Wrong is who thinks I'm on vacation here :). Each time I'm coming to Norway, people wish me a good vacation - but vacation it is not! As a free-lancer, I can travel all work wherever I want, provided there is a reliable and fast Internet connection and that my laptop survives its trip to the destination. Work has been (very) slow this year, but it changed a lot in June and I find myself typing away all days and some nights... I won't complain, mind you, money pays bills and money pays stash :) and I have perfect working conditions here - through the window in my working room, I see trees, squirrels, all types of birds which provide a lot of entertainment, neighbor cat fights, neighbor cats visiting and playing... I just adore my summer here. H. has installed air conditioning in the lower part of the house, so even on the hotest days, I can work all I want without sweating... Once a day, I do a bike trip with Happy tied to his springer-thingy (is it known in other countries? how popular is it in the US? it is actually produced just a few kilometers from here) through the woods, around lakes... or I walk with him in the nature... and frequent walks in the garden make great pauses when I work... The first part of the month, it rained A LOT. Now, since ten days or so, temperatures are in the 27-30 degrees Celsius range, so it's been HOT and not really good weather to be out long, it feels like opening an oven each time I peek out. So H. and I often bike late in the evening, even around 11 pm - remember it is more north here than the rest of Europe and days are very long, nights very short...
And I've been awfully sick again for some days, and then had to work, work, work fast! to be able to deliver jobs in due time.
All that to say I am really sorry I sort of disappeared from the blogging world - and I am especially sorry that I am posting pictures of exchanges (today) and more birthday gifts (soon) this late. Diana and Leah, I hope you'll forgive me - you've sent me awesome exchanges! :)
Here they are, I hope anyone who sees them turns green with envy ;-)
First, the HOE Just Nan exchange I received from Diana. Oh, see that purse/little bag!! I love, love, love it!
A close-up on the handsome little guy... isn't he just PERFECT?
The bottom... ah, Diana is so skilled in sewing!
The lovely extras, including a Just Nan pattern from my wishlist!
But that's not all... let your eyes feast on the next gem, the Blackbird designs exchange from Leah...
Leah wrote it is a design called Flock of Birds from the My Heart is True booklet... one I don't have yet, so I totally didn't know it contained this sampler chart with birds! And I so love those... Leah couldn't have chosen better... and everything is just wonderful about this pillow, the colors, the fabrics, the work.... I couldn't believe how lucky I was when I opened the package! Thank you so much again, Leah!!
However, what is not perfect, is my pictures... Can you see that fly on both of them? I didn't see it when taking the photos... looks like Norwegian flies need a lesson in politeness! :)
Hah, I know you like this pillow...!
I'll leave you today with a fresh bunch of peonies I picked this morning in the garden... They are my very favorite flower and H. couldn't have made me more happy yesterday when he let me choose two more species at the gardening center. We're getting a truck of good soil tomorrow so I'm only waiting for it to plant them :). Norway is very rocky and so is the garden here. The house itself is built a little higher than the level of the road, on a huge rock and wherever a plant (or even grass) needs good soil, H. has to provide it, otherwise the ground is just a layer of clay on rocks.
Aren't they beautiful? If it only depended on me, I'd plant different varieties of peonies absolutely everywhere! :)
July 02, 2009
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10 comments:
Hello Anna, it's lovely to hear from you. The stitching you have received are lovely. I saw the one from Leah on her blog the other day and admired it greatly.
Those are lovely peonies. I have pink and red but no white - yet. They seem to be more difficult to find. Have fun with that truckload of soil!
What a peaceful feeling I get when I read about your walks with Happy and your bicycle trips with your husband. So realxing.
These are two such beautiful exchange pieces. I can not decide which is my favorite. I love the realistic rabbit on that wonderfully constructed bag. But I also equally love the BBD "Flock of Birds" with it's lovely Quaker themes and pretty plaid fabric pillow.
coucou anna,
bravo pour ces cadeaux ! As-tu reçu mon paquet ?? Je l'ai posté il y a 2 semaines déja et je n'ai pas eu de messages de ta part !
Envoie moi un mail stp !
Bises
nath1306
I'm very sorry to hear you've been ill, but it is great to hear from you. Other than illness, it sounds like it's been a good working-vacation so far. I would love to see Norway someday. It sounds like such a beautiful country.... But we are getting ready to go to Maine, and that's making me so happy! :D
Lovely to hear from you again Anna :)
We don't have the springer in the US that I've seen. When the dog trainers with tv shows have people bike with their dogs, they usually just hold a leash. That device seems very sensible and I may have to get one for the new pup--And a bike! Get well soon!
I cannot blame you for LOVING your exchanges. Both of them are just breath taking!
What an adorable bag and that pillow is so beautiful, enjoy.
What beautiful exchanges. I think you're lucky to be able to freelance. To take your job with you wherever you choose. Of course money is a necessary evil!
Those peonies are nice. And the bag, so skilled. I wish I could sew so good lol.
Have a nice trip in Norway, even if it is for working.
Greetings, Babs
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