i highly recommend drawing strawberries. on a friday. right before the start of a 3 day weekend.
highly.
i’ll be spending lots of time in stockholm in the coming weeks. also a rare and special opportunity to visit the west coast of sweden has arisen thanks to dear ingrid. if you were in the remains of the day class in the early years, you might remember those houses i posted of class members who lived on foreign shores…ingrid was one of them!
like many swedes she spends time at her island home in the summer.
i’m going to zip across the swedish countryside in a train. she said:
I WILL PICK YOU UP IN THE BOAT FROM THE STATION
then she strung these 4 words together:
BOATRIDES IN THE EVENINGS
whaaaaaa?
i fainted momentarily, but when i came to i immediately went to the internet train depot and bought my tickets. i find that when an invitation is issued one must act swiftly before it can be revoked.
you might remember (on my last sabbatical) when i was in the netherlands, the lovely angeline invited me to her home and made me lunch. that post is HERE.
somehow i finagled another invitation for another adventure.
i’m getting good at this.
both images from visitsweden.com
for an interesting article about the island on which ingmar bergman once lived go HERE.
I live close to Stockholm! Come visit me too!? I’d love to fika with you girl!
You make me laugh. So happy you’re anticipating yet another adventure. Life just keeps opening up. Stay brave. xoxo
as far as invitations from far away places are concerned …… you have a standing invite for London. Any time! We can go to an antiques market where all the professionals buy their stuff. But we have to leave at 5.30 am. We don’t shower, we just get into clothes and off we go. We have breakfast there, from a van – bacon and egg sandwiches and milky tea. And then we walk around for hours. Sound like fun? Book your flight.
Hi MAM, Reporting from Amboise, France! We have had a fabulous time, eaten way too many carbs and today toured Chateau Chenonceau about 13 kilometers from our apartment on the Loire River. Imagine my surprise when we arrived yesterday from Dinan to find out that this place quite literally has an across the river view of the Chateau of Amboise. Last night I was eating a salad, kind of letting my mind go buzz from being a traveler, when something outside caught my eye. Hot air balloons drifting over the chateau across the river. Someone pinch me ….please!
I am thrilled for your adventure in Sweden. I know you will document every golden moment in sketches, journals and photographs. I am a lucky pup and it sounds like you are, too! Happy travels. I wil send you a few pictures after I get back home next Thursday. Meanwhile…Paris awaits us. We drive there tomorrow! Ooooo-la-la~~~~~
Sweden this summer sounds like a dream. I’m so delighted for you. I’ve gotten to love Sweden through all the Nordic Noir I’ve read in the last couple years. And ABBA, of course. Have a wonderful weekend! xo
You will have an amazing time Mary Ann, no doubt sbout it. You have the very best adventures of anyone I know. And you also get some of the best pictures…you always find the heart of a place, no matter where it happens to be tucked away…the heart of most places is always off the beaten trail…
I was in Sweden many years ago and you are making me jealous to go back. Look up the Carl Larsson paintings when you are there. The people are very proud of his work and they are very charming pieces. I am trying to remember the museum in Stockholm that had them, maybe the National Art Museum. If my second cousin was younger (she is like 98 and not well) I would have her take you on a tour as she is an art historian and could give you lots of little insights into the art of that nation. But a boat trip, oh how fun.
If you get the chance visit the children’s Museum in Stockholm- you get to ride on a tiny train and go through landscapes full of the stories of astrid Lindgren – one of my all time favourite children’s authors, and not for Pippi, no, she wrote far more interesting books – Lotta, The Bullerbys, Emil, Karlson, Rhonia, Mardie, such excellent books. It was the highlight of my trip to Stockholm. You know you have an open invitation to my treehouse don’t you! Xxx
What a wonderful trip you’ll have. Such a magical place.
I loved the article about Faro. What a magical place. “Wild Strawberries” and all. Ingmar Bergman is a bit of a standing joke with my husband and I. When we were engaged I (the art major/teacher) took him (the electrician) to see “Autumn Sonata”. Oh my, such agony! He still teases me about it. Great art film but oh so heavy. I think it’s must be the long winter nights. How else could Mr. Bergman live in such a lovely place and produce such intensely sad art.
But for you…Happy travels!
Ummm SW North Dakota awaits you! And an art room to die for. And you can bring your sister! Big house, six acres, a pony, one cat, three little dogs, a bird, a garden a patio, pond, whiskey, wine, wild horses and a southern Cali girl to kindred with! Summer is best tho as if it’s winter I’d have to pick you up at the station in a dog sled not a boat.? your strawberries are perfect for a blender and some tequila! xoxo from the prairie.
WOW, I wish I knew how you did this but then I suspect you are just such a great guest that folks love having you around. MaryAnn, you are truly an inspiration – for the way you live your life, for the adventures you seek out, for how you
florish in solitude while valuing connection Really, I don’t write a lot of fan mail but I’m noting my true admiration for you and your way of life – giving, taking, enjoying, exploring, accepting, valuing, – yep, admiration from me. G
There is something magical about the Scandinavian countries. These photos speak to my soul. What a lovely invitation from Ingrid! The boat rides in the evenings! What a treat. I know you’ll keep us posted during your next adventure. My bags are packed.
Ummm wait how did you finagle Stockholm …without ..ME! Bill Maher is in Amsterdam as I type
Omg color me jealous. Can’t wait to see your Posts. Strawberries are fabulous.love these!!! Guess I will have to paint some.