MISS APRON AT WORK

Thought I'd teach you to read Norwegian.Here's yesterday's paper. Vind & vaer means wind and weather. You can see from the numbers 5,9,8; meaning Celsius degrees that it's still pretty cool. Left you can read why people and plants still can thrive this long north.Sola opp, means sun up at 05.08 in the morning. Sola ned, means sun down at 22.04= 10.04 P.M. We now have 17 hours of daylight, and have yet more than a moth to go till midsummer."Oh, Mamma, isn't life wonderful!" Serina 4 years old used to say.

Much of our work, being early retired, is the role of a patient. Both Gunar and I have two physiotherapists we visit once a week.
This morning we had the privilege to be treated by Annett Henriksen, daughter of Turid, very skilled at her specialty, the Rosen method.
Annett in fact has 7 1/2 years of education to gain the level where she can call herself a Rosen therapist specialist. Both Gunar and I feel privileged to receive treatment by her. Somehow she manages to melt away muscle tensions and knots, so the whole body feels revitalized. And there's no hard rubbing, she barely touches the skin, softly, softly.
She's a good sport as well. She put on Miss Apron with a big smile, and had no objections at all.
She even let Miss Apron have her turn on the bench.Lately Miss Apron has become a bit childish; she will absolutely take part in all activities where I am. Not very different from when Serina was a child. Serina (3)once had to wait in the waiting room, equipped with crayons, color-books, food and juice. She was not amused as the therapist shut the door. She started crying, roaring like a lion. A lady entered the room, "Little friend,are you angry?" I'm not angry, I am firing furious," my sweet heart answered.We all burst out in laughter. Curtains.
You see, I cannot risk that once more.

The first forget-me-nots are blooming. Vergissmeinnichts in German. Aren't they lovely?...
Miss Apron lurked after me when I did some weeding in the garden. That is, she climbed and swing over the railing, and very much annoyed the roses.Those Lady fight back with every thorn they've got, Miss Apron sure learned that lesson today. Tomorrow we've got to go out again. The last working day before May 17th. Any Norwegian with the tiniest self respect groom the garden, the lawn, the driveway to honor our Independence Day. And only heathens work on a Sunday.
Who are we to break the unwritten rules?

As a comfort for loosing her battle with the roses, I had to let Miss Apron have a go on my special garden swing. Gunnar made it for me some years ago, first not sure if I meant really business,wishing for I child's toy.I sure did!We also played with some of the seashell we gathered at Espen's beach yesterday. Wow, the man even has oysters at his beach!! To the right you can see some of the ramsons - rams leek- we are having for dinner every day. In a month there will be flowers and seeds. Just tell me, if any of you want to give it a try.
Later on I had an appointment with my hairdresser and some groceries to by. Miss Apron stayed home. She preferred to play with Gunnar.Vise choice.Can anyone understand why people go bananas before a holiday. One more free day than ordinary, and there's a traffic and hamstring as if a war were right around the corner.
Time to take a look over my bunad,do some ironing, pressing and silver polishing. Oh, I must not forget the flags! Where has that Miss Apron hidden? She needs to meet the iron too.
P.S. It's already Saturday in Norway.

Scarf Sisters Meet!!

Cheryl and I had a great time today at lunch - enjoyed a wonderful meal together at Chow Baby in Atlanta, Georgia. We were joined by my long-time friend, Carol. (Carol and I have been friends for 43 years!!)

Here we are...Carol, Cheryl and Deb...

MISS APRON EATING OUT

Her forth day in Norway Miss Apron felt house warm and entitled to say her meaning.
"Today I want to eat out," she demanded.
Little did she know how the Norwegians act when they are eating out. Gunnar phone his good friend Espen, and asked if it was alright to crash in at his place by the fjord, bringing left overs from yesterday.

Espen agreed that was a nice thing to do on a sunny day. He had otherwise spent the day sorting 154 old local burnt tile stone for his boathouse. That seemed a perfect natural thing to do for a man working on his Ph.D.on Japanese architecture.
As always, when I'm on the picture, Gunnar is behind the camera. We brought a disposable grill and placed it on the metal plate cemented in the terrace for BBQ use.
Menu for today; Grilled bacon, grilled salmon wrapped in tin foil with garlic butter and salt, boiled potatoes, leftovers from the shrimp salad and herbs.Gunnar posing with Miss Apron, the new sprung birches and the fjord down under.


Did I mention the Espen once owned a gourmet restaurant in Bergen? He seemed a trifle reluctant to the way the bacon is prepared, but he was a big, broad smile afterward, when the meal was served.Of course Gunnar is the BBQ chef, a perfectionist when it comes to tossing and turning both fish and bacon.

Miss Apron at first was a bit shocked that the Norwegian way of eating out, is to be taken verbally.With wool sweaters and down jackets we were enjoying the spring, the singing of the birds, the sight of a fish eagle sailing above us, the white anemones and blooming blueberry plants.
We stayed for five hours, watching the sun go down about 10 P.M. Espen gave us the tour around the propriety. We admired the four boats, the boathouses, the work that has been put down here by three generations, grooming, planting, building. We also decided to go for a fishing trip later. The mackerel is found in great shoals just outside his land. There even are industry fishers setting their yarn near by.
Serina was very pleased when she heard that; "Yeah, summer dinner is saved,"she said. New potatoes, cucumber, sour cream and new fished, fried mackerel is her idea of a an ideal summer dinner.

Miss Apron took hide in her sleeping bag.
She'd had enough open air for one day. While we were driving home, she therefor missed the enchanting sight of the deer family headed for the water after sunset.So did, alas, your truely's camera.

MISS APRON MEETS THE FAMILY

Next day after working hours Miss Apron was called out from her (Serina's) room to help me serve the shrimp salad for near and dear family, also known for their love of shrimps.
Somehow she was a bit shy, but she soon relaxed as she heard the guests praise the food.
My sister- in- law, Sigrid, and her husband Terje, were impressed by the style and the looks of Miss Apron. ...
Sigrid is soon 67, but still going strong, working in elementary school, helping challenged children.She has more or less always been working with children all of her life.She looked after little brother Gunnar while their parents were busy building the home in which she now lives. Married Terje at 18 and less than a year later adopted Terje's nephew, Tom. She has also been a foster mother of two brothers, who still call her mother, then they adopted cousin Kristine Maria, Serina's good friend and "big-sister", finally Ruby came, saw and won in 1997.
Terje is educated nutrition engineer and has spent the best years of his life as a manager of dairies.He also has supported Sigrid in her multiple projects; grocery store, convenient store and a successful, private kindergarten.
Besides Terje is a talented inventor. I must not forget to mention his non toxic pesticide used in greenhouses; a solution made of grapefruit seeds. Mrs. Mac, here's your organic pesticide. I cannot believe I did forget Terje's product.
The shrimp salad must be allowed to stay in the fridge over the night,, for the flavors to blend richly.In the background, the mini greenhouse with Amrita's holy Basil sprouts. They grew so slowly, I found it best to place them in front of the new windows, so that they can get more sun. Miss Apron totally agree, she has had some problems adjusting to our cold climate.

She cuddled up in Sigrid's lap, as do all small children. Gunnar was in the kitchen preparing fresh toasted sandwich bread. As always I only manage to get photographs from the start, later on we get busy eating and talking.

All in all Miss Apron had a smooth first day in Norwegian social life.She's now looking forwards to getting around a bit. She's truly a Lady of the World, there's so much more to see and learn.

MISS APRON COOKING NORWEGIAN

Miss Apron complained over long days in transit. I guess she was spoiled living the good life in the Philippines. She had picked up some pretty posh habits and an exotic taste in food. We talked all night and she told me about the metropol Manila, the vast city and the beautiful scenery. She even brought a dozen classy postcards to explain the special beauty of various islands.I tried to share some of the Norwegian food traditions, where the simplicity of nature has made people content with what can be found just outside the home.
We decided to made a super simple dish, of ingredients found in the garden,- and in the grocery store; shrimp salad. To make it as simple as possible I bought peeled shrimps in boxes and frozen scampi. Don't you dare to tell any of my Norwegian friends. They'll skin me alive. After 11 a.m.I can buy day-caught fresh shrimps in five grocery stores, so why use these 2nd glass shrimps. Well, they don't need any peeling, and my Scarf Sisters can get them where they live. First of all I hard boiled 9 eggs. I always take time to pin a hole in the bottom of each egg, so that they don't crack while boiling.

The we whip 3/4 liter of thick whip cream, blend in 2 bags of rich mayonnaise, chop asparagus, carrots, peas, cauliflower, a tea spoon of sugar, 1 kilo shrimps and a packet of scampi.


Finally blend in 8 eggs and let the 9th be for decoration, also some scampi and parsley.
I serve chopped herbs like rams leek, basil,lovage,ground elder,thyme,- anything edible from my garden and add small cherry tomatoes for the look. Fresh toast and garlic butter to go with. Still water and white wine to drink.
Tomorrow is 40 days after Easter. It's a holiday in Norway. We celebrate Ascension Day.
Let's see if we can celebrate with some dear guests.Time for Miss Apron to go to bed.
I let her sleep in Serina's room, really good chi in there..

Here she's lying with the post cards from Philippines in her right arm and Serina's teddy in her left.I let the light on, in case she's feeling homesick. The bed spread is knitted by my mother. The pattern is called court yard tree. Every old farm has a tree planted to root its inhabitant. I love the fact that my grandmother made a double bedspread with the court yard tree pattern lying on Gunnar's and my bed, and Serina's grandmom has made her a similar. Being well rooted is important when the winds of life are howling.

FROM PHILIPPINES WITH LOVE

Welcome at last dear apron from the Philippines.
Someday someone really clever must calculate the mileage of Miss Apron.
We, old hubby and I, have been really busy lately. We have had to supervise three carpenters changing 9 windows and the terrace doors, all with double glazing.I have hardly left the house other than for buying groceries. Imagine my surprise when this package was waiting for me at the local post house.
I was so caught by surprise, I had to stop at the nearest gas station to tank up.
Fast food for fast sisters.. Daijm buns and coffee.We pay 20 dollars for the white steel coffee mug and can refill free on all Statoil stations in Norway. I see to that I get value for my money. Its kind of late in the night and tomorrow is another busy day. Nevertheless I thought I'd grab the opportunity to teach how to magnify your photos on blogger.
1.Click on the "Edit Html" links at the top of the writing screen.
2.After having loaded up the picture of your choice, you just have to double the number of width,length and s (for size)
With my camera the numbers will have to be changed from width 400 to width 800, length 300 to length 600 and /s 400 to /s 800.
3. Remember "Save now" Then return to the Compose board.
Good luck dear sisters. See you tomorrow.

A Long Journey

Is the apron still traveling?  Perhaps it just got worn out and needs to be  pressed and rested, I imagine it's exhausted as well as a bit dizzy from the journey! 
If possible, I'm sure the scarf would laugh its fringe off just thinking of the time the apron has been in transit!  But I'm sure the apron would snicker back at all the tasty and interesting adventures it's had!
Where are you little apron?