think like a norwegian

norwegians are smart.  and seasonal.  when it's nice out, they play and fish and have lots of picnics with matching linens, pictures of which find their way into design books and ikea stores everywhere.  when it's not so nice out?  they stay in and make cool things (ditto on the above design book comment).  so i've decided to think like a norwegian.  to kayak and berry pick and bike like crazy when i can for as long as the weather will permit.  and when it doesn't?  no problem, there's art and books and sewing machines!  my latest craze is making paper "quilts" based on photographs (see also "intuitive color & design" by jean wells, owner of "the stitching post" quilt shop in bend).  www.chipit.com is a great resource for getting color swatches from any photograph as a basis for design. and my latest reading list includes "cross creek" by marjorie kinnan rawlings and "five quarters of an orange" by joanne harris.  latest novel for the rainy nights?  "the history of love" by nicole krauss.  i may not be norwegian, but it sure is fun thinking like one!