"Picasso had his pink period and his blue period. I am in my blonde period right now." ~ Hugh Hefner

Here is the glass that I made on Friday.  It doesn't seem like much but then I reminded myself that half the day was spent in the cold shop!  So, here is an example of the "pig bowl" because the legs look like pig tails:

 The hole you can see through this one is in the top not the bottom I promise!

And here is the kind of weird green colored plate I made.  Vegard started it then had to leave to do something with Stig-Allan so I finished it.  That is not a hole in the middle but a "safety clak" so when I took the punty off I wouldn't break a piece out of the plate, instead out of the safety foot.  Anyway, its pretty big and pretty good, I might have to try to make something cool out of it :)

 I didn't make this but it somehow ended up in this group... glass I suppose is the common theme?  Anyway, I am a sucker for a pretty label.  This vodka was not just "limited edition" and flavored of ginger and apple but it is a pretty painted bottle! There is even pretty painting on the back to see through the vodka when the bottle has been chilled previously! It was delicious.  I mixed it with a little bit of ginger ale and a lime wedge and it was SOOO good! I am glad that my weakness for pretty bottles didn't lead me astray this time!

So, Saturday went something like this:

 Woke up and went to Kalmar with brown hair... ok, kind of light brown hair.

It seems more brown in real life...

 Went to hair dresser where I tried to explain that even though I have a Swedish name I could not describe to her the hair I wanted in Swedish... so, we decided to get started and we built a custom made helmet to keep the aliens from hearing our plans.

 Or maybe it was to better transmit them?  Like I said the communication wasn't the best between the two humans present :)  When we first took off all the crazy foil and etc I had really streaked hair and not so good. So, we did it again.  So, after over 2 hours at the hair place (I felt a bit like a celebrity) I got this hair:

 At first I loved it, then thought it was kind of lame but now I like it more and more.  Also, it seems each day it  is less streaked and more all over which is what I wanted.  Next month I will get more and maybe go slowly blonder and blonder! 

Afterwards I went to Max, got an Original Meal to go and went and sat in the sun across the moat (yes moat!) from the castle! I live in Europe, we have castles :)  It was perfect, light sweater weather and the ducks were quaking and children laughing and there was an old lady coughing constantly.  Very cozy, especially after the old woman left.

 Right after I took this some kids and their dad's started playing frisbee.  Almost enough to get my bio clock ticking... kids and cute dads... but then I got distracted by the ducks!

 Who were under this pier that I sat on.  I don't know why I didn't take any pictures of them.  I even saw swans, but they are kind of scary since they are so big!  

 Here is a view out into the ocean from the Kalmar Castle:

 Pretty castle:

On the way home I stopped by Transjö to see what was going on in that little world.  I talked to one of the apprentices,  I feel bad I don't know his name, different from the one I talked to with Val and Jenny.  He said they hadn't started blowing again (they stop for the summer) because something was wrong with the furnace.  They should start not this week but the next! So, I said I would def come by and watch some :)  It was amazing he remembered me even though I didn't talk to him, maybe they don't have much to talk about there. I don't know, but I am not sure if Martin and I will go pub night tomorrow or not or if I will just go watch the masters blow some in a couple of weeks.  We will see.  Then he embarrassingly called me out for not being able to unlock my car from the driver's side.  I thought it was easier to just climb through then walk around and no one would notice... NOT! I totally got called out : P My wonderful car is a piece of poop! haha!

Then I went home and played with my hair and decided I like it again.  This was decided after a little bit of that amazing vodka... and so I took some better pictures for you!

Sunday, MAMA'S BIRTHDAY! I went to the lake, Orranäsajön, for an end of the season swim.  I figure it pretty much the beginning of fall (the leaves are starting to change) and I better get one last swim in!  By swim I mean I jumped in, came up screaming and swam as fast as I could the 15 feet to the ladder to get out as quickly as possible!  But, it sure looked pretty there!

 Doesn't that water look cold!?  

 The answer is: YES! Freezing!

Then I went home and called Mama for her birthday like a good girl! She is a few weeks into her new gallery and Papa was taking her to a birthday brunch.  I bought her a card... it is still sitting on my table.  It is all written in and the address is on it... I dont know why its still here! Sorry Mama!

I will tell you about today tomorrow.  I am "le tired" and ready for bed and maybe it will be better with pictures!  Anyway, happy Monday! 

“We shall neither fail nor falter; we shall not weaken or tire...give us the tools and we will finish the job.” Winston Churchill

Last time I left you I was on my way to Core-Spin.  I had a revelation while in the class that I think will make my life much better, as far as spinning goes.  I also had the thought that we should some how harness all the energy created spinning the wheel to power the gym or a small city.  But, back the other realization:  A spin bike (stationary weird bike) is NOT a horse and should not be ridden in the same manner.  I realized that I was peddling with my heels down which is awkward, the other people in the class do not sit with their backs arched... they sit kind of hunched over... also less awkward.  The only thing I have to come to figure out is that the positions are sort of similar: seated 1 position is just like sitting on a horse normally, number 2 is straight up where you should put no weight on your hands, similar to the vertical far (or was it bar?) position on the horse and finally position number 3 where you lean forward, move your hands to the front of the bike and peddle until you want to die is like 2 point on a horse (aka hell for extended periods of time).  So, if I can manage to remember to not put my heels down, not to arch my back and to round my shoulders and to not cram my foot all the way into the foot holder I think things will go much better.  Also, maybe I won't look like such a ninny on the bike.  All the other people look like they are working really hard and I looked like I was riding along in a sundress on the beach! 

Yesterday was a nice relaxing day.  We made more "baby whale" vases all day but with color this time.  And I decided to treat myself to a nice fancy dinner! I cooked a steak and had mushroom risotto with it.  The mushroom risotto was especially good because I sauteed cantrells (delicious wild mushrooms that look like yellow trumpets) in a little white wine and then added lemon juice and fresh thyme! SOOOOO GOOD!!!! 

 You know you are jealous! I added the cherry tomatoes as an after thought to give some thing acidic to eat with the earthy risotto.  I am very proud of myself.

 The only problem would be that I was too lazy to figure out how much dry risotto I needed for one serving and just "eye balled it" and now have enough for a small army! But, I got to eat while enjoying a nice sunset and some candles.  Very romantic, except it was missing Sam so the romance sort of went out the window.

Today, Friday, I got my NEW TOOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I ordered some last year from Åke (my teacher) who makes them on the side.  He delivered mine and Vegard's tools today :)

 Vegard got the two ones with wood on them for making graals.  I got the 3 in the middle! 

 A pair of grabbing tweezers, straight edge tweezers and small jacks (perfect for wine glasses)!!!!  Sadly, I got them at the end of the morning so I didn't get to try them at all.  But, I did take them to the cold shop and engraved my name into them!! I can't wait to use them Monday!!!!  I have them sitting on my kitchen table so I can admire them regularly :)

These are the "baby whale" vases (flat sided for engraving and cutting into) we made yesterday:

 Pretty aquamarine colored ones:

 and weird yellowy green gross looking ones:

After school I went to Martin's country house for a cup of tea then go to the gym.  He lives in an adorable house built in 1758 he said! I can't believe it but maybe it is because I am from a country where old means over 100 years ago.  Anyway, apparently it was for travelers, farm help, a brothel at one point, some druggies lived in it and now Martin.  I think it is too cute for hookers or druggies:

It has a living area room, tiny kitchen, bathroom so small that you stand over the toilet to shower and a tiny upstairs where you can't even stand, but you can sleep! 

 It sits on top of a little hill surrounded by farm land and wonderful stone walls and SHEEP!!!

They were so cute! I want a sheep for a pet!

Then I went by the barn, learned that I will be riding on Wednesday and Fridays.  Then to the gym where I am sculpting a killer set of shoulders...  They will soon rival this guys:

bahahaha just kidding! 

Spoiler alert: tomorrow something super exciting is going to be happening to my appearance!  And I am very excited!!

"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired." ~ Fannie Lou Hamer

Sorry it has been so long again.  Its simple, I suck at this blog thing.  I think it is just because I have been out of practice all summer.  Maybe?  Also, I have been feeling a bit under the weather and trying to sleep as much as possible to avoid getting full on sick.  But, here I am!

Remember on Friday we got to do whatever we wanted?  Well here are two plates that I made with mystery colors! 

This one turned out to a WONDERFUL color! Cobalt Blue we believe: 

 And a kind of pinky purple.  I also like this one but not as much as the blue.  Also I lots a big chunk of the plate when I broke off the punty :(  Maybe I can do some cool sandblasting on it or something?

 Monday we worked on some vases called "baby whale" for some reason.  They are oval shaped with flat sides and a very thick bottom.  They are often used in the cold shop for engraving and cutting.  They are harder then they looked at first but by the end of the day we were able to make them very well I would say:

 And, we started to get bored and make them with different tops.  Vegard made some with a skinny neck/mouth which looked very nice and I made this one... kinda looks like a shark egg:

 We were going to get to make the same whale vases with color on Tuesday but during the night the pot dissolved and all the glass melted out and poured into the basement.  So, no colored baby whales to be made :(  Instead we talked about the trip to Venice in the spring.  How to raise money and organized glass and responsibilities in organizing the trip and etc.

Wednesday, today, was all day in the cold shop day!  I worked more on my Justin vase:

He now has an eye, it is kind of angry looking which I am trying to fix.

Then I carved in the bridle and tried to high light areas like his blaze and the bit.  

I also gave the illusion of shadows by actually polishing the engraved glass.  Pretty cool huh?  I need to work more on his tail and front end but it is starting to look good I think :)

After lunch I did some deep cutting.  I finished this piece and put it in the pile to go to the acid bath which will make is SUPER shiny and nice!! 

Then I started on another crystal bowl.  It was super difficult because of the curves in the glass and I messed it up a little.  So, I went to Stig-Allan for some help and he made it WAY worse! He was like "I think you should just start again, or do whatever you want with it." and I laughed and said "OK, thank you" and he goes "oh, there is nothing to thank for!" and laughed.  So, I practiced some more on the piece and then marked up another one to start over again on Friday! 

Soon I am off to my second Core-Spin class!  I can't decide if I dread it or just don't want to do it because it is exercise.  Last time I enjoyed it mostly so maybe I just dread going to the gym and want to be lazy.  

"Many hopes that have vanished after the ball." ~ Charles K. Harris

So, Thursday was the same as all the other days last week but finally Friday was different! We had been good kids all week and were allowed to play on Friday during school.  The Art Glass students were away on a field trip so we had the good side all to ourselves and it was glorious!  

We put some colors in the annealer to warm up and made plates! It was a lot of fun to work with just a few people around and get to do whatever we wanted.  It was also nice to do something other then blowing in molds! I made one really great plate in a pretty blue and I don't really remember what else.  I had a few crack when I knocked them off the pipe onto the punty and we aren't exactly sure why.  I am not sure what we are supposed to do this week hopefully not more of these:

 too many thick bowls to count!!

Friday evening there was a party at Kresten and Bjorn's new place.  They live in Kirsten and Anniina's old apartment which is a bit weird.  I keep imagining that Kirsten and Anniina should walk in and noticing the different furniture.  Sadly, they don't but it was a good party all the same.  It is pretty interesting to watch the dynamics of the group changing and evolving as we get to know the new students better.  Which girls are super into which boys and vice/versa, always funny when you can be completely removed from it with a boyfriend back home! Of course there was making out in the bathroom between drunkards and some interesting love triangles.  Also, Kresten has a super sweet and nice girlfriend who came to visit from Denmark named Emma:

Saturday was a hungover breakfast of pancakes at Bjorn and Kresten's with Freda, Sine (two gymnasium girls) and Jonatan.  I forgot how much I love Swedish, or Danish, pancakes! Emma came up with the ultimate topping of Nutella and blackberry jam, so tarty and sweet and delicious!!!  I went swimming at the lake and then finally got ready to go out again.

We had been invited to Kosta to go to a pizzeria there for the Småland's Championship Bulle (bocce ball) Tournament and an Art Glass student's birthday.  We hung out mostly with just Orrefors people, the Kosta students seemed pretty content with their click.  I met some nice people, some students in their second year also and some older students who were just in the Kosta area.  I met one guy who has his own hotshop in Norway called Låvely and worked for a while at Transjö!  I talked to him about wanting to get to know the Transjö people better and maybe even do my practical studies there.  He encouraged me to go to their pub night on Tuesday nights so they could get to know me.  I would have more luck if I could prove that I can fit into their life style he said.  He also said his three years working there were his best 3 years ever.  So, now I have to buck up and go! Hopefully it wont just be a bunch of old men and me... I have 2 days to get some courage and go for it!

While at the pizzeria in Kosta I played Bulle with Joseph, Kim, K-something I can not spell Finnish guy and Bosse!  They have an indoor playing area for the winter! We played 3 games and I won one :) which I am pleased with even though I don't know if it was much to brag about... they were all kind of drunk I think.

 How sweet is that indoor bulle court?!

 Joseph and Kim were demonstrating how its ok for two men to dance together as long as your balls don't touch like this... They are always doing things like this which is pretty hilarious and of course there were lots of "I've never had to keep up 3 balls before" and "your balls are really rusty, must have been a while for you" and "thats what she said...." comments.  Somethings don't change no matter what country you are in.

Also, while at the pizzeria I had an AMAZING plate of food! They had a special which was a plate to Pealla and a beer for 150kr and it was so good!  

 In this GIANT wok sort of thing they cooked rice, chicken, peppers (spicy and sweet), shrimps and mussels.

 On the side you added banana peppers, garlic aoile, cabbage in vinegar, pita bread and some black bean salad.  

Put it all together and you get a plate of amazing food like this!  I could have eaten SEVERAL plates but luckily I only ate once.  I had a hard enough time dancing around after beer and this big plate!  

We danced around some and finally all managed to head back to Orrefors.  It was fun and I imagine it will happen again but hopefully some of those people will come to our parties here in Orrefors.  But! First I have to go to the pub night at Transjö!!  

Sunday was pretty uneventful but super nice weather.  I am babysitting for Sigrid and Vegard... which hardly even counts, the kids will be asleep the whole time.  Vegard has to go pick up Sigrid from a late flight in Kalmar and I am supposed to stay at the house with the sleeping kids.  

"One taco short of a combo platter."

Sorry I didn't post yesterday... Core Spin wore me out.  When the class finished I was all energetic and happy and then it quickly wore off and I was exhausted.  Supremely exhausted.  Needless to say, I turned on the tv, tried not to eat an entire bag of chips alone while I slowly passed out in bed with the chips.  

So, yesterday I spent the whole day at school in the cold shop.  In the morning we worked on engraving and I decided to do a picture of Justin.  I am turning into a 8 year old girl where I have to put horses on everything. It's ok, I have decided to embrace it.

So, I used this picture, taken of Justin a few years ago:

 First, I had to draw it on the vase like this:

 Then started the engraving.  It was a bit scary since it has been so long since I have done anything like this.  First I started on his legs on the other side of the body and then on the areas where he sticks out like this shoulder and rump.  Every time I had to move onto a new place on his body I was like "oh god, don't mess it up!" but it turned out good so far.  I kind of like it how it is, but I am sure it will get better!

 In the afternoon I did some deep cutting in a crystal vase.  I decided to try a sort of directional star shape... I almost finished it but need to do a little more to make it super nice.  I hope to do a lot of deep cutting this year and put it in the acid bath.  I mean where else in the world can I do deep cutting like this in real crystal!?!?

 After school I don't remember what I did and then I went to Core Spin with Sigrid and Josephine.  I was a bit nervous when we started but the teacher showed me how to get on the bike and the different positions we would use.  First we did 30 minutes of core work which wasn't too bad but it was work.  Then we went into the spin room and rode until I thought I was going to fall off my stationary bike.  I may have fallen off if I hadn't been strapped in!  It turns out my right leg is much stronger and when I would push with it sometimes I would fly up and towards the left and nearly off the bike.  I am not going to lie, it was a bit awkward.  I think I will do it again, but thankfully the class is only once a week!

So, today, it was back to blowing molds.  We were told we had to make them even thicker then before... needless to say it was super hard and exhausting.  I made 15-20, I was quit proud of myself and very tired.  I am pretty tired of blowing in molds and doing the same thing OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN! It is amazing that some people do this for yearssssssssssssssssss in the factories.  Needless to say next week I am going to refuse to do the same thing over and over again.  I will put my wee foot down with force!

After school I decided to make some delicious tacos! I found this recipe on Pioneer Woman a long time ago and always wanted to try it and decided now was the time.  So, it takes chicken with taco sauce and green chilies, tortillas, cheese, tomatoes and lettuce... the usual stuff:

 I put the chicken mix in the tacos and dropped them in the hot oil! Sadly, I didn't have any tongs and had to use the forks to hold them down and pick them up.  Tricksy, very tricksy.

 Sadly, I used flour tortillas instead of corn, which made them bubble a bit but still amazing!

 Then, stuffed them with creme fresh, lots of hot sauce, cheese, tomatoes and lettuce!  Super crunchy and not very greasy which is wonderful! Sadly, I could only eat 2 even though they were SO good!

I am very happy to have to Mexican food here in Sweden... it is the one cuisine that Sweden seems to be missing.  Maybe next time I will even buy some Mexi beer to go with instead of the Carlsburg, though that was very good with it anyway!

Now, I am off to bed, Fridays start early around here! Tomorrow is both hot and cold shop, then a nice long nap! I am so tired I can barely text at this point, in fact I can't, I thought I had sent a text several hours ago, was annoyed that I had gotten no response and it turns out I had turned off my phone not texted.  What is wrong with my brain?!?!