Red Friday: Homage to Carl Larsson

It's so dark in Portland today I literally couldn't get a picture of anything in the house. I was very excited to do red, because I have red accents in almost every room of the place, but today is so gloomy it's hard to tell. I saw this little glass on the windowsill, given to us, appropriately, by Sarah, from, appropriately, Anthropologie; and then I saw this little compote given to me by my friend Aimee who got it in China several years ago, and she, appropriately, is leaving for China again this afternoon. So. The strawberries are fake. Though red. And my geraniums are all abloom throughout the yard. When I put it all together, it reminded me of my Swedish heritage. Oh wait, I forgot -- I'm not Swedish.

I practically am, though. I have been around the culture, at least Swedish-American culture, for most of my adult life. And I love it. I went to Augustana College, one of the small, private Swedish-immigrant-founded schools that pepper the upper Midwest (like St. Olaf, Macalester, Gustavus Adolphus, Carlton, probably others I just don't remember). My father wanted me to go to this school because he, although thoroughly Chicago-Italian, had always had an affinity for Scandinavian culture, and his best friend was Swedish. I remember that when I told people I was going there, everyone said, "Oh, that's the school where everyone gets married." Really? I graduated with nary a boyfriend, but then about a year afterward I started dating Andy, who also went to Augustana, whose entire Swedish family (grandpa, grandma, other grandpa, aunt, uncle, other uncle, mom, dad, and sister) all went to Augustana. And then of course we did get married. And so did about ten other people that I knew from there -- marry each other, that is. So I guess it's true. I think it's because there was absolutely nothing to do in anachronistic, monotoned Rock Island, Illinois (at least when we were there). More on that some other time. But if you're looking for an MRS to go along with that BA, Augie might work for you. Did (blissfully) for me. I'm just kidding, it's a great school.

I loved my school. I wasn't always happy there, and I do think it's a really weird place in some ways, but I'm weird, too, so that's okay. After I left, and especially after I went to graduate school at another university, I appreciated my education at Augie more than ever. Those four years completely changed my life. The people I met there completely changed my life. Completely. I know everybody says that but I truly feel like I became a totally different person. I felt more myself there than I ever had at home. Martha, Pam, Jeanne-Marie, John, Pat, Beth and Drew, even you Ann, you loser, I miss you guys. Come visit us. I miss you.

Comments

[mary]

you're too funny. i actually do have a swedish heritage and grew up surrounded by Carl Larsson. My mom loves his work. well, and I suppose i do too.

Anyhoo, I love this photo and the red geraniums. Eric built us a huge planter that I painted a light blue, and I can't wait to plant some bright red geraniums in it. now we just need a little sunshine. i'm sick of this overcast weather!

[Chris Howard]

I met and married a yankee boy from New Jersey while going to the University of Georgia. It's funny how those decisions that we make at 18 will affect the rest of our lives. We had our 10 year anniversary last October :)

[Beth]

Maybe I should have gone to school there instead of Oklahoma State University : ) I will always suggest to my daughter to go to a smaller university, I just think they have more of a personal appeal. I wish I could say OSU and those 4 years changed my life, but I never really felt like they did, kind of like high school, just on a bigger scale... : )
You know I keep trying to send some of our heat and sunshine your way, Mother Nature just will not listen to me...

[Karin]

I lived in Burnsville, Minnesota for 10 years, so am familiar with the schools you mentioned.

If you ever come to the middle of the Midwest (Kansas), be sure to stop in Lindsborg -- a small very Swedish town. It is a great place to visit. Lots of shops, festivals, Bethany College, great arts community --

I enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for writing it. The creamy shrimp salad is on my menu for the weekend!

[lottie]

Carl Larsson - brilliant! I am in love with Scandinavian design and wrote my University thesis on CL's house Lilla Hyttnäs. How lovely that you're so Swedish!

[LeS]

Now, see, my heritage IS Swedish and I ain't got nothin but lingonberries to show for it. Oh, and a copy of an ancient letter from a long lost relation (Stefan Stefansson) who made it all the way to Swedesburg, Iowa and lived to send a letter back to the old country.
Hrmph.

[Teresa]

Alicia, your story about your college brought back memories for me. I went to Bluffton College in Ohio. It is a Mennonite school, and Im not Mennonite. I loved the small town atmosphere and it seemed that everyone who studied there hooked up and got married. I would almost bet that Augustana had a "kissing bridge", too. Bluffton had a bridge on campus, that if couples kissed on it at midnight they were sure to be betrothed. I kissed on that bridge but my boyfriend transfered. ha! Wasnt meant to be, but then again, he wasnt Mennonite either. :-)

Love the red accents!

[lisa sp]

I went to St. Olaf, and despite the fact that I am not the least bit Scandinavian at all, I have such a connection to these things. And nearly everyone one of my friends met and married someone from St. Olaf too. Although one of the 100% Norwegian ones, did marry someone who was mostly Swedish (horrors!) Lucky for me, I did meet my Swedish husband on a blind date a few years later.

[laurie]

It is always a little alarming to me when I read your posts like this one. I'm sure that we are friends who have somehow forgotten to actually meet each other. How silly of us.

I went to Gustavus Adolphus and my family lived in Northfield, MN (home of St. Olaf and Carlton) for almost 15 years. You, my missing friend, are the first person who has EVER mentioned any of these places in a blog that I've visited.

Also, my home town had an Agustana College (different than the one you attended).

[Kristy]

Who else would have perfect fake strawberries ready for a photo shoot?The whole American college thing intrigues me they sound like private clubs!

[anja]

I'm Norwegian, (as in grew up in Norway), but recently my sister told me that our great-grandparents all had Swedish blood in them so after adding up all the bits and pieces we're actually 1/4 Swedish. Wow. I've always loved Carl Larsson too (runs in the family as well),l so I guess it makes sense :)

[kim in Camas - ScrapToMyLu]

After teaching my class at the Hollywood 24 hour, I ventured to Marshalls to find a Matlasse sham at the Lloyd Center. I found myself thinking about you when I saw the floral quilts. "oh, the posie girl would love these."
I need to get a life. :)
Love your blog.

[Laurie]

I thought the University of Iowa was where all the girls went to find a husband, a doctor husband LOL ;) I went to a public university in Missouri and though I had a wonderful time while I was there I really don't have fond memories of it. I'm so glad you do. Rock Island isn't terribly far from me and I've always heard good things about Augustana.

[Kristin Nicholas]

I love geraniums too! One of the best features is they seem to prosper without much water. I've just gotten lazy and I need plants in pots that don't need water everyday. I keep mine in the house in our cold climate all winter long and they're blooming come spring. Then it's back outside and more bloom. What more can I ask for. Must have been a similar thing with Carl L. as I've seen them in so many of his paintings.

Keep up the wonderful work. You are amazing.

Kristin

[Jennie]

I must say Sweden is lovely, I don't think I'll ever leave here, I do miss some things with England, but I've lived here so long now I don't think I know how to live in England anymore.

[Mia]

Very funny - am still waiting for an MRS - don't tell me I have leave Australia and go to a college to complete another degree in Illinois to get one? That seems like going to big lenghts! ha

I love Swedish style and they are always so neat - why is that?
Mia

[jeanne-marie]

The people I met there unquestionably changed MY life. I am consciously aware of it every day in myriad ways (as in, like you, I wake up next to it).
Also like you, even though some parts of it were difficult and sad, I wouldn't change a thing. It solidified who I think I was destined to be. Becoming your friend alone was worth the price of admission.

(The weird part is, I never in my wildest dreams imagined I would have a child who is predominantly Swedish. I was sure I'd marry an Irishman. Jeff beat my 50% Swede and tipped the scales. But Glogg beats most beers [exception: Guinness] and it's fun to dress up like a viking.)

[jeanne-marie]

p.s. where are the summer bookbags? I OFFICIALLY have the summer off and can read lots of things anytime I want (except when Charlie is demanding something unreasonable, like food, or a diaper change, etc. Tyrant.).

[Shar]

Another Minnesotan, born and bred...enjoyed the MN references.
Also married into a Norwegian/Swedish; my mother-in-law made lutefisk and leffsa -- Uffda!

[Amy]

hmmmm... I bet you know my friend, Natalie who was there at the same time, approx... and my husband's ex-wife for that matter. Wow! Small world.

[leslie]

If Beth and Drew are poet Beth and painter-nurse Drew, I think we know some of the same people...:)

I've really enjoyed watching as you make things - I make things too...