Guess What Season It Is?

If you said spring...

you'd be correct.

And if you said Rose Festival season...

you'd be right too.

But,

as all of us know---

the best part of this time of year is...

 it is

 the beginning of

our LOCAL strawberry season!

Oh, yea:)

And what do I plan to do with all this strawberry sweetness?

1) rinse and eat (done)

2) rinse and eat more (soon)

and

3) make these wonderful, delectable, yummy fresh strawberry muffins ASAP

http://nancysrecipes.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/fresh-strawberry-muffins/

Again,

 I will add a little lemon zest

(because I adore lemons),

use raw sugar

(because I LOVE that stuff)

and add--

possibly

a teeny. tiny bit of extra milk

(if I think it needs it).

But I won't overfill the muffin tins

NOPE!

(even though my oven could use a good cleaning again).

OK, locals and others---

what is the first thing you will do with the first ripe berries from your area?

And now to eatin'

Blessings,

Aimee

Notes:

Nancy's recipe is highly rated by many (and I mean many) people;

if you are looking for a fresh strawberry muffin recipe, I KNOW you'll like hers!

I know I do:)

The WORD on Wednesday

 

Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied...

keep yourselves in the love of God,

looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Jude 1:2, 21 KJV

Blessings,
Aimee

Note:
A BIG thank you to Grace of One Saylor's Log
 (see her blog link under my PNW blog list) for bringing this verse to my attention.
Photo from Washington Park, Portland--
road between the Vietnam Memorial and International Rose Garden.
Gorgeous drive...

A Garden of Solace

In the hills above Portland, Oregon there is a garden.

It is a place to remember;

a place to honor those who were lost;

a place to find comfort.

It is the Oregon Vietnam Living Memorial.

 We enter the garden...

walking the brick pathway which leads inward

and then upward.

This was our era--

my husband's and I.

 He knows the story much better than I;

he was part of the story...

though he served in the States and not overseas as so many of our native sons did.

Many have left flowers--

a beautiful and moving symbol of life.

The pools fountain is peaceful--

its melody soothing and refreshing to those who visit here.

 This Memorial Day the garden is filled with the beauty of blooms

and the beauty of the views before you

(Mt. Hood wasn't visible on this mostly cloudy day)

 I pause again at the first memorial.

How could I not know when this conflict,

that affected the lives of so many began?

(the war ran from 1959-1976)

We pause at each of the granite memorials

to read the inscriptions on them:

little glimpses into life at that time

and over there.

And the names of those who never came home--

to this beautiful land of evergreens, snow capped mountains and wild surf;

who never came home to the ones they loved.

War takes a large, priceless toll...

let us remember to pray for peace...

both for our nation

and others.  

Let us pray for and remember the families

who have sacrificed so much during our nation's history...

let us never forget their pain;

let us pray for them to find comfort

and

peace.

Let us remember those who have fallen;

those who are left with wounds--

seen and unseen.

Let us never forget... 

for these are our sons and daughters;

our fathers and mothers;

our aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, friends;

our fellow countrymen.

"So long as we are not forgotten we do not die..."

Dona nobis pacem.

Dedicated to the memory of those whose names are inscribed in this garden

and in the hearts of those who loved them.

Dedicated to the memory of ALL of our fallen and wounded warriors.

May God surround you with His peace and love.

Aimee

Notes:

The Vietnam Living Memorial is located in Washington Park,

not far from the Oregon Zoo, Children's Museum and the World Forestry Center.

Parking is available near the Memorial.

All photos taken Memorial Day 2012.

Repost: A Witness Now~Memorial Day 2012

Among the trees, flowering shrubs and manicured lawn they lay,

side by side,

each with their resting place marked

by a grave marker and American flag.

For this is a National Cemetery --

one of many and it is the final resting place for

Veterans of World War I and II, Korea, Vietnam and more recent conflicts.

Comrades in arms;

both those who have passed on full of years

and those who died while in the prime of their life.

The flags -- small and large --

wave in the breeze on the hillsides here;

so many lives--so many stories told and untold.

We come here-

children and other descendants, schoolmates, friends

and parents too.

Veterans and civilians,

some who have not forgotten the ferocity and cost of battle;

others who just feel the need to remember, to witness

this day-

the service and the sacrifice

of the precious souls at rest in this hallowed ground

above the city.

"You're his witness now.

Without a witness, they just disappear."

Blessings to the families of our fallen Veterans today.

May you find peace in the midst of your loss

and may you know we will remember.

Aimee

~

Update: May 2012.

My heart breaks as I listen to the evening news.

Another son; an only child lost on a battlefield far from his native land.

I want to take away this family's pain; dry their tears.

I want them to know another person cares for what they are suffering.

That for some of us this is not just another day.

I want them to know that the death and service of their son will always be remembered.

This post is humbly dedicated to the memory of that fallen Marine

and to the memory of all those lost.

May peace flood their hearts

and may peace be granted all mankind.

Note: above quote taken from 'Taking Chance', HBO films, 2009. USA.

Photos taken spring 2011, Willamette National Cemetery.

Syttende Mai: Parade From a Different Perspective

Ah! The wonder of a parade!

Here are a few photos from the very unique and most wonderful 2012 Syttende Mai parade...

 A robot boy--a most talented dancing robot boy!

(and behind him one of the most wonderful vintage cars)

 The great and very entertaining marching band kept us tapping our toes!

A lot of the beautiful Norwegian flag--

carried by boys and girls;

men and women;

and on cars! 

Here are a couple more of the vintage cars --

I LOVE vintage cars!

At one point we owned a 1949 car...

I didn't care for it much then;

how time changes ones perspective:)

 This was a true cultural celebration...

but it was also a neighborhood get together where one was invited to join,

if they would like,

in the day's festivities!

A large amount of bunads--which come in all different patterns

(for more on bunads I would invite you to visit My Little Norway

and Britt-Arnhild's blogs).

Everyone looks so wonderful in their bunads--

look at the wonderful detail in her skirt and apron!

I never get tired of looking at them.

 Oh a little parade goer...

this is cuteness indeed!

I love the little pacifier accessory!

Yep, it was one of the best parades ever... 

 I am SO happy to have been able to go!

Blessings,

Aimee

Note:

Sadly, the mournful laptop blues are still being sung at our house

but I have managed a few things online.

And now--the BIG test...

pressing 'publish' now:)

The WORD on Wednesday: Perfect Peace

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on Thee:

because he trusteth in Thee.

Trust ye in the LORD for ever:

for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength...

Isaiah 26: 3, 4 KJV

Have a blessed day!

Aimee

Note:

Between connection problems caused by our unsettled weather

and feeling slightly at a loss for the right words to say,

I am a bit behind on posting. I apologize and ask you to bear with me--

our forecast is calling for one more day of the spring storms and then sunshine again!

And, I have never been known to be at a loss for words for too long--LOL

Photo:

Beautiful flowers at Norse Hall last week.

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.