Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Little bits

Dear You,

Thank you again for the “you make my day” award you sent me. I write so very seldom these days that I feel that I don’t live up to the award at all. I have been in Helsinki again for almost a week and have not had any time for any kind of crafts. I came home last night exhausted and it feels so good to be sitting here in my favourite spot with the cup of coffee and an empty house all around. It is cold outside and I still have not built any fires this morning. Soon I will need to go out and get some firewood in and get back to daily life. Lighting the fire(s) is one of the joys of my day. On a cold winter morning, when it is very dry, the sound of the wood cracking just cleans ones thoughts. Oh, you can tell, I have been homesick while away.

This is what I got myself as a Christmas present. I have wanted to subscribe for a long time and have occasionally bought copies but finally decided that I would like to receive the magazine regularly. It is published six times a year so there is plenty of time to thoroughly enjoy the magazine before a new one arrives. It has lovely photography, the layout is beautiful and it just appeals to me a great deal. “The mission of the magazine is to promote all forms of textiles to a wide audience.”

The Winter Forest is languishing. I have not touched it since. Yet I have been knitting but don’t want to write about it before I see whether there is anything to write about. It is a sweater and it is blue. That is all I can say at the moment.

And then there is one little mitten desperately waiting for some attention.

Before I left to Helsinki I received a new toy. It is a bind it tool, I don’t know a better word to describe it. It came a day before I left so I really did not have time to get to know it well but I suppose I will find great joy in it. I had to try it once and I made this calendar for myself. There is plenty of room to add pictures and notes to the pages and I intend to do it for each month. I know this is very humble beginning but never the less; it is making me very happy at the moment.


I have some great new books on my night stand and while ironing and knitting I’m listening to Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoi. I have read it two to three times earlier, but I just love the book and following the English reading is so much easier now that I am familiar with the characters and the plot.



Now I really will need to go and find my woollies and clean the steps and walk ways from snow and take in the firewood. My soul is somewhere on the way yet, but I am sure she will find her way home soon when she hears the familiar barking of Tina. These pesky creatures are coming a bit too close, if you ask her.

Find a way to bring your soul home,

Lene




31 comments:

  1. You've given me inspiration to try to . . . thank you for this lovely, centering post.

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  2. Lene, it matters not to us, how often you post, we will always come to read and visit and enjoy.
    That's a great new little toy! and I hope you show us your calendar pages sometime.
    Pretty little mitten in the making :^)
    Beautiful, peaceful post, thank you.

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  3. Anonymous15:39

    Dear Lene, it is always a pleasure to come here and read your posts! It reminds me of the tales I read as a child, with beautiful, open landscapes and warm and cosy interiors. Thank you for letting us to have a glimpse of your world in such an enchanting way!

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  4. Anonymous16:32

    Dear Lene,

    It's so good to have you back and a welcome surprise to read your post first thing this morning. Thank you so much for providing the link to Selvedge. Your right-it is a beautiful publication and one worth investigating. I prefer to start my day off with something beautiful, artistic and inspirational rather than CNN or the local news and today it was Selvedge. Well, off to vote. (Today is an important election day in the US)
    Be well,
    Lisa

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  5. Anonymous17:01

    Welcome back! What will you do with the binder? Make more calendars?

    I can't remember, is that a reindeer?

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  6. It is always a great pleasure to read your post! Thank you

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  7. Anonymous17:45

    Dear Lene,
    While I always love reading about your creative pursuits, your parting blessing has touched me deeply today -- those words express a thing I have been thinking without realizing for many days now. I thank you.

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  8. Dear Lene - I don't know if I am the "you" that you refer to but I have nominated you for the You Make My Day Award - I enjoy your blog so much - ideas, photographs, artwork, just to name a few of the many reasons.

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  9. How nice to read your post this afternoon. I am sure once all the familiar routines become habits again your soul will come marching back in. Enjoy being home!

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  10. Anonymous18:17

    I'm glad you have another creative outlet now. One can never have too many of those!

    The reindeer (are they reindeer?) pictures are amazing. It's hard to believe that creatures like those are an everyday sight in some places... to me they look so exotic! Thank you for the little glimpses into your world. :-)

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  11. The children enjoyed the reindeer photos! I know you will make beautiful books and such with the binding machine too.

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  12. Anonymous20:32

    Dear Lene,

    Thank you for the lovely letter to all of us, and for your February photos of the reindeer. If I could send you a photo of London, you would see so much green: daffodils coming up - some of them even blooming, camellia bushes in blossom, and budding leaves everywhere. We don't really have winter here; we have short dark days, but no cold or snow and it is a great loss. So thank you for giving me some of your winter!

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  13. Anonymous21:34

    Is that your article on Rovaniemi mittens in the new issue of Piecework? There can't be TWO Lene Alves at the Artic Cirlce (although the name was Leena on the article).

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  14. Why do other people's (and other country's!) "meadow rats" look so much more interesting and appealing? That's what I call the white-tailed deer that live and breed around here in too-great quantity, wrecking havoc on landscaping and eating the pasture we would like to reserve for our horses and sheep.

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  15. I've been enjoying your blog for awhile. I really love the photos of the snow as well as your writing style. I just finished Anna Karenina this past weekend; embarrassed to say it was my first time (at age 47) but it was wonderful; so rich. Enjoy your week!

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  16. To Home! Where ever that might be.
    *raises a coffee mug in salute*

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  17. Lene....yours is first look on the reading....always look forward to reading them...always love the photographs of your beautiful landscape...always enjoy your projects. Always enjoy your writing...thank you.

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  18. Anonymous16:21

    What a lovely post. The nicest thing about going away is coming home... and bringing your soul with you.

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  19. Hi Lene, it is lovely to read your post. Your mitten colour is pretty. Your pictures of the Reindeer are beautiful too.Jane x

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  20. Anonymous20:22

    Thank you so much for your reindeer! I love them so much. Can't wait to see the knitting and was so happy to hear from you again. I am having a hard time sewing up a seed stitch sweater and if you have advice please email me! Wool be with you.

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  21. Anonymous17:39

    Love the reindeer. I have a bind it tool as well.

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  22. Lene,

    I've awarded you the Make my Day blogger award. It doesn't matter how often you post because when you do it always bring a smile to my face. Thanks for sharing your life.

    kate

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  23. Anonymous02:55

    Thank you Lene. I am definitely trying to bring my soul home and what a lovelyway to say it.

    Mo

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  24. Hi Lene,
    I ust have to say that it doesn't matter how OFTEN you post, but that you DO post. I must say that in my life, especially recently, I need a "place" to go every now and again, thank you for giving me that "place".
    Regards and hugs.

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  25. Anonymous19:37

    Dear Lene,
    Your latest post is lovely, as always. I'm been enjoying your blog for some time and felt I should finally leave you a note.
    Your countdown to Christmas helped me with my lagging spirit this winter.

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  26. I am SO glad to "know" someone who, like me, gets homesick on even short trips and and can't wait for that moment of peace and relief, sitting alone in an empty house - in blessed silence! I find the world very wearing, and my home is my respite, my sanctuary, and my restoration. Enjoy!

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  27. Anonymous06:49

    Lene; I just discovered your blog and am enjoying it so much! Your knitting pictures are heavenly. I feel a little guilty complaining about our solid, sub-zero (fahrenheit) weather and piles and piles of snow--it sounds like you value it in Finland more than we do here in Chicago!

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  28. Hi, writing from Italy, I've been spotting your blog for a short time but I find it so delicate and chic that I wanted to post just this thought... come and visit me if you wish, I'll come soon, for sure

    PS: I like Nocturne the best!

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  29. Anonymous07:59

    Thank you, Lene, for your lovely thoughts which have helped to centre you and all of your readers. Home is a wonderful place where you can be yourself.

    I look forward to any posts of yours, and all of your creations.

    Lyn

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  30. "Find a way to bring your soul home"

    Thank you so very much, Lene. I needed to hear that today. I'm afraid I've strayed from your blog for the past few weeks, because my soul was too busy with the stress of work, company and being ill that it decided to vacation somewhere.

    I think I'll work on luring it back today, perhaps with knitting some stockings.

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  31. Anonymous04:55

    Lene, My daughter and I spent about 2 hours reading your current posts and then backtracking a year or so. She enjoyed your blog sooooo much! She said when she left to go home that she had not only been inspired by your words and drawings, but she also felt she had just visited Finland! I loved her reaction because I often feel the same way, too. It doesn't matter how often you post....just that you keep posting!. You are a very special person whether you realize that or not. Only the best to you. Jeanie and daughter Jill in Missoula

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