....I still haven't had my morning cup of coffee. Why don't we sit down and talk while waiting for it to brew? ....Please have a chair and tell me what you are up to today..... It is good to sit down for a quiet moment of chatting isn't it? I had an appointment with my hairdresser yesterday morning and started the day with a long chat with her...... Though as my own hairdresser was on vacation I got a new lady and we had to start all our chatting from scratch, couldn't start where we finished a months ago. This new one wants me to cut my hair short and is sure I will look younger and more up to date in a new hairdo. But why should I look younger, why should I look more up to date as long as I like the way I already look, and I like my long curls?...... I let her talk along for a while on this subject while my mind wandered looking forward to the coming afternoon when Marta and a friend would come downtown and meet me after work. .....When they came, two beautiful young ladies dressed for an afternoon in town, purses filled with money for some shopping, the blessing of being a mother and an aunt flew through my body like rainbow marbles. Yes, they both did some shopping, we bought some junkfood and 7-eleven (some days are made for junkfood) and ate it in a small park along the river, we did some more shopping and then went to the cinema to see Prince Caspian. .....Will you believe, I had a nap during the movie and had to be explained some of the happening by Marta after the film. She just couldn't believe that I was able to nap through such an exciting story......... It was time to take Mathilde back home, and while driving up to her place we passed the soccer stadium where Iron Maiden was to start a concert. 23 000 people at a rock concert in Trondheim. Big, big news for our small city. Torgeir went to the concert and I look forward to phone him today to hear about it all...........Oh, here comes the caffee latte, and an espresso for you. So please tell me, what have you been up to lately?
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Photo: a cafe in Terracina
Note: I would love to keep on our chat and look forward to hear what you have to say
Blog of the Week: Blogworld is changing and blogworld is growing. Some members leave, others are moving in, and I make new friends. A wonderful neighbour, Debbie in CA, moved in not long ago and this week I want to take you over to her Wisteria Cottage. By the way, wisteria was unknown to me untill two years ago when I sat under a wisteria shower in a monastery garden at Fossanove, outside Terracina. It was Easter, and the monastery caffee could offer more than 40 different types of hot chocolate.
I am here. I like strong coffee! Now where were we.... Yesterday I had a stream of friends floating through my house, and as one left, another would arrive, and David, bless him, manned the coffeepot for us. Today is a blank canvas at the moment. I have a lot of thoughts in my head, so let me share some with you......
Posted by: Linds | July 23, 2008 at 10:14 AM
You have a 7-11 there? They don't have them in France. They aren't the best in ambience but it sure is a great place to stock up on junk food.
Posted by: Linda | July 23, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Linds - be careful not to get coffee stain on your canvas, or maybe I should say be careful TO GET coffee stains on your canvas. The canwas is there to reflect life, isn't it?
Linda - yes, we have 7-eleven in Norway and actually our oldest son runs one of the ones we have in Trondheim. He was not working yesterday though as he was on his way to the Iron Maiden concert.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild in Norway | July 23, 2008 at 11:11 AM
It was very nice reading about your day!
As for me, I am on holidays at the moment. I am taking it easy, making up for the lost sleep, meeting with friends, enjoying the company of my husband.
Today I also had a haircut, did some shopping and tonight we are meeting a cousin of mine at a little bar a friend has in downtown Athens. I am looking forward to sitting there sipping on some exotic cocktail! :-)
Posted by: Perroula | July 23, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Coffee stains are part of life. They belong on the canvas! I always say when I prick my finger while quilting, that I become part of it. It is a part of the history of the quilt!
Posted by: Linds | July 23, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Perroula - "enjoying the company of my husband", what a perfect way to spend your vacation. I always have my best moments in company with my husband. I have never been to Athens, but it is high up on my list of places I want to visit. Then I can meet you at some small bar......
Linds - may your life canvas be filled with alot of colourful stains. Are you working with a spesific quilt right now?
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild in Norway | July 23, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Ah to be in lovely NORSK country or is that only Norway..ahem
I MUST come to Scandanavia and get acquainted..still bet it's nice and cool there...sigh
Posted by: Parisbreakfasts | July 23, 2008 at 03:53 PM
dear oh dear..
this is what I say..
when anyone says to me.. this would be better or younger or more modern..
I am what I am..
some purple and green colour on my short dark hair..
some kilos more than needed..
some wrinkles on the face..
and loads of fun and tears and love and memories..
I sure would love to chat..
with a lady as calm as you..
would be so good for me..
maybe I would amuse you myself.. =P
no one never knows..
thanks for this post..
Posted by: pinar | July 23, 2008 at 05:05 PM
I do love a good chat! My two granddaughters call me "the talk to everyone woman" because I engage strangers in fun, little conversations all the time - at the store, on a walk, in a restaurant. At Disneyland, they laughed at me all day because I talked to so many people. You are such an interesting, talented person, I'm sure I could sit and talk with you for days!
Posted by: Rose | July 23, 2008 at 05:11 PM
My day started quietly, Britt. No alarms went off but I awoke before 6 a.m. just the same. I guess the body just knows. I coffee'd at House of Java but felt restless so actually got to work before 8 a.m. It's quiet. I'm very alone here and liking it that way very much. In three days we fly to Portland OR and I can't wait for whatever I may find there. Wishing you a pleasant evening, Annie
Posted by: annieelf | July 23, 2008 at 05:42 PM
ParisBreakfast - come over and I'll teach you more NORSK here in NORWAY. And you can teach me some painting, or show me your miniatures, or bring a cake, or.......
Pinar - I am what I am! I completely agree with you.
By the way, I bought some blue and green lace today for my lavender bottles. Cross your fingers for me please, I am not quite sure yet how to make them.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild in Norway | July 23, 2008 at 06:22 PM
Rose - my father is just like that. He talks with people and makes friends EVERYWHERE. I will fid a chair for both of you.
Annie - I am really looking forward to hear about the lighthouses you see in Portland. (Annie and I are both members of armchairtravelling at yahoo)
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild in Norway | July 23, 2008 at 06:25 PM
What a lovely chat. Yes, I too was surprise you have 7-eleven. What a small world. Now, MacDonalds of course i would expect. Take care, Suki
Posted by: Suki | July 23, 2008 at 06:41 PM
Here in the south of France is where most of our friends live, so we have parties every night, it is not good for the scale, but they all prepare marvellous dinners for us, we have long and interesting chats, we meet new people, we dress up, and I am too lazy to go to the hairdresser even though I should go, I badly need a hair cut. (but like you, I try to let them grow.)
during daytime we have long walks in the garrigue, going down the river Ardèche which is so beautiful. When the weather is too hot, I lay under the shade of the trees in a long chair and read. My latest book was:
Rovasti Huuskonen petomainen miespavelija, from Arto Paasilinna, I loved it.
Posted by: Kitem | July 23, 2008 at 06:50 PM
What a lovely idea - first thing in the morning chat about your pending day (even if my 'first thing' is long after yours. :-)
After I eat breakfast and say good morning to the chickens, I am heading out to run a few errands. Then it's back for an afternoon of sketches on my new picture book. Dinner with the kids, and then visiting with friends after. More sketching until bed.
There's my day.
Posted by: tlchang | July 23, 2008 at 08:16 PM
The great thing about time differences around the world is that I can let my morning chat go on for hours :-) And while chatting along my fingers are busy making lavender bottles. Pinar showed some in her blog a few days ago, then I kept on seeing this lavender craft in several other blogs and I knew I had to try. My lavenders are just ripe and I have done my first bottle. Not perfect, but the smell is great. I promise to take a photo.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild in Norway | July 23, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Suki - alot of people are agains 7-eleven, at least in special parts of the town, but I am supporting my son of course ;-)
Kitem - I wish I was there with you, though with the lavender smell from my fingers it is easy to pretend I am in Provence right now.....
Tara - good luck in your studio. When I have run out of coffee here I'm coming over to your place.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild in Norway | July 23, 2008 at 08:40 PM
A delightful post! Today is a busy one in the studio, but had to take a quick break to visit a few of my favorite places!
Smiles...
Beverly
Posted by: tea time and roses | July 23, 2008 at 11:24 PM
I've went out to the pastures to check the cows, washed two pick-up trucks, watered the gardens and now I'm having an iced coffee to cool down. Beautiful summer day here.
So what DID you do with your hair?
Jody
Posted by: Gumbo Lily | July 24, 2008 at 12:18 AM
My Dear Friend,
Today was a day set aside to relax and recharge my emotional batteries after too many days of busy-busy scheduling. I showered and had a meeting with a social worker (once a year, always pleasant, but never fun to discuss the details of having a special-needs son). After that I washed all the delicate heirloomsteacups I used in yesterday's tea party with a friend and her daughter coming over to sip tea with me and my daughters. Great fun. I then took a lunch of locally-made burritos. So good! After that "busy morning" I sat down to compose a blog post but blogger was out of order. So I laid down and napped like a baby for almost 3 hours! It was wonderfully refreshing, but now I must be up and ready to grill sausages and veggies for dinner. My gardens also need a drink to refresh after the warm afternoon. Eating and gardening ... that's a fine way to end a day of respite. How's that for a day? ; )
Posted by: Debbie in CA : ) | July 24, 2008 at 02:25 AM
It would be great if your way brought you to Athens some time, I'd love to meet you! Or maybe we'll meet in Norway, who knows... This year our vacation scheme is Sweden and Helsinki, but next year it'll probably be Norway :-)
Have a nice day!
Posted by: Perroula | July 24, 2008 at 06:47 AM
Beverly - please tell us about what you are doing in your studio.
Gumbo Lily - one day I'll come and visit your farm. My hair? Oh, just hiding the grey.......
Debbie - eating and gardening sound perfect to me. And I guess your creative fifth child taped it all, LOL.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild in Norway | July 24, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Perroula - where in Sweden are you going?
Be sure to put Trondheim on your list of cities to visit next summer.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild in Norway | July 24, 2008 at 08:37 AM
I have loved the morning chats from everyone that you seem to inspire Britt-arnhild. My morning is just get ready for work but the drive to work, about 15 mins from home is very rural and I listen to audio books or, just recently I listened to a CD that a dear friend gave me, called Blake, an all male singing group in the style of Il Divo. they were the first group to be formed on u-tube. When I get to work the view just takes my breath away... rolling hills, and acres and acres of green pastures. I work on a thoroughbred horse stud and it is coming up to an exciting time of year when all the broodmares are foaling down. then in about a month, the Nthn hemisphere stallions will arrive and the mares will be crossed again. Pregnant for another 9 months. This is my first season at the stud and I am so looking forward to attending a few births and to seeing the dear foals as they cling close to their mother's side. Mother Nature is just awesome, not the least, the view from my office window. Thanks for the inspiration. Chel
Posted by: Chel | July 24, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Chel - thanks for letting my morning chat keep on also today :-) What an interesting job you have. I am sure my Marta would love to spend her summer vacation with you.
We are having a wonderful weather here today, my roses have started to bloom and I have the day off. Guess where I spent the day? Yes, in the garden :-)
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild in Norway | July 24, 2008 at 01:00 PM
My husband is Swedish. Whenever we go to Sweden we spend half of the time in Stockholm, where his family lives, and half of the time in Sandviken (close to Gavle) where he grew up.
We'll certainly include Trondheim in our Norway plans, I've come to really like the city through your photos and descriptions! :-)
Posted by: Perroula | July 24, 2008 at 01:22 PM
I am waiting eagerly for my cup of afternoon tea while I sit next to hubby at the computer...I love wisteria...I used to have a canopy of it in Oregon when I had a house...
Posted by: Stacie | July 25, 2008 at 10:20 PM