I'm moving....

I am working on moving to wordpress!

Please visit

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And excuse the moving-mess!

Week 7 - known across most of the country as winter break - is upon us, and instead of travelling south to the Alps for some skiing, we travelled west - and north. 

We just returned home from an excursion around the lovely 'vestjylland' (west Jutland) to visit a few different family members. As per usual, it is great to get out, but it is even better to return home. The Danish saying rings more true now than ever, when we travel around with Little Dude -- "Ude godt men hjemme bedst".

Little Dude was on his very best behavior (as always, of course). He charmed his sick old great-grandmother (as well as his grandmother and his aunt) with his bubbly little laugh and insanely adorable smile. It really shouldn't surprise us anymore though, that he acts exactly the same when we are out as when we are home. He really is just my little miracle baby. 

It is nice though, to return home to your own bed, and to spend a saturday morning with LD lounging on the couch, a hot pot of coffee, and 'Mads og Monopolet' on the radio.

I wonder... if I could pull of a leather jacket?

Like a short, cropped one. 

My favorite time of day...

... is at night, in bed, when I can hear my two boys breathing on either side of me. It is the most peaceful, beautiful thing in the world.

(even though I wish I could fall asleep as quickly as boyfriend)

A new love...

The delicate and beautiful design of Royal Copenhagens 'Musselmalet' caught my eye last year, and I still can't quite let it go.




all photos courtesy Illums bolighus


It is ridiculously overpriced and impractical, since it is handpainted and doesn't go in the dishwasher. It also fits horribly with our 'red' kitchen theme, and my other love (red Le Creuset).

I own one serving dish (a 'pasta plate') from RC, although I very rarely use it for fear of it breaking. It was a gift, of course, and it may be one of the most cherished items in my kitchen. There is just something about the luxury and quality that makes my heart go all aflutter.

Don't get me wrong, having a baby is the most magical, fantastic thing that has ever happened to me.
But even so, even though Little Dude is perhaps the 'easiest' baby ever, it is still hard.

It is hard...
...to have your sleep interrupted on a daily basis, even though Little Dude is a good sleeper and has been since the start.
... to not have 'me time' to read a book, surf the internet, watch a TV show, etc. etc.
... to love someone so much, and at times just want a day off from being a mom
... to let go of control, to let the house be messy at times, to not be be able to plan your day
... to be tired all the time
... to feel guilty for sometimes wanting a day off

Weltsmertz

I love to read, but I am no booksnob. One of my favorite genres would have to be 'chick lit' - not the heaviest stuff maybe, but perfect for vacations and perfect for a break from academic reading. (My second favorite, currently, are Swedish Crimis). 

And although I have been a fan of the Shopaholic series, (perfect for beach- or pool-side), I have also taken to reading books by Marian Keyes. Her books tend to touch upon deeper issues, while at the same time remaining entertaining and funny. 

Substance abuse. Problems at work. Family issues. Spousal abuse. 

Although certainly not literary masterpieces, they do have a bit more substance than the aforementioned Shopaholic books (where the main character honestly really bugs me). 

It was in 'Sushi for beginners' I was first introduced to the term 'weltschmerz' - and I have often thought of the concept since. It is a term the describes a mental state of taking on all the pain and sorrow of the world, and feeling disempowered at the thought of not being able to save or help everyone. (see wikipedia (the most reliable source) for a definition and resources for further reading). 

I think most people suffer from weltschmertz in some shape or form. It is just another way of feeling empathy and sympathy for the surrounding world. It is when it takes over that it becomes a problem - leading to severe depressions and anxiety. 

And even though a certain degree of empathy is important and admirable, I also believe that weltschmerz can also describe a pessimistic view of the world - of someone who has given up and no longer believes there is anything good in the world. And I feel so sorry for those people. 

to be continued

food and such

Today, Little Dude ate en entire half banana! Woot. We've been starting on solids, and let me tell you - it's a battle! 

But I think it is starting to go better. I mean, we're not really in a hurry or anything,  but it is kind of frustrating not to see progress. That changed today though, when we actually finished a meal! One half mushed banana. yummy yummy. 

Also, we just bought tickets for the US for this summer. We are so excited to be spending nearly 4 weeks across the pond with my family.

in the year 2011

We entered the year 2011 with a sweet, sweet secret: We were expecting a baby. Affectionately nicknamed 'Little Dude' by Sofie. 

The first few months of 2011 were hectic, exciting, and stressful. We were busy looking for a bigger apartment, figuring out financials, taking exams, getting ready to move, and of course worrying about Little Dude. Hoping for a healthy baby. Wondering if we would be good parents.

On February 14th we moved into the small apartment that would be our temporary home. On the same day we signed the paperwork for our 'big' apartment. We had our first ultrasound scan, that showed a healthy baby. We started telling everyone outside of our families.

Spring went by fast, with school and doctors visits, getting ready to move. 

In April we became Aunt and Uncle.

We found out that we were expecting a boy.

And of course we moved into our new apartment.

In june, we attended a beautiful wedding in Vejle. 

In July, my belly grew bigger and bigger... we tried to enjoy the summer, even though we weren't able to travel much. Boy completed a half-iron man.

In August - we were relieved to have gone full-term with Little Dude. My cousins threw me a baby shower. We were 'faddere' (-godparents -ish) for our beautiful niece. I turned 24 - impatiently awaiting the arrival of Little Dude. Boy started his internship.

On September 2, my water broke, and on September 4th we became parents! I was in labor gthe entire time Erin was getting married.... although Little Dude did not endup sharing his birthday with their anniversary. We were also lucky enough to have my mother visit us at the end of September. 

In October, we had our anniversary, boy had a birthday, and little dude had a babysitter for the first time.

In November, we celebrated Mortens Aften for the first time. We also celebrated a very Danish Thanksgiving, complete with a duck, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy, coleslaw, and pumpkin pie. 

In December, my family came to visit. We had our first christmas as a new, young family. 

We entered 2012 full of hope for another exciting, beautiful year - although we do hope (secretly) that it will not be quite as eventful as 2011.

Happy New Year everyone

Still Alive!

The holidays, affectionately known as 'the Christmas show 2011' are now over, and we are all still alive. Barely.
I kid.

We did all get sick over the holidays though, and then again as soon as we got home again in the new year. But I think we are all getting better now, and ready to meet 2012 with open arms.

2011 was a great year for us. It was challenging, yes, but also exciting and thrilling and GOOD. I hope everyone has entered 2012 healthily and happily. We are definately excited for this year!

Kender I det, når man er tager i fitness for første gang efter man har født, og opdager for sent at man kun har fået shorts med, at man ikke har barberet ben (i mindst et par uger), og at ens T-shirt er plettet og beskidt (fordi det var den man sov i de første par uger efter ovennævnte fødsel, mens mælken bare sprøjtede ud af brysterne i tide og utide)?? Og at man så tænker, at det er okay, for man møder jo alligevel aldrig nogen man kender, vel?? (Famous last words)

Og kender I det med, at man så står der med sine behårede ben og beskidte bluse og fylder sin vandflaske op ved håndvasken, og der så kommer en total toplækker trunte ind i matchende pink træningstøj, der liiiiige skal rette sin makeup og sit hår inden hun træner videre....??

Nej? Kun mig? Godt så.

On Swimming and Olympics and stuff

This past weekend the European Short Course Championships (swimming, doh) were held in Poland. As an old swimmer I tend to follow championships like these closely - I like to look up the results, stories and pictures. When Danish swimmers are mentioned in International swimming news, it makes me happy.

I've never understood why Swimming isn't a bigger sport in Denmark. In the US and Australia, swimming has become quite popular - largely thanks to superstars such as Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps (what up Bmore!) In Denmark though, it has onyl started gaining more respect and media coverage again more recently. Super swimmer Lotte Friis gained some popularity after winning some medals and competing in the Danish version of 'Dancing with the starts" (vild med dans). But she still has to compete with the handball team, the soccer team, Caroline Wozniacki, and a plethora of other athletes for media and mainstream attention. More recently, Jeanette Ottesen has been winning and therefore recieving lots of attention. These are swimmers that swam back when I swam - they were the 'good girls' of my agegroup, the ones to beat (even though  I was way far off their times even back then....) - and it is SO cool to see them have success. And even more exciting - there are lots of young talents too.

Anyway, back to the Euro SC champs. Denmark won a record amount of medals and topped the medal charts, set some cool records (It's good to see that new swimmers are taking over now that the Mette JAcobsen and Louise Ørnstedt days are over....). I KNOW none of this translates to Olympic Success. But BOY am I excited for this upcoming Olympic year!

On stuff you don't really need...

I am absolutely crazy about this Kenwood line of kitchen appliances ---- the retro design and the red color makes my heart melt! It would fit perfectly in my red-themed kitchen.....

I still have a dream of one day owning a kitchen machine like this....

Some day, we will own an espresso machine.
For now, though, making our Lattes has it's own special charm.

oooh... Some day!

Swimming yeay

The Danish swimmers are really having a ball at the European Short Course Championships with 6 medals today. They are really looking promising for the upcoming Olympic year!

Today, Little Dude decided he was too cool for naptime. And by 'too cool' I mean he literally laughed at me most of the day, especially when I was trying to get him to sleep. He wasn't super fussy or tired or anything most of the day, he just refused to sleep for more than about 15 minutes at a time (except for one 30 minute nap).

By the end of the day, momma here is super tired and fussy. 

Memories

I couldn't sleep last night, and so I got to thinking... about all the normal housewife things - the laundry (my neverending project), grocery shopping, thesis writing....

And last but not least, my mind was circulating around another event. Just a few days ago, you see, I recieved a facebook invitation for our 10 year primary school reunion. It is still hard to believe it's been almost 10 years since we left 'folkeren.' It's not a time that I think about very often... I've moved on, lots of stuff has happened since then - and I'm sure most of my old classmates feel the same way. I am looking forward to attending the reunion... kind of.

You see, I read once that when we go to reunions, we tend to fall straight back into the roles we once had... the nerd, the jock, the valedictorian... etc, you name it. And it scares me, that now, 10 years later, I may go to Sønderborg to go to a party, and fall straight back into those old patterns that no longer exemplify who I am. I am scared that those people, who I once spent day out and day in with, will think that I am the same as I once was....

Will they see, and accept, that I've changed? That I am no longer that same scared little 14-year old girl, desperately longing to be accepted, to be liked and included? The one who hid behind a computer screen during recess because she would rather not try at all, than to be rejected. Again. Will they see that I am funny and smart and miles more confident than I once was.... but that I am still not perfect, I am still flawed and sometimes scared? That I am a mother, a girlfriend, a scholar..... and so much more.

Is it odd that I feel some sort of need to 'prove myself' to them?

And will I be open to accepting that they have changed as well? I hope that I will be able to forgive and forget their past flaws as well... and realize that they have grown up, just like I have. That they are unique individuals...fathers, mothers, partners, scholars, workers, and adults.

And I wonder... if any of them might feel the very same way.

Happy 2nd Sunday of Advent!

Glædelig 2. Søndag i Advent!

More Christmas

I read today that young people between the ages of 18 and 29 are the people most invested in  following tradition when it comes to the holidays. I found this interesting. I wonder why this is?

I know I have always loved christmas, and maybe even more so since I moved 'out' at age 18. This year, it has become even more important to me that we decorate and do 'Christmassy' things. I feel like we are trying to start some of our own christmas traditions. I think that for a lot of young people, we are trying to either recreate happy childhood moments, or maybe trying to erase bad ones by making our own.

Either way- we picked up our christmas tree today and plan on decorating it  later today or possibly over the weekend. Now we are going to put some æbleskiver in the oven and enjoy some quiet time before Little Dude wakes from his nap.

Creamy DUCK noodle soup

In the spirit of not letting good food go to waste, I usually cook a soup whenever I make a whole chicken. This past weekend we made a whole Duck - and figured that Duck noodle soup was in order. I've made it before, but this was the first time I made it creamy. And boy was it delish!

I covered the remaining Duck with water and let it simmer for several hours along with a few bay leaves, some thyme, and one onion cut into quarters. Along the way I skimmed the top for fat and other stuff.

After that you sift the 'buillion' and (this part isn't for the faint of heart) you make sure to pick any remaining meat of the bones and remove any small pieces of bone or skin. Preferably you then let it cool a bit so you can skim of any remaining fat from the top.

Strain it back into your bit ole pot and add 3 sliced carrots and 3 sliced onions (if you have things like cellery this is also good, but this was more of a leftover dish for us...).

Add pasta or noodles, a sprinkle of oregano, a sprinkle of thyme, and some 1 % milk.

Just before serving, stir in leftover Sour Cream (I had about 1/2 cup).

oh baby....

Say it isn't so!!!

Picture screencapped from http://www.duggarfamily.com/content/twenty