Oh Oh just realised something else I collect. Today while cleaning and sorting rubbish--my full-time job! I found a pair of scissors--OK! nothing so remarkable about that, but having washed them and cleaned them up a bit--I added them to my sewing box. Had a quick count of scissors already there, and found I had 10 pairs . I had no idea I possessed so many scissors. Where did they all come from? No idea. So something else to add to my collections. I also have several pairs for cutting paper only .
Other collections include--dice--about 40, at last count (and still finding them while walking to and from work.) Paper clips, marbles. and my favourite of all key-rings. I love key-rings. Here in Sweden the key-chains, or rather key fobs, made of material, with clip to clip on your belt are very popular-- I have a number of those too. Must be because I am a Taurus. Taureans are well known for collecting odd things.
Personally I think I get it from my mum. Mum was definitely a hoarder. My sister and I sorted her belongings after her death, and gave 6 hugh sacks of wool to the local charity shop. She had loads of scissors too, and handkerchieves. The strangest thing of all was 16 different full sets of matching luggage she had ! All the suitcases were empty. She had the gipsy in her sole and loved moving. These sets of luggage moved with her. With the last move, when she unfortunately was suffering from Alzheimers disease, she insisted on taking an old 60´s ball gown with her. It took up 2 whole packing cases, with all the net underskirts etc. I had to sneak that to the local Oxfam shop, and hoped she wouldn´t remember it. As we moved to a caravan from a huge house, there just wasn´t room, so it had to go.
As I get older I find I am just as bad as her. Collecting-wise. I am not so keen on moving though. (The apple never falls far from the tree---how true!)
Does anyone need any scissors? Ha Ha---Lynne.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
busy busy
someone has been busy .......stitching a new teddy for a new baby..............
cute!
Zaz;-)
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
OK! I admit it-----
OK ! I admit I collect angels.
I just love the simple as possible, common or garden angel. Nothing expensive, and definitely not a collectible. I love the simplicity in the face , simple unfussy clothes, and, of course a pair of wings. They seem to have a sense of awe about them that is difficult to describe.
I equate angels with nuns, although I haven´t actually got any nuns. Nuns give me the same feeling , but I have never seen any "soft toy" nuns--perhaps that should be my next project.
Has anyone got a nun pattern? --Lynne.
I just love the simple as possible, common or garden angel. Nothing expensive, and definitely not a collectible. I love the simplicity in the face , simple unfussy clothes, and, of course a pair of wings. They seem to have a sense of awe about them that is difficult to describe.
I equate angels with nuns, although I haven´t actually got any nuns. Nuns give me the same feeling , but I have never seen any "soft toy" nuns--perhaps that should be my next project.
Has anyone got a nun pattern? --Lynne.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
angels ........and sisters
two sisters ..................both over 50 .................both scour junk shops and flea markets.....both collect soft toys ..................both bought angels ....
The question is .....................which sister bought which angel?
Zaz;-)
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Snow at last.
Snow is falling as I write, and it just changes everything. The whole world, it seems has gone amazingly silent, as if holding its breath.
It started this morning, on the Saturday shopping expedition. Expected? Yes, but it always takes us by surprise. This year we have waited an inordinately long time for snow. Usually we are well into the snowy, winter season by now. The shops displaying skiing equipment, snowboards etc. etc. and warm winter clothes.
This year, however we have had months of rain. It has rained more or less everyday since October. Not too good for a country that relies on the winter visitors, who love to ski, snowboard at the slopes, and skate on our lake. The lake is still flowing freely, almost overflowing its banks with all the extra water.
Now, as I said it is snowing, everyones garden looks identical, and tidy, with peculiar tree shaped mounds, whereas yesterday they looked ravaged, muddy and forsaken. The sky is a beautiful shade of steel grey, and the snow covers all imperfections on the ground. The temperature is falling rapidly and the big freeze has begun. It is a beautiful and ethereal world.
Now the real work begins, the wonderful people turn out in freezing weather to clear the snow filled streets, and pavements, at some ungodly hour, to ensure that life goes on untroubled by snow or ice. Nothing will be affected-schools will be open, buses and trains run on time , people will get to work, just as they did last week. But the ethos is different, people here really enjoy the snow, look forward to it coming, accept the difficulties of getting about,because it lightens up the very dark winter months. Parents dig out their sledges, to take the little ones to town shopping, or to nursery school, older folk dig out their anti slip soles for their shoes when they go out walking. House owners find their snow shovels and clear the patch of pavement outside their house, and all their paths. Everything goes on as normal, just at a slower pace.
No one knows whether the snow will last a day or two, or a month or two, but I will enjoy it while it lasts, even though I too work outside, will be cold, wet, bedraggled, and sporting the coldest hands in town!!! I can´t wait for my turn with the snow shovelling duty at the end of January.
Go carefully in the snow, wherever you live-------------Lynne.
It started this morning, on the Saturday shopping expedition. Expected? Yes, but it always takes us by surprise. This year we have waited an inordinately long time for snow. Usually we are well into the snowy, winter season by now. The shops displaying skiing equipment, snowboards etc. etc. and warm winter clothes.
This year, however we have had months of rain. It has rained more or less everyday since October. Not too good for a country that relies on the winter visitors, who love to ski, snowboard at the slopes, and skate on our lake. The lake is still flowing freely, almost overflowing its banks with all the extra water.
Now, as I said it is snowing, everyones garden looks identical, and tidy, with peculiar tree shaped mounds, whereas yesterday they looked ravaged, muddy and forsaken. The sky is a beautiful shade of steel grey, and the snow covers all imperfections on the ground. The temperature is falling rapidly and the big freeze has begun. It is a beautiful and ethereal world.
Now the real work begins, the wonderful people turn out in freezing weather to clear the snow filled streets, and pavements, at some ungodly hour, to ensure that life goes on untroubled by snow or ice. Nothing will be affected-schools will be open, buses and trains run on time , people will get to work, just as they did last week. But the ethos is different, people here really enjoy the snow, look forward to it coming, accept the difficulties of getting about,because it lightens up the very dark winter months. Parents dig out their sledges, to take the little ones to town shopping, or to nursery school, older folk dig out their anti slip soles for their shoes when they go out walking. House owners find their snow shovels and clear the patch of pavement outside their house, and all their paths. Everything goes on as normal, just at a slower pace.
No one knows whether the snow will last a day or two, or a month or two, but I will enjoy it while it lasts, even though I too work outside, will be cold, wet, bedraggled, and sporting the coldest hands in town!!! I can´t wait for my turn with the snow shovelling duty at the end of January.
Go carefully in the snow, wherever you live-------------Lynne.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Lighthouse Project
I am reading a superb book just now called--"Living Out Loud" by Keri Smith. Loads of interesting things to do, to help the creative spirit.
One of these projects is titled--"How to create the life and career that we want".
The exercise involves answering questions from the book, as if you were already living your ideal life. I decided that my ideal place to live would be a lighthouse. I love the sea, but especially the wind, and the sound of the waves raging on the rocks. Just imagine the wonderful view 24 hours a day. The rolling clouds, the incoming mists and bad weather seen from a distance.
As it is an imaginary fantasy place only, I don´t have to worry about mundane things like heating the place, or shopping for food, or who delivers the paper etc..
I have collected many pictures of lighthouses, and a model or two, while visiting with Sara at the sea. Visited the library, and borrowed a couple of books on lighthouse living, and one written by lighthouse enthusiasts. Now I anticipate following up by answering all the questions in the book, as if I was living there. It is a really good project. I recommend it,and the book if you haven´t seen it.
Meanwhile also trying to find time to sew my nieces expected baby`s (April) cot quilt, a cot blanket, and a couple of rag dolls perhaps? Unfortunately I will never reach my talented sisters modus operandi!!
Oh well!--- off to sew, and plan, and dream, and write, and read. Wish I could do all these things at once!! Lynne.
One of these projects is titled--"How to create the life and career that we want".
The exercise involves answering questions from the book, as if you were already living your ideal life. I decided that my ideal place to live would be a lighthouse. I love the sea, but especially the wind, and the sound of the waves raging on the rocks. Just imagine the wonderful view 24 hours a day. The rolling clouds, the incoming mists and bad weather seen from a distance.
As it is an imaginary fantasy place only, I don´t have to worry about mundane things like heating the place, or shopping for food, or who delivers the paper etc..
I have collected many pictures of lighthouses, and a model or two, while visiting with Sara at the sea. Visited the library, and borrowed a couple of books on lighthouse living, and one written by lighthouse enthusiasts. Now I anticipate following up by answering all the questions in the book, as if I was living there. It is a really good project. I recommend it,and the book if you haven´t seen it.
Meanwhile also trying to find time to sew my nieces expected baby`s (April) cot quilt, a cot blanket, and a couple of rag dolls perhaps? Unfortunately I will never reach my talented sisters modus operandi!!
Oh well!--- off to sew, and plan, and dream, and write, and read. Wish I could do all these things at once!! Lynne.
Friday, January 12, 2007
world famous soup
this is the really really secret recipe of my world famous vegetable soup............
take a few veg - anything from the fridge - I use a mixture of broccoli, carrots, potatoes, celery, tomato, swede, parsnip ............just about anything ..........
chop them up and throw in a saucepan with a stock cube and water to cover - simmer for about 15 mins!
Mash with an old fashioned potato masher.
serve with a dollop of plain yoghurt and some grated parmesan .........................mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
easy as winking
enjoy
Zaz ;-)
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Deliciously Wicked
There is something deliciously wicked about having a holiday when everyone else has gone back to work.
The first week of the new year I travelled across Sweden to visit with my sister. Nearly everyone else was trawling back to work after the festivities. We soon fell back into our very bad habits, ie:- shopping as if there was no tomorrow, being daft, and laughing at the stupidest things, gossiping about everything and everybody, from the safety of her car!! I enjoyed it so much. I dislike holidaying with the masses, ie:- in the summer.
Having lived here now almost 5 years, I still find myself ,sometimes ,in an almost" twilight world". In England I could pass the time of day so easily, with anyone who stood still long enough to listen. Connect with another person, without any expectations, for a fleeting few seconds, perhaps make them laugh, then move on. With a whole new set of language rules, I can´t do that so easily.
Swedish is a hard language to master, even though many English words are creeping in. I have to really concentrate on what someone is saying, and then work out the answer in my head, by this time they have moved on 4 or 5 sentences--whoops! I will say however that the swedes are a very patient lot. They tolerate my mangling their language much better then I ever did with foreigners . I work with a good many older people, and they always have time to help me out when I get tonguetied, and can´t for the life of me, think what the word is in swedish. Thank Goodness nearly everyone has a smattering of English. I do tend to point and gesture much more then I ever used to!!! I had forgotten how nice it was to have someone who understood me instantly, and vice versa.
I digress however, Sara and Ulf (sister and hubbie) live by the sea, on a lovely little island. We had great plans to beachcomb, collecting sea-glass, interesting drift wood, or whatever flotsam or jetsam we could find. The weather was against us, as it rained everyday, which made wandering anywhere almost impossible. Everything was soggy, muddy and boggy before we started out. Their beautiful garden was just like a sponge, we have had so much rain.
We found plenty to do, so all was not lost, and I always have my "knicker gripper" handy. I am reading Lee Childs--Jack Reacher series at the moment--really good thrillers, everyone.
Anyway, have had some snow today, at last--but forecasters say rain again at weekend.--blow!
Where does it all come from? Back to work this week, nothing changes! Ho Hum!
Have a good one, and remember the experts say:--The Ice Age cometh! Really? I am off to begin building my version of Noahs Ark! Lynne.
The first week of the new year I travelled across Sweden to visit with my sister. Nearly everyone else was trawling back to work after the festivities. We soon fell back into our very bad habits, ie:- shopping as if there was no tomorrow, being daft, and laughing at the stupidest things, gossiping about everything and everybody, from the safety of her car!! I enjoyed it so much. I dislike holidaying with the masses, ie:- in the summer.
Having lived here now almost 5 years, I still find myself ,sometimes ,in an almost" twilight world". In England I could pass the time of day so easily, with anyone who stood still long enough to listen. Connect with another person, without any expectations, for a fleeting few seconds, perhaps make them laugh, then move on. With a whole new set of language rules, I can´t do that so easily.
Swedish is a hard language to master, even though many English words are creeping in. I have to really concentrate on what someone is saying, and then work out the answer in my head, by this time they have moved on 4 or 5 sentences--whoops! I will say however that the swedes are a very patient lot. They tolerate my mangling their language much better then I ever did with foreigners . I work with a good many older people, and they always have time to help me out when I get tonguetied, and can´t for the life of me, think what the word is in swedish. Thank Goodness nearly everyone has a smattering of English. I do tend to point and gesture much more then I ever used to!!! I had forgotten how nice it was to have someone who understood me instantly, and vice versa.
I digress however, Sara and Ulf (sister and hubbie) live by the sea, on a lovely little island. We had great plans to beachcomb, collecting sea-glass, interesting drift wood, or whatever flotsam or jetsam we could find. The weather was against us, as it rained everyday, which made wandering anywhere almost impossible. Everything was soggy, muddy and boggy before we started out. Their beautiful garden was just like a sponge, we have had so much rain.
We found plenty to do, so all was not lost, and I always have my "knicker gripper" handy. I am reading Lee Childs--Jack Reacher series at the moment--really good thrillers, everyone.
Anyway, have had some snow today, at last--but forecasters say rain again at weekend.--blow!
Where does it all come from? Back to work this week, nothing changes! Ho Hum!
Have a good one, and remember the experts say:--The Ice Age cometh! Really? I am off to begin building my version of Noahs Ark! Lynne.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Yet another new year.
Well another new year has arrived. January 1st 2007.
I have read a lot of articles about new year resolutions, and how difficult they are to keep, after the first week or so! We all start with such good intentions--new year, new start and all that, but we soon revert back to our old habits and ways.
I liked the advice given in our local paper, much better then making firm commitments, that are difficult to live up too. Article reads:---
1) Write down small goals, that are possible to achieve.
2) Choose a certain timespan for achieving these goals (Often a year is too long)
3) If you fail, don´t give up, just start again.
4) Enjoy those goals you do achieve.
This is my sort of advice. Makes everything much easier, and stops the failure factor creeping in.
I also found a wonderful quote of Helen Keller:--
" I long to accomplish a noble task, but my chief duty is to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble!"
I have written that quote on the first page of my 2007 diary, which every January without fail I promise I will journal daily. I usually manage to journal the whole of January, then no more. This year my plan is to write every week, instead of daily--this is much more achievable.
I have also started a "To do" list, which includes three things I must do on a certain day. These are my small goals, which are totally achievable. I do not do the failure factor well.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year, and good luck with any resolutions you have made.
May you achieve your noble task this year. Lynne.
I have read a lot of articles about new year resolutions, and how difficult they are to keep, after the first week or so! We all start with such good intentions--new year, new start and all that, but we soon revert back to our old habits and ways.
I liked the advice given in our local paper, much better then making firm commitments, that are difficult to live up too. Article reads:---
1) Write down small goals, that are possible to achieve.
2) Choose a certain timespan for achieving these goals (Often a year is too long)
3) If you fail, don´t give up, just start again.
4) Enjoy those goals you do achieve.
This is my sort of advice. Makes everything much easier, and stops the failure factor creeping in.
I also found a wonderful quote of Helen Keller:--
" I long to accomplish a noble task, but my chief duty is to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble!"
I have written that quote on the first page of my 2007 diary, which every January without fail I promise I will journal daily. I usually manage to journal the whole of January, then no more. This year my plan is to write every week, instead of daily--this is much more achievable.
I have also started a "To do" list, which includes three things I must do on a certain day. These are my small goals, which are totally achievable. I do not do the failure factor well.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year, and good luck with any resolutions you have made.
May you achieve your noble task this year. Lynne.
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