Scandinavian what?

Does anyone know where this came from?  I assume it is Scandinavian in design.  I am curious about the construction and what it's use might have been.  if you know, please post a comment.  I have named him Gunnar and he graces my kitchen counter where I can enjoy seeing him every day.

I purchased this little gem at a local thrift shop for next to nothing, just because I liked it.  Whoever painted it had fun, they didn't care if the dots were even or evenly spaced or all the same size or it was a production piece that was just whipped out to keep up with the quota, whatever - I think it's great!

Being a painter, I've painted on just about every type of surface and object; canvas, masonite, matte board, wood, boxes, plates, saw blades, wooden animals, you name it.  I am not what I consider a 'loose' painter, I am very methodical and neat.  Maybe that's what I like about the painting on this horse, it is free and flowing and it gives the eye even more to look at.  Because even though parts of the design are all the same, each one is a little different.

It is made from wood and there is a small rise, as you can see, on the saddle.  The wheels actually turn and the axles are small square pieces of wood that have been glued and nailed to the underside.

The painted design extends over the rump and a black tail has been painted.  Slightly down from the rise of the saddle you can see a small spot on the white portion, this is a nail that enables the top of the horse to swivel open.

I took this picture so you could see the small metal hook that hangs down from the bottom of the neck and attaches to a small nail that protrudes from the lower portion.

Here is an overhead view of the inside of the horse, with a round hole in front that is 7/8 ths of an inch in diameter and 7/8 ths inch deep.  There is a rectangular area that is 1"X2" and 5/8 ths inches deep.  It was carved with a hand-held drill, there are small bit holes, one at the bottom of the circle and two at the base of the rectangle about 7/8 ths inch apart.

The horse is white and the decorative painting is done in red, black, green and white, with gold for the halter, harness, wheel spokes and around the saddle and blanket.

The horse is aged and dirty and I wouldn't think of cleaning it, that's part of the charm.  There are no identification marks to be found anywhere.  The wood both on the axles and underside of the bottom and also the underside of the top portion are rough, with ridges.

I don't believe it is an antique and probably not very old.  I would just like to know what it was used for and is it Swedish,Norwegian, Finnish, Danish?  Do you know?

Our Christmas Snow, 2008

I love the outside lights at Christmas, especially when it snows!

I wound twinkling, colored lights around the ivy on our light post and tied bows at the top  It looks like a small Christmas tree next to our driveway.

My husband, Don, getting his winter exercise.  I'm thinking he would rather be in the warm house eating Christmas cookies.

I took this from the garage.  What a job, and that's only half the driveway!  Who has time to make a snowman?

This is a shot that is a first, We used to have a huge Juniper Tam hedge all across the front of our property.  We removed it this fall (that's another post)

We have bird feeders and it is such fun to watch them.  Snow makes it difficult for them.  This is one of our visitors sitting in our Ornamental Plum tree out front.

We sprinkle seed all along the side of the house, under the eaves, where the snow can't cover it.  The birds flit in and out of the Rhododendrons, and our trees.  We have hundreds of them every day and can watch them from the kitchen window.  Jays, Thrushes, Sparrows, Junco's and a resident Dove we call 'Dovey'.

The Ornamental Plum, beautiful with it's coat of snow.

The bird feeder, actually we have two, one of them froze and the chain broke.  We sprinkle the seed behind this Rhododendron.

A beautiful Junco atop the frozen snow on our Rhododendron

The squirrel feeder in back needs to be refilled every day, they are experts at emptying it.  They traverse over the fence tops and in the trees, none are on the ground, the snow is too deep.  I miss the interaction I had with them during the summer and fall.

The lights around the flower bed in back look like mushrooms now.  I love the different shapes when it snows.

Everything is covered in the back yard, the ferns and Pine had to be brushed off or they would have collapsed.

Snow, beautiful snow!!  We are definitely having a White Christmas.  It started snowing on December 18th and has snowed on and off ever since.  A snow-covered world is so soothing to view and everything is calm and quiet.

Yes, you have driveways and walks to shovel, it's harder to get around and there is always the possibility of flooding when it thaws; but it has it's good side too.  It forces you to finish those inside chores you've put off way too long, slows your life down to a manageable pace and provides you with time to reflect on what is really important, your life, family, friends, the beauty of God's creation and His love for you!

Get on your boots, winter wear and gloves and go out and build a snowman!

Christmas of 2008

By Carol Glitschka 12/24/08

The driveway now is shoveled

Don has had his fun

The lights are up and lit

The baking is all done.

Reindeer, lit, are taking off

From the roof of Alan and Shar

Snow is muffling all the noise

Of kids and dogs and car.

Seed is scattered on the ground

So all the birds can eat

The squirrel box is filled

With a Christmas treat.

Roast turkey, stuffing and gravy

Homemade rolls with butter

So many different pies

It sets your heart a-flutter.

The twinklig lights say "welcome"

The driveway is all clear

But no one will be coming

There's too much snow this year!