Thursday, June 25, 2009

Warm Summer Days

This is going to be another warm sunlit day spent outside up at the Arctic Circle. This - mostly - was the sky yesterday.Since these days are so very rare up here, all the work that can be interrupted, will be done so, and lazy summer day mood steps in. And we move outside down by the lake.Here is my summer kitchen. (If you'd like to see the picture of the seller of this iron kitchen, click this link..)

I am not sure if I have mentioned this before or shown pictures, but since we are down by the lake, this subject seems appropriate. Finns love
saunas. Today when most people have showers and well equipped bath rooms, saunas are for spiritual healing mostly. Some people go to church, some people find their peace in the woods following little unknown paths there, some people rest their souls in saunas. The place is sacred in many ways. Heating it up is tedious and careful business, the wood has to be just right.

I am dreaming of mittens. The timing is perfect, no pressure, plenty of time to dream and plan, and no need in the near future. I have now two(!!!) - blame the sale season, I know, I had plans not to buy anything, but my daughter, she is to blame, she insisted and I bought - and totally love - coats with short sleeves an
d knowing that these warm days will be - hopefully later than sooner - history and I will need mittens, long ones, for these coats. Both coats are black black, so here is the time to play with colorful, long cuffs. This book is my inspiration.

Progress on the Fan cardigan is good.
One sleeve to go and then to seaming and finishing. But today, I will not knit, I will dream of knitting only. Maybe. Or then I will knit.Lene

(PS. I don't have any difficulties sleeping when it is light, I think that I might even sleep better in summer than in winter. Sleep is short but intense, if you know what I mean.)

24 comments:

  1. Lena, I'm lucky to have similar views (though much less privacy), but what a joy to see your pictures when it's winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful - and what a sense of peace and calm this post exudes!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful. I just love the pictures. Please keep them coming.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Luisa15:07

    I learned the other day that the Finnish army took a portable sauna with them to Lebanon when they were with the UN peace corps...
    Your blog is always an inspiration to me, thank you, Lene.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What beautiful Summer days you have, the photos give such a sense of serenity. Very Pretty curtain.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful! My first visit to your blog; very impressed with your designs.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a fascinating and beautiful post! Thanks for sharing! Happy dreaming...and knitting...and enjoying the beautiful sun and scenery!

    ReplyDelete
  8. That last photo is a stunner!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous18:57

    As a person who is only 1/8 Finn, but grew up with a Grandmother who had a sauna, I concur that Finns love saunas.
    Unfortunately, I now live several states (and just under 12 hours) away. I have dreams of building a sauna when I have time and money, but convincing the Irish/German husband is going to be a chore.
    Thanks for the amazing pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love your lavuu and summer kitchen. Fantastic! I hope the cat and dogs are loving romping in the green. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Amazing to be on the other side of the world and yet your pictures remind me of home in Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am deeply envious of your sauna! One day I will have one... I am 1/4 Finnish and it calls to my blood. :)

    The quality of light right now looks amazing; the picture of the dock on the lake looks so serene.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I just love your blog, it´s so beatiful and I think that the things you do are always fantastic.

    Have a nice day

    Evalinah

    ReplyDelete
  14. What wonderful pictures. You will have a wonderful summer, I'm sure.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous04:26

    so beautiful
    Margie in Maryland

    ReplyDelete
  16. Priscilla in London16:41

    Dear Lene,
    Thank you again, and thank you again and again for showing us the peace and beauty of your life up North, by the lake in the woods.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Carmen17:30

    Your pictures are as peaceful as a prayer. How beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous06:58

    Your summer days sound so peaceful. Just reading about them and seeing such beautiful pictures helps me feel like I just had a small holiday. The last picture is particularly beautiful, especially because there's nothing else in sight on the opposite shore. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  19. As much as I don't like winter, I love, LOVE saunas, even if I can't stay in them too long... Nothing can compare after a good swim relaxing in the sauna...and think about knitting...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh, wow. That last picture? Mind if I come visit. Just infused with peace and serenity.

    ReplyDelete
  21. marianne østergaard13:47

    Hey, Lene !First I want to tell you that I have spend so much time on your beautiful blok and enjoyed it so much!I am a danish knitwear designer and i am going to plan a textile festival together with a bunch of very skilled people here in Denmark, and I would love to have you to come and give some classes in fx your LOVELY embrodery.I hope you will return to mee on this subject on my email. Have a lovely summer! rustik-by-marianne.dk

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow a stunningly beautiful place to be. jane x

    ReplyDelete
  23. Lene -- thanks for the suggestion of the mitten book. I bought it and am very pleased -- lots of unusual but functional (I think) designs. Now I need to decide which to make first...

    ReplyDelete
  24. I dream of those kind of arm warmers.

    ReplyDelete