beautifulism

I have moved my blog

2013-02-15T17:51:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone,
I have more or less stopped blogging here. Instead you can find me here. I hope to see you there!
Thanks to all of you for following me! Big hug to you.
Bettina

O holy night…

2012-12-24T10:09:00.001+01:00

This is our Christmas tree. I can watch it forever – it brings such peace and happiness to my soul. What would Christmas be without the tree? Really?

Happy Christmas to you all. May it be peaceful and joyus!

Christmas is here

2012-12-04T11:56:00.001+01:00

I know I’ve been absent. I really haven’t had any inspiration and I have trouble using the keyboard since my hands are really shaky. It’s a genetic thing that I’ve had for years. The last year it’s gotten worse, though and I’ve had to see a Doctor about it. This week I’ll be getting medicine for it – some kind of Beta blockers and hopefully it’ll get better.

I’ll try and fix the inspiration thing. Let’s start with this years Advent candle holder.

Kristine Vikse

2012-10-25T09:10:00.001+02:00

This poncho-sweater is from the Winter 2012 collection of Norwegian designer Kristine Vikse. There’s so much to chose from but I think this would be my first choice. It looks so warm and comfy.

Photo from kristinevikse.com

Our wonderful, wonderful world

2012-10-25T08:52:00.001+02:00

Just a few amazing photos to brighten your day.

Source: Facebook

Fair Fall

2012-10-21T11:32:00.001+02:00

We’re going for a walk later on and I’ll see if I can get some nice photos. There’s no Sun here though, so they probably won’t be as beautiful as this one, of Mount Fuji in Japan.

Enjoy your day!

Solvang–Danish in California

2012-10-17T11:59:00.001+02:00

Did you know that there’s a little bit of Denmark, right in the middle of California? The town of Solvang is located in between San Francisco and Los Angeles and entering this tiny village you can’t help smiling. It’s bizarre and surreal – you see Denmark all around you (and a little bit of the Netherlands too, for some reason).

Copenhagen road, Arne’s Aebleskiver, Danish bakery, Julehus, Hans Christian Andersen, Runde Tårn and the little Mermaid are some of the sights. Houses built in old Danish style are dominating the city picture and people smiling everywhere, welcoming you as a fellow Scandinavian. It just so happens that I’m half Danish and I visited Solvang back in 2005. It would have been a crime not to, since we drove right through it, more or less.

Solvang means “sunny fields” and seing the picture below you get the idea. It suits both this field and the yellow ones you find all over in Denmark.

The town was founded back in 1911 by theologist Benedict Nordentoft, pastor Jens M. Gregersen and lecturer Peder P. Hornsyld, wishing for a colony somewhere warm, far from the Midwestern Winters. The population today is just over 5000 and it became a city in 1985.

When I visited, the third weekend in September, the traditional “Danish Days” was celebrated, as it’s been since 1936. They have eating competitions, processions through the downtown area with floats, marching groups, dancing, and singing. During these “Danish Days” you can have a couple of Danish delicacies, Medisterpølser and Æbleskiver.

Buildings in the half-timbered style of Danish rural houses dominate the town, even though Scandinavians point out that these have nothing to do with the original immigrants, but rather make for a huge tourist attraction.

As mentioned, there are many copies of Danish sightseeings. One is Runde Tårn, that is orignially located in the middle of Copenhagen and is Europes oldest observatory, built in 1637. The tower situated in Solvang is 1/3 of the one in Copenhagen, and houses a pizza place.

The little Mermaid has it’s place, of course.

H.C Andersen, the great Danish writer.

Solvang

Christmas whenever you want.

Image source: flickr.com and google.com

So, do you want to have a bit of Danish extreme, Solvang is the place. Enjoy!

Fall is here for real

2012-10-16T10:58:00.001+02:00

It’s snowing up North, down here thousands of leafs in all colours are covering the ground. It’s kind of sunny, though, so I guess one should be grateful.

Enjoy!

Childrens knitting from Dale

2012-10-14T10:54:00.001+02:00

I simply love Norwegian Dale. They make beautiful knitting design. Just have a look at these childrens clothes. There’s more at Husfliden.

Source: Dale Garn

Lightness of stone

2012-10-14T10:48:00.001+02:00

This beautiful, fun bowl is designed by industrial designer Linn Tale Haugen, and is made of stone from a beach in Norwegian Selje.

Source: Made in Norway

This should be my kitchen!

2012-10-14T10:39:00.001+02:00

Smart

2012-10-14T10:38:00.001+02:00

I want this!

2012-10-14T10:36:00.001+02:00

Winter at Greengate’s

2012-10-14T10:18:00.001+02:00

Source: Greengate

I know I’m early…

2012-09-04T19:40:00.001+02:00

But if you want to make Christmas decorations yourself, it might be nice to actually have time to do it. So here’s a bit of this year’s inspiration from Stoff & Stil. The catalogue is in stores now.

Source: Stoff & Stil

Goodbye Summer…

2012-09-02T10:49:00.001+02:00

…hello fall.

Tomorrow I start University, which is a BIG deal – I’m overwhelmed by the fact that I’ve come this far. One of my greatest dreams is becoming a reality and it’s hard to grasp.

I keep waiting for someone to call and say they made a mistake, that I wasnt admitted after all.

A new era begins in my life now and I’m both happy and afraid. This puts expectations on me and I’m afraid of not being able to live up to them.

Then again, I guess it’s about taking one day at a time and do the best I can. One foot before the other.

Have a great fall, everybody!

Stairway to… nowhere.

2012-09-02T10:42:00.001+02:00

Pink for baby

2012-09-02T10:40:00.001+02:00

Such a dreamy baby’s room. The small cabinet is simply adoring!

Source: bolipluss

Pond in a Pot

2012-09-02T10:34:00.001+02:00

Such a great idea!

Love shack

2012-09-02T10:31:00.001+02:00

Seating made of wood

2012-09-02T10:27:00.001+02:00

Sjokoladeis

2012-09-02T10:22:00.001+02:00

Antall porsjoner: 4

Ingredienser:

1,5 dl melk
100 g sukker
½ vaniljestang
3 eggeplommer
200 g mørk sjokolade
2 dl fløte

Så gjør du:

Splitt vaniljestangen på langs. Kok opp vanilje, melk og halvparten av sukkeret i en liten kasserolle. La melken stå og trekke smak i 15 minutter. Finhakk sjokoladen. Visp sammen eggeplommer og resten av sukkeret i en bolle.

Ta vaniljestangen opp av melken, gi melken et nytt oppkok og hell den over eggeplommene mens du visper. Hell blandingen tilbake i kasserollen og varm den forsiktig opp under stadig omrøring.

Trekk kasserollen til side når blandingen begynner å tykne. Rør inn sjokoladen og avkjøl sjokoladekremen raskt i vannbad. Vend inn myk pisket krem, hell isblandingen over i en form og sett den i fryseren.

Husk å la isen stå litt ute før servering.

Hentet fra vgno

Sweden celebrates

2012-06-06T08:22:00.001+02:00

Today is the Swedish National day. In 1523, on the 6th of June, Gustav Vasa was crowned King of Sweden. He freed Sweden from the Kalmar Union with Denmark, steered the Swedish break with the Catholic Church and founded Sweden’s inherited monarchy.

In 1809 they changed the day from “Swedish flag day” to “Swedish National day”. It’s not quite the same as Norway, but still; they try.

Happy day to you, Sweden!

Home & Cottage

2012-06-05T06:12:00.001+02:00

Unfortunately this doesn’t fit with our country house, but it’s beautiful. Another house, another place, another time..

Summer feelings

2012-06-05T06:08:00.001+02:00