Stockholm

After a few relaxing days at Petter's cabin, we headed onward to get a taste of big city life---STOCKHOLM!

 Martin turned 30 while we were in town, and we celebrated with a delicious dinner at Gondolen, a fancy restaurant with a killer view of the city.

 

  

The dinner was amazing, but the highlight of the birthday festivities for me was the night before when we stumbled across some live music at a Irish pub. 

As midnight approached, Lars and I got a round of Jager Bombs and an awesome note taped to Martin's back to get the party rollin'. 

 It worked--Martin got three generations worth of kisses and shots given to him by complete strangers. He didn't have a clue until we mentioned that it might have something to do with the message on his back! ;)

I could have lived in this city. Easily.

Cantineros (such good mojitos!), Grill, and Gondolen are restaurants I can recommend! 

I also recommend eating multiple ice cream cones from Gamle Stan. The smell of fresh waffle cones is irresistible.

 And, the Vasa Museum is definitely worth your time! It's the most visited museum in Scandinavia and was easily one of the coolest museums I have ever been to. It houses an old ship that was dragged up from the depths after it sat on the ocean floor. Really cool. And educational.

Stockholm is a gorgeous place--I definitely recommend making the trip if you have the opportunity.

Read more...

1. desember

I was actually hoping to spend Christmas in the US this year, but money and work wise it just didn't work out. So that's a bummer. But luckily, I have grown to love my norsk jul and even though I am disappointed that I don't get to see my family, I must say I really do enjoy and look forward to what my Norwegian December has to offer. :)

The town has recently been lit up with streams of white lights, and I notice more and more Christmas decorations around Hamar with each passing day. Shopping for loved ones is definitely on people's minds; I have already been asked multiple times hva jeg ønsker meg til jul (what I want for Christmas). The landscape is blanketed in snow (and ice), which definitely adds to the ever-growing Christmas spirit (and my fear that I will meet pavement), and also IT'S COLD. Like -4° F\-20° C cold. Brr. Definitely makes walking to work an adventure.

We have definitely felt the Christmas spirit on the job as well--it has been crazy busy! Norwegians are good at celebrating a year well worked. It is common to have a julebord, literally "a Christmas table", where one dines and wines and drinks and drinks and drinks with a group of friends or coworkers. Hopefully we will get to have a julebord sometime soon so I can share a bit more about this Norwegian tradition. We'll probably have to have ours after Christmas haha--I think I can count my days off before Christmas on my own fingers.

December 1st is a day worth noting as well; it's the day Christmas-y type activities should officially begin, according to many, of whom the most notable in my life is of course Lars. Christmas is pretty sacred to him and I do believe it's a bit scandalous in his opinion that stores come out so early with seasonal supplies. Speaking of the 1st---I am so grateful that it has come and gone! Of course it means that payday is around the corner (thank god) but it also means that I am finally allowed to drink julebrus!

Julebrus is a seasonal Norwegian soda that I do believe was originally created as a substitute to Christmas ales for minors and\or those choosing not to drink alcoholic beverages. There are quite a few different kinds, but I won't really go into that, because the only one that counts (there is a lot of friendly competition and discussion as to which julebrus is best you see) is of course the one that Lars grew up on--which you see in the picture above. It's sooo good. I love it and was pretty pleased with myself when I got to crack open a bottle of it today at work.

Ahhhh..........tastes like Christmas.

Read more...

Bloody brains.

The first party we ever had at our new place was a Halloween party. Fitting, since I do love Halloween so much!

The guest list was impressive: Robin Hood, The Energizer Bunny, Gandhi (and his chai servant), the Devil, Snow White, a fortune teller, a rock star, a German citizen, a construction worker, a friendly ghost, a soldier, a cowboy, an Indian, Fred and Wilma Flintstone and a handful of guys with borderline trashy womens clothes and wigs (not sure what they were going for)!

Costume contest: check! Mr. Energizer Bunny won funniest and best!

Martin and his lederhosen got pinned for Most Original.

And Fred and his nipples earned Sexiest.

And Kristoffer, as who-knows-what won Scariest. Well done. Terrifying actually.

But we were all winners really. . . it was a blast and it definitely satisfied my Halloween needs. Well almost... I did miss trick or treaters and jack o' lanterns. But our (mostly) Norwegian guests did an awesome job of executing Halloween, especially for a culture with no such tradition.

And I must say, if parties can be measured by empty cans\bottles, headaches and messes to clean up the next day... it was THE BEST PARTY EVER.

But that was to be expected I do suppose. When it comes to having a good time Norwegians definitely do have experience! :)

Plus, it's not everyday you get bloody brains as your apéritif !

BLOODY BRAINS

3 parts peach liqueur
1 part Baileys (or other cream liqueur)
dash of Grenadine

First the peach liqueur, then add the cream liqueur carefully (I pour over a spoon). This will create the brains. Add some blood, and gobble up.

*NOTE* I do believe we will be having a costume party again next October, BUT when everyone really starts getting into the Halloween spirit if you know what I mean, we will be going OUT onto the town so our guests can get sloppy in some bar instead of our apartment. This is the lesson learned. ;)

Read more...