Big Little Owl

Saturday Sweets

2013-03-09T20:43:00.002+01:00

In my kitchen, the dish towels are used for EVERYTHING - and they could use a little freshening up

Photo tour of this incredible loft by The Blue Hour

Marc and I started our (pre-baby) life in Brooklyn - a few blocks from this AMAZING loft for sale

On a separate and unrelated real estate topic - spite houses...read on and believe in revenge

My alma mater made the NY Times, this time for some kind of kerfuffle over Nutella...

Maybe we could all use a little advice on being alone...together

Could this also somehow be our season of discontent? Seems like a lot of let's get along pieces lately

Cider Farm Behind The Scenes with Oscar and Ralph from Olive Us on Vimeo.

This video from the Olive Us series, by Design Mom and family, made me want a huge family (more)

Marc sent me this...why do you think he did that?

I ran 10k on Thursday and (still on treadmill) decided I will run the NY Marathon...was I high?

A little heads up: my time in NY this month will not be complete without this

I'm sorry, but is Russell Brand suddenly starting to make more and more sense?

Girl Power

2013-03-08T20:27:00.002+01:00

Happy International Women's Day!

from Anonymous Art of Revolution

Invisible Leash

2013-03-06T13:00:00.000+01:00

The sunset over Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake

The past few months have been eye-opening, in myriad ways. I have been confronted with the realities of living in Norway as compared with vacationing here - taking the wide-eyed idealism that I have always felt about 'what life must be like' here and applying to it the litmus test of day-to-day existence.

Of course, there are many things that have matched my expectations: the deep connection to the outdoors, the stoic public personality, the family-friendly political and work climate, and the appreciation for all that is cozy, especially in the winter months. I have also been happily surprised by exactly how beautiful every day is here, especially in the winter months. Physical beauty is so abundant that I am tempted to take photos every single day of the sky, the clouds, the sunrise and sunset, the snow, crystallized on branches. Even on the greyest of days, like today, there are things that shine - the colors of the streetlights on snow, yellow on purple shadows, with glittering ice shifting underfoot, like a clear night sky lit up with stars. I am blown away by the sheer natural beauty everywhere around me, and the nuances I have really never before devoted enough attention to notice.

Photo courtesy of Momedy Central

Another surprise has come from my slow but steadily growing appreciation of the parenting style - even though I have made many Norwegian friends with kids over the past 10 years. What I'm about to characterize as Norwegian parenting is a stark generalization coming strictly from my own, admittedly limited, viewpoint, so bear that in mind. Seeing Norwegian parenting in action in New York is different, because, due to context, it is the exception rather than the norm, complicated by the natural pressures to conform to a local norm. It is specifically the emotional distance of parenting here that stands out to me.

I was initially impressed by the calm and patient parenting I saw, not only from the stellar mom of 4 in the grocery store, but from nearly all parents I witnessed, and they are absolutely everywhere. I was intrigued by equally omnipresent assortment of calm and secure children, by the level of independence - crossing streets, biking down the street to a neighbor's alone, playing at the local playground without a parental chaperone in close proximity. Now, keep in mind, this is not a reflection of life in 'big city' Oslo, but directly outside city limits, in what can be considered a 'small town' sort of environment. Nonetheless, it really shone the light on my own 'big city' mentality. During the first few months, I was worried if Ella was out of my sight, if she ran far enough ahead to cross a street on her own. And don't even get me started with Fred and feeding ducks at the local pond. Some of my fears were relatively reasonable - especially when we were fresh off the boat, coping with unfamiliar rules and systems, and where routines had not yet become routine.

I am now starting to see the other side of that distance. I think the distance is the manifestation of a more realistic, less obsessive and perfectionist experience of kids. Maybe it starts with the fact that every mom takes the first year after birth off from working outside the home in order to spend with her baby. And in that year, instead of binding oneself ever tighter to their babies, mothers here allow the emotional umbilical cord to naturally, easily sever. They allow themselves the distance to take back their bodies, their space, their time, their brains, and they allow their babies to enjoy a natural curiosity in other people and places, and to indulge their natural curiosities - sometimes in ways that make me cringe. I have seen parents allow their infants a taste of their own diet soda (which, honestly makes me nuts, but I am pretty sure that's mainly my issue, because I imagine that a little taste of saccharine sweetness is enough to put most babies off of soda for good).

Now, maybe all this is rather expected. The fact that from a culture of traditional, kind of old-school socialist democrats, you would find kids who are allowed to explore, fall, get up again, cry, deal with pain, etc. But the thing that I am completely floored by is the accompanying warmth and kindness. It is a really beautiful thing to watch - parents let their kids go as far as they would like, and then, when they fall, they cry, and if they seek comfort, they have it. Nothing is fetishized, or problematized - if your potty-training child starts having accidents, then you just pack more clothes. If your first-grader starts getting weepy on the way to school, you comfort her until she can go in. It is almost so simple that it doesn't make sense, but I think the way to sum it up is that Norwegians get the impermanence of childhood and of all the little phases that would drive many moms I know straight to the local bookstore for some advice on how to cope with the new developments. It's is almost like a buddhist approach to parenting, although I'm not sure the comparison is the most apt. In any case, from my perspective, the parenting mentality seems to be all about letting each child have a long, long, LONG leash...maybe even just drop the leash. Maybe this childhood is leashless.

A snow-angel's view...

There are ways in which this kind, but neutral, distance feels strange to me, still. In the barnehage (the Norwegian preschool or 'play school') where Fred spends his weekdays, there is a little girl who recently began - she is about a year and a half old - and every day, when I drop Fred off, she's crying inconsolably. For whatever reason, the way of dealing with this is to let her cry, and the caretakers do their best to hold her, and comfort her, but in a detached way that says to me, 'Hey, she's going to cry if she's going to cry...And, one day, she won't cry anymore.' It isn't that they don't 'get' that she needs help, but they also 'get' that being 'rescued' isn't the help she needs. She doesn't need to be saved from her own feelings, but rather to be allowed to cope and trust herself in this new, strange place with all the new, strange people. For whatever reason, this little one likes me, and reaches out to be held by me or crawls up into my lap, when I drop Fred off. I am powerless to resist, despite Fred's irritated insistence that this is 'my mommy'. When I hold her, she sighs the deep, satisfied sigh common to young toddlers - and stops crying, but when I leave, the sad mood returns, crying ensues, and I beat a hasty retreat. Over the weeks after she started, the little girl has indeed grown into her social spot in the barnehage and found a way to cope with the routine of drop-off and goodbyes. And it is really lovely to see each little personality begin to sparkle.

I'm coming around. It's a lot of change, but it looks like everyone is taking it very much in stride.

Print and Frame

2013-03-04T19:06:00.000+01:00

From Wine Folly

I'm a girl who knows lots about a little, a little about a lot and nothing whatsoever about wine. I want to kiss the person or people who made this - because I love the sweet, colorful graphic, and because who couldn't use a little pairing advice?

Saturday Sweets

2013-03-02T17:06:00.002+01:00

LOVE temporary decor! From French by Design

I don't know about you, but I LOVE WASHI TAPE...more ideas for us, then!

Taking the next step...this is what it would feel like to be integrated with your phone

Kitchen pros know...these 8 things

Lies we tell our kids - And here I was thinking I was the only one with a balloon issue...so relieved

Ok - people, PRINCE. He's 54 years old and makes other artists look like amateurs. Amazing

Are you ~~pretending~~ attempting to be(come) vegan? Coconut oil is your bestie. NOM. You're welcome

Or else, this...

My vegan phase is not going so well. Why? Maybe because I am only doing it to annoy my mother-in-law...IDK.

WOOHOO! A DIY guide from DesignCrush? Yes, indeed

Need an excuse to party now that the Oscars are over? How about 5

And one more - a SWISH to open up your closet and make room for your new faves?

Ok and now I'm going to wrap this up because I'm sitting outside, next to my snow-covered lawn and my tea is cold.

Have a wonderful weekend: )

The most beautiful birds ever

2013-02-28T15:43:00.000+01:00

In continuing with my bird theme this week, I thought I would confess something.

Huginn and Muninn, companions of Odin, the All-Father, from this Danish site

I have been in love with crows for a long time - the fact that they show up all over the place, especially when there are funerals and death and other dark, precious EMO scenes in movies and TV doesn't probably help my cause. I think that it was in college, reading Neil Gaiman's Sandman graphic novel series (during which lengthy period, my perennial Halloween costume was Gaiman's Death character) that I first learned about Huginn and Muninn, the raven companions of Odin. I love that crows are a part of Norse mythology, making them officially my business, I guess, as a resident of Norway. One of our local varieties, the magpie, are Ella's very favorite animals. She finds them to be the most beautiful birds... ever. I think she likes iridescent things. Not shockingly, so do I.

Now, by virtue of the PBS series Nature, I have come to learn that they are also among the most intelligent creatures on our little planet...yes. THANK YOU!

You, too, can enjoy this little glimpse into what those incredible birds are up to.

Here. You're welcome.

Haunted

2013-02-26T15:27:00.000+01:00

Because this song haunts me...

Oscar Night

2013-02-24T22:03:00.002+01:00

I secretly, simultaneously love and loathe the Academy Awards. This year, watching online at 2:30am will be a new low, I think. I have some harissa set aside for popcorn, and am ready to get snarky over some bad dresses...and since 2012 was a notoriously bad year for me actually getting to a movie theater, I'm brushing up on my Oscar night trivia.

Quevenzhané Wallis in Beasts of the Southern Wild, NYT review here

Here are a few items worth noting: )

First - let's start off knowing who the nominees are. A cheat-sheet

Are you dying to just get in there and vote like a member of the Academy?

The ONLY reason* I could have thrown a well-attended, early breakfast Oscar party here in Norway
*Apparently, the above link only works if you are within the US or have a sneaky way to appear so. For those of you on vacation or otherwise living outside of the US, here is a trailer you, too, can enjoy. (And might I add: WTF, Academy?)

Who is Kristin Chenoweth and why can nobody spell her name correctly?

For the clueless, here is a guide to how to watch the Oscars like a Canuck (Since everyone knows that all the really good actors are actually from Canada, but are also mysteriously good at hiding that fact.)

Because you know you want to...disparage some bad fashion choices, a reminder of what trends and statements made it onto the best and worst lists last year...and reaching farther back down memory lane

If the last time you stayed up to watch results come in was election night, maybe you will feel comforted by a Nate Silver prediction list...

Maybe you watch for the performances? If so, I am worried...

And finally, here is a list of wins that would make history at the 85th Annual...zzzzzzzzzz...

How many bowls of harissa-cinnamon popcorn do you want to bet I don't make it to that 9am Corebar class?

Saturday Sweets

2013-02-23T15:51:00.000+01:00

Befores and afters are always fun...especially this one

Speaking of which, it has been exactly one year since this...and it's still relevant for me

Lars Mytting, author of Hel Ved (Solid Wood), cult favorite

So the big deal this week has been the latest in Norway's 'Go Slow' TV movement...Bark up or down?

Craving another example of slow TV? Try this...

From the town where Keepin' it Weird is a way of life...

This isn't new, but I love it anyway

For those of us who drive (too) fast, a cautionary tale to rein us in!

Pretty, pretty! From Design Mom

Valentine's, Chinese New Year, Carnival...ready for the next hit on the holiday parade? Here you go!

A fast, easy project done in every preschool in Scandinavia...

Solving the wrong-number issue for the text generation

Did you know that even in politically correct obsessed Norway, bullying is a huge problem?

National Margarita Day

2013-02-22T18:44:00.000+01:00

Did you know today is National Margarita Day - in the US, that is.

From Smitten Kitchen - a warm weather drink to bring in the spring

Here are a few ideas in case you were thinking about celebrating!

From Cup of Jo

From AB Chao

From Smitten Kitchen

From Food52

From Mix That Drink - 49 different margarita recipes certain to put you in the holiday spirit

Leap and the net will appear

2013-02-20T15:26:00.000+01:00

I read those words here and thought - but where is my net?

Taking a flying leap...

And then I realized - Yes, I have leapt. AND, lo and behold, my net has appeared.

So, the only question remaining is:

Exactly how long am I going to spend pretending this net is a hammock?

Gettin' Nice

2013-02-18T18:57:00.000+01:00

I feel like this could be a tattoo

Do you ever feel like there is some invisible wall between you and all the fanciful, 'nice' things in your life? Sometimes it is the kids - they'll ruin the nice things...what evidence do you have? Well, take for example all the nice things (white furniture or rugs, large pottery, collectors items, etc) that have already been ruined.

In our case, moving abroad, and vastly underestimating the size of a container's worth of stuff, meant paring down significantly. In our case, it also meant that we made a conscious decision to take only the 'nice' stuff with us, and to make it the 'everyday' stuff.

Now - to be fair, that doesn't mean that we are going out everyday dressed to the nines and eating off the 'good' china or anything CRAZY like that...instead, it just means enjoying some of the things we have that would otherwise spend a lifetime in a cupboard, waiting for its moment to shine.

I still feel like we often shop for the right now instead of for the forever sometimes. Still...it's progress, right?

Saturday Sweets

2013-02-16T16:54:00.002+01:00

I love This American Life...here's one of the latest from Chicago and Ira Glass

Valentine's Day, This American Life Style...

I need a jumbo one of these...

Is the Harlem Shake the new Gangnam Style?

I await Susan Miller's updates every day, living 6 hours ahead of New York...

Do you know about Clearly?

I know you already know this, but a New York Times article kinda gives it the whiff of authenticity

Oh, my beignet, I miss New Orleans...

And who is not awed by this kind of celestial event?

Finally, real data on why we love beautiful things

Post-Valentine's Day Hangover

2013-02-15T16:07:00.000+01:00

Taken in Oslo, Valentine's Day 2013.
It says: I want to call you, Sara, but I don't dare... {F#$@ her}

This week has been full of the usual day-to-day, punctuated by a few lovely things that don't occur every week. One of those things was a two day stint in bed with a fever, during which I felt more or less like this, minus the fake call part, because, let's face it, I don't need to fake a phone call around these parts to appear invisible. Another was Valentine's Day, and a mid-afternoon date in Oslo at Mathallen, which is -- no question, except maybe price -- the best place ever in Oslo. Period.

There, I discovered, among other things delicious, Hello, Good Pie and one of its owners, Cordelia, who are both fantastic. A kiss earned us a free pie, and I love the rich, home-made sweet and savory flavors...just what the doctor ordered.

Rådhusgata 19, a part of Rådmannsgården, or the original city hall

I got to see a local (fellow non-Norwegian) artist's installation open in the oldest building in Oslo - AWESOME.

This photo from Oslo Bilder

It was apparently built in 1626, and was a hospital in the 1850s. I wish I had taken photos of the ceilings, because they were plaster of the kind you rarely every see anymore - it wasn't so much a pattern but rather rabbits, deer, birds, natural scenes, and flourishes, all over the painted beams...so beautiful and delicate without being precious.

And now I'm lounging alone at home, while the rest of the family are on their way up to the family hytte (cabin) in the mountains. I'll be taking the late train tomorrow but for the moment, I have nothing to do, and nobody to fetch or bathe or feed or read to...it's kinda nice.

Tradition

2013-02-12T15:39:00.000+01:00

Every year, around this time, I think about a favorite poem. It doesn't get worn for the wear, and even though I cannot say it is like a cozy, old sweater, I definitely love having an annual excuse to come back to some dark, adolescent place that was completely petrified of getting older.

Here's T.S. Eliot, the poet himself, reading one of his masterworks, written at the tender age of 22.

The Lovesong of J Alfred Prufrock...

Saturday Sweets

2013-02-09T07:37:00.001+01:00

Do you like a little nook with your cranny? We do - and here are some good ones!

I'm in love with these willow thickets from Minneapolis-based Cheeriup

How long does it take to know a place? I love this little piece on getting lost in a new place

Looking for sweet little somethings for your next soirée?

Let's hear it for this group from my beloved alma mater...

Oh my lands! Here is a way to use those Sharpies CONSTRUCTIVELY?

Is it just too, TOO much to expect you to leave your cozy warm home on a day like today? Fear not.

Wishlist: Valentine's Day

2013-02-05T15:20:00.000+01:00

Although I'm not sure it bears repeating, Valentine's Day has always hovered close to the top of my favorite holiday list. Even when it was my absolutely least favorite holiday. In those days, my bestie and I would throw lovely anti-Valentine's, black heart parties. And the fun of putting together that party was always all the distraction we needed.

But that was PM *Pre-Marc*...and now Valentine's is a race to the finish: there's the making of Valentines for classmates, for friends and family, and the obligatory nosing around to see if Marc has picked up on my hints as to what I would like - and then also my own little race to find a cute way to celebrate the day with the mini-we's...NOT to mention that, here in Wonderland, February weekends are valuable real estate: I now realize that the sheer competition for holiday weekends in February is STEEP, and so I'm trying to get all our Valentine's prep out of the way.

A heart tree smiling at you from outside your office window? AMAZING.

In case you are still hunting...

Here's Dooce's list of 14 lovely things for your lady.

I'm most in love with the measuring hedgies, although I seriously doubt that we could ensure their survival in our kitchen...

I love this idea from Jordan at Oh Happy Day - and I'm going to implement it this weekend with some friends when they are by for waffles!!

The Bloggess has some awesome thoughts for underacheivers...LOVE IT!

And here is a wonderful list of Valentine's Day sentiments from Frolic!

Saturday Sweets

2013-02-02T10:11:00.000+01:00

Tempting, isn't it? Crayon photo courtesy of DesignMom's Living Well Series

During the winter, our art cabinet gets a work out - here's a guide to building a workhorse of creativity!

Got houseguests on the calendar? Why not put together a host map for them?

Do you love a good smoothie? Try this taste of summer...

Currently, one of our living room windowsills is Fred's parking lot...I'm thinking this is what's next

I'm a sucker for owls - and this little guy from Lisa Congdon hits all the right notes!

I'm having a cozy, wintry art moment - and Lisa Congdon is inspiring me

But, if I were Marc - this might be the art I would shoot for...sports+history+New York=perfect

AND since the Chinese New Year is fast approaching, here is my favorite no-fail recipe

If you want a touch of Scandinavian coziness for your couch, just do what Jo Goddard did...go faux!

Stranger in a Strange Land

2013-01-30T10:17:00.002+01:00

Carnival is not just a cruise line in Norway!

1983 celebration of Karneval in Oslo - source unknown

Rather, Carnival, or as it is better known here, Fastelavn, is the pre-lenten celebration with the nickname Nordic Halloween!

"We're celebrating Carnival!" at Nille

And from the recent shop circulars stuffing our mailbox daily, I would have surmised exactly that! If you've been feeling rather half-hearted about Valentine's Day or even Chinese New Year (why? how?), then look no further for a vaguely religious event to focus on at this time of year. Fastelavn comes to you live and direct from Norway and Denmark on February 10 this year, so there is no time to spare.

A few tasty fastelavnsboller, courtesy of Kronprinsessene

So, here's where my info on Norwegian culture hits a roadblock. I connect to everything through food, and although I know about the traditional fastelavnsboller, the sweet cream-filled rolls special to the season, I have actually never been in Norway for Fastelavn! (PS - Lucky for me, there is a sweet baked item for every possible occasion, and this is one of many reasons I love Norway.) Last year, I spent the first days of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, (which you can read about here, and here, and here, and also, but only tangentially, here), and it was amazing.

The main events in Norway seem to be similar, but less gaudy and often fairly local.
Apparently, the various traditions include Shrove Sunday, the day on which Carnival is celebrated, and whereby all the dressing up occurs, which falls before Pancake Tuesday (Fat Tuesday, for all y'all who have some Mardi Gras experience, or Shrove Tuesday for Britons),

Pancake Tuesday? Why, sure.

Homemade boller? YES!

Even trotting out some finery from our dress-up collection...no objections here!

But do I really need to be woken up on a given Sunday morning being flogged with fruit-tree branches at the hands of the two trolls upstairs? I think we will skip that one this year.

Here is the Wikipedia excerpt that got me:

Another popular custom (especially among the children) is the "fastelavnsris", with which children ritually flog their parents to wake them up on the morning of Fastelavns Sunday (Quinquagesima).

The custom is known already in the 18th century in Denmark and it has several roots. There is probably no doubt the custom originates from an old fertility ritual, which has been absorbed into Christianity. The more serious one is that after the reformation, particularly pious people used to flog their children on Good Friday to remind them of the sufferings of Christ on the cross. A similar custom is mentioned in the book "Frauenzimmerlexicon", published in 1715 in Leipzig (Germany), which describes how bachelors and virgins "bid each other goodmorning" by flogging each other and spreading ashes on each other. This custom is also known in Denmark.Fastelavnsris have many shapes and forms and differ from area to area. In some areas they are bunches of twigs, usually from fruit trees and preferably with buds. Those are often decorated with feathers, egg-shells, storks and little figures of babies. In other areas, they are a bent willow-branch, shaped like an ankh and wound with crepe paper that has frizzles cut with scissors. Both varieties may be decorated with candy as well.

Earlier, it was mainly the young women and the infertile who were flogged. It was also common that a young man would carry his "fastelavnsris" and (of course gently) strike at young women he met on the street. Later it became the children's special right to flog their parents on this day. In any case, the reward given for the flogging would be a fastelavnsbolle.

Reward? Alrighty. Does that mean the parents get a reward as compensation? In that case, sign me up.

Although, I am looking forward to seeing the availability of fruit-tree branches explode at the local supermarket. Apparently, it's a project most kids do at school and barnehage! I can totally see this taking off as a craft project in our house...The result of this project is often something like this:

Beautiful colored feathers adorn these fastelavnsris from Skogly Nordre

Due North

2013-01-29T19:49:00.000+01:00

In the past few weeks, there have been a startlingly large number of items running across my desk (read: laptop) that are of Norwegian origin or inspiration. It feels halfway like a new word you learn, only to suddenly hear it everywhere, and halfway like a sign of good things to come.

This stamp courtesy of Lillunn, the original makers of the
ultra-Norwegian Marius sweater.

Synchronicity...I wish I could adequately describe the mental image I have linked to that word - it is a dance I once saw Dr. Lisa Miller do during a talk about how she found her first (adopted) child. It is something like what you might imagine Bugs Bunny doing in an old Looney Tunes scene, where he's wearing a top hat, and carrying a cane and he dances diagonally across the stage, with some other character (the big red furry monster maybe?) in hot pursuit. This clip of Michigan J. Frog doing 'Hello, My Baby' pretty much gives you the right, exuberant feeling, at least.

Anyway, that is how I have felt in the past week or so, as all these seemingly unrelated, and yet totally related, things have been popping up.

I thought I would share the short list, if only to document it!

1. Kon-Tiki - one of my all-time favorite movies (the original 1951 Oscar-winning classic, documenting Thor Heyerdahl's ocean adventure) was remade and has found it's place on the Oscar 2013 nominations list (YAY!). I remember buying the DVD of the original Kon-Tiki in China, and watching it, mesmerized, just before I took off on my own little tropical journey through China, southward to Thailand, Malaysia, and then up again to Nepal. All of a sudden, after a (brief) lifetime of not really knowing much about Scandinavia, everyone I met was connected to Sweden, Norway or Denmark...even the Americans. I returned home after meeting Marc, and watched Kon-Tiki again. And had a totally different feeling about it (and the little seafaring parrot named Lorita!). I will be eagerly watching the 85th Annual Academy Awards ceremony this February 24th...with fingers crossed for the beautiful remake of Kon-Tiki.

2. McSweeney's 35:
I don't know about you, but I just turned 35...which is big, insomuchas it's not really big. It's the epitome of anticlimactic, representing an intermediary stepping stone between a prolonged adolescence and a coming to terms with the fact that you are, in fact, very much an adult...who might simultaneously be exhibiting some cruel signs of premature senility and ageing (wrinkles, white hair, memory loss, need I continue?). So, it didn't shock me when this current issue of McSweeney's showed up on my screen in response to a search for classic children's books. Why? Because this issue is chock full of Norwegian authors - well-known writers, like Ambjørnsen, and newer ones like Blind Margjit. Because maybe McSweeney's is having the same kind of 35th round that I am: a kind of transformational, fantastic, yet dark, hodge-podgey Norwegian one.

A head-on view of Oslo's Operaen, by Snøhetta, courtesy of Arch Daily

3. Snøhetta:
A highlight of my week is the discovery of the latest issue of The New Yorker magazine in my mailbox. It is a total luxury - and yet, nothing short of a necessity for me. I love reading the local doings in the Norwegian equivalent of the New York Times Magazine, but I miss the long, in-depth articles and updates on the goings on in New York. Marc, in all his thoughtful glory, arranged for this international delivery for me - even though I'm sure, had he asked my thoughts, I would have told him not to. The January 21, 2013 issue has a long piece on Snøhetta, the architecture firm (half American and half Norwegian, like our little family), who are responsible for (among others) the gorgeous, modern Opera house in Oslo, and who are also designing the "NEW" Times Square, in Manhattan, a make-over set to begin this summer.

In case anyone's paying attention, AHEM, this one, called Sunrise is a favourite!

4. Lisa Congdon:
I've mentioned Lisa Congdon's charming work before, but her new Nordic influenced collection is on my mind lately. Here's a description of her body of work called Boreas, which is inspired by a variety of Nordic sources, and specifically the Sami tribe of the northernmost parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. You can have something inspired on any budget - check out her shops!

Aurora 2012 from Christian Mülhauser on Vimeo.

5. Aurora Borealis:
Have you seen this beautiful lights show? On my first trip to Norway, the one where I convinced Marc I was marriage material, Gardermoen Airport had a stunning artwork made of rainbow hued string, hung across its ceiling that welcomed visitors to Norway's main gateway with a version of the Northern Lights -- the colors and dimensions shifted as you walked beneath it. Surreal and magnificent, the Northern Lights are one of the most well-known features and on everyone's bucket list - a great reason to visit Norway.

Saturday Sweets

2013-01-26T13:04:00.000+01:00

A lovely idea for making hand-made elegant and simple, from Little Monster

Not yet pumped for Valentine's Day? Here's a simple, beautiful craft worth trying with the wee ones!

Do you know Done Not Done? Are you in love yet?

Have you ever dreamed of taking up a crazy adventure -- with kids?

Everyone has one: a grammar peeve. (Ok...fine, some people are born immune.) Here's Jen Doll's

If you would like to pursue the parsing of this particular peeve, please proceed...

This street food winner had me at bacon

I have always wondered about what goes on inside the door...and the animator is Norwegian!

Are you following my Paris obsession? Here's 2 minutes to have to the Louvre all to yourself!

Snow Place Like Home

2013-01-21T22:32:00.000+01:00

When I looked at the weather forecast for our area on Monday morning (as I am wont to do in these winter months), I hardly imagined that the intense cold weather would add up to a weekend full of winter fun. And. Yet...

This weekend was one of those amazing winter weekends that just never wanted to end...it was a perfect weekend for whiling away the mornings in our pajamas, over waffles (of course!), and being outside in the fresh, cold air. And, finally, for coming back indoors to start dinner and a roaring fire.

Perfect. Winter. Weekend.

It probably didn't hurt that the kids were beyond good sports, that the enthusiasm for getting out and into the snow was in full bloom, aaaand that there were ample baked goods. Next time, I think we'll remember to pack a thermos of hot chocolate, (or 'hot vanilla' for Ella, one of whose many quirks is a distaste for chocolate).

On Saturday, we traded in what should have been a trip to the local ski run, usually packed on weekends, for a more local adventure. Instead we decided to take a skiing-walk (some walked, some skied, some did a little of both), to the skating rink by Ella's school. Fred has been so jealous of all the fun that Ella has been having with her first soccer team and her ice skates that go to school with her, and her skis, and has been extremely put out every time we explain that we need to buy him skates before he can try ice-skating. So, this week, we picked up a pair of hockey skates, the smallest ones we could find, and our big plan for Saturday was to get to the skating rink for a test-run.

Since my parents asked, I will put all your Kon-Tiki watching minds at ease, and let you know that our local skating rink is not on a pond or a lake or fjord, but is created by spraying water atop the football field outside Ella's school at the first solid frost. The ice is thick, and the foundation is sturdy. And kids wear helmets; ) (But, also, can we come back to the topic of Kon-Tiki 2012 soon?)

Fred's patience for skating was probably limited by the fact that he persevered, and stayed on his skis the entire way to the rink (1.3km or about 0.8 miles). The amazing thing was that we saw nary a soul on the way to the rink - despite the fact that it took us about 45 minutes. And when we got there, the rink was empty. We passed one couple out with a young girl, probably about 2 years old or so, sledding down the slick, icy luge-run of a sledding hill next to Ella's school and Fred's barnehage. Fred and Marc took off after about 15 minutes on the ice, to get a little something to eat, and I stayed with Ella.

I peeked into the bag Marc lugged to the rink - and there was an extra pair of skates for me! It was the first time I've been on skates since I lived in China (ahem, 10 years ago),...and guess what? I love skating! And, what is even better? So does Ella. She showed me her pirouette and her backwards skating, and we had so much fun just chasing each other around on the empty rink. When it was finally too cold to ignore our toes and fingers, we sprinted down the hill, and into a warm, cozy café for a break.

And Sunday? Oh, Sunday I don't think anyone got dressed at all. We made art at the kitchen table and did puzzles and baked cookies and spent some time video-chatting with grandparents and aunties and friends.

What a weekend.

Saturday Sweets

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Do you love cabbage and need some inspiration on a new way to use it? The hunt is over.

Beautiful gallic King Cake with the porcelain fève (bean) prize, from My French Country Home

Did you celebrate the end of Christmas with a King Cake? Here's a delicious tradition for next year!

I love that innovation is now taking this form, and coming to you live and direct from innovators themselves...are you not just a tad bit impressed?

I'm starting to think about Valentine's Day - and here's something that caught my eye!

Valentine's Day always makes me think about Chinese New Year - here comes the year of the Snake!

Is it too late for one last 2012 roundup from Design Sponge?

Are you in an organizational rut? Seeing this pristinely organized kitchen inspired me...

Get your inspirational style diagnosis here!

I'm a sucker for street art of all kinds - what do you think of Seth Globepainter's work?

Have I forgotten to mention the most influential Christmas gift this year - our new double waffle iron?

Is this not the most delightful cake ever?

Culinary Aspirations

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Oh, I have been busy here in Winter Wonderland. Job hunting is no mean feat here...it's a full time job, that I manage to fit in between all the other sundry excitements of household maintenance and child rearing...two things I'm exceptionally unqualified to do on a full-time basis.

Being that I'm not so talented (and, yet, perversely ambitious) in the kitchen, it takes me the better part of a day to come up with some healthful and interesting meals, inspired by a combination of Lyn-Genet Recitas' The Plan, Heidi Swanson's San Francisco sensibilities, and a visit from one of Ella's friends who can't eat sugar, meat, dairy, or wheat...

When I cook, Marc always thinks it's strange that I make three or four meals at a time...but let's face it, I am quintessentially a girl whose eyes are bigger than her common sense. It's always feast or famine with me. Quite literally.

So I have been applying myself to the challenge of making vegetarian meals. This whole vegetarian thing has led me down the garden path of trying out recipes that make use of exciting ingredients (flax seeds, wheatgerm, coconut flour...oh, you just don't know! I'm working out my boredom every day in the kitchen!)

I'm also going to start hitting the gym - yep, I'm going to be a real housewife and enjoy training and cooking and all that the good life has to offer.

So in honor of all that - vegetarian and healthy and what-not talk: here's what I'm making for dinner...

Food52's Beef Bourguignon. Because if you can spell it, you can make it.

Saturday Sweets

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Courtesy of Ken Orvidas, NY Times

Have you decided to cut out eating for your New Year's resolution? First, have a gander at this...

For those who swore off chocolate, DON'T! Here, and here, and here are a few newsworthy items

Oh, have you gotten your flu shot? Have your kids?

Photo courtesy of Imiliphoto, and the gorgeous Mili

Speaking of kids, here is a fabulous project by an amazing friend, inspired by her beautiful kid!*

I'm thinking Paris is on my to-do list in 2013...what about you?

I am certain to visit a bakery in Paris, non?

Are your kids getting into books that need bookmarks? Mine too...

Here's my new favoritist book ever...which we just finished reading in Norwegian. LOVE.

Just in time for Valentine's Day...hint, hint. Carla Porcelain from Denmark!

I just saw these beautiful treasures in a closed shop window in Bergen...and OMG here they are!

Are you prepping to have a party? Here's a cutesy little idea for you from the Queen of that...

Finally, I leave you with this parting thought...

* I'm working on getting her to do a tutorial for me so we can all have such incredible face-shirts : )