LearnSweden Blog

A Visit with Pippi

As we were on way over to Sweden, my little "O" kept asking me, that since we were staying on a horse farm if it would be possible to have his very own horse to ride wherever he wanted. He had visions of riding into town to pick up some bread or just hanging out with friends.

For the life of me I couldn't figure out how he got these ideas in his head. Why would he think he could go riding a horse all over the place? Forget the fact that he's never ridden a horse in his life.

It wasn't until we visited a very special friend who harbors a horse in her living room that I figured out where he got the idea that Swedes are riding horses and living with them in their homes, as friends of course.

~Welcome to Ville Ville Kulla, the home of Pippi Longstockings.

Our friend Pippi. When I was young I use to put wire in my braids to make them look like this. If I would of had a Pippi wig it would have been my "look" for sure.

 

Ville Ville Kulla, home of Pippi Longstockings.

Footprints on the ceiling. My eldest daughter actually did this when she was younger. I kept asking her how she got her footprints on the ceiling. I later discovered that she had been doing handstands on her bed with her shoes on. I might had that she is a very tall girl.

Here it is.....the famous horse in the salon.

And some  indoor clotheslines.

   This house is filled with so many fun and imaginative things. I liked the way we got out of the house and that was down a very long slide.

I think our tree-house should have this exit strategy don't you?

   

The Family Parish of När

We started off with the intention of having lunch with the older members of our family known as the "ancient ones."  As we came into the little village of När on Gotland, we passed the church which led to many questions being asked as to "why does each town have a huge cathedral like church in it?" Who can go there? etc. 

I turned the car around and I gave my sweet son a look at his ancestry first hand. "This church "O" is where most of our family is buried and we have a very long history in this village of living inside this church. There have been baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals for as long as the church has been standing."

 
"Can we go in and see what's inside?" he asked.

This is the baptismal font where many generations of Petterson's have been baptized.  

I thought it was so appropriate that this hand woven Tree of Life rug was laying before the alter. Here was this young boy who had come from very far away, learning about his connection to the village.

The church has beautiful painted decorations all over. Our favorites, however, are the painted pew doors which were done in the 1700's by a visiting painter from Belgium. Can you imagine sitting in these pews during services and leaning over to tell you brother, "Hey, that painting over there of the guy with the big nose could be your twin. It's uncanny how much you look alike."

No Catherdral is complete without the ship which hangs from the ceiling. It is a reminder that we are surrounded by the sea and our prayers are with those on the sea and who have been lost at sea. My father was a master builder of model tall ships. "Did grandpa get the ideas for these ships from the churches here?" My son asks. Most probably, plus he liked sailing on tall ships too.

From here we left through the door to the gardens which holds a lot of family history. 

to be continued.........  

Life As A Viking over at Rhythm of the Home

 

 

The new Edition of Rhythm of the Home is out today. With this fourth edition it has made it's one year cycle. If it's at all possible this issue is bigger and more wonderful than anything I have ever seen. Inside it's virtual pages lies many moments to be had as momma's, families, celebrations, recipes, reflections, and a lot of great crafting from our many friends. Included are some inspiring interviews of wonderful people such as, Wee folk artist Salley Mavor and the wonderful fabric queen Anna Marie Horner.

I humbly add that there is a little article chronicling the adventures of "O" and I at Viking Camp,where we lived like Vikings for a bit.

 Does it surprise you that I was in the spinning,weaving, yarn dyeing hut for a great part of the camp session?

 

Along with all of this goodness there is still more.......The incredulous Rhythm of the Home Giveaway.

You won't want to miss either the autumn edition or the giveaway. Enjoy.

 

The new Edition of Rhythm of the Home is out today. With this fourth edition it has made it's one year cycle. If it's at all possible this issue is bigger and more wonderful than anything I have ever seen. Inside it's virtual pages lies many moments to be had as momma's, families, celebrations, recipes, reflections, and a lot of great crafting from our many friends. Included are some inspiring interviews of wonderful people such as, Wee folk artist Salley Mavor and the wonderful fabric queen Anna Marie Horner.

I humbly add that there is a little article chronicling the adventures of "O" and I at Viking Camp,where we lived like Vikings for a bit.

 Does it surprise you that I was in the spinning,weaving, yarn dyeing hut for a great part of the camp session?

 

Along with all of this goodness there is still more.......The incredulous Rhythm of the Home Giveaway.

You won't want to miss either the autumn edition or the giveaway. Enjoy.