Happy Silvester!

Another year has come a full circle and today is New Years Eve, or as we call it in Eastern Europe, “Silvester”. The New Years Eve is the ultimate yearly celebration; a bittersweet time, where one ending meets a new beginning.

There has been by now quiet a few such celebrations in my life, I have to admit. More than I like to remember actually. With the passing time, the years seem to become shorter, yet their significance grows. Today, my reflections go back to 2008.

In the past, there have been years that have defined me. Defined and changed me. Milestones, which brought my journey through life in a new direction. Moments in time, when I made decisions that would revolutionize my destiny. This year has been one of them. After a long period of slumber, I awoke to a new existence. I am forever grateful to life for bringing this long awaited change my way. I have never before felt so much alive as I have done these past twelve months.

This conversion brought on a chain reaction of events, which caused me to stumble upon a wonderful blog post, that lead me here and inspired me to start writing my own blog. This is another experience I would never want to have been without. I never knew there are so many talented people out there, not just talented but genuinely kind, smart and caring. And the phrase stating “things happen for a reason” has never made more sense to me that in recent months.

So, I raise my glass to all of you, who have made my visits here so enjoyable; may you have a wonderful evening and in 2009 I wish you, all my blog friends, the VERY BEST!

I am going to spend a few days "off blogging" and devote it to my two roommates; see you all after January 5th.;)

The Dancing Couple.

When I was visiting my parents in Prague about a year ago, I stumbled upon a little shop selling small aquarelle paintings. Or rather, reproductions. There are countless such stores all around the old town, most are designated for tourists. Tourists’ traps, if one can say so.
And I am no fool; I am fully aware of this and therefore very rarely buy anything there. However, I have made two exceptions, and this is one of them.
I have no idea who painted this, but I call it “The Dancing Couple”. The painting is small, and it immediately caught my eye and I just had to have it. I guess my affection for it was very obvious and my mother decided to buy it for me as a gift.

The picture is filled with atmosphere and loaded with emotions, additionally the color composition is unique. The grey and okra, and the black and brown. And then suddenly the red. The symbolic red dress. The setting amidst pouring rain on a foggy and wet Charles Bridge with a picturesque backdrop, makes it romantic and evocative. What I love about it most of all is the sensation of the couple, completely unaware of their surroundings, only existing for each other in one single moment in time. Or if one will, in a single dance in time.
And then there is the “Butler”, as I like to call him. Present as the only witness and as the guardian of the dancers, shielding them from rain. A silent chaperone, a sentinel of a candid passion, which is immortalized by a perceptive artist.

I have placed the painting in my hallway, just next to the stairs. At certain times of the day, the sunlight illuminates it and completes the romantic illusion. Or reality.

Grønlangkål.

It is interesting how people in different areas of the world adapt their cuisine depending on the climate. The winters in Denmark, although perhaps not very cold, are still cold enough, dark and windy and the Danish cuisine can be defined as heavy and hardy. Especially the cooking done in winter is renowned for its high energy content (or fat content) to keep the Scandinavians warm and strong.
In the old times, the main culinary problem with the long winters was the lack of vegetables for extended period of time. In Denmark people found a marvelous source of vitamins in a very interesting plant called "grønkål". It can be translated as "green cabbage". It is a cabbage like plant, with spinach like leaves, high in vitamins (A, B and C) and very hardy, surviving easily the cold winters this far up north. It is very undemanding and can grow anywhere, even on the sandy beaches around the North Sea. This interesting plant can additionally grow new leaves in the winter, if the weather turns slightly milder during a few days. In the past, people that could grow the “grønkål” would have significantly lower rate of diseases.

The cabbage is still today sold in stores, mostly frozen and precooked. It can be served as addition to other meals or as a dish on its own, so called "grønlangkål", where the finely chopped vegetable has been mixed with spices, salt, sugar and milk. It resembles a hardy, stew liked soup and tastes excellent when served with sausages and/or potatoes.
Grønlangkål is definitely one of my favorite meals comes winter.

Last Sunday Of The Year With A Tag.

It is the last Sunday of the year. I often get aware of things like that. The last month, the last week, the last day... It feels strange to think that there will never be another Sunday in 2008. Well, I guess there will never be another 2008 either and we only have a few days left in it...
But, it is still to early to be reflective and so my last Sunday is very relaxing. In fact, I have not done much today. I sitting here in my cosy red sofa, still in my big fuzzy, red and comfortable morning robe and keep watching "feel good" movies". Sometimes Sundays such as these are simply the best. Especially when I know that I have the whole week ahead of me free as well. No "back to work Monday" for me tomorrow.;)

I decided to post today a long overdue tag, which I actually inflicted on myself voluntarily. I am getting pretty good at that.;)
I found this one over at Valentine's place. Her wonderful blog is so very refreshing and she has a very unique style. Recently however she decided to tag me officially and I will be posting a response at a later occasion.

This tag is simply called:

13 random things found on my desk, identified and explained.


So here they are, in random order:


1. Computer
The most important thing on my desk is my computer, complete with a printer/scanner, modem/router and a set of cool speakers. My link to my family, friends and the man in Ireland. I can not imagine may life without it (or him).


2. Handmade Cup
Yes, a handmade pottery from North Carolina; beautiful, blue green. These days it holds an array of pens. I always need pens and I feel best if I have tons of pens around, any kind, in any colour.

3. The Globe
I really do not remember how I got hold of this, but I know it is also from the US. I like to look at it from time to time, as it reminds me how small the world really is.

4. Calculator
I use it all the time, especially when balancing my bank account. And also when doing simple math. I am ashamed to admit that I cannot even anymore add two and two without a calculator (almost).

5. Glass Paper Weight
I think it is suppose to be that. It is in any case made of glass, and it is really heavy. I got this when I was a teenager as a gift. It has a depiction of my astrological sign on the back.

6. Framed Picture of Me and My Sister
My favorite picture of us. I found it recently and decided to frame it and keep it on my desk.

7. Danish-English Dictionary
Yup, I still need it . Need it badly, I can not function without it.



8. Happy Promotion Card
I received this card from Ireland when I got promoted few months ago; the images are very funny and the sentiment behind it very appreciated.


9. One Coaster
One single coaster is always on my desk as I often drink coffee, when sitting there. It is a very childish one that I think came with some candy or cereal? I keep loosing it though constantly as my cat likes to play with it.;)


10. Calender
A home made calender, based on my own photographs. It is a planner and a decoration in one.

11. Post-It
Yes, I CANNOT live without post-it pads.

12. Mail
Bills, letters, commercials; anything arriving by surface mail find itself on my desk eventually.


13. Candy
A big container of lollipops purchased in Germany about 2 months ago and it keeps getting smaller by each day. (Pst, please do not tell my dentist;)

Anyone feeling up to this tag, please be my guests.;)))

Happy Continuation.

In Sweden, the days between the 27th December and New Years Eve are called the "in between days". Everyone there knows this term. The stores are open starting today with the "in between days sales", where all the Christmas merchandise and likewise the winter clothes collections is being sold to incredible prices. This also means the return and exchange of the Christmas gifts. It is also common to be greeting friends and acquaintances with a "Happy Continuation" greeting, which is used from now on until mid January. The meaning until New Years Eve is a wish of a good continuation of the Christmas Holidays, while after New Years it means simply "Happy New Year".


In Denmark though the greeting is not a custom at all. The big sales in stores start first after New Year and no one talks about "the in between days". Although the two countries lie in close proximity, their customs differ slightly.

My Christmas was spend in my house with very good old friends of mine, where the culinary traditions of Denmark and Slovakia were mixed. Weather vise, this Christmas was again "green", no snow to speak off at all. Christmas Eve was though sunny and clear and yesterday was one of the most beautiful winter days on record. Sunny, clear and bitterly cold. However completely wind still. We took a drive in the north part of the country, visiting an unusual peninsula. A strip of land stretching out into the sea, with wide, rocky beaches. A favorite spot for many locals, with a still functioning Lighthouse offered a breathtaking view of a very early, afternoon winter sunset over a turquoise coloured sea, which I managed to capture on film (please click on images to enlarge). Days like this one remind me how much I like the rugged, pristine and pure beauty of the north and reinforce my love for Scandinavian nature.
Happy Continuation Everyone!;)

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all of you reading this; all of you that found it worth their while to stop by here and leave wonderful comments, today and in the past - may your holidays be lovely!

"The Day Before The Dipping Day".

When I was growing up in Sweden, the last day before Christmas Eve had a special and somewhat strange name. The 23d of December was called "Dan Före Dopparedan". Dopparedan is a shortage for Dopparedagen, which in translation means "Dipping Day". When the two other words; "Dan Före" are added, the meaning becomes "The Day Before The Dipping Day". Ok, so what is this dipping business all about? "Dipping" in this case is referring to a meal called "dopp i grytan" (transl: dip in the cooking pot), which was served on the 24th of December, on the evening of Christmas Eve, in the old times in Sweden. The left over broth from the cooking of the Christmas ham or sausages was reduced and spiced up, transferred to a big bowl and placed in the middle of the table. It was then served with soft bread, which was dipped into the spicy soup in the bowl. This is an old Swedish tradition, but I do not think it is very common to serve this meal anymore. However, the name is still widely used, especially describing the 23d of December in Sweden.
In many Scandinavian countries today is also called "Little Christmas Eve". Often a private Christmas is celebrated on this day by couples, with or without children, that are to spend Christmas Eve with their parents, grandparents of others members of their close or extended family.
Merry Little Christmas Eve to everyone in Scandinavia.

Christmas Candy.

My teeth are definitely suffering comes December. This is the time when all the companies we do business with at work send us tons of candy! Any kind; chocolate covered pralines, caramel, fudge and even chewy or hard candy. It is impossible to keep one's weight down. Or do any work. But, it is nevertheless delicious and makes us feel like kids, all over again.;)

Winter Solstice.

Today is the shortest day in the northern hemisphere. The so called "winter solstice" is taking place, when the sun is standing low on the horizon; rising at 8.53 in the morning and setting at 15.41 in the afternoon, where I live. Indeed, with today’s cloud cover, it is truly a gloomy and very dark winter day. But, there is something to look forward to. From now on, the days will on average become about 3 minutes longer. Comes June and the return of summer solstice, we will have about 10 hours more of light per day. What a difference six months can make.
The return of the sun in December has been celebrated and observed in many cultures throughout the times. Interestingly, this year the winter solstice comes on a 4th Advent Sunday, when four candles are lit in advent candle holders or advent wreaths, meaning Christmas is truly knocking on the door.