Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim and Saint Olav

The foundation for this cathedral was first laid in 1248. A major fire
happened in 1531 and many renovations took place after this. The new
west front was designed in 1907 by Olaf Norddhagen.   This design had
the new rose window and tiers of statues.76 statues are on this front.
St Olav is 4th from the left on the middle tier.

You can tell him by the axe, third from left bottom in this picture.
You will see why I am fixated on the broad axe later.

A picture of  Saint Olav on his name day, someone climbed way high to place flowers.

 I did not take this picture (hint: blue sky!) I just want everyone to see this
magnificent cathedral from the big picture.

This is the weather the day I was there, at least not raining actively!

Breathtaking rose window, so beautiful inside where no pictures allowed

Crucifix on front side

West Front

Here is God's House, Here is Heavens Gate, in Norwegian

Taken from the Kristiansten Fortress up on the hill

A picture I did not take to show you the magnificent interior

 When I walked around behind the alter, I could see immense beams
all charred and blackened (might be from 1248) with a very shiny patina
from the length of time they have been there after a fire. I got goose bumps
thinking of all the history and Saint Olav's tomb there. We just don't appreciate
the age of things like this here.


King Olav II, Olav Haraldsson, brought Christianity to Norway in the

2nd Century. By forming all the Christian parishes throughout the land

Norway was more a united nation. He was killed in 1030 at the battle
of Stiklestad 29 July. He was buried somewhere around the high alter
of the place where the Nidaros Cathedral now stands. When they moved
his coffin to the present spot in 1031 reportedly his body lay unblemished.
He was subsequently beatified and is now the patron Saint
of Norway. He was killed with 3 wounds, one from a battle ax.
Now the Shield of Norway has his ax, the crown and Lion

Here are my Shield of Norway Mittens made to celebrate the
200th anniversary of the Norwegian Constitution.  Pattern now available
at Norsk Needlework  and Ravelry.   *Norsk oversettelsen inkludert*

Konge Tinn spoon which got me started on my quest

see: "Heilag Olav og Hans Menn" Saint Olav and his men.

Back of the Saint Olav pullover:  Heilag Olav og hans menn 1030 across the top

 So, way back a year ago, I looked at the spoon and got the idea of a Story
of Olav sweater. I started researching him and found the history intriguing.
The further I got, I found so many related pictures and motifs.
I will be the first to admit the pullover is "busy"! But oh
so fun to knit. I haven't decided whether to make up the pattern yet.
It depends on if anyone is interested. Please let me know!!!

The book I purchased at the Cathedral in June 2012

Well after I had the pattern graphed and started, I found out I could go
to Norway and was thrilled to see the fantastically beautiful cathedral.
The book above tells the story of all the statues and pretty much all
about the Cathedral.    Visit Trondheim
I put this link here. I shared it on Facebook and they send me the most
fabulous pictures almost every day. It makes me want to return to Trondheim
so much!!!!! I just loved it there.

I also purchased this necklace of Saint Olav's Cross, which I adapted for my sweater

 My son picked out all the colors and helped with the motifs and ideas. We
shared a fun time getting it all planned. He is anxious to wear it skiing at Tahoe
(practically in his yard)

Paul's New sweater ready for his visit here at Christmas. I am so very happy how well it came out!!!

Stitching at the Beach

This is becoming an annual event. 26 ladies for a 4 day stitching retreat.

 Much good companionship and the best weather this weekend ever!

I took many more pictures outside from our walks on the beach. There 

were 2 ways to get to the beach from our rented house. Up the stairs

and down the 130 stairs, or all the way down and around the hill.

I went on long walks every day and feel great!

 

View from the top of the "inside" stairs

Down the 130 stairs! My daughter Tracy with whom I had a great visit!

Behind Olivia beach community

Our big house, plenty large for all 26 of us

Peek over the top of hill

Cormorants sunning

view of Olivia Beach from our balcony

summer stitching

Tara's beautiful "Carnation Quaker"

Diane's "Spring Quaker" from Karen Kluba, I have this one to do too

Michelle's "Flemish Giant" from Long Dog... absolutely stunning!

a cozy nook to stitch in

Great fun was had by all. Terrific food from Vicki, who organized the retreat,and Donna!
Wonderful setting for a getaway!!!

2012 Oregon Flock and Fiber Weekend

This year was super fun. The weather was sunny and warm.

Delightful under the trees. There were, I think, 250 vendors

and I did well to support the local economy. In a new sock

book I purchased the author said you can't throw a skein

of yarn without hitting a new hand dyer of artistic sock yarn

in the Portland area! Many were represented and the 

selection of hand dyed rovings, yarn, beautiful combinations

of a variety of wool, alpaca, mohair and angora.Enough to 

delight the finicky spinner or knitter. I went thinking I wouldn't

need to purchase anything (I have quite a stash already) but

I broke down.

Lavender Sheep booth

Lavender sheep with the great book on socks from local dyers

My daughter Tracy truly appreciating the fiber!

Wonderful day for spinning on the grass

New Hue silks

merino silk braids

more wool with silk (lots of silks added! this year)

just one corner of one room (many more rooms + outside canopies)

Diane Cutlers blends of kid mohair/ Cormo

                                      This is where I got my lovely striped rolags.

Cute puppets

Kenleigh Fibers lovely felted creatures (Note border collie, my personal favorite)

Wolf Ridge Icelandic sheep pelts

The pelt I fell for and adopted, it's on my chair! Cushy!!!

                    There were quite a few ladies demonstrating bobbin lace.

The grand champion winner, shawl hand dyed and spun, then knit. Gorgeous

                 John Beard had a fabulous showing of his Ravenstail weavings.
                 My daughter and grandson were mesmerized. The weaving is so
                 intricate and best appreciated by mathematical minds like theirs
.                It was just facinating. I have much more appreciation for
                 Pacific Northwes Native art. It is interesting that the colors to
                 accent were yellow and a beautiful pale turquoise. (no red)

Nice Fleece!!!

No fiber show is finished without a trip to the barns and visiting

the animals.

A little baby bunny

Fleece for sale in the Sunday parking lot sale. Great buys!!!!

Gotland fleece on the hoof (resting!)

Really cool new spinning wheels. My grandson spent a long time spinning. He's hooked!!! He was actually telling the girls how to figure the ratios on the wheels! He is a walking factual repository.

Wolfhound show next door! They all got howling and it was a kick!!!

We ended up the day with a lovely trip home and ate a really nice

 dinner outside at the Terminus on the Willamette River in Corvallis. 

Then home very happy. Wonderful weekend

Total: 1 fleece (lamb Gotland) 1 flick carder, 3 bobbins for my lendrum,
 3 rovings and a great book: "Indie Socks" by Chrissy Gardiner.
Wonderful new patterns for hand dyed yarn.
Oh and 1 skein of "Socks That Rock" (my favorite sock yarn)