Just When You Think You Have Seen It All...

We met this rather noble looking cat on our holiday in Grasse, the perfume capital of the world. 

He was sitting calmly outside an artist's studio... 

Now, I have heard of struggling artists, 

but this begging cat (see the begging bowl with coins in front of him where it was written: 'Pour Manger') takes the concept in a different direction

;-)

Judging by the excellent condition of his fur and his splendid collar I don't think he was exactly 'struggling'...

Perhaps he wasn't even the artist!

:-)

Getting Ready

A new school year starts this coming Monday and I spent a good part of today with Our Boy running from shop to shop to kit him out for school. This year is the last year he has to wear the compulsory school uniform and in my naivety I thought perhaps his old school uniform would last another year. However, somehow the blazer and trousers from just 8 weeks ago have mysteriously 'shrunk' in the closet. It was really comical watching him put them on this morning as it looked like they belonged to somebody else! 

There was just no way he could use them any more. 

Amazing how much teenage boys can grow in a summer...

So, like hundreds of other parents (read: mothers) we actually got a new blazer, school trousers and sweaters plus new pens despite finding out that the shop that always carries the uniform has stopped doing it and referred us to their website. Hello! Buying clothes for growing kids involves trying on various sizes! Shopping online only works when you have tried and KNOW for sure which size you need. 

I was not amused and will let the school know as they never informed us about this change! At least not as far as I remember (hmmm... could there be an email I have missed...?).

Pens are always a challenge for Our Boy as he is left handed and most pens will smear as he writes. He has found one type that doesn't and fortunately they were in stock. 

Another tick off the list!

Talking of being left handed: I once read that it is NOT hereditary. 

I wonder about that since we have three generations of left handed men: 

my father-in-law, 

The Professor and 

Our Boy. 

And it is not hereditary...?

The day was a battle, 

hence the illustration (yep, from Monaco) above.

;-)

PS: Just to clarify - nobody got hurt in the 'battle' today and I am still on speaking terms with all the shop assistants...


:-)

Bank Holiday and Recipe Request

The last Monday of August is the traditional last bank holiday of the year. 

Often considered a nice way to round off the summer? 

The weather has not been too great here, a bit on the chilly and windy side. 

But it doesn't matter! 

Our Spanish friends are approaching the end of their annual visit and I met up with them for a lovely Spanish lunch in their camper van followed by a walk in the blustery weather. You might recall our meeting last year. This time they invited me to see the camping site and their lovely camper van. I was so impressed! Camping sure has changed since I was a kid...!

As we agreed todays meeting late last night I didn't have time to prepare anything elaborate to bring with me, so I quickly made some Norwegian 'lefser' and brought as a dessert. Sounds grander than it is, these are semi-ready packs I brought back from Norway this summer - Our Boy loooooves them. 

So, there was little for me to do, except moisten them and add butter, sugar and cinnamon on them. 

They were a great success!

I still have some packs of 'lefse' left, but I really should learn to make them myself as they go quickly in this house! I remember my mother's cousin used to make for Christmas (my mother would make another cake - 'krumkaker' - and then they would swap) and how she used to elaborate on how much work they were... 

Hmmm... does anybody have a good recipe for 'lefser' they are willing to share?

Recommended Reading: Hundred Years

I often pick books by Norwegian authors when I am home in Norway, 

and while on holidays I read Herbjorg Wassmo's book 'Hundred Years' which came out in 2009.

I enjoy Herbjorg's historical novels and in particular this grand and epic book about several generations of women in her family from 1842 to 1942 when she herself was born. 

In short, the book is about 4 generations of women, their lives, the men they wanted, the men the got and their children. 

Although, I feel some parts of the story was not necessary I enjoyed the family saga parts and felt the more autobiographical parts could have been left out as they left some unanswered questions.

I felt I could relate well to the stories and the lives of these women as my maternal family comes from this area and even further north.
It was at times as if I could 'hear' my own female ancestors talking about the hardship of their lives. A hard life in many ways because of the nature and climate, but also with lots of warmth and sense of community.

It is a grand novel I highly recommend.

A Different Life...

French delicacies...

We are back from two lovely weeks in the South of France. It was 'just what the doctor ordered' - warm and relaxing with lots of time for each other. With a family divided over two homes we all enjoyed being with each other, eating the most amazing food, talking, laughing, discussing, and being silent.

We stayed in a very nice and comfortable, albeit small flat between Juan-Les-Pins and Antibes. 

I love this area although with my typically Scandinavian fair and freckly complexion I can't spend too much time on the beach (my two men don't 'suffer' from the same 'condition'). So, in between lazy days on the beach we did a fair bit of travelling along the coast. We knew from last years experience that the train system is excellent and very affordable, so we had decided to do without a hire car. 

Street view in Monaco. Such lovely decor on the houses!

Our first day trip went to Monaco. 

Although it seems that Albert and Charlene had 'forgotten' to invite us to the wedding earlier this summer, we are not ones to hold grudges, 

so we dropped in while we were in the neighbourhood anyway. 

;-) 

All three of us have been to Monaco before, but never together. I was there 22 years ago and it was different than I remembered. It was much more crowded and every inch of the small place has been built up. It is lovely there, but I prefer many other places on the Riviera to Monaco. 

Too flashy and too crowded for me. 

In the square outside the palace next to the souvenir shops I saw the sign for an antique shop with the owner's surname being unmistakably Norwegian... 

Norwegians get around!

I still have some more days off, but various projects at home are now on the cards!

Yes, the holiday sure shows a different life...

Tried and Tested: Swedish Jam Tarts

Blogs are just so great for inspiration!

Wilhelmine suggested these quick and easy jam tarts a few days ago, a recipe she had found in a Swedish magazine (her tarts look nicer, actually).

I have often thought we take it for granted the similarities between the Scandinavian languages. Without going into language history, it is safe to say that most Scandinavians more or less understand all three languages without too much effort (in my view - Norwegians tend to be best at understanding the other two...;-). Admittedly, there are the odd words here and there that is completely different, but that is just charming, I think. And even if there are some cultural differences between Norway, Sweden and Denmark, I think it is safe to say we still feel very much 'related' - like cousins!

Anyway, I am digressing wildly!!!

:-)


Here is the recipe in English (you can check out Wilhelmine's blog for the Norwegian translation):

Be warned - these tartlets are very moore-ish!

I made only half the portion and they all 'disappeared' in an evening!

200 gram soft butter

100 gram sugar

2 tsp vanilla sugar

270 gram flour

Jam

Whip the butter and sugars light and airy.

Add the flour and knead well.

Pour the thick batter onto the table and form to two long sausages.

Divide them into 3 cm pieces which you roll into balls

Each ball goes into a cup cake form and press a hole in the middle.

Add the jam of your choice to the hole.

Bake in the oven on 200 degrees for about 15 mins

- mind they don't burn

Not Just a Pretty Face...

I just have to say it -

I am seriously proud of myself!

I feel like the world of technology might have missed out on a 'genius'...

:-)

It wasn't so easy to see how it all fitted together when they are all in loose pieces!

Among all the things I brought over from Norway last week was my mother's kitchen machine.

I have long been honkering for a new KitchenAid machine from Kenwood, but this Bosch Profi 45 is great and it used to be Mamma's.
I have many good memories of her using and caring for it.

In the confusion of packing and going through boxes, we never found a manual for the machine.

Well, that could be a problem since NOT being a man, I actually read manuals...  

However, I thought it would be fine since I have used this machine many times in Mamma's house,
so how hard could it be?

All WAS fine until I realised I had a number of pieces I had never used before and just didn't understand how they fitted on the machine...

My first thought was that they belonged to another machine we no longer had.

But the color matched too perfectly so I realised that they must belong.

Hmmm.... perhaps I was missing a piece for the machine?

No, I didn't think so...

Then lightning struck - check the internet!

And lo and behold, yes! There were pictures of this old machine there!

And from them I could see that all the pieces I had belonged to this machine.

The challenge was even greater as I now KNEW they would fit somehow!

Another picture emerged on my internet search and I realised to my delight how the blender and various grating/chopping implements that can be attached to the machine.

I like it even more.

Even if it isn't the Kenwood KitchenAid Apple Red machine...

:-)

Tried and Tested: Dulce de Leche

I have seen several blogs praising Dulce de Leche or as the French call it Confiture de lait  

and decided to try it out myself.

There are many recipes out there, but Sockertussen gave a simple and good suggestion and I followed her tips by simply

boiling an unopened tin of condensed milk in water for 3 hours

(ensure the tin is properly covered by the water) 

If you boil it for shorter, it becomes more runny.

Check out Sockertussen's blog for a visual illustration of the various cooking times.

Voila!

This Argentinian delicacy can be used in making ice cream or added to other baked goods.

Think I will try adding it to my brownies mix next time I make them...

Dulce de Leche reminded me of the Norwegian spread 'Prim'.

But we don't get that here, so good to know how to make it myself.

;-)

Slowly does it..

I am back home in England again after an intense break in Norway. 

It was good to be 'home', seeing friends and family and familiar places, 

even if things were changed in many ways.

Apart from a lot of practical things to attend to, 

I managed to squeeze in a nice evening with an 'old' friend of mine and we went to one of the television recordings of the annual sing-alongs in the old fortress in my home town.

It was great fun particularly since they had some old timers performing like Carola, Ingrid Bjornov, Bjarne Brondbo and Blue (from England!). It made it easier for me who has lived outside the country so long and don't really feel familiar with the 'new' artists...

;-)

This was the last performance this summer, 

but I hope to catch another sing-along like this next year. 

Here is a clip from Blue's performance (the only one I found on YouTube)

Going home...

I am sitting waiting to board the ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg on my way home to Norway.

I wonder how it will be. Not only do I expect it to be emotional since it is my first trip back since Mamma passed away in June, but I wonder how my country has changed after the atrocities last week. It actually feels like much more time has passed than just about a week.

My thoughts are still very much with the victims and their friends and families.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Rock On!

last minute practise while waiting for the exam

Throughout the years, Our Boy has tried out numerous hobbies.

The interest for some only lasted a term, some lasted longer.

We were never bothered about how long they lasted.

Our views were

'this is life - you've got to try out various things before you know what is for you'.

:-)

 So in line with this philosophy we bought Our Boy an acoustic guitar a few years ago (neither of us are particularly musical although I used to sing in a choir many moons ago - I definitely have a 'choir voice').

We have been happy to take him to lessons (he has a very cool and patient teacher), but we never pressured him to practice. There are so many other areas of his more formal education where we have had a much stricter view, so the guitar has been his choice to take more seriously if he liked it.

The first year he hardly touched the guitar between each lesson, but there seemed to be progression...

He then passed the Entry Exam in the Rock School's examination system.

It was as if something loosened and we started hearing him playing in his room.

He saved up money and bought his first electric guitar and an amplifier.

He has even built two electric guitars himself which he regularly plays on (one of them is pictured above!).

Do I sound proud?

Yes, I am!

I can't play any instrument properly and

 would certainly not entertain the idea of building my own guitar.

As I mentioned previously, Our Boy just completed Grade 3 in Rock School's examination system.

Rockschool is Europe's No. 1 rock music exam board offer rock musicians the opportunity to get the same qualifications that classical musicians can get.

Our Boy's current aim is to complete Grade 5 by the time he goes off to University in a few years time as you can apparently get extra credits for having taken a grade 5 exam on an instrument.

I am just glad he has found a hobby for life!

Not Even Funny...

Talk about self induced stress:

I took Our Boy to his guitar lesson yesterday

and while I was waiting for him in the car,

I relaxed and had the radio on for company,

as well as a good book and

the sun was shining.

I also had left the lights on and

apparantly the car fan was running

(nope, too engulfed in the book and didn't notice).

45 mins later Our Boy came back from his lesson and was very happy

as he had passed grade 3 in his guitar studies

and we were all set to

drive home and cook dinner.

Or not

The car didn't start...

and I realised I couldn't hear the radio any more...

I admit I know very little about cars,

but it didn't take a genius to realise the battery was flat.

"Not to worry", I thought after the first panic when I realised most of my friends are away on holidays had subsided.

"We have break down insurance!"

Except I couldn't find any papers with any information on in the car. 

I had a vague vision of seeing the papers at home and

"somebody" must have taken them in for one reason or the other...

New panic!

I couldn't for the life of me remember which company we are with!

As I annually review our insurance policies to get the best deal and therefore often switch both breakdown company and insurance company, I couldn't remember who we were with this year... While Our Boy started walking home to find the papers, I started calling the various companies I thought it might be and on the fourth attempt I struck lucky - yes, The AA confirmed we are indeed current customers!

If I hadn't found out which company it was it would have cost me £130 to get somebody to come out...

Within 30 mins the nice man from The AA was there and sorted out the car immediately.

The battery is once again healthy and I hope I have learnt a lesson.

So, perhaps the question is - 

does this then mean I have saved £130 I can spend on something more fun than breakdown insurance...?



Dignified Pride

The pictures from the marches around Norway have moved an entire world.

This quiet, determined protest makes me proud to be Norwegian.

It gives me great pride to see how dignified and how strong the spirit

 of my fellow country men and women are.

We will not to be defeated by evil but will show 

love, support and solidarity.

We will not be scared.

And we will not forget.

My Country...

Our thoughts are with those innocent people 

who have suffered so incomprehensibly in 

Oslo and Utøya.

Words fail me

Big Moments of Happiness ...

picture borrowed from the big wide web

These quiet summer days where

'nothing'

seems to be happening is actually filled with some

pretty BIG moments:

* a friend got his PhD this week

* a cousin had a little baby girl in Sweden yesterday

(welcome, little one!)

and not least...

* Our Boy is coming back from his epic mountain trip today!

End of Childhood...

borrowed from the world wide web

We went to see the last Harry Potter film this weekend.

In 3 D!

Wow! What a ride!

I won't spoil it for anyone and say too much, except

I loved it and

I was literally exhausted at the end.

And yes, I cried -

probably the main reason Our Boy has stopped taking me to the movies...

:-)

Somebody else who grew up with the Harry Potter books made a comment saying

it felt like their childhood was now officially over...

:-)

If you like the Harry Potter books,

I am sure you will love the film.

I would recommend seeing the first part of this last book before going

because it is amazing what you forget...!

Or maybe that is just me!

On Familiar Ground

I tend to re-visit my favourite places over and over again. 

This weekend we had a couple of the younger relatives from Norway visiting with a friend 

and I took them to one of my favourite places which I have written about before - Wimpole Hall.

The weather has not been brilliant lately, but the colors in the picture above are true. 

Shortly after taking it we were surprised by heavy rain - twice - on our short walk 

- but hey! you can't let a thing like the weather stop you!? 

And the rain gives other photo opportunities, as well.

That is the true nature of this part of the country 

- we often have rain/thunder/sunshine and gales within 30 mins.

You often hear: 'if you don't like the weather, just wait 10 mins...'

The goal for our walk was the old folly. 

A folly actually has no other purpose than purely ornamental. 

This one is designed to resemble the ruins of a medieval castle and was built on the grounds in the mid 1770s. It is substantially built and stretches for two hundred feet in length and include a four-storey Gothic tower. 

I love coming out here and find the entire area very romantic 

and it virtually 'echoes' with voices from ancient times...

- no matter the weather!

Shhh...! Why is it so Quiet....?

The house is so quiet.

And it is tidy.

It is even tidy hours after I leave a room ...

I wonder why...?

Ah, yes - Our Boy is away in the Scottish Highlands with a group from school.

This hiking trip is for 126km and they are spending 10 days on it before they might be climbing the British Isle's highest mountain, Ben Nevis (1344 m to the summit). They are carrying all their equipment with them, so I am sure this is a trip that will build stamina!

I hope they don't meet too many of these guys...

nor the infamous Scottish midges!

I am sure they are having a great time and I admit it

- I miss him and can't wait to hear about the adventures!

Btw - just for the record - it probably isn't Our Boy making all the mess...

Nah, it is purely accidental that the mess happens when he is around!

;-)

PS: all pictures borrowed with courtesy of the world wide web

Tip for Visiting the UK: Saffron Walden

After sending Our Boy off on his epic hike in the Scottish highlands on Saturday

my Canadian friend and I went to Saffron Walden. 

Our goal was an exhibition of Eric Ravilious and Edward Bawden at the Fry Art Gallery. 

These are two war artists I was not familiar with and I enjoyed the exhibition. 

The style reminded much of Norwegian 1940s/1950's 'let's-stand-together-and-rebuild-the-country-type-art, if you get what I mean. One could almost be forgiven for getting the feeling it might have been commissioned to give that kind of message. There was also some more whimsical art, both styles very enjoyable. 

The path from the street to the gallery was lush with blooming plants and I found this little bust almost hidden in the hedges. 

We also met the local cat who was extremely affectionate, but not much of a poser for pictures...

;-)

I brought my camera with me and took some pictures of this lovely medieval market town. Some of the old  roofs come down really low to the ground - I am actually standing on the ground taking the two pictures of the moss covered roof tiles (no, at 1.67m I am not a tall giant). 

I must admit was really pleasantly surprised over this lovely little town. 

It is full of little shops and plenty of sales. There is also a cute market in the centre. 

I thought this decoration around the light was rather interesting and I am sure it isn't hard to make something like this myself...!

The city's main car park is kind of hidden inside a park and was one of the nicest car parks I have ever come across - never thought I would say that! 

On our way back to the car park we passed this lovely, lush garden and I quickly snatched a picture...

I will come back again soon!

Living the High Life with the Greatest Friends

Images from Fortnum & Mason

What a weekend!

Our dear friend from Canada and her lovely family have been visiting us this weekend. 

It started on Friday with a gathering in the pub 'at the end of the path' where several of their friends joined us for a meal and a chance for them to see as many as possible. All the boys gathered and had a sleepover together. They have know eachother since they were 4, so I think they all enjoyed catching up... Even if it meant that Our Boy was not fully rested for his 13 day hike along the West Highland Way which he went on on Saturday... But, hey! it was impossible to separate him from the rest of the old 'gang' and I am sure he got some rest on the train up to Glasgow...

On Saturday we went to Saffron Walden to see an art exhibition (will write about that later) before we gathered at our Welsh friend's house with the rest of the Ladies Who Dine and we had a lovely evening together.

The tea and sweets counters at Fortnum & Mason 

Sunday was the real deal - the Ladies Who Dine dressed up and we went to London to meet up with our other Welsh friend! The train was very busy, and we were almost resigned to stand for the hour it takes to London. But to our amazement a (young and cute) man gave up his seat to me and my Danish friend so we could sit together! Chivalry still exists  - he stood the entire way! (Ok, the question begs to be asked: did we look so nice or did he think we were 'in need' of sitting down... - we elect to believe the first option, of course!)

;-)

The five of us first went to Fortnum and Mason for a glass of bubbly in the wine bar in the basement. 

In the words of our Welsh friends - Marvellous! 

We also had a quick browse around the shop before we walked to the main event of the day:

I had booked us a table at Claridge's where I had booked us in for afternoon cream tea with Champagne. I highly recommend this experience if you are in London. Be warned, you MUST book in advance, often months before you want to go. This is the second time we are here, and it was just as big a treat as the first time.

Claridge's is an iconic grand 5 star art deco hotel in Mayfair and includes among other things one of Gordon Ramsay' restaurant. Their famous afternoon tea consists of a selection of 30 different teas, the lovelies little finger sandwiches (you can have as many as you like), two types of scones with clotted cream and Marco Polo jam, and I think there were 4 types of cakes/sweets (again - as much as you like!). The picture does not do the food justice. 

The entire experience, the elegance, the opulence, the service - it is just such a treat!

Claridges has their own china, of course and sell it in their gift shop. (Un)Fortunately for me, it was closed so I had to contend myself with some pictures from their display cases...

At the end of our visit the waiter presented us each with a small box of some of their exquisite tea. It doesn't take much to make us feel special 

;-)

It was with sadness we bid farewell to our friend who went on to visit relatives while we jumped on the train happy, content and feeling very privileged for having such great friends and experiences.

But I promise - next year we will do it all over again! 

Tried and Tested: Eton Mess

This dessert epitomises a very summery English dessert to me. 

'Eton Mess' originates from Eton College where they apparently have served this during their cricket game against Winchester College since the 1930s. 

Be warned, it is rather rich, 

so small portions are recommended unless 

you are more generous with the strawberries than the other ingredients...

What you need is:

Whipped cream

Meringue - which you crush up into small pieces

(I took the easy way out and used shop bought)

Chopped fresh strawberries

Mix all well - a real mess!

But oh, so nice and very quick and easy.

If you want more details of a recipe Delia has one here

Tried and Tested: New Version of the Old Brownies Classic

this picture is from when I made Brownie cake with Oreo's but apart from substituting the Oreos for peanut butter it looks the same


As you may have noticed, I tend to bake quite regularly.

To be honest, both The Professor and I limit our intake (and we have both lost some weight this year!),
but our very active teenage boy has a larger consumption ability that doesn't seem to impact on his waste line... Ah, those were the days!

:-)

To Our Boy's defence I must add that he actually never buys sweets, chocolates nor cookies, but prefers that we bake and make our own treats. I also prefer to bake as I feel I have more control and know WHAT we are eating. 
We are not paranoid about it, but it just doesn't feel right to stuff ourselves with all sorts of added preservatives which you find in shop bought cakes, cookies and bisquits.

Last night after a lovely, healthy salad with just some fried strips of chicken in it,

we experimented with an old favorite for dessert, Brownies.

The difference to our old recipe was that we added 3 tbsp of peanut butter.

It worked well and was quite nice!

Stir (don't whisk) 4 eggs with

6 dl of sugar

Stir in 200 grams of melted butter with

2 pinches of salt and

2 tsp of vanilla sugar/powder as well as

3 dl of flour and

8 tsb of cocoa powder

3 generous tbsp peanut butter

Remember NOT to whisk as you don't want too much air into the batter as it helps keep the brownie a bit heavy and gooey on the inside.

Pour into your baking tin and

Bake in the oven on 175 degrees for about 45-50 mins

Don't put it too high in the oven so the top won't be burned.

My Little 'Assistant'

The Cat is definitely my 'baby'. 

Wherever I am in the house, he will be close by, watching and waiting for me to sit down 

so he can jump on my lap. 

In the evenings he will sit at the bottom of the stairs and 'tell me' in no uncertain terms 

that it is time to go to bed. 

I am sure he loves that I have a TV in my bedroom as this MIGHT mean I will go to bed early...

He is also very fond of Our Boy, not so much of The Professor...

It is kind of mutual...

;-)

However, he is not too happy when I sit at the computer, 

but has learnt to be patient and wait for me... 

sometimes sitting on my hands while I type (!) and 

sometimes curled up in front of the screen under the lamp. 

Yep, there is definitely something in the saying that 

'You don't own a cat, he owns you!' 

Or me, in this case.

Justifying a Summer Gift to ME!

I admit it... 

I was jealous.

The Professor decided he 'needed' an Ipad2. 

I didn't know I had the 'need'. 

Not until we had had the Ipad2 in the house for a day... 

and he then took it with him to Edinburgh and left me with no Ipad.

:-(

It was easy to convince myself how useful it would be when I go on holiday and can have all my reading materials on the Ipad instead of dragging with me heavy books which lead to added luggage charges. 

So, perhaps I can claim it is actually low-cost airlines 'fault'... 

No..???

Anyway, it helped to convince myself of my 'need' when I saw Cath Kidston had a SALE(!) and found a cute cover

Or can I claim that living with two men (three if you count The Cat) 

I can't avoid getting hooked on gadgets?

No...???

Winner's Luck!

I 'never' win anything, so I was thrilled to win Fredrikke's give-away on her blog Kort og Som a while ago. 

She makes the loveliest little (and big) bags, notebooks of various types, cards, bibs, childrens' clothes and scarfs. The list of her production is much longer than I mention here. She is a very creative lady I recommend you check out her blog! 

I received a great little makeup bag which I immediately realised was perfect for taking my makeup in for the gym! 

The little red one will be perfect for my headphones - also mainly used in the gym. 

I thought I would use the notice book to note down information when we go away on holiday. I get fed up with my post-it note system and can now keep it all in one handy place!

Tusen, tusen, tusen TAKK!

:-)