Easter in New York

We are having fun in New York even though it's freezing cold!

Yesterday, we saw the Judy Chicago Dinner Party exhibition in Brooklyn Museum. Amazing.

Whilst there, we also paid a visit to see the Last Supper made from more than 20000 reels of cotton. Hmmm.

The Brooklyn General Store was great. A lovely old shop with original fittings, full of yummy yarns and other interesting things.

Waiting for the bus to take us to the next yarn store, Jordi spotted some street art across the road in Red Hook. 

These little chaps appear to be working on a subway pillar at the 14th St/8th Ave station - the work of artist Tom Otterness , there are many little gangs here and there in a series called "Life Underground". Each is about 10" tall and I think they are great!

 Today, Easter Sunday, we strolled along Fifth Avenue feeling rather under dressed for the occasion. Yes, there is someone wearing that hat and astroturf coat!

There were some pretty hats (the one above had a music box underneath the flowers!) and some silly ones, too...

After warming ourselves up with coffee and panini, we walked back, past the ice skaters in the Rockefeller Center, stepping inside a shop or two from time to time.

We decided that we don't get "the apron thing". This rack of assorted colours and frilled fancies were on sale in Antropologie, one of the trendiest of trendy stores.

Finally, we spent a happy hour in Barnes and Noble bookstore, where Sienna, Jordi's famously friendly four legged friend held court on the floor of the craft book department.

As evidenced in the photograph, she attracted the attention of the busiest of people on this Easter Day!

Hej Stockholm!

I had a terrific day walking around the city, enjoying the sunshine and following recommendations from several blogs and websites. The whole city seemed to be out in the open air, relishing the arrival of Springtime. The cafes had put out tables and chairs (and blankets) and the flower stalls were not only well stocked with plants and flowers, but also brightly coloured feathered branches, ready prepared for Easter decorations later this week.

I took the tunnelbahn to Sodermalm and Marias Garn following recommendations here and here and was not disappointed! Delightful shop with a fine collection of yummy individual yarns some of which simply had to come home with me!

I hopped off the train at Gamla Stan, the old town, on the way back and wandered around the streets enjoying the colourful houses and unexpected corners.

I can imagine one or two of my friends who'd have made a bee-line for this store (wouldn't you, Sue? Carol?) Though I had a look inside and tried on a black version of the skirt worn by the saleslady in the photograph, I think I'd draw the line at the drawers... It was good to see mail-order things for real, if you see what I mean.

I enjoyed a browse around Marimekko and loved their Spring windows.

Sadly, it was soon time to make our way back to the airport.

Sorry about the blurry photograph, but then wouldn't you be surprised to see a reindeer when checking in?

Hotel Art 10

Initially, I was a little underwhelmed by the art on our walls last night. Pretty, yes, but though they were clearly relevant to our locality and very Scandinavian in character, I thought them rather bland and a safe choice for a beige wall. They are labelled "handcolor H.G.Carlstrom-83"
 

(you wouldn't believe the contortions I went through to get this crummy photograph with minimal reflections!)

Taking the second photo was rather easier, because I didn't have to sprawl on the bed to get the right angle. Getting closer to it, my eyes homed in on this:

It looked a little familiar and I wondered where I'd seen it before. Then I opened the curtains...

There it is!

Good Morning from a sunny Stockholm!

If it's Sunday....

...then I must be in Stockholm!

 

It's been a bit like that recently, for after a busy few days at home I had a couple at the NEC, on the Denman College stand at Sewing for Pleasure. Came back on Friday night and spent just over 24 hours at home before heading for Heathrow and a flight here this morning.

 

 

What a great day to fly over northern Europe - stunning views all the way over, so I couldn't resist getting my camera out. I think the photo above is somewhere in NE Denmark but if you care to get out an atlas and correct me, I'd be delighted.

 

As you can tell from the photo, the weather here is gloriously Springlike and just the right temperature for strolling around comfortably. We enjoyed reorienting ourselves late this afternoon, wandered around the old town, Gamla Stan before having an early dinner at a great restaurant recommended by our hotel. Good choice!

 

Spotted these little felted chaps in a shop window earlier. Cute, aren't they?

 

I plan to do a little exploring tomorrow, whilst Mark is at his meeting. Might just stumble across a yarn shop or two....who knows?

Home again

On our last night in Luzern, we booked a table on the "Raclette boat" and enjoyed melting cheese whilst sailing around the lake - more fun than it sounds, I assure you! This morning was my first day in the office since mid-December and I think tomorrow just has to be spent sorting out some of the piles which have arisen about the place.

I guess life is getting back to normal.

It's good.

In answer to Phil's question, below, the raclette pans we used were small, individual ones, shown in the photo above, which were placed one per table. They were "fired" by three nightlights underneath the pan, and we soon realised that it would have been better to have it all lit and hot well before starting. Being non-smokers, however, the lack of a light on our table meant we had to rely upon our waitress to light it for us, and I think we must have been the last on her circuit. The first few slices of Kaltbach cheese melted very slowly indeed, so as there were four on our table, we asked for a second pan. There was an ample buffet table with constantly replenished supplies of potatoes, mini corn, tomatoes, pickles and cheese In no time at all, we were melting cheese faster than we could eat! We drank Fendant wine, from Valais (delicious), enjoyed the "Gemuetlichkeit" of our fellow diners very much indeed and very much recommend these "Fondue- u. Raclette- Schiff" trips as a great way to spend an evening.