Belated Glad Midsommar

Happy Summer Solstice everyone! Swedes have midsummer celebration which is around the same time of year but everyone does something special. Many people leave the city and go to the country..last year I went to one of the islands, it was a nice day even though it rained later but this year it was colder and my neighbor had a nice gathering outside. 

love the simplicity of this sign- of course on my favorite street

     a typical set-up before the guests arrive in someone's garden   

The tradition is to have herring and also strawberries (because they are in season here then)

During the meal Laurie, the one in the stripes had people read Swedish poems and sing traditional songs then raise a shot glass of

schnapps and say "Skål" -cheers

Some children were playing in the garden area and since guests wanted entertainment I brought her djembe drum outside and played a little (not the master that Mike is but I can pound out a few slaps) one of the little girls was so entranced with it we brought out another drum and the two of us played, it was a lot of fun! I kept encouraging people to dance but it didn't happen..oh well!

Every year there is an artist's dinner and it happened last week, fun time!

Yesterday I finished my last piece, what a great feeling..I have been putting all my work in a drawer this whole time and told  Mike I was going to get it all out and put it up. He suggested sharing with others so I decided to have a little opening Friday early evening..my neighbor is also having a birthday party so it will be a lively night

wish you could come- Mike will be here! 

guess what? this blog post is getting outdated..

it has been non stop since Mike arrived a few days ago..

so wonderful having him here, he helped me transform my studio into a gallery setting

had my opening last night, great! here are a few photos

I made my darling daughter Allison's version of zucchini babaganoush- a first..it was a hit!

today Mike and I took a bus to Böras to see the Textile Museum   

the big highlight was Iris Van Herpen, a Dutch 30 year old fashion designer's collection...we were blown away, here are a few photos..

we watched a video of several of her runway shows, her clothes are obviously not meant for comfort!

this is part of her smoke series

all metal - the impetus for this series was broken umbrellas

she is so very talented!

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so one more day here, I am going to take Mike to see the Konstmuseum's watercolor show here and then we have to pack up, leaving early Monday morning for Stockholm for a few days, then Helsinki, then Copenhagen on to Istanbul and then home..

will try to blog from other places if I can

I miss you all and am sending so much

thank you for your emails, keep them coming, I will have my laptop