Thursday, December 07, 2017

Here - again! - and Christmas preparations in the Doll House



I wish to thank you for coming here, reading and commenting. I am happy to read your comments on the posts. There was some good advice on how to read the Japanese patterns in the puppet book, thank you for them as well. This was the first thing I needed to say. The second, it just hit me last night… I usually follow my instincts, if there is a nudge from the universe, trying to tell me something, I mostly feel I must response to it.

And it is this. I was raised in the 1960’s by my Mom (Dad was busy, had very little time to share, mostly education and discipline was done by Mom) who was raised in the 1930’s - 1940’s. Even though during that stretch of time from her childhood to mine, there was a cultural change in child rearing, ways do not change overnight, thus I must have been taught in some ways like my Mom had been.
“Good children are seen, not heard.” You were instructed to keep your ideas to yourself (mind you, I don’t think this did me any harm, more good than harm). (What about adults? Does this apply to adults as well?)
Do not open your mouth unless you have something valuable to share (if only that piece of advice had stuck better, it would have been sound advice in many instances!).
Talk only little of yourself, never show-off (showing off was really, really bad!), be quiet in your ways.

--- For 6 days in a row, now 7th, I come hear to talk about me in various ways…

I feel like I should apologize to you all my behavior. Me coming here day after day, talking of me, showing off the stuff I am making, telling you what I think… this goes against by education in so many ways. This is much how I felt when I wrote my very first post. Over the years the voice sort of died down; when I posted just occasionally, it did not feel bad. But day after day after day …! Now, I wonder if it is justified to crowd the word-world, which is jam-packed already, with my opinions.

I am not too serious here, but this is the thought I had last night when I went to bed. Then again, if I think of this just talking to you over a cup of coffee, without too much thought on every single word, I am fine. I am up here, in the arctic darkness, typing on my old computer, and you… are all over, in different parts of the world, reading my words. This thought almost takes all my words away. I wish I could hear your stories, see your worlds. If you were here I would let you talk, it would not be all about me. 

Let’s have a look at the doll house. It seems like someone is busy writing Christmas cards over there.





Wool, as always, with you,
Lene

PS. This was the first kitten I made who sits, all the other ones have been standing. And little pom poms - how I love making you!

33 comments:

  1. Lene, your posts have been like a great big Christmas present. I love hearing your thoughts and seeing what you're up to. I especially loved your ode to Piki as your way of celebrating your country's centennial. I start my work (I'm an editor) very very early in the morning, when it's still dark, and around 6 a.m. I take a break and check my Feedly blogs. Whenever there's a post from you, it's a special treat that gives me a little lift. Thank you so much!

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  2. I have loved every day of your posts, and I'm looking forward to more! Your cheerful little cats and the glimpses into your life have been such a joy to experience, and I thank you for sharing these with us!

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  3. EXACTLY what Mary Beth said. I love coming here and catching a glimpse of your world. Please don't stop. If I could chat with you over coffee, I definitely would.

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  4. Please don't feel badly. I was brought up with the same ideas but your posts don't feel like bragging or anything. I love finding and reading your new posts in my blog reader. They make me feel like I've dropped in for a cup of tea with an old friend.

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  5. I consider it a sharing of yourself, not bragging. So important.

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  6. Gretchen15:12

    I agree with Purling Panda, your posts are not bragging. I enjoy hearing about a part of the world that I know very little about. I also enjoy seeing what creative ideas others have, as that spurs some creativity for me. That is a lovely gift.

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  7. Lene, I have been reading your blog from the very beginning. Never once have I felt that you were promoting yourself in your posts, quite the opposite. You talk candidly about your successes and your failures, but especially about how hard the creative process can be. I especially like how you sometimes write from the perspective of the created object or animal and their thoughts. And I love when your dogs make it into the posts. I read many blogs but keep your posts until last to savor them slowly. May you write until you run out of ideas (never). A heartfelt thank you, Jean in Ohio U.S.A.

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  8. Every year, I feel the Christmas spirit even more reading your posts. And I feel like we are sitting across from one another. I know what you mean though, as I was raised in a similar fashion at the same time. But I have found more friends online than I would ever have found in real life to sit across from me!

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  9. I've been lurking on your lovely blog for years. Your posts are a bright spot in my day. Love your little kitten with the jaunty poms!

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  10. The tiny post-cards are so perfect! I feel like that lesson for children is good when you're all stuck in the same room and everyone needs their turn to talk, but out here in the big open internet - we're all here by choice, sipping our coffee and eager to hear what you have to say!

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  11. I have read your post for several years and not once did I feel like you were promoting yourself. I love reading about how people live in far off parts of the world and the kind of crafts they do and their pets and beautiful scenery. If I could drop in for a cup of tea and a chat it would be perfect but your writings make me feel like we are doing that very thing.

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  12. Anonymous17:36

    I understand your feelings, Lene. I am also a person who does not feel comfortable in the middle of all attention. But I love the way you 'expose' yourself. You have so many interesting things en thoughts to share, so please feel free to continue!!

    Liesbeth from The Netherlands

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  13. Like everyone else, I do enjoy your blog posts so much...and am often sipping coffee or tea when reading, so it is sort of like we are having a conversation over coffee. The doll house is marvelous. Love the little cards and the sitting kitty is the BEST. Thank you for sharing your world with all of uos.

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  14. Your sharing is a joy! A December that is somehow familiar but seen through new eyes. I needed a new point of view for this year's Christmas celebration. Thank you.

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  15. It is a joy to read your blog. I read it because I enjoy it. Thank you for sharing.

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  16. Since childhood I have been completely absolutely totally in love with dollhouses. I am in raptures over your teakettle and toaster!

    Personally, I rather like your words.

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  17. Thank you for sharing a little bit of your life. It's fascinating to hear about the things you do and make. Keep it up!

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  18. Anonymous20:08

    I would love it if you could share some of your tips about how to make such great pom-poms. Mine always look like a mouse has been feeding on them -- and not being very disciplined about it, either! Shaggy and loose.
    I love yours, and would welcome instructions. Thank you for your words -- I really enjoy reading your blog.

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  19. It's always such a treat to find you've written a new blog post. I am curious about the scale of your cats and the doll house. How big are they exactly?

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  20. Coming out of lurking mode to say I know how you feel. I tried to have a blog but I couldn't bring myself to do the "showing off". I could feel my mothers disappointment in me even though she had been dead for decades. I never feel that you are showing off and your style is so different to mine. It's refreshing to see things from someone else's point of view. As a bonus you live in a part of the world that I would love to be. It's "exotic" if not "tropical". I remember when you posted every day about the temperature and the length of daylight hours. It was so thrilling to think of you all the way in your home experiencing life so different to mine. It opened my eyes a little to how different all our lives are. You have a quietness about your words that gives me a content feeling when ever I read them. If only we could be neighbours chatting over our crafting and encouraging each other.

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  21. Thank you for inviting us into your world of creativity and beauty. Somewhere in the cosmos, your mother is surely thinking her parenting methods worked very well, based on the outcome. You are a joy to those of us who know you, if only through this medium. BTW, this kitty is a favorite!

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  22. I always love hearing from you. More like a coffee and a chat rather than boasting. Although, if I could produce work like yours I would definitely be telling the world.

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  23. I am not sure that I will say anything new, but if I ever come to Finland, I want to visit. Listening to your inner thoughts, whether joyous or working doggedly through tougher times, has helped me out in some quiet way. Thank you for being honest with us!

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  24. I enjoy hearing your thoughts and seeing your beautiful creations. The idea of coffee and chatting as friends is wonderful. You are ever thoughtful and honest, just the best kind of blog.

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  25. Anonymous05:37

    I so enjoy reading your blog and happy to see you will be writing every day in December. I am from London, Ontario Canada and I would love to hitch a ride on Santa's sleigh to come for a visit and have a coffee with you and your pets and kittens. All the best from Marion Shaw

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  26. Oh, I don't look at your posts as you "talking about you" at all! Much more like you have graciously invited me into your home and made me feel welcome – thank-you!

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  27. Gretchen17:05

    Reading your posts each day is a highlight and wonderful sweet gift, Lene. I feel like you are right here in my kitchen and we are sharing a coffee together. You may feel like you are talking all about you, but we your readers, are enjoying a wonderful two way conversation. In all the years I have read your blog, I have developed a deep friendship with you and I can hardly believe that we haven’t actually met! I know I am not alone in this feeling!

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  28. Ellen in Connecticut03:55

    Ah, the conflicts!
    I want to be recognized, but not stand out.
    I think I have some important insights, but everyone else does, too.
    A hundred years from now, who will care what I said today?
    I know how to do things; other people know different ways.
    My grandmother and my Mom live in the back of my head, telling me how to behave.

    Lene, can you please put up the pulla recipe again, the one that smells like commitment?
    Thanks for everything, and the Finnish lessons also!

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  29. I am so happy that you share your world and creations and self with us all, even though it is difficult to do. You walk among reindeer and beautiful frost and snow and create gorgeous creatures — sharing this with us all does so much good in the world. :)

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  30. Please don't ever apologize for your posts! You can't imagine how much I look forward to them and how sad I was when months went by and you did not post! I love the doll house and the sitting cat. And I am so VERY grateful to you for sharing your world with me, out here in California!

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  31. Dearest Lene. Please keep sharing your thoughts. They are read by me as a way to escape from the daily life deluge of emails, social media, retailers, etc. I cherish everything you post and often go back to read again something you put up earlier. My all time favorite was the year you recorded the ever diminishing hours of daylight in your Finnish winter.

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  32. Madeleine02:37

    Your posts about your life, the animals, the land, Finland, always nourish. You bring us a sense of peace, and I thank you.
    Interesting that you were told "Good children are seen, not heard." I grew up in the 50's with a British step-father. His line was "Children should be seen, not heard." He would never admit to being wrong, either. I'm glad times have changed. Girls, especially, need the confidence to speak up.

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  33. Speak your heart and put the kaffe on! I want to hear more! it's not bragging, it's teaching!

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