What are Friends for?

This is an imperative Question.
I've learned as a blogger since August 31, 2006.
Friends is all around - in different Nations and Cultures around this tiny Planet.
If you are open to see and accept we are from different cultures, climates and traditions.
Build the Bridge so to say.

I've had the honour to meet some of you person to person.

 Like Suzann in Saint Paul
What a great privelege and experience.

 Here is our hosting couple during the once in a life time blogger meeting in Ollioule, Last Summer - Claudie and Pierre.

And here is the Amundsen Family - without kids. First Night together in France 2009.

And who is here but Mr and Mrs Lifecruiser. Having Lunch or was it Brunch?

And even met people who are not bloggers, but we have contact via e-mail.
Face to face.

Our Summer Vacation is a typical example of this last fact

Claude has been a friend since 1967. Here he is in Sancerre - Summer of 2009

Hakon I met first time around 1975. In Oslo. Here with Anna August 2009, Vence, France

.
And our trip to Holland to celebrate Marjoleins 3x20. Her she is with Wim. They are a very nice couple - and we do love them both. We met first time at Lake Tahoe, California.

We feel privileged to travel around to meet real friends in flesh and blood.

However, there is one person I would love to see and talk too face to face.

Here is the 2010 Calendar she sent us.

Here is her wonderful Sweetie - our X-Mas Calender 2009
So far, it is still a dream - to visit the Old Lady in the Hills..

More to come..
Hope to see as many of you ass possible in Oslo 2010. OsloBG, you know.

Papa goes to Holland

The reason?

Marjolein's 3x20 celeb. Her with her Man: Wim.
Some of my dear readers my recall from September 2008?

Here you see some of their wonderful friends and family.
Two years ago I did write this post - You might see somebody you have seen here?

More to come from our fabulous weekend from Norway to Holland celebrating Master Marjolein.

Have a nice Sunday everybody

A very special Dinner - dedicated Captain Lifecruiser

What a great evening with Friends
You know, not everything from a Dinner may be posted.
But I tell you:

We started with fresh Strawberries and a Riesling from Alsace and Sparkling Water, in our Kitchen. As you see, our selected guests left some berries to Anna and me;)) That's what's friends are for. Right?

Then we went to the Living Room.

Roar (That's a masculin name not a sound from a wild preditator)
my old pal from School back in the early 60'ies, is a master in opening Champagne.
Justh look at his unique way of opening a Dom Perignon. Not at single drop spilled.
And opened soundless. Only Masters can do that.

Ready for the course?
Ok, here we go:
First of all you need to have a "Dom" in your home.
Secondly, you need an expert to open the bottle correctly.
As you allready know, we had both the expert , the Dom and a Towel





Mission completed

Below is the Table with the Dom:

As a starter with the Champagne, which in fact was a gift from Mrs and Mr Lifecruiser to Anna's 3x20 Event in September last year, we served Gravlax with a mustard sauce, special made for this fish, and home baked bread with real Butter.

Main Dish was Venison. The very best. Carree de Venison.

And Anna knows how to serve it perfectly.

With Green Beans from our Summer Garden and "Hasselback"- potatoes ( a wondeful Swedish creation you must try), Game Sauce and fresh mashed Partridgeberries (tyttebær).

From here on, papa had to admit: I joined the meal and the conversation, and forgot you my dear blogger friend. I did not take any more Photos. But I'll reveal the rest of our meal - in words.

Then we had Cheeze. One French Camembert (10 hours in Room temperature) and one Blue, a Norwegian Selbu, that is top World Class. Only available locally and a few other stores.

Dessert? As usual Rasberries from our Summer Garden and genuine Vanilla Ice Cream. And Eclairs.

We ended up with Espresso and very "dark" chocolade. Even a taste of Calvados.

Haha,
when our distinguished Guest had left:
This is how the Table looked like:

But, but what about the Cats?

Did they have a great time as well - served fav dishes


Miieow - Felicia in one of the Kitchen Windows


Mieaaw - Rosa in the Bedroom Window
And here the Day after:

Anna Sunday Morning.

But, where is papa?
Behind the Camera. Where else?

What we talked about for about 7 houres?
You will only know, if seated for a Dinner with us. Is that too much to demand?

PS. I'll send you a very special postcard if you can describe my clothings in this written moment;))

Cats on Tuesday September 16 - 2008 - What we worrie? Anna 3x20? 3 days left?

Our Cats have been observing papa's stress lately. And Anna's too. Job? Mienoo.
Then they realized it's not only because of the fact Stompa left on Sunday. He is now back in is own hunting fields and winter home.

They asked: Miuaahha Anna miew miew miew mienty? Miave myou minavated mius? Mionooo? Miatt miew miow miorry
Here are two more guests: (Don't tell Rosa and Felicia)

Photo taken from behind. Only some minutes away from where we will celebrate Anna's 3x20
(and also our Silver Wedding - which in fact was on Dec 3 last year, in Buenos Aires).
Who are they? Secret? No it's Tone and Walter. Looking southwards Oslofjord.

Here you see Walter. He is an Art Photographer. Several separate exhibitions in Photo Galleries around Europe. This is one of the few Photos of him. Every photographer knows about that.

How many Guests have you been presented to so far?
hm, let me think, ask Rosa and Felicia and Calculate.
17 + 2 = Meowneteen ( 19 if you would have it up front - or nitten as the Vikings said)

Will there be more Guests to come?
Don't worry. Papa believes he has allmost everything under control.
--- shit - where did I put the Guest list (not to speak about who will stay in which room?)
- will there be any crises?. Will Papa be capable to reconstruct the Guest list? And the Room List?

Stay tuned to this Drama. More to come....

LAST MINUTE FLASH:
Peder Fur is back.
We have not seen him for more than 6 weeks. He his not our Cat, but my regular readers knows he has been a trusted visitor here at our Summerhouse for the past 6 years.

Peder has not forgotten where to find food. Click on the Photos to enlarge. It's an option you have. By free will. And if you have time to spare.

Oh, he was hungry

But, It looks like he has had a good time. Here with us as well. Lot's of Cat Food to choose among. Mioooho, Mio Mielike

Welcome Back Peder Fur - Peder Pels.
You can meet Fellow Cats here on COT.

Monday or is it Moonday? only 4 days left to Anna's 3x20 BD

It's Monday - evening. We did also expect a Sunshine Monday (Moonday). But no, not at all, did we see the Sun... NO but...

-- repeat: But it's only some Days after full Moon - voovooooovoohhooo.
So I will present an unforgetable view.
Picture taken in Valle de la Luna (1995) - Moon Vally, in the Atacama Desert in Chile. NASA did test some of their Lunar/March vehicules here. Driest place on Earth just around the Corner. We were not alone to photograph this magic moment---

The good thing is: After a couple of weeks with clouds and grey sky, it will be a Sunny weekend to come. Sure. We have ordered and expects what is promised - at least Papa has promised: Indian Summer.

Only 4 days left to Anna's tripple twentieth Birthday. Wow.
I've had a hard Day. One thing is my regular, and new very positive and challenging new job. And my treatment given by my Chiropractor - OMG - it helps. Another thing is late minutes changes for something people have known for half a year: Anna's BD and the Fact we did have to reserve hotel rooms. etc etc. Even taken economic riscs. But you know Papa. He fixes the most. To the benefit of good relationship. But it takes time. Unplanned time.
Do not miss this. Where we are going to celebrate Anna's 3x20 years here:. It's so - find your own words.

At the end of the Day:
Who are then coming?

My childhood friend and his charmante lady - Frode and Astrid.
Photo taken on a happy event on our Summerhouse Platform - when was that? Some minutes or years ago? Natural action. As we looks like when talking and relaxing.

And, Niklas. The Man of all Trades. Here with his sister in our Winterhome Kitchen- the 3x20 events Toastmaster. Taken just after 9 pm. Preparing for Christmas. Nice "kids", they are - so says Papa.

Hmm - how many guests so far?
oh- yeah 14 + 3 = 17.

May it be more guests?
Who knows. So, stay tuned. It's more to come about this very special event. In fact, It's a once in a lifetime Event.

PS. Only a few Days left to present our guests. May I reach to do that? Have I forgotten someone or do miss photos or may some Photos be in a state not to be posted? Who knows.

TT - Anna 3x20 - Counting Down - 8 days left

Only 8 days left to Anna's tripple twentieth Birthday. Wow.
But who are coming?

I don't know.
But a little Bird song a Song with some names.

Solvi, Jorun, Lina, Ingelin, Anna - They have been in your Winterhome

End of Song.
OK - It is 5 women and 5 red Crystal Glasses - That's 10

Then came a frog and Roamed:

(from left) Maria, Wim and Marjoleine - they have been to your Summerhouse.

End of roam.

OK - this is 3 people

And 10 + 3 = 13. Right?
(May be original, but you know, it's only Papa)

More Guests to come - I hope. For Anna.


My thoughts goes to Anni - and Hurricane Ike. Read for yourself.

Midweek Challenge - What's up? Not me but ANNA and you

Challenging? Yes, it is. Many ways to tell facts. My blog is about facts, my way, our life:

Here you see papa. Writing a blog post - 15 minutes after returning from the Hospital. Allways optimistic. Concentrating of you, my dear blog friend - even unshaved. (But I said 15 minutes. LOL)

Short post report from Papa: (Had to turn on the gaz before shaving - Hot Water - we do not use gaz for "heating the Crows" - what we say here in Norway))

I'll start working again full time from Monday to come. Here you can see me 18 minutes after returning from the Hospital. Thinking about you, my dear reader. Can't help blogging.

Some of my dear readers my have noticed the following Fact(s):

September 20: Autumnal (Fall) equinox (normally Sept 21 - this year not). And so what?
Follow on my sidesteps. OK.
Where we live at 60 degrees North, that means Night and Day are? 50 - 50. Right.
(My readers from North America , i.e USA - should know that's North up from Mid Hudson Bay in Canada).
But September 20 is also the last days of the Virgin. Right?
The last Virgin? hmmm? Are U? LOL

I now warn you all.
You'll have a chance - once in a life time (buckle up - fasten your seat belts):

On Saturday September 20:
ANNA 60.

There will be blog-friends present. (A secret).

And these wonderful Women as well (Papa must be very happy to know such beautiful ladies?)

You are allowed to honour her ( Anna) : paddeguri@yahoo.no . But send your words to: ingelin@hotmail.no (to be referred to during the dinner)
She will be amazed. By e-mails from you to be read loudly for her during the "table" - i.e. during the Dinner. By the Evenings Toastmaster (Ingelin). (Bloggers unite and etc etc . what you my dear readers know all about).

Anna wonders, and me too, will some Blog friends adress her on Sept 20?
Let that be a secret until then.

The Event will take place, in what I believe, for most of my readers , in very exotic environments. Very different from what you are used to from your home, even though if living in Norway.

We wish our Guests very welcome - present or by cyber presence.
(we would be on-line in some way)
For Anna and Peace. September 20.

More to come -- (don't be surprised you'll be a part of it - at least by a ( - ) - OK ) My blog is about our life ----

-- and as you see, papa writes and concentrates.
hugs - baisses - kramar -- zuss - klemmer
-thinking about YOU.
2 years of blogging have given me the best 2 years of my life.
(except, my kids and wife - U know)

PS. I have allways so much to tell. I have direct contact to more blog friends than the most of you can think about. About life as is - both + and non +. That's very important to me. Those of you that read this with small letters understand. I say no more.

Monday - Tuesday - Can't believe it - Summer Cold

We are both - bbrrrrr - having heavy Summer Cold that has hit the both of us, the kind that repeats itself - you know.
(Photo taken by Anna during her visit to Hong Kong in June/July 2008)

I was even sent home from Work.
--- You need not TELL us you are Sick - we see it. That's the message I got.
--- Grrr - brrrr. It's true.
I'll see my Doctor on Wednesday. I will have a complete check. Not the "easy" type that allways tells I'm too well my age to be.
But I'm allways optimistic.
But this time; I have - may be, been too optimistic. Not taking my grief and sorrow in consideration. "Everything is Ok" - don't tell others about your loss (my Son)
I did learn a lot about grief when in US lately.

Had a looong call with Mr Lifecruiser in Sweden. And even looooonger with my dear friend Hakon in Southern France this evening and early Night.

See you all around as soon as possible. Take very good care of yourself.

PS. The Fall or Autumn is slowly arriving. Charming. With all what we can harvest from our tiny, steep Garden. The Sun gives us allready nearly 5 hours less light. The Cats still have a thrilling life outside. Our Blueberries - haha - Anna and papa did ate a lot, when we carried the firewood up the steep path. Haha - it's so steep even our vendor refuses to bring it up for 25% more paid.
The Grapes seems to be in good shape. And we have Apples for the next generation. Most of them will probably be given to Anna's students in down town Oslo. And, not to forget: Apple pies. And home made Chutney.

Apples from this tree will end their lifes in a Pie. For Kids. Or as Chutney.

More to come as soon as our fever is away

First weekend at the Summerhouse since July.

I've been in Bed with Fever since Sunday afternoon. A real Summer Cold has suddenly hit me. I might have been too much in and out, here and there lately. My nose is red and I need more handcarechiefs. LOL.
A genuine Norwegian Duvet, some hot herb tea, hot chocolate and a good rest is a simple but effective recipe. I swet out the fever, and some fat as well. *giggles*.

This weekend, Anna and I was alone in the Summerhouse. Anna picked herbs and prepared them for Winter Storage.

Anna relaxing

Here a Zuchini from our Garden.
I repaired a step in our outdoor stair. Had planned to do more but the Lumber Shop was closed for the weekend before I arrived at 2:45 pm.

When I wrote Anna and I was alone, it's a truth with modifications. With four Cats around we are not alone. Rosa and Felicia. Stompa is still here on his Summer Vacation. And a new male Cat has taken Peder Fur's place (Peder has now taken his territory back from another Cat). They go very well along all the 4 of them.

Here Stompa and new Mr. Grey.

Papa went shopping again on Saturday. Back to normal. Had a pleasant challenge: What to have for Dinner? Suzann gave me two packets of Minnesota Wild Rice. And we had to test before calling her around Midnight (our local time). I ended up with Sea Wolf. Anna picked Marigold in the Garden (looks like Spinach with red Stalks and tastes heavenly) and coocked the Wild Rice.
Hmmm - heavenly. Our whole Dinner here.

Then we listened to the local Radio's Saturday Quiz program. We did not win anything this week, but it was fun. I was on the Air for some minutes.

We enjoyed Calvados and a cup of Espresso.
Suddenly we remarked something strange: What happens to the Moon? On a clear Night, we observed only part of the full Moon. Strange.

Of course, it was a partial luna eclipse. Could only see a tiny little stripe on the top for a while.

Then we called Suzann (Her weekend here). Both Anna and I could have talked with her for hours, but all great times have an end. I'm so grateful for my visit and to have learned to know such a great person and blogger friend.

Next day we heard our local Grocery Shop did burn down during the late Night. Police suspect someone put it on Fire. Tragic. Photo: Byggmester Larsen

Sunday I felt the Fever arriving. Watched some Athlectics from Bejing Olympics, 100 meters Final Woman - Congrats to Jamaica again (Gold and double Silver) and to Ethiopia on Men's 10.000 meters.

Have a great week