Still Enjoying Summer . . .

Contrary to popular belief, I have NOT fallen off the face of the earth :)  I've just been enjoying summer, my trip to Finland, and the catching up that comes with all of that enjoying life!

My trip to Finland was a wonderful visit with an old friend, meeting her family and experiencing the Finnish culture.  A sidetrip to Sweden was a fantastic cruise on the Baltic Sea, and thoughts of my ancestors while seeing just a small portion of the land they came from.  I find it truly inspiring to be immersed into another culture - a whole other world of language, food, and the many small things I take for granted.  I never thought I'd be watching the "Biggest Loser" with Finnish subtitles!  Or carrying around conversion charts in my pockets to figure out temperature and money.  And, I don't really love using military time on a regular basis.  I do, however, love a good sauna and a dip in the lake :)

Tatting tools were no problem on my flights - I had a small embroidery scissors, my Aero shuttles, and my hookpen in my carry-on, and had no raised eyebrows.  I thought I'd get more tatting done during the flights, but my eyes got tired fairly quickly.  I did get one bookmark completely done - one of my favorite bookmarks to make - from Jane in South Africa, with Lady Shuttlemaker's beautiful "Helm's Deep" HDT:

and got a start on this one - Flower Meadow - in Lizbeth Tropical Punch.

 

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And here are a couple more photos from my trip:



 

A pretty crocheted way to cover bike spokes - as seen in a

Swedish museum representative of the 1700-1800's.

 

 Greetings from Stockholm!

My friend and I saying goodbye at the airport in 1978.

And my friend and I saying goodbye at the airport once more in 2012.

 

Aaawwww - it was so much fun to catch up!