Summer sewing

Seattle, Washington
Wednesday, July 31, 2013

It's a cool, gray Seattle summer afternoon. Time for a sewing project. It was deemed that Raggabirl needed a new outfit, complete with hair/ear bands. Let's hear it for the "lazy" days of summer...

The Birchbark House

Seattle, Washington
Tuesday, July 30, 2013

This summer we have really been enjoying Louise Erdrich's book series for children which begins with The Birchbark House. We accidentally read the third book first (Porcupine Year), and have just now finished the first book--which inspired us to try making a miniature birch bark house of our own, complete with woven mat for the floor. They are absolutely wonderful books for kids--and adults!

Low riders

Yakima, Washington

Saturday, July 27, 2013

We are here in Yakima visiting relatives and enjoying the heat and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. This afternoon we headed out to the community college to take in a local low rider car show. Shiny, shiny cars and hydraulics galore. I was only disappointed that we didn't get to see these cars hopping and jumping down the street. We had to go to YouTube to see that part. ;-)

The pleasures of home

Olympia, Washington
Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Down in Olympia visiting good friends, and tonight was our big dinner out. Oh, the pleasures of being home in the States: any kind of food you can think of -- even in Olympia! Here's to Orange Blossom sushi...

Blåbärs Ön (Blueberry Island)

Nora, Sweden
Monday, July 8, 2013

Today we arrived via train (and car) to the charming town of Nora which lies 33 km to the north of Örebro. Once we were settled, we headed by out boat to the island which lies in the middle of the lake. At first glance, A seemed worried about what we would "do" on the island. Then she discovered the blueberries--and we could hardly get away from the island again...

Treasure hunt

Vejbystrand, Sweden
Saturday, July 6, 2013

We are currently in the lovely beach town of Vejbystrand, north of Ängelholm, on Sweden's west coast. Spending our days at the beach and pool--and with treasure hunts in the yard...

Nimis and the Micronation of Ladonia

Kullaberg, Sweden
Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Drove today with an old friend to the Kullaberg Nature Reserve to take a hike down into the Micronation of Ladonia. The forest and nature there are wonderful, but the structures built there are really quite something to behold. I can hardly believe I managed to get A to hike down the steep and winding trail, but once we reached the structures themselves, A was fascinated. Probably best not to travel there with kids much under five. Wikipedia has all you need to know about Ladonia. The video below might help you to imagine the place--something that still photos might not accomplish...