My Mother 90 - My Daughter 32 - A Family celebration

Marie Louise - 90 - October 12
I have the honour to celebrate my Mothers 90 BD. And share it with my dear blogger-friends.

Not all people around this Globe will have that opportunity.
Photo taken Saturday Oct 10 - 2009.
All her Uncles on her mother side emigrated in the late 1890ies from Norway to "Promised Land"; it was North Dakota. As far as I know, all her Family has left that state.
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Yesterday, on Saturday Oct 10, we celebrated her. In fact is was a double celebration.
My daughter Ingelin had her BD the day before.
We were only the closest family. Had a dinner, given by my son Niklas in his home.

Here Ingelin is about to decorate the table. As you might observe - there is one more in her body that we have not yet seen;-))



Sebastian really wanted the Tabel too look First Class before his grand grand mother arrived.He had to check it out for himself. Baloons - hehe- guess who made them this seize?

We had real Champagne - of course. From left: Kaya, my Mother, Ingelin and Anna.


Just after the Wellcome refreshment, we went outside to see Niklas 40 BD Gift. A new Bike.
Wow - that's something we did not have in my younger periode of life....

Let me tell you, my Mother and I talked and talked about old times.
We forget for a while the rest of the family sitting around the table
... just us

When I was about to be born, in April 1945, at the Clinic, just before I could see the world:
The Air-raid warning alarm was on the air. (at the end of World War 2)
That was really tough, my mother said.
But, she was the only that stayed calm.
And here I am, blogging with you. Hurray.

Now, you can understand more about who I am, born with an Air-raid warning Alarm ,-))


Sebastian asked his grand grand Mother :
- Are you comfortable? Just tell me, if you need something.

The Table was decorated by Ingelin. She does how do do it.Allmost unseen, but without, the Table would have looked naked.

Sebastian - grand grand child #3 from right. The only one but my Mother with a paper Crown.
(We all ended up with paper crowns. Before we left at around 11 pm.)

Ingelin, have you eaten too much? Kaya is anxious... Papa as well ;-))

And of course Kaya had to give a toast - my brother to the right understood as well, even Turkish.

The Dining Table at the end. LOL

My mother promised to see Ingelins Baby, and she are really looking forward to meet Kaya's parents.
Time for Gifts

What is this?
Seb wonders, my brother seems to think about something else, while my Mother have listened to a good joke. You see?

revealed:
Here is Kaya - giving my Mother 90 roses

My mother told me a secret:
If I had been the age of Ingelin, I would have done my best to capture this beautiful and wonderful young man. He has all the Qualities a woman looks for.
That was what my Mother said said to me.

Here, the Birthday Cake (one of them)

Then we neede a short break and went out on the Balconny. Here you see the South View.

However, we did also celebrate Ingelin's BD.
Firstgift: A book with Cat Cartoons. No words. Then Kaya can write the text in German and Turkish and Ingelin in Norwegian and what so ever other languages;-))

Here, another present -
(Private collection - can only be bought one place within 90 Days a Year)

Private: Z and H, do you hear? My Mother are eager to see you soon.

More to come....

This Weeks ABC-C

You can't go to Holland without taking the Poffertjes-test

What a test. A great challenge.

Sunday morning we were warned by Marjolein and Wim, that we had to
take a test that every Dutch have to take, sooner or later.
We were asked bring Helmets, Wooden Shoes and a Rescue Bag.
Holland is not known for high hills and deep canyons, so should we hang like the figures above?
And do something?

- Ok, we said, let's take the test

Of course we did not ask what kind of test it was.
We like surprises. Vikings do love surprises. At least some of them.

In the early afternoon we went from Huizen to Laren. Laren is one of the richest towns in the Netherlands. Formerly a farmer village, then painters and artists strolled to the Town, and now it's a region for wealthy people. People from all over the world come to shop in the high quality fashion and art shops. We were, as said, there on a Sunday. All shops were closed.
Our Euro's burned in our pockets and handbags.

After only a few minutes driving from Huizen via Blaricum (another story - later), we arrived at Laren. Lot's of Cars everywhere.

The Village Center was blocked with French Fences.
No Cars allowed. Lot's of people. I will rather say: Very crowded.

Hm, what is this?
Are people invited to watch Anna and Papa taking the test?
You never know what the Dutch can do?

Suddenly, when we passed a corner:

- Lot's of runners, young and old.
(I think they needed a car to return home after the running)

Was it a test-run?
A test-run with wooden-shoes?
If so, we could understand the need for a Helmet and Rescue Bag.

But, the runners did not wear ordinary running shoes, and no Helmets. Hmmm?

We followed the Runners, more than 1300, up the streets.

Then suddenly:

What is this? A Tivoli? An Amusement Park? Adventure Park?
What could the test be? We went high pulse closer. We had, after all, accepted to take the test.

Let's have a closer look. Wafelen Anno 1837 Poffertjes. What's this? A Test? Hmmm? Sceptical.

What are they doing? Seems to be a Hot Job;-)). Is that the test?

No, no and no again:
They are making the best Poffertjes in the whole of the Netherlands. Most probably in the whole World.

And what is this? A more than 100 year old oven for baking Wafers. Amazing.

The test was to eat several portions. One Portion is 10 pieces. Here with Ginger Jam.

Heavenly taste. We wanted more. And passed the Test. With two A's.
While the Runners had their tests and even the Samba Drummers performed their test very well, Papa went outside to take a Photo. You know, after the first 10 poffertjes, and some old, sweet brown beer, fresh air;-))

This Poffertjes Restaurant only serves poffertjes, in 4 different varations (Plain, with Rhum, Ginger or Grand Marnier) and 1 kind of Waffel.
And different kind of beverages.
In spite of the few choices, it's allways crowded at de Haan in Laren.

Wim and Papa had old, sweet, dark Beer, while the ladies had water.

Even people from California enjoys the famous poffertjes here.
In fact, Marjoleins Cousin and her daughter from the LA area. And a Viking Woman to the right;-) You also see Marjoleins sweet Auntie who hosted the 3x20 Celebratration the day before. (More to come about that wonderful event)

This restaurant, "com de haan" in Laren is only open from Spring to Fall.
They set it up and bring it down every year. The same since "House" in more than 50 years.


It's build around a real Tree, situated in the middle of the interior.

Even the Glass Paintings follow the Seasons. I think this must be Bacchus. Or what do you think?

What are Poffertjes' main ingrediens?

Here you see Buckwheat. That's what make a big difference for the taste and final result instead of using ordinary Wheat. But be aware that Buckwheat is a Nut, and closely related to Rhubarbe as well. Interesting.

You can read more about Poffertjes and this very famous establishment and the history of Poffertjes here.
Google translation (well, you at least got an Idea)

More to come from Holland and France and Switzerland and Norway and -----

Papa goes to Holland

The reason?

Marjolein's 3x20 celeb. Her with her Man: Wim.
Some of my dear readers my recall from September 2008?

Here you see some of their wonderful friends and family.
Two years ago I did write this post - You might see somebody you have seen here?

More to come from our fabulous weekend from Norway to Holland celebrating Master Marjolein.

Have a nice Sunday everybody

Papa: Days of joy, grief and celebration

I do not know the best way of telling a story of a lost life and at the same time about a new life soon to appear.
A life has gone. A new is to come.
Grief and happiness. Saturday to Monday.
From Joy to remebering with Grief.



It's about my son who died on May 18 one year ago.
It's about my daughter that expects her first child second half of October this year.
It's about my daughters new Family that never get the chance to meet her oldest brother.
And a child that will never meet an uncle.
A person that devoted his life to help the poor. And at the same time the most talented footballplayer when 14.
A person that knew at the same time the most wealthy, cultural and those forgotten.

My daughters man and father of their child to come, did visit the Family grave. Cultural understanding and Respect - and also love.


We where there on Monday, May 18, on year excatly after my son's sudden death.

I will now bring you some joy and happiness.
You, my dear reader deserves some joy in your daily life:
Papa style.

Saturday was the EuroVision Song Contest Final in Moscow

Some food and joy around the Table

We were of course head of our local jury. Who else? Click to enlarge;))

Who did win with the largest margin ever?

Here you see - I say no more than we had fun.

Sunday - May 17 - National Day in Norway.
Royal Castle in the background

2009 - The Norwegian National Day

Kaya was in Norway for the First time

Flowers for all of you.
Just send me your e-mail. To see more. OK?

More photos here

Lost Luggage at Birthday Party

On Saturday, my son Niklas gave an unique Birthday Party for his friends and Family together with his friend Jacob. At Månefisken - The Moonfish - at the River (Akerselven) and Waterfall in downtown Oslo (Norway).

Here you see the Waterfall - Akerselven, Oslo.

First orchestra was Lost Luggage (they played in the Church during my son Rubens Funeral).

Wooow - they played like I was 40 years younger.

She can sing both Rock'n Roll, Pop, Bob Marley with an incredible voice and sensitivity, Ingvild Hammer.

Where are the Drums? A plastic Bucket? Yes, that was all there was. And he played with joy an enthusiasm. Hurray.

Final - it was really swinging and thrilling - I had hoped they could play the whole evening, but, they had to go give a performance another place. At this BD, they played as a BD gift for Niklas and his Guests. I say, I'm most grateful. You are all wonderful and professional.

more to come....