Dala horses everywhere

This afternoon we got to visit one of the two Dala horse factories in Mora, Nils Olsson Hemslöjd. We saw horses of all different sizes and colours, even some roosters and pigs. These are all hand carved and painted. Once they are cut into a rough shape, they are more precisely carved (with Mora knives, of course), then painted and varnished.

We were invited to the home of our teacher and friend, Anna. She lives in the village of Färnäs, which is home to some very ancient buildings (several from the 12th century are in the top ten for Scandinavia's oldest buildings). We walked down the village's oldest street. In the evening, we heard fiddle tunes from Anna and her friend. It was all very cosy in a home filled with music and candles.

 The view from Anna's house

 Walking in town

Taken from the village's oldest street

A building from the 12th century

Sunny Sunday

Church this morning was in the small chapel again because of the noise from Vasaloppet events, but Mora Kyrka was open for visitors.

Yarn outside of the Svensk Slöjd shop

Another Day

Vasaloppet events are going on now right downtown.

I also saw this weird monkey thing at the library.

All the green things

            I'm missing the warm summer at home, bicycling, smelling roses, kitties, thunderstorms, and all the green things.

I hope we get out to ski soon, so I can fully enjoy the winter here in Sweden.

Scenery

 Our visit to the organic cultivation and sustainable living course took us to Skattungby. The view from here is pretty even on a cloudy, winter day.

It became clear and sunny in the afternoon and we got to soak up some sun in Mora. The world's largest wooden Dala horse, a recent installment, stands proudly by the lake.

My friendly succulent plant and the Mora Kyrka

Trees and Books

From our time in the woods looking for tracks of the wildlife

The neat school library and groovy sign

First Days in Mora

We have arrived in Mora and are now staying at the Mora Folkhögskola where we study Swedish and politics in Scandinavia, with occasional lessons in slöjd (handicrafts) and outdoor field trips (hiking and skiing!)

Our rooms here are very cosy. It is nice to have a real bed after the trip on the overnight train. We were made very welcome here and have already been involved in many fikas. I almost forgot Ash Wednesday is to-morrow until we ate semlor (delicious, decadent, cream-filled rolls) at fika this afternoon. 

It is very satisfying to have finished one mitten; I am working on the second now. The ladies teaching slöjd will show me twined knitting (tvåändstickning), which I am excited to learn.

We did felting (torrtovning) with wool in slöjd to-day. I made this sheep. Later, we went medieval dancing and learned quite a number of classic dances. I felt like a character in a Jane Austen novel as we tripped across the room, but we were all too engrossed in the steps to make conversation.

Cold, Clear Saturday

Attracted by all the mittens

Finding Nalle Puh at the thrift store made it well worth going outside to-day.

Winter Market

 The winter market has officially begun. We walked around all day looking at the street booths and visiting indoor places to warm ourselves. 

 This morning's visit to Gamla kyrkan

I had korv med bröd for lunch (a hotdog). I'd always wanted one that hangs off the bun! 

 It was a beautiful afternoon. We went to the reindeer race. 

Yesterday was Sami National Day. We had a special morning fika.