Some Things I Do ...

I wanted to say I have an alter-ego, which can be sinister, but really it means I live two lives.

I have a home, a great man, and activities which can be defined as hobbies and work.  Then I have this other life which happens 4,000 miles away from home, where I am a live-in grandma, cook and errand runner.  My hobbies follow me to my second life, and I feel loved in both lives. 

Rather than driving everywhere, I use public transportation.

Rather than having meals discussed and prepared for me, I fill the refrigerator with my desires for my family.  This is how the refrigerator looks when I arrive... I fill it.

Rather than sitting in my backyard, I get invited to picnics in the park and discover geocaches on my own.

Rather than listening to the occasional dog barking, and the sound of hammering on the roof of a new house, I listen to children playing, and music blaring from next door.

I get to celebrate with a nation of people who are strictly traditional, wear red, white and blue, and hope it never ends!

Rather than depend on sunshine and hanging clothes out to dry, I cross my fingers and hope that I'll be able to go outside without rain gear and boots.

Rather than fretting about my monstrous stash of yarn, I get to reward myself with new yarn and ideas.

Which can get a little out of hand...  Here's the makings of 3 pairs of socks and a sweater.  What you don't see is the yarn for another 2 sweaters, one which quickly was started and finished so I didn't have to embarrass myself (my own guilty conscience) when packing for home.

The 17th of May

Reporting a month later, but still fun to remember!

The school children meet up at their schools, and...

with their banner (Kronstad Skole), they begin the 2 mile walk

into the city center, meeting up with other schools along the way.

Everyone dresses up and takes to the streets... 

Here are some of the teachers.  The woman on the right showed us her jewellery which is made from rare coins that have been in her family.

And here is my family.

Here is another school coming down the mountain to meet us.

Here is the beginning of the real parade, 2 hours later!

The "People's Parade" has all of the colourful organisations represented.

Bagpipes to African Dancers, 

and bicycles of all types.  The two parades pass each other and we are there at the ending of one parade and the end of the other.

Yep!  This is definitely why I planned this trip THIS May.

We weren't the only ones taking pictures!

A day for dress up

This is a bunad, in size 4-7, purchased at Oslo Husfilden in 1984 for my daughter.  She didn't wear it much, certainly not once a year... until she grew out of it.  It was a sentimental/impulse purchase as we were leaving Norway.  Actually, it was my husband's idea, and I thought at first it was just silly, but the longer I have it, the happier I am!  Especially now that my granddaughter who is half Norwegian can get lots of use out of it.  

Define: lots...

lots= once a year or more. 

It is very plain compared to most "bunads".  Others have beads, embroidery, shawls, capes, and woven braid trim, and are longer.  I think it's lovely, and with her Norwegian grandmother's jewellery, it's good enough to get a special report in the local newspaper.  

How does it fit a 4 year old and a 7 year old?  It is heavily hemmed, and the side and shoulder seams are overlapped so they can be opened up.  It should be good for one more year!

Knitting red

Icterine with my iPad mini for perspective

The Norwegians celebrate the 17th of May with lots of RED, white and blue.  That's why I used all my "free" time to finish and block this shawl.  It's called a CURL, however, mine didn't curl much, and it could have used another 2-3 skeins.  

LOOK at what the blocking did!!  The cables were 8x8 and really thick and bulky until a soak and a stretch produced this great design!  

If you look at the above photo closely, you might notice a bangle and beads in the bottom corner.  I intended to dress it up with a row of these.  It didn't happen, because life goes on, so I might get to it another time.  Should they be placed randomly or along an edge?

The Pattern:  My Ravelry Link

Icterine by Hunter Hammersen

from Curls: Versatile, Wearable Wraps to Knit at Any Gauge

The Yarn:

220 Superwash® Sport by Cascade Yarns

Sport / 5 ply, 100% Merino   136 yards / 50 grams