almond blossom

Dear K with family visiting, and with her also came the sun. Spring is here, we went to the mountains and enjoyed the blossoming almond trees everywhere. And water running down the hills from the melting snow.

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The last divided town : Lefkosia

carnival

We saw the grand parade of the Limassol carnival and I particularly loved the dancing gypsies (above) and the owls [at 05:52] in this clip. Was also impressed by the well made Cypriot folk dresses [at 00:23]. To celebrate green Monday, first day after the "meat" festival, we had a vego lunch. But for the rest of the fifty day lent we wont't stay too orthodox, with small children.

some cypriot handicrafting

Knitted fabric is slowly growing while my thoughts are wandering planlessly. I'm knitting on another cardi. Any next minute Eddie wants my attention and I lay down my yarn blob. Resuming knitting and thoughts when his mind is busy with something else. On my mind lately I've had crafting with a local twist. I went to the Municipal Folk Art Museum in Limassol for some inspiration. I saw pompoms, bobbles, embroidery, lace. Graphical and colourful. Silk, lace and cotton. A lot of vests and table cloths seems to have survived the 20th century. Oh, and the museum floor. I really like those old Cypriot floors.


Made Leo a vest before new year. It's a Pebble, with some modifications and sized up using larger needles. It's a cosy little chest warmer. Actually I think big sister likes the vest more than him. I used leftover yarn from husbands cobblestone. In the background is a Hemnes cupboard, for the craft materials.

Somehow related links:
Traditional dresses of Cyprus.
Medieval silkworks.
Beautifully patinated necklaces by Tinctory, and her blog.

fascinated by knitting

Lemon trees are still bearing fruit everywhere, so we're enjoying the local lemons. Sponge cake made with lemon zest is one favourite. Best enjoyed still warm together with a cup of plain black tea with honey and a lemon slice. Sometimes I fascinate about the art of producing a knitted garment. The thing that fascinates me most is how little equipment is actually needed to produce something so functional. Some yarn and a pair of straight pegs. Of course the knitting time too is a relevant factor, probably best described by the art "More Love Hours Than Can Ever Be Repaid" by Mike Kelley (via billigt-garn, in Swedish). But that is a whole different chapter. The cardigan I'm proudly presenting is the recently finished Atelier by knit pattern designer Heidi Kirrmaier. Knit with Madelinetosh Pasmina, a beatiful hand coloured yarn in a merino, silk and cashmere mix. I enjoyed knitting with the yarn and really apprechiated the geniousness of the pattern. Run out of yarn, why pocket linings are partially knit with a contrasting yarn.

beaugly

Limassol old town is fascinating me. Lots of quirky old houses, some in really bad shape yet charming. Cypriots don't seem to be in a hurry restoring their old buildings, but it's made with great love once done. Municipality is driving renovations in the area, why several streets are really messy. But it's getting really posh where ready. At the renovated old carob mills we had some cakes assumingly sweetened with carob syrup. And papa noticed someone had marked his shoe with "papa". Just like he marks the kids clothes and shoes. Could it be Leo?

Head over to shabd to enjoy some stunnning clothing in the most beautiful fabrics.

creativity

2012: Lots of days to fill with beauty. Hopefully a very creative year; exploring and discovering new materials, techniques and ideas. Getting hands dirty and producing lovely things. What do you expect from this fresh year?

Beautiful things to drool after over at a Fab sale : Gold ball chain rings by Gabriela Artigas and Marlena Necklace by Fay Andrada.

morning

The knowledge how to get oneself in good mood in the morning.

What made you smile this morning?

winter

I think 2011's been the busiest year of my life. How do I know that? I've knit so little last year.

It's somehow fascinating how the mediterranean meets the salt lakes in Akrotiri this time of the year.

This winter has been unusually cold and rainy. Of course nothing like up north. The most significant difference for me has been the long winter days and the absence of my usual winter lowness.

The other day we almost panicked when we spotted mould in the top corner of our house. Quite soon we where calmed down when realizing mould winter time is a typical phenomenon in cypriot houses. Nothing that a bleeche and water mixture can't put a stop to.




I'm almost done knitting a cardigan that I can show you in a while.

Some favourite blogs lately: coco, a butterfly in my hair, via (in Finnish) and at swim-two-birds.

pebble stones

Early mornings and afternoons are bit chilly. Kids started wearing jackets.

We drove to Episkopi Bay on the east side of Akrotiri peninsula, near the old Kouris river, and found a beautiful pebble stone beach at sunset.








DIY: Crocheted beach stones.

the seasons

When I found fresh potatoes at the local supermarket I was reminded how cool it is that many vegetables and fruits have a second season on Cyprus. Some people say the mild winters here are rather like spring elsewhere and the extremely hot summers more like winter.

On our weekend menu I prefer other root-vegetables though. I'm especially fond of them oven roasted in herbs and garlic and with a glass of red. How do you prefer yours?

If you're into growing organic vegetables on Cyprus you might find this site interesting.

Shall we play - θα παίζουμε

I experience playing with other native kids is the best way for our kids to get used to a life in a new country. It's on the playground when things get real and they tend to forget their shyness and lack of vocabulary.

Having a greek speaking friend who is as well a second cousin is therefore something extra precious.

I don't know, it might be genetic. My father loved figs too.

So proud. The fig plant on the veranda has produced small but nice tasting figs. The plant is however starting to loose it's leaves. I should probably re-plant it in a larger pot.

We eat loads of figs as soon as we get our hands on them in the supermarkets. Green, green-red or red. It's been season several months now.

 It is my dream to grow an own fig tree one day.

A special wedding

There're two things about Cypriot weddings. They're a great opportunity to meet with family and friends. And they're typically soaked in tradition, still so highly valued by the young.

Actually there's a third thing. They're highly popular. A wedding in the mountain village Agros probably averages two thousand guests as the whole village is invited. Besides relatives across the island, those abroad don't hesitate long distances for a wedding.

This day my cousin son M and his P where the highlight of the village. And since this was the first wedding ever in Cyprus for me I was particularly mesmerised by the procedure.

We joined at my cousins home where the bridegroom was being dressed up by his closest family and friends. This ceremony was accompanied by live music and good food. It was crowded and cheerful. Same thing was happening with the bride on the other side of the village, I was told.

When it was time for the church bells to ring, me and husband hurried to catch a parking lot outside the church. To find the church empty. Apart from a flower decorator who assured it was the right church. For someone like me who grew up in Sweden this was quite a hillarious moment.

Half hour later the processions with musicians at the front started in the direction towards the church. One with the bridegroom and one with the bride, followed by all the closest folks. So beautifully.

Besides the beautiful church wedding the festivties included many familiar faces, interesting talks with dear close ones as well as more distant, and an abundance of local food. I found out later that I took my last photo of my dear uncle Jannos this day. Sadly he passed away just one week later, after many years of suffering. Always dear in my memory.

Unrelated:
Sfgirlbybay goes yellow accents, again. Previously here. Makes me smile.

Promenade in an old village

It's bit chillier each morning, but it still reaches about 25 degrees mid day. Today I went with a restless Eddie for a morning walk in the old part of the village with it's small primitive stonehouses. Besides the busy cars and constant chasing after Eddie it was interesting to see the vivid activity at this hour. I managed to snap some photos on our way.


Along the narrow streets in this densely populated area we saw old ladies simply sitting on their verandas. A little boy at his grandparents, who the neighbours so tenderly spoiling. A busy vietnamese maid wearing a typical conical asian hat on her way to the grocery store. Old men heading for the cafeteria for a chat with their cumpare's. One who stopped talking with us, particularly eager to share about those many houses he had built there in his days.





At the church yard Eddie could run freely and play with an ancient piece of a marble column. And on our way home he enjoyed chasing a bunch of hens we saw crossing the road. We also said hello to a little nervous barking mongrel who at first impression had seemed so sweet. Back home we where both quite sated with all the impressions.


Unrelated:
A breathtakingly beautiful skirt, by Black Crane via Mohawk General Store
This wall paper would be so funky in a city villa, by Piet Hein Eek.