Scribble Picnic. . . . . Finland/Scandinavian

Happy Finland Day today!

"Hei" to my Finnish blog friends.

Sadly, I've never visited Finland - it remains on

 my travel list though, especially as I have friends there.

 I have however visited all the other lovely Scandinavian countries

including Sweden where I spent time searching for my Dala horse! 

I hope this will meet the challenge Finland/Scandinavian Michael

 gave us this week. 

When pulling out the Christmas decorations yesterday I found the

 little wooden Dala ornament wrapped in tissue. . . . .the big horse

stands on the shelf in the kitchen year round.

I edited the photo to a sketch and added some watercolors - that's all I have time

for this week as things are crazy busy around here. . . . . . . new great grandson

arrived, holiday concerts, raking millions of leaves ready for the city pick-up,

completing the exterior cottage renovation to deck and gazebo, Christmas

shopping, decorating and more!

If interested to learn more about the Dala horse go HERE to my post
 on Stockholm and scroll to the end to read the history of the 

Kingdom of Sweden symbol.

SCRIBBLE PICNIC today should be interesting - hope you stop 

by Michael's to see what our group comes up with.

Meanwhile happy holiday preparations to all. . . . . . . . 

A pale palette and Jeanne d'Arc Living . . . . . . . . . .

One of the most beautiful magazines published for several years in Denmark, is Jeanne d'Arc Living. When I started reading/drooling over the photography - I don't speak Danish so was unable to actually read it - seeing all those amazing Scandinavian homes decorated in French/Nordic and Euro Farmhouse style, I knew I'd found the simple, clean-looking bright style for my own small cottage home!

It wasn't too long before they started publishing the magazine in English which of course made me love it even more. I was then able to read crafting instructions, recipes, and the lovely descriptions of the interiors of homes scattered about the Scandinavian countryside, written by Vivian, Lonnie, and their staff working from the magazine's beautiful farmhouse location in Denmark.

When I say "magazine" don't expect a flashy, shiny, flimsy type of publication - and with only a minimal amount of advertising at the back, turning each page is a pleasure. Instead, you will hold a large format beautiful almost book - a quality, heavy matte paper printed in soft colored inks, well-worth its price. You may share with friends, but only with a promise they will return it. You won't toss it or recycle it ever! You will enjoy a stack used as a decoration as I do, white spines looking elegant on a shelf alongside, or even supporting, your cherished collectibles and treasures.

All photos from my cottage this week.

Please know these are my own thoughts on the magazine - I am not being

reimbursed in any way. 

As neutral as all this seems, the latest news from Jeanne d'Arc Living - read 

their blog HERE - is that they are adding a little color to life!  

They are starting a line of paints in exquisite vintage colors - hopefully available

 here in the USA later. 

In their current blog post you can read the reasons for stepping back a wee bit

 from all 'white and weathered' but still focusing on the French/Nordic theme they 

are known for of course. 

Personally, I'm ready to perhaps add a little more turquoise or green when

 springtime arrives later. I've just ordered a copy of the

 January 2016 Jeanne d'Arc Living which is on its way, can't wait to see it.

Smooth sailing……

We're hoping for smooth sailing, warm temperatures, plenty of walking 

along the cobblestoned streets of old cities, history lessons, photo ops galore, 

new friendships, and an all around jolly good time!

Will try to keep in touch if the Internet cooperates.