EASTER BUNNY RETURNED

Beware of skiers

Those who know me well might say that spending four days in a mountain cabin without mod/cons would break me down. On the other hand - Norwegians are brought up to enjoy primitive life without amenities like water, inside toilets, electricity, showers etc when on holiday. In fact you should probably - as a true Norwegian - claim that you prefer it this way. Our cabin in the mountains of Telemark has electricity, but that's about it.

So part of the charm of this kind of holiday is to arrive at an icy cold cabin - colder indoors than outdoors - try to light a log fire in a room that's so freezing and lacking in oxygen that you actually have to open the windows to feed the fire, cook with gloves on and wear your thickest woolen sweater when you finally venture into a bed with sheets that feel like you're wrapping yourself in ice flakes.

Jelena "enjoying" first night dinner with frosty breath and woolen hat. Brave sporty girls they were!

"Good" night?

Our car was stacked to the brim (to the roof) with skis, poles, snowboards, skiing boots, helmets, mittens, scarves, wine, chocolate, Easter eggs, water, kids, yellow candles, food. After having shopped half-way to our destination I actually had to sit in the passenger seat with a shopping bag on my lap!

But when you wake up the next morning to a blue sky, glittering snow and a big yellow sun that's finally giving off warmth - then the previous night's hardships are quickly forgotten. Even urban Big Mamas are able to see the beauty of the mountain landscape. And especially able to enjoy a glass of chilled wine while watching the snow melt.

A glimpse of Gaustatoppen top right

Here it is in all its majestic beauty - the highest mountain in southern Norway - 1600 m

The mountain of Gaustatoppen is right smack in the middle of the famous town of Rjukan, known for the saboteurs who, during World War II, destroyed the plant at Vemork which produced heavy water for the German occupants. Well, everyone knows the film Heroes of Telemark! In February this year Norway marked the 70-year anniversary of this brave action. And one of the saboteurs is still living! 

Skiing Jelena

Outdoor Barbies

Mira chef

And yes - I played cards! Maybe that's why he's looking so pleased!

Having gone overboard with all this Easter idyll, there were two things sorely missed by me: 1) Shower and hair wash (but I did actually get it done once - at the camping site in the village) 2) Internet (calling our operator first thing on Tuesday to threaten them with all sorts of tortures)! We had no TV-signals either, but that was okay, quite nice in fact.

And I HATE turning the clock forward! I miss one whole hour of night time - which is something I struggle with until we turn it back again in October. That particular October night is definitely my favourite night of the whole year.

Back in my bathtub

BIRTHDAY GIRL!

 

My youngest granddaughter Mira Isabella is eight years old today! She was born Easter 2005, and now she's celebrating again just before Easter. Being born end of March it's very likely that this is exactly what happens.

Mira's Sunday morning Barbie Harlem Shake

This is what Mira chose for her birthday dinner: Mussels! My little gourmet girl!

THE CHILDREN IN US

A glorious sunny day again - and I was working at home when my friend Grete called and said "Do you want to go for a walk?" "Hmmm...." I said, "I'm supposed to be working..... but come to think of it - I can work later!"

So we walked through the Park and Grete said "I'm going to a shop called Tiger where they have so many fun things! And lovely notebooks! But if you don't want to go there, we don't have to." 

I asked her if she was trying to cheat me out of a shopping round, and so we went shopping like two little kids in a candy store. "Ooo - look at this! Isn't this cute? The colours! Grete! See these rubber ducks! They light up! I have to buy them for my bathtub!" Grete: "Kjersti, don't you have notebooks?! No? I'm shocked! I have several!" And so on and so forth. Giggling like pre-teens.

We're Big Mamas the both of us. Grannies! Maybe that's why we keep our inner children alive. And my granddaughter Mira is eight tomorrow, so we bought gifts for her as well.

Grete's birthday gift for Mira

Scrap book gifts for Mira, notebook for me (yes, I was persuaded I couldn't live without one)

My Kimmidoll Eika, another Big Mama toy

Sooo pleased and looking forward to having a bath with my light-up ducks!

I do hope I'll preserve the child within me forever. And I wish it for everyone actually. Because it makes life so much more fun.

YELLOW DAYS

Easter is very important in Norway - I think we have the longest Easter holiday in the world. Everything closes from Wednesday afternoon until Tuesday morning. You'll find some supermarkets open on Saturday, but only for a few hours.

A lot of people take the whole week off, which means that there have been traffic queues out of the big cities from Friday. Spending Easter in the mountains is very popular - and this is exactly what we are doing this year. But we'll be leaving on Wednesday, which will be another day of traffic congestion I should think.

I love Easter! Basically I love traditions, and spending time with my family - doing things together, eating good food, talking, laughing, having fun, leaving everyday stress behind. And when Easter arrives, you know that spring is just around the corner.

Easter last year - the Easter bunny brought eggs filled with goodies! Like he does every year! Jelena, Sophie & Mira

I've been known to ski in earlier days, and at least I'll be bringing my cross-country skis to the mountains. But if I don't feel like skiing, then I won't. I'm a big girl now (a Big Mama actually) and can make my own decisions.

Les Trois Vallées, France - 1982

Norwegians are big on candlelight - because we have such long dark nights most of the year. The only time I'll use yellow candles, and yellow napkins for that matter, is at Easter. The colour yellow for me is completely tied to Easter. Eggs, chickens, sunlight, oranges, daffodils, full moon. So I'm in the process now of stocking up on yellow stuff to take to the cabin in the mountains.

Blogging about Easter today made me think of some memorable Easter moments, and I found some old photos. Always great fun to reminisce!

Easter 1971 with "Tanzanian" friends Anne Grete and Greta - one of our first holidays ALONE - no parent supervision!

Easter 1972 - London with Grete - we travelled by boat & train! With our parents' blessings!

Easter 1977 with sister Kari - a LOT of snow at our holiday house in Kragerø, southern Norway

Easter 1980 in Brighton, England - the crazy tradition of painting on eggs - I recognise at least two of my exes!

Easter 1987 - Johanne & Julie - the latter in Easter dress and socks

Oh yes - Easter has come around again. The season that lies ahead is the best for me, knowing that the snow melts fast now and that I'll be kissed by the sun soon, very soon. The changing seasons are of course very much a part of our lives here in the North - but why does one of the seasons have to linger so long?