Got into carving spoons this past fall using axe and knife, mostly out of intrigue and because i was having a need to get creative. After coming back from Sweden i decided to get my act together and give it a try. I've got an uncle, Erv is his name, who has been carving some pretty deadly bowls of the Swedish form and design for several years now. Bowls that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, a fundamental aspect to Swedish design.

A couple from his personal collection.


I finally had the opportunity to get some hands on instruction in his shop (read: basement) this past weekend and carve my self a bowl. Definitely more to it, once you start breaking down the steps and working through the process.

Tools: Gransfors Bruks Drawknife, GB carving axe, GB short-handle adze, Hans Karlsson Gouges (HK-08,HK-24,& HK-06).

First attempt at a bowl. Still needs drying time and sanding. Will post when finished.

Much thanks Erv.

peace
e

photos By: Eric Berglund

Been off yonder as of late...hittin the road so to speak. Checkin the status on the northshore; visiting some family; getting some lessons in Swedish bowl carving technique from the sage elder down in Fridley, MN.; relishing the taste of some Surly brew and embracing the fact that we still have some winter left to contend with. All this among other things.

Glimpses of spring, Lake Superior
March 25th, 2009.





peace
e
photos by: eric berglund

Ice


photo by: eric

Feather, fur and....fin.

Some 'Intruder' style creations i've been tying up for some down an across swinging in these parts.


peace
e


photo by: eric

the view from out there

The view from out there.
Late afternoon on the Lookout trail.

(click to enlarge for viewing pleasure)

Spring like for sure, although there is plenty o'snow out there to enjoy still.

peace
photo by: eric

dog named Lutsen

We call him 'the dude', 'Lutter', 'dude','little brown dog', 'boy'and'Luty', but his name is Lutsen. A boykin spaniel from Greenbrier, Arkansas and at one year he's an intelligent, rambunctious, affectionate, hardcore, spring in every step (unless your prying him from the bed), friendly, outgoing, laze around in the morning and at night kinda dog. Know's how to sit, retrieve, wait, go for a ski, come when called (most of the time), spot birds, chase birds, ride in the canoe, hunt dust in the house, stay, swim, hang out while fishin, entertain himself, entertain us, roll over, shake a paw, ring a bell to go outside, and sit on your lap while you try to read your favorite book, among other things that i might have forgotten. Happy b-day little dude.

Scotty catches me in the magic hour
shreddin it with the hippie stinx

Scotty layin tracks on new sticks.


Pretty self explanatory. Fine spring skiing at the local hill as the sun sets.

peace

photo cred: e lifting a heel captured by: Scott Parker
Scott on the new sticks, by: eric berglund

For interest sake and since we are getting hammered by a blizzard as i write this, lets have a look at the ice situation out on the lake in comparison to last year on the same day. This should bring to light the incredible lack of surfing that has been going on in this part of the world.

Here we have, what i was bemoaning last year on March 10th, as far ice out on Lake Superior was concerned.

Here we have the ice situation as of March 10th, 2009. Considerably more!
And not surprising either, considering the early onset of cold this year. Environment Canada also noted that "this years ice coverage is more extensive than normal". So there you have it. Ice, ice, baby. Not sure why i even bother reporting this, like some kind of junior meteorologist or dr. icecube or whatever; considering...what will be, will be.
Interest sake, i guess.


The whole upshot to all of this snow and ice, will be the increased run-off and subsequent increased water levels in the rivers and lake Superior....so, not a bad thing.

Lake Superior Ture Color MODIS Imagery, courtesy of
NOAA CoastWatch - Great Lakes Region

Ice and snow bring new hobbies. Nance modeling a felted creation that she came up with last week to keep the noggin warm; using the Scandinavian feltmaking technique, with wool from a northwestern Ontario sheep farm.



photo by:e

Peter Crooks, master trail groomer in these parts was right at ~1 A.M. on Saturday morning when he left his message from the cabin of the piston bully, on the "snow phone", reporting that the trail for the loppet looked like a carpet and would be "fast" come 9:30 AM; the start of the 32nd Sleeping Giant Loppet, (formerly the Sibley Tour). Stupid fast actually. Mostly sunny, -2C, spring like, more like cordouroy and down the line laser fast. Being 5 and a half months pregnant Nance cruised her way through the 10km event rather than the 20km or say the 50km and enjoyed her ski, the family atmosphere and the morning. After geeking on wax for the last few days, i was pretty confident in my skis and had a fantastically fun 50km boot, coming in a full hour faster than last year. I was pretty pumped....anyways..needless to say 755 skiers, both locals and from abroad, couldn't have asked for a better day. See you out there next year ombres.
For good measure and to ensure full exhaustion, we made sure to get out for a ski this morning and hit up some tobogganing with the kiddos this afternoon.

Scenes from the weekend.

Piston Bully layin down a snowy carpet.


About to go.


Post race enthusiasm.



tired


peace

photos by: eric berglund (except the last, in which case it was Nance)

great lakes fly time
prepped for battle
Spring 2007


Still plenty cold and locked up tight out there. Might be spring somewhere, but not here. Long days and warm sun make it damn enjoyable though. Waxy evenings, getting ready for the weekend 50km Loppet.
peace

photo by: eric b.