided you to the posts I was referring to (are you following??).

Jeanette: You just click on the headline of the post you want to link to.

Me: ??

Jeanette: Yeah, and then you copy and paste.

A big slamming sound fills the room and a light appears - Anna is getting the concept.

Me: You mean that's why the headlines are underlined? To show that they are clickable?

Jeanette nods in astonishment over the abyss of no-nothing I reveal.

Me: I just thought that was for decoration and to emphasize the headlines...

Monne: More wine, anyone?

Loose ends and oddities - philosophing over the state of things

2009-08-12T15:34:00.005+02:00

A smile for those of you who are still out there.
My head is full of posts I've read over at various blogs, i.e Eleanor's post sometime ago, about jeans. Or the impossibility to find comfortable jeans. I love baggy jeans but I'm very concerned about my butt in them and never am quite relaxed. I still hope to find the perfect fit and the perfect hue of denim. I wonder why I don't stop chasing the perfect pair, because deep down I know there is no such thing.

Ett litet leende till er som är kvar.
Jag har huvudet fullt av saker jag läst på olika bloggar, bl a Eleanors inlägg om det omöjliga i att hitta sköna jeans. Jag älskar säckiga jeans men kan inte slappna av angående min rumpa. Jag hoppas fortfarande hitta det perfekta paret - fast jag vet att det inte existerar.

I read another post at Anna Stilla about the glorious shape of Venus of Willendorf and thought a little about the possibility that they ( women of the Stone Age) held this as an unreachable ideal, because seriously, we've all heard of the Neolithic diet, right? No way they could have looked like that. But she's really cute.
Jag läste ett annat inlägg hos Anna Stilla om Venus från Willendorfs sköna form. Jag tänkte lite att det kanske var ett ouppnåeligt ideal för dem, för inte kunde de se ut så där med den mathållningen? Stenåldersdiet är ju inget man blir fet av, precis. Men söt är hon.

I've also been thinking a lot about the economic crisis. Or the lack of evidence of it. Shopping in Sweden reached new heights during July. People spent 18 % more money on clothes and shoes this summer than they did last July.
Do we consume to quiet the anxiety over the crisis? Or take our responisibility as citizens and shop as much as we can to make the wheels keep turning?
I read somewhere that if you can make a cup of coffe, take a shower and have butter at home you belong to the absolute upper class of this planet.

Jag har också tänkt en del på den ekonomiska krisen. Eller brist på bevis för den. I juni slog detaljförsäljningen nya rekord. Svenskarna handlade skor och kläder för 18% mer än förra året samma månad. Shoppar man för att glömma krisen? Eller vill man bidra till att hjulen snurrar vidare?
Jag läste någonstans att om man kan göra en kopp kaffe, ta en dusch och har smör hemma tillhör man världens absoluta överklass.
What do I do with my lust to consume things? Try to buy as much second hand as I can, which really isn't hard in a city like Malmö - and also used clothes for instance doesn't have that uncomfortable stiffness that new clothes often have. Best thing of course is to hug or kiss someone instead of shopping. Or blog.
Or do it yourself, but I don't have to tell you that!

Vad gör jag med min lust att konsumera? Föröker köpa så mycket begagnat som möjligt, vilket inte är svårt i en stad som Malmö. Och dessutom är second hand kläder mycket skönare än nya. Bäst att pussa och krama någon i stället för att shoppa. Eller blogga. Eller tillverka själv. Men det behöver jag ju inte tala om för er!

2009-07-21T17:07:00.002+02:00

Yes, we've come a long way this week. Well, not we, Siri has. She got caught in origami frenzy last week, folding cranes and frogs. A giant leap to, yes, you're correct; it's Yoda. My photo doesn't do him justice. He's got little fingers and a neat little cape. My biggest frenzy, as always, is shoes. I found these at a church thrift store for less than £10. They're genuine Earth Shoes, originally from Denmark and usually come at the proce of £80. I'm extremely pleased, comfortable and pretty as they are.

All of me!

I've made a little hanger for my necklaces of an old school ruler. I made some of the necklaces too, come to think of it!

I'm here. With you.

2009-07-20T23:41:00.004+02:00

Tonight I feel very emotional. And present in the world. Why? I don't know. Sometimes you just hit a philosophical inner string and it keeps sounding.

You know the feeling you get when travelling on a train? You pass through the middle of little towns - instead of riding on the highway around them. If you're lucky you get all sorts of glimpses from ordinary people's ordinary lives. (I know, I know "what's ordinary anyway??")

I love that feeling of participation and coherence. We're all in this together-kinda-feeling. Blogging does that for me, too. I've been browsing and visiting new acquaintances and old friends. I know it's the walk-on-the-moon-anniversary tonight but that doesn't really impress me.

The fact that so many of us share and give so much, quite philantropically and unselfishly (though it really doesn't matter why you give, actions count!), impress me. That we as humans continue to try to make good without knowing for certain that we'll ever get anything in return.

Sending you lots of love and thankfulness for sharing this experience of living, blogging, sharing and giving with me.

I'm giving you Muminmamman as an illustration to the wonder of loving and giving.

Royal Danish + Delft + TV nostalgia

2009-07-18T21:21:00.004+02:00

The quilt is ready. I will never show a close-up of it because I'm not a meticulous person, I'm afraid. Fast-and-finished is more me. And really, who'd examine those seams anyway? Just thought I'd spare you the sight of them...
Feeling a little like two odd pieces of china in this outfit. But good china.
Mitt lapptäcke är färdigrenoverat. Jag kommer aldrig att visa någon närbild för jag är ingen noggrann person, tyvärr. Sömmarna är sneda och ojämna men helhetsintrycket är skönt, tycker jag. Kjolen och toppen får mig att känna mig som två delar udda porslin. Fast fint porslin, så klart!
In the early 70s there was a TV series called Familjen Ashton or Family at War in English. In those days there only were two channels to watch in Sweden so we all watched the same things (kommer ni ihåg??). Anyway, me, mom and grandma watched it together with immense interest.

Earlier this week Mr Helylle came home from the library with the first season on DVD. I frowned and declared that time had left it's mark on it and that there was no way it could be worth seeing after all this time. Boy, was I wrong! We watched the first 6 episodes last night and as I'm blogging I'm really just waiting for Mr Helylle to put sunshine boy to bed so we can continue....
Maken lånade DVD:n med första säsongen på bibblan. Jag trodde aldrig att det skulle hålla at titta på men det har faktiskt åldrats helt okej. Och 40-tals estetik är sällan fel, vilka kappor de har, damerna.

Meanwhile, enjoy this.

Jösses, det är stark töntvarning över detta inlägg. Men visst är det härligt med nostalgi?

2009-07-16T07:16:00.003+02:00

This is over at Jeanette's place the other evening. Read over at her blog how we met - it's truly wondrous. We had a great night, together with the lovely Monne (back to camera). Good food, cool wine, clever crafting and lots of laughs. Jeanette is making brooches out of tin jars. No material is strange to her, she masters it all from wool to wire. She also masters two houses, two daughters, two cats, one full time job and still makes you feel like you're the most interesting thing that happened to her today.

I'm wearing my new jeans jacket. Summer sale. I haven't had one in 20 years but suddenly felt the urge to purchase one. Does it have to be a middle age crisis? Let's just say I love it.

We've been invaded by a bunch of origami birds. Oldest Miss Helylle has been manic about them. Colouring papres by hand, folding and folding and folding and...

2009-07-12T21:03:00.002+02:00

I've had a couple of weeks off. Wonderful days with the kids in a country house has given me so much joy and love, I feel absolutely recharged.
No, dear people, I'm not loosing it. Just relaxing. Or truthfully, competing over the extra giving of whipped cream to go with the strawberries... Ugliest face won. Wasn't me!
Can you feel the weather? Very warm, no wind, thunder clouds over the horizon and a kind of sticky feeling in the air? Soap bubbles saved that afternoon when we didn't go to the beach and didn't have the energy to play badminton or croquet or card.

Very Scandinavian evenings. Magical stillness and dancing fairies in the meadows...

Never in my life have I seen - and picked - so many wild strawberries as I did one fine day in June. I can't imagine feeling richer than this. Eating something that money just can't buy.

20th of June

2009-06-20T17:37:00.003+02:00

Strawberries and sweet cherry wine is the ultimate taste of summer.

I had a great time last night. In Sweden Midsummer's Eve is a big thing (although since 1954 celebrated on the last Friday before 24th of June and not on the actual day) and your success can be measured in how fancy, genuine and elaborate parties you're invited to.
We stayed at home. Barbecue, wine and a game of card. Oldest and youngest children took part, the rest on their own events.

My very modest project, the remaking of an old quilt. A lot of seams have ripped open and it's too heavy to use. So washing, sewing, mending and lining is required and then, hopefully a cosy, snuggly quilt will make it's way back to the (ugly) sofa in the "library".

For many years, a mature, adult and responsible person, to me was someone who didn't have some old fabric wrapped over their sofa in the living room. This being a result, of course, of the fact that I never wanted to spend (or didn't have) money to purchase a decent sofa.

Creative process

2009-06-18T21:26:00.003+02:00

Isn't this beautiful?? Thanks to peasoup, found it at her blog.

Take a look at this too. Beautiful, too. Nature's nursery, in this case a blåmes at home. (Sorry , look it up in a preferred language!) Tack till Anna Stilla, du skrev om detta för en tid sen.

Wishing you a happy midsummer's weekend!

2009-06-18T07:28:00.003+02:00

Knitting? No. Sewing? No. Blogging? No. Reading your blogs? Yes. Commenting? Not much. In need of a vacation? Yeah.
I have been in a better mood - but also I think in worse. I just don't seem to see any colours, or something like that.
My companion is the trilogy (quadruple?) about Edward and Bella, you know the Twilight series. Don't you wish you had super natural powers too?
If I'm scarce at this sight, it doesn't mean I don't looove your comments and enjoy your company!

A good time

2009-06-07T20:42:00.004+02:00

Här har jag varit. Hos min bror och hans familj på västkusten. Skönt att komma från stan ett tag.

This is where I've been. At my brother's up further north by the coast. Great to get out of town for a while.

Listening is an act of love

2009-05-26T17:55:00.004+02:00

Some time ago (in March, actually..ahem) I won a give away at A common place life. The gift was the book Listening is an act of love from the Storycorps project. It's a wonderful book. I have deliberately read it as slow as possible, wanting it to last but also to let the stories sink in. The concept is to bring someone you love, is curious about, admire, is related to or work with - whatever - into a recording booth and listen as they tell their story. It can be about anything, really, answering a question or just remembering childhood or the the day you met your spouse (as in one story; 60 years ago in another world entirely). The honesty and openness of these stories is amazing.

Storycorps makes a recording, copy it, you get one and they keep the other one as part of a great American collection for the future. Imagine people two hundred years from now listening to stories about ordinary life! Or imagine how it would feel like to be able to listen to somebody from 1809 describing the meaning of life...

I loved the book and it made me feel deeply for the human race, how we struggle in our lives, trying to make sense of the world we live in. And humble, too. Thank you so much, Amy!

A study in rain protection - and the colouring of females

2009-05-24T12:38:00.007+02:00

Saturday started out on a planter's market. For me - the least plant interested person in this marriage- it became an interesting hour or so of observing women's outfits an ordinary rainy day in May. Most of the men seemed to wear jackets without concerns of the weather. Is that typical? As you can see raincoats come in all colours and patterns - which I imagine women kinda lova. Men more often seem to think colours are for sissies, at least for the last couple of hundred years.

But if you're insecure you can always team up with your wife.

Hang your herbs ouside the window! Or close to the kitchen door.

Me and the doggie. Below some of the brave and water resistent ladies at the plant market.

One of the plants that came home with us, getrams in Swedish.

Överraskning!

2009-05-21T08:01:00.004+02:00

I got a package from Australia - a much longed for surprise that I knew was on it's way because the lovely Eleanor wrote and asked for my address. She had found something, she wrote, that was made for me!A pretty card, elegant wrapping and......an übersweet felted brooch!

Meet Bernice, my latest friend from Australia! Bernice can do things with her hair that make people jealous, the law of gravity doesn't apply to her. She is best friends with Valerie, a brooch that lives at Eleanor's. I know all this because it says so on the "adoptions papers" that came along. (Valerie and Bernice met on the school bus, by the way.)
Here she is! Thank you so much, Eleanor. I shall treasure and honour the Beautiful Bernice - and try my very best never to let her slip along into the washing machine.
It took a gift to bring me in front of the mirror again. I have been avoiding it a bit, feeling a little shallow and self absorbed.

Go Norway!

2009-05-17T12:31:00.002+02:00

Congratulations Norway! Not only your National Day but also the day after your victory in the Eurovison Songcontest!

Yes, this is mostly for you, Eleanor. But also for my darling daughters who actually are half Norwegians - but not so very impressed by the artist.

Queen of laconism

2009-05-15T18:06:00.002+02:00

Wishing you a very very happy weekend. I'm fine, how are you?

Alces alces

2009-05-09T09:35:00.002+02:00

Have you ever touched an elk? Feels like nothing el(k)se.

Childhood. We carry all ages with us.

2009-05-02T19:41:00.003+02:00

If I didn't know it I'd never recognize myself. In most pictures yes, but not in this one. My blogfriend Mary did a post about childhood memories and Green girl from Wisconsin did one about childhood lessons. That kind of opened the doors for me.
When I was a little girl:
¤ I had a terry cloth bunny as my favorite pet and couldn't sleep without it.
¤ I didn't eat tomatoes because once I choked on the shell.
¤ I loved PEZ candy but they were hard to get by. Once I got three Donald Ducks from my uncle - heaven!
¤ I wanted a pair of golden sandals more than anything. Never did get any. Am severly compensating as an adult. For me, not for my daughters.
¤ I was told that Ameriva was on the other side of the island across of my grandparent's summerhouse. Never understood why we didn't go there. I do now. The Atlantic was too big for granddad's little rowing boat.
¤ I was shy around other children. Children's table at parties were a secret fear. Adults loved me and my dimple (skrattgrop).
¤ I believed I'd rather have babies than actually make them. Never worked out a solution but time did.
¤ and my father had died I looked for fathers everywhere. My favourite daydream was that Fred Astaire or Pete Seeger came and adopted me. (Or that my mom remarried to Prince Charles...) Honestly.
Looking at the images of Fred and Pete now I can see some similarity between them but no resemblance to dad. Swedish television showed a lot of classic movies on Sunday afternoons when I grew up so that explains the Fred part. About Pete Seeger I have no clue. Must have seen a TV show or something.

Anyway, if Pete had come to adopt me I'd be celebrating his 90th birthday today. Happy birthday!

An enchanted evening in Ystad.

2009-04-30T21:38:00.006+02:00

Moa and I got in the car. Our destination was Ystad, a small town 60 km from Malmö. If you've read the crime novels about, or seen chief inspector Wallander in the film by Kenneth Branagh, you're quite familiar with the place.

Driving safely through rush-hour Malmö and still smiling! A good thing about driving with a teenager in the car is that no one can get out or rush off to do something else. If the timing is right you can get a loong chat about things that go on in each other's lives. We had that kind of ride.

Passing through a quiet village as the sun slowly set.

We arrived just in time to pick up our tickets to the baroque opera "King Arthur" by Henry Purcell. Siri's school was performing and we were the proud supporting team of the most talented cellist - and the only cello player!

We also took the time to pose in front of the mirror. The theatre is from 1894 and everything is kept in original style. (I knew that dress was showing a little too much...)

Baroque opera is a bit different from opera in general, I dare say. They repeat everything a hundred times - which is a good thing if it's a catchy tune. Otherwise it can be percieved as slightly sedating.

A harvesting party. Waiting for King Arthur. (He never turns up, not in this setting anyway.)

In the end Britannia turns up, calls for St George and blesses the most bountiful island in the world. Or something like that.

All students were amazing. Some, no doubt, are looking at professional careers as singers. And cello players, perhaps? Siri to the right, about to take a bow.

It was a magic night outdoors too, sweet scents from the gardens, soft pink skies, pleasant temperature (a cardigan was enough), old pretty houses and a pale moon crescent, vaguely visible in the early summer night.

Spring - actually means "run" in Swedish

2009-04-27T20:29:00.004+02:00

Spring feelings, or rather summer feelings. It's unusually warm and summer like here. Siri made a paper cut some time ago. I put on a thread over the dining table.

Another kind of spring feeling. Lingering outdoors in the evening, all kids in one group regardless of age. They wrote "All the kids on the streets" and then all the names. More names than kids on this photo.

And then one mum had made so much apple pie, they all got a piece!

Me. Waiting for my very compulsary cup of evening rooibos tea to get ready. Of course, it's not really tea, it's weed from Africa to the puritan mind.

Speaking of nothing else, I'm reading a book about WW1, by Swedish author and historian Peter Englund. I'm stuck somewhere between here and then. All I do is compared to what I read. I guess it means it's a great book but I'm not sure I can finish it. Too ugly and horrid. But yet impossible to put away.

How're your photos with crazy head stuff coming along??

2009-04-26T10:03:00.001+02:00

2009-04-20T20:06:00.003+02:00

Yes, you can envy me my flower skirt, my thrifted necklace and my cool pose...

...and you must - like I do - adore my new shoulder bag! My mother gave it to me for Easter gift. No, we don't usually give presents at Easter, but I think she felt I needed something unnecessary and beautiful.

OK, I know it's all material things. But you know you love me for being frivolous!

Cozy woman - crazy woman?

2009-04-19T16:49:00.002+02:00

Ni tror kanske att jag helt håller på och tappar greppet - frukta icke. Jag har aldrig kunnat motstå att sätta tehuvor på huvudet. Jag bjuder på denna bild som ett uttryck för min glädje över alla era kära kommentarer. Att ni var där så kvickt fast jag varit borta så länge. Veckans utmaning blir såklart: Sätt något fåningt på huvudet, plåta, lägg ut och skyll på mig!

You might think I'm losing it completely - fear not. I've never been able to keep my self from putting tea cozies on my head. This one's for you and all your lovely comments. To think that you were there so quickly although I'd been away for so long. Challenge of the week is naturally: Put something silly on your head, snap a photo, post it and blame it all on me!

The golden chick...

2009-04-18T16:12:00.002+02:00

The new thing around here, knit very large objects and make fun of them. When you grow tired of that, put them in the washing machine for shrinkage.

A (very) late Happy Easter!
Things could be better around here. I won't - or can't - go into details, but I'm OK. My husband is not. Those of you who followed Blue Mountains Mary know something about the concept.

Honey, I shrank the bag!

2009-04-07T15:25:00.005+02:00

This is a sweet little tin button, from Norway originally. It was on my very first second-hand buy, a hand knitted cardigan a la Setesdal. I was 16, on my own in the b-i-g city of Göteborg (not big at all...) and I had seen the film Annie Hall... I don't know why, but I believed a sweater like that one would complete the style. I loved the sweater but all that remain are the buttons.

I knitted a really big bag......put it in the washing machine and out came this tiny little purse. With a cute button, at least. But it's too small.

Vernissage - opening day

2009-04-05T17:26:00.007+02:00

Last Thursday was a very important day. The creative blogger of Handmade, Jeanette opened her exhibition here in Malmö, showing felt art and photos and paper work. like the invitation said; multi media. It was marvellous! Here a close up of a felted piece with embroidery, pearls and photo. Go over to Jeanette's blog for some quality pics, this is not doing her work justice.

Young Miss Handmade and a gigantic work in paper and tin.

A wall of photos and Master Helylle. Not an enthusiastic visitor as this particular Thursday was the first warm and sunny day of spring so far. He had a zillion better alternative ways of spending a few hours of leisure...

And the lovely artist herself. Wearing a felted cape which she, and I quote "felted last night because I realized I had to wear something home made of felt as a felting artist".

It really was awesome to see this work, all at once. I'm so impressed!

Guess what? I made a dress. My sewing machine is back from hospital and purring like a very happy cat.

Lying by outfit

2009-03-26T18:29:00.003+01:00

A sporty jacket and short hair - you'd think this is sporty Anna. In fact I'm more tired than I've been in a long time. Now I've heard from clever people that a low carbonate-diet can have this effect. I've lost 8 kg and my stomach is having the time of our lives, but I feel I have to add some carbs if the fatigue (you can also suffer from difficulty to concentrate and feel a bit down apparently!?) goes on. Do you have any experience in this field??

Sometimes I gaze at other people's hands. And my own. Amazing tools, aren't they? Through work I meet a lot of persons with neuropsychiatric disabilities where the use of hands is a challenge. So many things can be done for you, like feeding, wiping, pulling, buttoning and lifting. But to touch, feel and hold...

Touch something with gratitude today!

Vårdagjämning

2009-03-20T12:10:00.003+01:00

We're taking a much needed spring break - see you in a couple of days!

Thanks...

2009-03-17T15:50:00.004+01:00

...for the sweet and appreciative comments on my last post. Especially to anonymous Eliza who I don't now at all! Come back. I wasn't really depressed yesterday more puzzled by the human nature. It's good to know I'm in such lovely gentle company here in blogland!

Yesterday I got the book I won in a give-away over at acommonplacelife. Thank you so much!It's going to be great reading about extraordinary people with extraordinary lives - just like you and me!

In a few hours I will be seeing the lovely Jeanette of handmade, an extraordinary person too.

Who do you think you are?

2009-03-16T21:35:00.003+01:00

This is a ticklish post to write. I'm worried I will end up sounding like a complaining Pamela Anderson, who just doesn't get it why men don't look into her eyes (hope you get the simile). Anyway, here goes.

I understand that colors are a tricky business. I often get comments (IRL) that I wear colors. Women (98%) sometimes sound a bit accusing but more often slightly envious. And as a rule assume that I combine my clothing to get attention.

Fact is, I get a kick out of colors and I think most people do. I'm always happy and proud to hear that I inspire or brighten someone's day. But I never plan my clothes to impress and I never consider what people might say.

This post is a result of what a woman I met through work today, said to me.

"You certainly want to get noticed, don't you. I guess if I got up half an hour earlier I could get attention too."

I was quiet. L'esprit d'escalier, if you like. This is a nice person that I trusted but obviously she thinks I'm shallow and and a show-off. I'm still wondering what I should've said.

Colours

2009-03-15T21:07:00.002+01:00

Pheow. No birthdays for a couple of months. I always wanted coloured cream on my cake when I was a kid but my mum never allowed it. "It's bad for you." I'm not that fussy with my kids.

A laser sword and a pair of laser tights.

Two successful projects

2009-03-11T21:28:00.004+01:00

Olle's definition of sudoku "you fill in the numbers real fast and it's super easy". He has heard members of the family swear over sudokus several times. If you didn't know, there are 81 squares in one sudoku. Not 82. Strange thing, he cracked the reading code (honestly, there was a popping sound) a couple of weeks ago. The day after he started counting. Everything. So now he counts the number of words he reads in one page.

Second project. My slippers. In the mossy olive green I love. Sooo easy to make, took me two days - and 45 minutes in the washing machine. They look as if they turned out in different shapes but that's just a mirage/trompe l'oeil/coincidence/not true. Seriously.

Pyssel - pottering

2009-03-09T20:05:00.004+01:00

Pyssla [pi'sslah] is the word for doing all sorts of nice things without immediate usefulness. Often, if you're a working mum, it makes you feel strongly that you don't have time for a career. So much pyssel to do, so little time... Above my very pretty pair of circular needles - from Stockholm. I'm making a shawl.

A nice very Helylle kind of green...

... is my last project, slippers; first knit and then felt in the washing machine.

This is not to pyssla. I asked them, doing homework doesn't at all feel like you never wanna quit.

In case you're wondering; it's customary to bring twigs in during Lent.

Supernatural powers (you'll need them with a sick husband..)

2009-03-07T19:30:00.008+01:00

I'm alone tonight. Not really, little Olle is watching the children's show on TV, Mr Helylle is upstairs with a near-death experience ( a little temperature and a cold) and the girls are at their dad's. In the old days this used to mean that I read a book and had supper. Nowadays it means I'm sitting in front of the computer and checking out interesting things, people, items and blogs. And devouring beans, leek and chicken.

This sloppy behaviour lead me here.

I'm the Flying Philantropist. And merciful too. Which are your hidden powers?? Check it out!

I'm also the Fearless Cutter of Hair. I served my family ice cream at noon (combine a man and a cold and you'll need special arrangemnets...) and while they were gobbling I went to the bathroom and grabbed the scissors. I don't know why, but I HATE going to the hairdresser's. And since you only see the front you may think I don't have to...

Home again - and getting crazy over the lay-out. Again, too.

2009-03-06T17:24:00.006+01:00

Hats and shoes pretty much cover it. I had a great time.

I'm home again. My flock (at least part of it) is around me. And it's Friday evening, that means Mojito time. The new thing is to make it raspberries and have cinnamon and sugar around the rim. Super wonderful, brings a promise of Summer. (Yes, you're right if you think Friday used to mean G&T in this house. Progress is everything.)

Going where the action is?

2009-03-02T20:32:00.004+01:00

Look of determination, isn't it? I'm going to Stockholm. With some collegues to do really important stuff, like meeting with the National board of Social welfare and health. I said important, not vibrantly intruiging stuff. Hopefully there will be time to do exciting things, too. I would like to go here, here and here. And here.

Small things make me happy. I put on a green eyeshadow at the desk at H&M, during lunch break. Made all the difference.

This row of puppets also makes me happy.

Warm feelings and cold feet

2009-02-26T22:07:00.003+01:00

On Tuesday I got the package from Ellie, I told you about it in the previous post. Later that same day I went to see Handmade-Jeanette and two of her friends. We had a very nice, chatty, crafty evening together. I'm so lucky to live a few blocks away from one of my favourite bloggers! On the other hand, we are all so lucky to be able to meet at all, thanks to cyber space, aren't we?
If you see someone on Jeanette's blog you think you recognize, it is me. I did not put on 25 kg - that's what happens when you don't have full control over published material... But the camera is magnificent, Jeanette!

Are your feet cold too? Any of the slippers in this book makes both heart and feet glow...

An Australian moment.

2009-02-24T16:48:00.003+01:00

I got this package from Australia today.Besides that it must have cost a fortune in shipping, it was filled with the most wonderful goodies:

From the Red Seed Studio; a delightful notebook with a beautiful printed linen cover,

...three (3) crafty magazines that I want to read all evening and let the family get take-away...

...I'm totally lost! Thanks a million for your generosity, Ellie!

Strolling down Memory lane

2009-02-23T20:16:00.003+01:00

I always enjoy looking at oters people´s youtubes. Hope you do too.

Music means a lot to me but I'm not a great consumer. I don't download and I don't buy records, I listen to the radio or to music other people around me play, or sing and play myself.
I love Johnny Mercer and the Andrew sisters. A more modern love is Fairground Attraction. And Eddie Reader probably influenced me more than I realized at the time, can't you tell?

Here he is, Johnny singing with Margaret Whiting - the weather has actually been very wintery so it's approproate in every way.

One more, The Andrew sisters; this is their notion of how people in Harlem, NY, used to greet each other. I don't know, I've never been to Harlem, but it doesn't feel like it's ever been a custom - but maybe I'm wrong and LaVerne, Maxene and Patty really did know the Harlem ways. But the clip is cute and the song is happy in it's innocence.

Happy hooker

2009-02-21T17:51:00.004+01:00

I try to hide the camera but you can tell from the look om my face that it is a self portrait, can't you?

The sewing machine is busted. (I won't make more of it, but you know by now that I'm haunted..) Crochet was a while ago. I really like making these little patches, and combine them and alter and combine again. Hence the title of this post, in case you're wondering. I have no idea what it'll turn into.

I like to move it. Sometimes.

2009-02-20T22:16:00.003+01:00

Friday night in the jungle. Sound of beating drums fill the air. Everybody gotta move their butts. Not much of a dancer really but I like to move and will hopefully one day be able to make my ass vibrate like that of an African woman - traditionally built, as Alexander McCall Smith puts it.

Junior has a more Asian style, judging by the hand moves.

This is our local drummer. Extremely local, he shares my bed. Do you dance? My height always made the gym teacher have me lead in gym class, when we practiced dancing and also made me painfully aware of myself.

For some reason all (honestly, every single one) of my gym teachers were Polish, educated at the ballet academy in Warsaw (not a 100% sure there) or possibly Moscow, and they had us dance a lot. I really wanted to play volley ball or at least do long jump, and instead found myself being told "ven ve come to corner ve turn and turn and count to fife and bend". All the way to the floor.
The irony is, now I really enjoy to see dance, classic or modern. And a little late I appreciate the effort made of those dancers in exile who had the hopeless task of teaching dance to very blasé teenage girls in a sleepy little town covered by grey woollen skies.

Ordinary day - special day

2009-02-12T18:15:00.003+01:00

With a constant smile I work in the kitchen...

..I mop..

...and do the laundry...

...all things ready before the magic moment of turning 16!

Happy birthday Ylva!

P.S: In case you noticed the up-side-down bottle in front of the washing machine - it's there to prevent people from stumbling over an old pipe in the middle of the floor. Get rid of the pipe? Guess so. Someday.

2009-02-08T12:48:00.004+01:00

Jag har blivit utmanad av Maria - jag blommar. Jag har lite svårt för de där bildutmaningarna - den sjätte bilden i den sjätte mappen, eftersom mina mappar bara sträcker sig bak till augusti - och de bilderna har ni ju sett nästan allihop. Men den här utmaningen ska jag väl klara!

I've been challenged by Maria - jag blommar. I've had difficulties with some challenges lately, like showing the 6th photo in the 6th file, because my files only go back till mid August, and you've seen almost all of those. But this challenge I think I can manage!

Nämn 5 kul/annorlunda fakta om dig själv: List 5 fun/unexpected facts about yourself:

¤ Jag flyttade hemifrån när jag var 16. I left home when I was 16.

¤ Jag trummar med fingrarna när jag håller på att somna. I drum my fingers when falling asleep.

¤ Jag gillar inte öl eller kaffe. I don't like beer or coffee.

¤ Jag ser väldigt lite på TV, följer inga serier och ser aldrig nyheter på TV. I watch very little TV, I don't follow any shows and never watch the news on TV. Rättelse: Jag ser faktiskt Top Model (av alla serier!) just nu med mina döttrar. Correction: I actually watch Top Model (of all shows!) with my daughters this season.

¤ Sista året har jag gillat tanken på att det finns en Gud. This last year I've been enjoying the idea that there is a God.

Nämn 5 av de roligaste eller ovanligaste jobben/praktiken du haft: List the 5 funniest or most unusual jobs you've had:

¤ Bygga flygplansdelar på Saab-Scanias fabrik i Linköping, ett år när jag var 20. Ovanligt, inte kul. Building airplane parts at the plant in Linköping, one year when I was 20. Unusual, not fun.

¤ Cirkelledare i franska för pensionärer, som 22-åring. Jag var inget vidare i franska - då heller. Men mod hade jag tydligen. Teaching French to a bunch of elderly citizens, at the age of 22. I wasn't that good in French - at that time either. But I did have guts, apparently.

¤ Nakenmodell på konstskolor i Linköping och Göteborg - nånstans finns det oljemålningar föreställande undertecknad... Nude model at art schools in Linköping and Göteborg - somewhere there are oil paintings of yours truly...

¤ Undervisa - roligaste av alla jobb! Teaching - best job of all!

Vilka är dina 5 favoritblommor? What are your 5 favourite flowers?

¤ Tulpaner. Tulips.

¤ Rosor. Roses.

¤ Syrener. Lilacs.

¤ Liktärter. Sweet peas.

¤ Solrosor. Sunflowers.

5 senast sedda filmerna? Last 5 films seen?

Jag är en usel filmtittare numera, jag vet att jag såg Varg med Peter stormare på bio nån gång förra året men jag minns inte vad jag såg senast... Nästa fråga!

I'm a lousy movie watcher these days, I know I saw Wolf with Peter Stormare, some time last year, but I don't remember the last film I saw...Next question!

5 saker på din önskelista (materiella saker): 5 things (material) on your wishing list:

¤ Ett strykjärn. An iron.

¤ En snygg regnkappa. A pretty rain coat.

¤ Ett hus på en grekisk ö (just det ja, jag såg ju Mamma Mia...) A house on a Greek island (yeah, that's right, I did see Mamma Mia...)

¤ En snygg matta under soffbordet+ under matbordet+ i sovrummet. En svag punkt det där med mattor. A nice carpet under the sofa table + under the dining table + in the bedroom. A weak spot, carpets.

¤ En lödkolv. A soldering iron.

Detta var kul! Och inte märkte jag att jag skrev på svenska heller förrän efter ett tag. Jag utmanar Knitsonya, Paige, Soffy and Jeanette! Helt frivilligt, så klart.

This was fun! And I didn't notice until after a while that I was writing in Swedish. I cahallenge Knitsonya, Paige, Soffy and Jeanette. All quite voluntarily, of course.

Update

2009-02-07T10:25:00.004+01:00

Sleepy, happy, pretty 18

At Christmas I always intend to work on parcels - but they are always too many. Birthdays are perfect that way - one person, not so many packages.

Yes, I did it.

Car still not running but since this pic was taken it's been moved to a workshop. Transportation still a question of muscle labour.

Today is a mix of cheched in different browns. And a yellow top.

About the green little fabric basket from previous post, Paige, yes, I made it from old fabrics, torn or cut in pieces. Crochet needle used is the biggest there is, I think. Fast and fun!

Buttons, Alice and Italia

2009-01-30T18:15:00.005+01:00

This week I have accidentally deleted a post. If you read it, I just wanted to explain to you why it's gone.

Today I went to a really special place - and forgot my camera. Took some photos with my cellphone but now I can't find the installation CD to transfer them...aaarrrgh.

Please be patient and bear with me here, I'll be back soon. Look at this meanwhile.It's a tea jar from the 20's - filled with buttons.

"This box with it's content of buttons was given to me by Granny on my 14th birthday, 22nd of July 1978. Her mother had it before her." I wrote the note while she watched and I'll never forget her loook and the kiss on my forehead. Her name was Alice. The fun and extraordinary is that her mother was named Italia, a name that never has been common anywhere else than Italy, as far as I know.

I want my time machine now, so I can ask my too many questions now. Where would you go if you had a time machine - to the future or backwards?

Saturday outdoors

2009-01-24T16:39:00.005+01:00

It was a good thing that the random photo Maria challenged me to show was taken outdoors, since I promised to post a couple of outdoors shots. (I was also immensly proud to receive the same challenge as the übercool underbara clara, one of my first blog acquaintances (but anonymously from my part, I didn't know how to comment...))

Today is Saturday and that meant city wandering for me and one of the Helylle girls. Up and down the both empty and crowded streets

We were on a special mission - The oldest Helylle girl, Siri, turns 18 next Sunday! We were going to buy gifts and it had to be special too.Getting ideas for the party from the shop window.

A pretty depressing picture, isn't it? Christmas is over - get rid of the tree! But the square is a nice place.

Our quest continued -

...but we had to pause. It took some explaining before Miss Helylle accepted to eat outdoors. We had spectators. I was prepared to give these cute dogs my sausage - and by them a new one- but I know that you can't do that. Ylva then decided that I could by her a cup of tea indoors instead of feeding other people's dogs. OK.Didn't look much happier, though, did she?I did. And we really had a good time.We finished our business successfully and split, me going home on my bike, passing this old mansion in the middle of Malmö, as always daydreaming about living there.

I did some good buying on sale at Gudrun Sjödén shop, too. All in all a very pleasant Saturday - and it's not over yet. Have an enjoyable evening! (Quite a performance to shoot a photo of yourself mounted ona bike - in speed. I challenge anyone to try and post a photo of it!!)

Showtime...

2009-01-23T16:59:00.003+01:00

I was challenged by Maria to show the fourth photo from the fourth file in my computer's selection of photos. Since we bought a new computer this summer it doesn't go that far back in time. I think you've seen this before? It's me. On my way to somewhere I don't remember anymore. But I remember wearing those shoes at work, it hurt. But you know, don't be vain if you can't take the pain...
N.B. this is not the official attitude of the helylle-foträta styling experience, foträt means literally foot right as in good for your feet.
P.S. There was another challenge too, but I'll have to get back to you on that. I'm off to a wine evening with the girls...

Snowy friday

2009-01-23T06:46:00.002+01:00

This met me this morning - it's still morning, just 6.45 am - snow. Since I didn't get the morning paper, I'm posting instead. I hope you all have a nice and enjoyable Friday.

Walking the dog in the park.

2009-01-21T16:18:00.002+01:00

Is this really work...click!

Stay!

Look into the camera, stupid dog!

Ice art, extra special today, I thought.

Like precious crystal glass, isn't it?

Outdoors

2009-01-20T11:30:00.003+01:00

I noticed that a vast majority of my pictures are taken indoors. As change is one of my 2009-words, I'll work on that. So, my theme for the next couple of days is outdoors. Wanna come along?

Tulpaner

2009-01-19T20:11:00.002+01:00

A big bunch of tulips to you all, my lovely blogreaders. You are the best ever! And now all you anonymous visitors can leave a comment, I've changed the settings - didn't know I had them but it's all fixed now - hopefully.

Lingerie!?

2009-01-18T17:01:00.003+01:00

I've spent the day making panties. Two, so far. I took an old pair and made my pattern from them, made some adjustment and - voila!

Arms forbidden - Olle's contribution to world peace

2009-01-17T16:42:00.002+01:00

The wisdom of a child. The sign says "arms forbidden". Fascinated as he is by guns and superheroes he decided to make this sign "because some people don't understand that it must be make-believe if you fire a gun".

Let there be light!

2009-01-15T11:44:00.002+01:00

Days are getting longer and longer, more and more light. Growing things bring hope and promises. Even old orchids that refuse to die no matter what treatment they get. My granny had an orchid when I was small. I was always told what a rare thing it was and how difficult it was to have it bloom. This one in my bedroom is nine years old as has been in bloom pretty much since day 1. Question: Was my granny totally without green fingers or are orchids nowadays tougher?

Olle has been walking around the house with the new camera (you remember that it was another child who dropped the old camera in the lake last summer? I figure it's safe in the house...) and I'm thrilled with his perspective of things. This is the lamp in the living room - from beneath.

The sense of light that a weak winter sun brings calls for funky tights!

Turn your back to darkness! Spring can be a state of mind!!

Grumpy

2009-01-12T09:07:00.001+01:00

Yep, this is me in the morning while my family run around looking for their mittens. You can't see the ear plugs, but they prevent me from answering any calls from any member of the family.

See prevoius post for clues.

CHANGE...

2009-01-07T10:07:00.006+01:00

My word for this year is CHANGE.
I'm going to change a few things for the better, hopefully. I saw another blog (sorry, forgot who you are, none of my "regulars" I think) who did this and chose the word flow, and got inspired. As you see I've also been making changes with my banner, though not really there yet.

This is my list of a few things I would like to change:

¤ Eating more low carbonate food because of stomach problems - so excited to see if this works!

¤ My immediate impulse to facilitate the life for my family members. For instance: People will have to find their own mittens in the morning while I find mine. This doesn't go for family members younger than 10.

¤ Tell my family not to call my name when they need me, or rather not expect me to come running. They'll have to find me and speak to me in a normal voice. Is this possible or am I asking to much?? This doesn't go for any member in acute need of help, like sitting on the toilet if you're younger than 6.

¤ Starting things and projects without feeling guilty if I don't finish.

¤ Stop avoiding to start projects because thinking I will never finish.

¤ Gracefully accepting that time leaves marks, inside and out.

¤ Accepting who I am - and who I'm not.

¤ Stop reading books like they're fast food. Read, read, read and forget. I'm a fast reader and this is a problem, I don't remember them a week later. Feels lika a terrible waste of time.

I'll stop here, but you probably recognize the feeling that this list can go on for ever, " stop eating sandwiches in the evening" or " always recycle every bit of glass", "always be truthful", "wear matching bra and panties on ordinary days and not just for special occasions"... I think I'll stick to it easier if it's short and simple. Not simple to achieve - simple to remember.

photo:meducation

This is how serious I am.

An endless row of days of leisure? No, tomorrow is back to work and school.

2009-01-06T15:55:00.005+01:00

This is what the golden-linen tunic looks like! What I'm reading? A book about Swedish ethymology - extremely exciting and interesting. Really.

Christmas break is the time of the year for potttering about at home. Who am I fooling? it's always a good time to make use of odd bits and pieces or to make "trolldeg" - troll dough. Maybe salt dough is a more correct word. We had fun making turtles, snakes...

whales...

and a pig!

Low ground, high roof

2009-01-05T08:47:00.004+01:00

This is a classical foot shoot. Now a combo with mother&son.

We were at the library when we saw the owl overlooking the park from the roof top. Very exciting! Unfortunately it turned out to be a plastic owl they put there to prevent the small birds from flying into the panorama windows. Disappointment! But great for the small birds, though.

An ordinary day in January 2009.

2009-01-04T14:03:00.004+01:00

I like to cut hair, my own or other's. Luckily I have a very generous family of which I cut 50%. This Ylva who grew tired of her dreads.
Above our kitchen table. Jars and boxes with tea and coffee. The big one with a handle is for crisp bread, just similar to the one my grandparents had in their kitchen (supposed to hang on a wall but we'll never come around to that).

Happy birthday...

2009-01-02T19:20:00.007+01:00

This is my sand castle, from down under. Eleanor made it for me on, totally customized. You can see, it says "Anna" quite clearly.

This is for you, Eleanor. Happy birthday!! (A little late, I know, I'm sorry.)

Word for word; we certainly didn't get enough snow to send messages in...

You see my neat little foot prints?

Production, design Staren Ivan

2009-01-01T18:55:00.003+01:00

These are a few things I made in december for Christmas gifts (and a golden tunic for myself...)

Olle got this silver space suit.

Mr Helylle got a sweater, a result of a co-production between me and Olle. Olle did the drawings, of himself and a leopard, and I did the sewing and ironing. I also embroidered an explanation "Olle and a leopard" so there would be no mistakes.

Ylva got a pyjamas made of sheets I slept in when I grew up.

"Staren Ivan design" is written on lables I ordered to sew on things of my own design. It's an anagram of my name but staren also means the starling. Pity I always forget to actually sew them on to the clothes.

I will continue the parade of home made stuff another day.

I hope your year started out OK? Mine did, I feel good though I dread tomorrow morning when the alarm clock will sound at 6.30...

Gott nytt år!

2008-12-31T20:35:00.002+01:00

Happy new year!

See you in 2009, may all your wishes and prayers come true.

Christmas - can't live with it...

2008-12-27T22:39:00.008+01:00

Yesterday morning started like every morning since Christmas Eve when Olle tore the wrapping off his hockey game - with a very serious tornament.

For the first time in a long while we had to clear the windows of ice before driving off. It was a wonderful day, clear and crisp, perfect for a walk in the forest.

Don't you just love things like this?
Someone has put these apples in the middle of the forest, off the path, for birds, and perhaps deers, to eat. So delightful and loving!

Here's a story to learn from.
My plan was to give Mr Helylle a cup of sour dough, a recipe and this lovely Pyrex bowl for Christmas. (And another home made sweater.) We try to make our bread ourselves as we both enjoy baking.

I fixed the dough from a friend some days before Christmas Eve, we put it in a green glass cup which I hid in the garage to keep it cold so it wouldn't start fermenting. Problem was, we; my friend and I, had been drinking wine and having a good time so when I got home I wasn't completely my ordinary sober self. Therefore the hiding process wasn't executed in the best of ways.

Two days later when standing in a shop looking for a gift for someone Mr Helylle suddenly pointed a green cup and proclaimed loudly:
"There's a cup just like that in our garage with some sludge in, what is that??"

Here a more collect person would come up with a plausible explanation, turn around and say: "What about this vase?" What did I do? I blushed, became mute and started crying. Yes, I did.

It took a while to sort out why I hid it so poorly ("So it's my fault that you search the garage three days before Christmas??") and why he couldn't understand it was a present ("I didn't expect to get sludge").

The sludge spent Christmas Eve in the dark and quiet garage but is now performing it's task quite admirably in the kitchen.

It's a lovely bowl, isn't it?

What to learn? You tell me.

God jul!

2008-12-25T11:49:00.003+01:00

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Yes, it was a blessed Christmas. This is the first photo with my brand new camera. Merry Christmas to you too, mother!

A tea drinker's dream, ot at least so I thought. A bit disappointing, though, lame taste but nice aroma.

Childhood decorations I can't go without. Tree ornaments that the girls can't go without.

A zoological, antropologistic and sex liberal approach to home decorations and Christmas

2008-12-14T20:00:00.008+01:00

We had visitors this weekend, my brother and his family, from the west coast. They came bearing gifts, among which a little piggie. Immediately made friends with the goat-candle-stand from last Christmas (courtesy of Ylva).

Seems animals were the theme, we also got these!

And a bottle of homemade glögg. Thanks for your nice remarks on my wall paper. It was a hasty decision made when we moved into this house a year and a half ago. This time of year I think it works very well, maybe because the rest of the year I think it looks like a Christmas gift wrapping paper..?

My brother, and his wife and their two teen-agers all left for home pretty early so we had time to fix a few things in the bathroom. A little cupboard from way back got a western pin-up girl fabric instead of the chicken wire I put there when I thought shabby chic was new and exciting - 10 years ago. It was white then, naturally.

Closer......and a real close -up of the pin-up. If you klick on the link: I know this because it was in our local paper this morning. Can you believe that?? This is the floor. Now with the right angle of inclination so the next person in line doesn't have to wear wellies to go in and come out dry, as soon someone has taken a shower. A great improvement (but not on our expense, ha ha)!
Why is this kind of foot-photo so attractive? I like them a lot and I see them in so many blogs. Sometimes I think it's a reminiscent from the days we put our hand- and foot prints on the walls of the caves we (who, me?) lived in, like you know, "I was here" kind-of-thing.

Happiness is a new soap

2008-12-13T15:51:00.003+01:00

Yesterday my Christmas soap arrived. Look at the beautiful parcel!Of course I didn't wait till Christmas. The fragrance is wonderfully christmassy and most likely makes you nice and good - just like gingerbread does, at least according to the old saying. Thank you, Soffy!

I have also received another early Christmas present, a set of lovely marzipan fruits. Why I can't show you any photos? Well, ehh, for some reason this lousy camera of mine refuses to take any gastroscopic pictures worth showing...
Thank you, Sara!

From the angle of my angel

2008-12-11T10:39:00.007+01:00

This is my favourite outfit. I love the dress, sneakers are comfortable so what can go wrong? Quite a lot, it turns out. Hyacinths, no Christmas without that sweet scent. Every year I plan to bring them up myself but I'm always too late and have to run to the florist continously so we don't go without. I'm with Mary here, choosing joy. Or at least I'm working on it.

Do I have a guardian angel? I once was told I do and I like the idea as such, but would really like it to interfere more. While it's hanging around anyway, I mean. I feel a little overwhelmed right now by things that go wrong. Dishwasher breaking, craftsmen working in the bathroom (they had to do it all over again because there was a flood of water out in the hallway every time someone showered!), flat tires, family conflicts, CD-players that won't work - any of them, personal finances and other stuff I won't mention for supersticious reasons. I know, all trivial, mostly material stuff.

A winner in a crowd!

2008-12-08T09:40:00.004+01:00

Can you see me?? Here I am, listening to some smart people talking about leadership. All is not Christmas and craft in my life though I often wonder why not.

Guess what?? I have won my first blog-give-away! I'm receiving a Christmas soap from Lush anyday thanks to the generous Soffy. I'm so happy - and the bathroom is coming along nicely so I'll put in there!
photo: Soffy