Syttende Mai: Of Fjords

I have admired the Fjord horse for a long time now.

I can't remember for sure where I first saw one in person,

but most likely it was in Astoria.

All I know is since then I can't get enough of these beautiful, good natured, noble horses!

 So when I found out they were going to be at the Syttende Mai parade...

well it just added more reasons to go!

This first photo is of my best friend getting close and personal with one of them.

 I actually got a chance to ride one before...

not these of course, but a friend I worked with many years ago made arrangements for me

and my DD to meet, greet, love, pet, kiss, photograph and ride one at a stable she was familiar with.

Can I just say my smile that day (and that of my DD's was HUGE)!

I've ridden several breeds of horses before

(being a horse lover since early childhood)

but there is nothing like the Fjord!

 Nothing!

The people who came with the Fjords were quite wonderful too!

I had a lot of fun talking to them:)

Here one of them is getting this baby ready.

Pretty baby!

 Ready to go...

all decked out in flowers.

Looking quite gorgeous;

their riders in costume also!

This face needs to get kissed;

that face too.

I'm sure.  

Time to be on their way...

thank you making the parade

and our day just a little more special.

And a BIG thank you to your owners, trainers,

 care takers

and riders.

Until next time...

Blessings, Aimee

Notes:

for more information on these gentle beautiful horses see this link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fjord_horse

or just 'google' fjord horse.

There are some amazing photos on the web.

Syttende Mai: Norse Hall

One of the most amazing places for those who love Norwegian culture as much as I do

is the historic Norse Hall located in Portland.

I have been there three times now--

for a Viking Pancake Breakfast with some friends,

for their 75th anniversary by myself

 (the hall was built in 1928)

and

yesterday with my best friend for their Syttende Mai parade and festivities.

 I love it at Norse Hall for many reasons--

the historical aspect of the building

 and the Norwegian culture.

But I also love it at Norse Hall because I've always felt at home there.

~

Yesterday was no exception--

from the warm smile on the lady who met us at the front door in her beautiful bunad,

to everyone else we talked to--

(especially the sweet lady in the bathroom,

the wonderful lady at the raffle table,

the fascinating man who told me all about the history of his folk costume,

the kitchen staff and more);

these are good, kind, fun, warm, hospitable people

who love this country and their Norwegian heritage!

 (BTW, I LOVE bunads--the gorgeous colors and embroidery;

 the solje they wear with it and more).

 Inside the hall we browsed around--

in the ballroom

 (where the dancing takes place),

the gift shop,

and later upstairs in search of the Nordic doll couple I remembered from so many years ago.

~

We'll start with the downstairs...

(although Kristin Liv badly wants me to post a photo of the Norwegian dolls first)

Here is their gorgeous carpet--

I LOVE the pattern and rich colors;

it's beautiful!

By the raffle table

(for a great cause)...

2 points if you know what that special cake all wrapped up in plastic is:) 

I know--it's one of the few things I haven't tried a bite of that I'd love to try---

well that and lutefisk.

An example of rosemaling--

something I collect and am very, very fond of!

We have several rosemalers in the PNW that I have talked to.

~

OK--time to go downstairs now

and eat some dessert:)

After all it's Syttende Mai...and today everyone can be Norwegian.

Here I treated my best friend

and I to some blotkake...

can you say "yummy"?

It was!

They also had other Nordic items to eat--

but we had eaten just before at Viking Soul

(post coming).

More art--

culinary art--

a piece of blotkake--

my piece to be specific,

right before I devoured it

to be even more specific.

YUM! 

HAVE to make this at home!

LOVE this place;

love the wonderful people that make their home here.

Love all the special Norwegians who have been a part of my life.

Love this day.

Blessings,

Aimee

Info:

Beautiful, wonderful Norse Hall's website is

http://norsehall.org/

They have some events throughout the year that are open to the general public and

you can also find information about the Sons of Norway,

a great organization

( you don't necessarily have to be Norwegian to join).

A BIG thank you to all the volunteers and people who contributed to the celebration yesterday

and also a BIG thank you for giving me permission to photograph and post photos of their hall too:)

Tusen takk!

Happy Syttende Mai

With her bath and shampoo done;

after a little sun

and attired in freshly laundered clothes,

Kristin Liv sets out for a week of celebrating her Norwegian heritage.

On her schedule this week:

Scan Imports

(a wonderful bit of Scandinavia in the Tri Counties),

Viking Soul

(a totally amazing "Norse inspired" food cart in the Belmont district of Portland),

Norse Hall

(a historic Sons of Norway lodge in the PNW)

and the 2012

Syttende Mai Parade

(a wonderful neighborhood parade featuring Fjord horses, vintage cars,

 a great marching band, beautiful bunads, many happy people and more)

Come along...

for on Syttende Mai

 all are welcome to be Norwegian:)

Aimee

Getting Ready to Celebrate

Earlier this week: What is Kristin Liv doing outside wrapped, very modestly I should say, in a dish towel?

I hope she doesn't stay outside too long. It will not be good if she gets a bad sunburn this week.

Kristin's clothes are almost dry. What do you think she is dressing up for? Is there something special happening this week? Something very special?

We'll know soon...maybe even today:)

Aimee

Notes:

Today is a very special one for me. It was on this day, some 48 years ago that I was baptized. It is extra special this year too because Ascension Day falls on May 17th. Of course, I cannot forget that someone very special to me has their birthday today (HAPPY Birthday) and then, of course, it is THAT day (the day Kristin was getting ready for earlier this week).  

Kristin Liv is named after

the main character in Sigrid Undset's wonderful trilogy Kristin Lavransdatter

and

after a Norwegian woman named Liv who lived in Washington state.

The WORD on Wednesday

Abide in Me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

 except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

 except ye abide in Me.

May you and I abide in Him.

Blessings,

Aimee

Verse:

John 15:4 KJV

Photos:

Our garden this week.