ADVENT

The 3rd candle is lit for Advent.

Yes and the cards are almost done and the packages have been sent to the US. We are real behind on baking but it is usually just me that eats it anyway so probably a good thing. It has been really cold the last few days and they are making snow like crazy over on the hill. Time to get the skates sharpened, because Norrviken should have good ice.

ADVENT

The second of Advent and 2 candles are lit.

I'm never going to be able to do all this so I will just do a little bit at a time. Today it is one week left to Christmas day, and I'm just lighting the second candle. Well the kids are not going to buy it. "What, is it Christmas already? I thought there were a few weeks left!" is not going to go over too well next week. I remember a few years ago we were opening Christmas presents on the 25th of course, and the doorbell rang and the neighbor kids asked, "what didja get?" and our kids are like we're opening now and the the neighbors say but it was Christmas yesterday! The problems of being an American set with certain American traditions in Sweden!

ADVENT

Advent has arrived and we have lit the first candle!

The days are flying by now which is nice as soon the shortest day of the year will be behind us, which is why everyone gets so worked up about Lucia and all. This is a concrete bowl with a little decoration (it's a little hard to see in the picture but it is a snowflake of concrete). Maybe it will make a little of the real stuff come down so it won't be so dark, This rain is starting to get me down. I think it's time to put some more Christmas decorations - only 3 weeks left to Julafton!

Time of get into gear!

Hearts

I really like hearts- of all kinds. This concrete heart I have decorated with mosaics from my mother-in-laws china. I really love the pattern and every time I go to an auction, garage sale or flea market I am on the look out for blue and white china(along with the stuff that I'm always on the look out for!) I'm wondering if I should leave this heart as it is, a stepping stone or make it into a table. I've made several of these type of heart tables and they are quite good as side tables. Just big enough for tea for two!

The boys favorite

Can you really drink that? The boys miss Starbucks and I must admit I would like to try the new Christmas favors......The green tea was good when the guys got a little hyper from all the coffee they were drinking. Peppermint has always been my favorite and Mom would make me a chocalate cake with peppermint ice cream for my birthday. It's not quite the same when you have to crush mints to add them to the ice cream.

table and chairs

This set I saw at the FlyingPig on my way to Door county. I think it concrete is so much fun to work with as the possibilites are unlimited! Smooth as glass or rough as rock, all depending on the form and technique used. It is snowing outside now and it is fun to look back at pictures from the summer dream about new projects.

Well, I'm trying anyway! This was my second table, the first of concrete only. It weighs 34 kilos, so it won't blow over in the wind. My next project is to make a bench. But that will have to wait until spring as it is too cold now to do anything outside.

back home

Rainy and dreay here in Stockholm-but do you expect it is November. These are the dark days when you actuelly start longing for snow to lighten things up. It is too cold to make anything in concrete, so it is cleanup time. That means organizing my work space so that I can work inside without Ketil knowing about it!(and dumping the residue outside of course-we have learned from experience of course!) I want to organize all my items into lists, that will take some time as I haven't even taken pictures of the last tables I've made.

HALLOWEEN IN SEATTLE

Visiting the family in Seattle, seeing the science center, the EMP and SF museum and the space needle. The boys I think were most impressed with the very first Starbucks!

Had to get back for trick or treating before it was too late. What an amazing amount of candy the kids got. Hope they don't eat it all at once and that they save some for their sister.

TEST

first post and picture

demo in Door Co.