I've been a bit distant from the blogging world, time seems to go by quickly. So I'll give you a bit of a recap on what has been going on.
In November my Grandfather's failing health, took a turn for the worst. My mom spent the month in the hospital and at his home with him. We skyped when there was internet and sent messages through my sister. It was a difficult month for the family. He died the night before Thanksgiving, he is finally out of pain. I was fortunate enough to talk to him a few times in the hospital via skype. Although it was a very hard and trying time for my family, God did miracles and amazing things happened. Everytime I talked to my mom or dad they would tell me the amazing things that were happening. Grandpa had peace, he made relationships right and he brought his families together, his kids and my mom and aunt. They had been separated for years and his wish was that they would be together. They became a family in those days, laughing and crying together, playing games and praying together, even sleeping on the floor around his bed at night, all together.
For me, my family in the house surrounded me, prayed for me, and listened to my stories. They sat with me and hugged me as I cried. I skyped with my family and we cried and then we laughed at the kids or the things mom was finding in my grandparents house. Sometimes grandparents keep the strangest things.
As for December, it's been a whirlwind. I've continued applying for jobs with no luck, I finally found a Danish course only to show up on the last day and find out they don't start again until the middle January. I helped out a few nights at the Cafe for some special Christmas Shows. Aeriole finally made it to the UK....WOOHOO!!! We skype and chat often and we're making plans to visit each other.
I've spent all of Christmas with Frank and Betina. Chrismas day they opened up their apartment to us and we hung out watching movies and eating candy, fruit, and popcorn. It was a good day and a good distraction from missing home. Yesterday, we went to Frank's parents home and had a danish lunch with open faced sandwiches and yummy sweets. We took a walk in the woods, unfortunately I didn't have my camera...UGH! It was beautiful! Later in the evening we went to the movies, my first time in Denmark. We watched Sherlock Holmes and I surprised myself by liking it. Today we cleaned the apartment and then went to another movie, Avatar, and I surprised myself again by liking it too. I don't think I have ever watched so many movies so close together in my life. Tonight, I don't know what is planned...we'll just have to wait and see...
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!
This year I had the privelege of celebrating Christmas Eve with Frank and Betina. In Denmark Christmas Eve evening is when families gather to celebrate. After going to a church service where Frank was playing the base, we traveled to Franks childhood home, built by his father, in the country. On the way Frank and Betina told me everyone's names and the relations, we listened to a chrismas CD Frank had produced a few years back and then we prayed for our housemates spread throughout Scandinavia this holiday evening.
We were welcomed with of hugs and introductions and I was given a tour of the house. Frank's mom, Ellen, was in the kitchen cooking with his sister, and I think we had an instant connection. It may be that we share the same name, but I still think she is one of the sweetest ladies I will meet! It was so nice to see Emily there, one of my dear housemates who happens to be Frank's niece. The last touches on dinner were made and the family was gathered. They began by singing a danish prayer and then we ate and ate and ate. We ate duck, pork, brown potatoes (they were actually white with brown sugar and butter on them), rodkal (red cabbage) cooked, red cabbage/fruit salad, brown gravy, boiled potatoes, and potato chips. Yes, I was a bit surprised at the potato chips too. It was all delicious!
Then the food and dirty dishes were cleared and new plates were placed for dessert. Risalamande is the traditional dessert, it is a rice pudding with chopped almonds and topped with a cherry glaze. This dessert is actually a bit of a game. There is a whole almond mixed in the dessert and whoever gets it wins a present. Traditionally the trick is to hide it until all the risalamande is eaten and then the winner pulls it out for all to see. However, the three youngest at the table found the almonds (there were three because we were so many), and they were too excited to hide it. It was a great time, and I was glad they found it because I don't think I could have eaten anymore, I was so full of yummy food!
We were welcomed with of hugs and introductions and I was given a tour of the house. Frank's mom, Ellen, was in the kitchen cooking with his sister, and I think we had an instant connection. It may be that we share the same name, but I still think she is one of the sweetest ladies I will meet! It was so nice to see Emily there, one of my dear housemates who happens to be Frank's niece. The last touches on dinner were made and the family was gathered. They began by singing a danish prayer and then we ate and ate and ate. We ate duck, pork, brown potatoes (they were actually white with brown sugar and butter on them), rodkal (red cabbage) cooked, red cabbage/fruit salad, brown gravy, boiled potatoes, and potato chips. Yes, I was a bit surprised at the potato chips too. It was all delicious!
Then the food and dirty dishes were cleared and new plates were placed for dessert. Risalamande is the traditional dessert, it is a rice pudding with chopped almonds and topped with a cherry glaze. This dessert is actually a bit of a game. There is a whole almond mixed in the dessert and whoever gets it wins a present. Traditionally the trick is to hide it until all the risalamande is eaten and then the winner pulls it out for all to see. However, the three youngest at the table found the almonds (there were three because we were so many), and they were too excited to hide it. It was a great time, and I was glad they found it because I don't think I could have eaten anymore, I was so full of yummy food!
We were then ushered into the home theatre, with real theatre seating, and the two younger girls put on a singing show for us. For intermission we were shown to the living room where the Christmas tree stood complete with presents underneath. The girls lit the candles on the tree and everyone gathered around to sing carols and dance around the tree.
After dancing around the tree we sat around the room and these same two girls passed out all of the presents. When they brought a present to me, I nudged Emily and said, "I think they got confused and gave me your grandma's present." She told them and they said it really was for me. This happened several times! I didn't even know these people and yet they were giving me gifts, I was in shock! Ellen had made me, actually knitted me some socks! They are very cozy...I'm wearing them now :) She is very talented, she knitted (is that a word?) all of the family different articles of clothing. It wasn't grandma-ish either...it was really cool!
The night left me speechless, I couldn't understand how they could be so generous to a stranger. So loving, and opening their home during family time. And yet at the same time, it helps me understand why Frank and Betina are who they are. They have amazing parents, so how could they be any different! While I miss my family, and our traditions, God is opening my eyes to see how other families live and love. What a privelege and honor, I am truly blessed!
The End...to another book written as a blogpost!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Eve of Christmas Eve
Christmas is in the air, it smells of pine trees and sweets. The rich red ribbons and poinsettas are splashed about the city with wintry greens hanging and standing in the windows. There is a white blanket covering the ground and rooftops. The stores are filled with people gathering last minute treasures for loved ones. As the sun goes down lights are glowing in the windows of houses full of Christmas cheer. It's so nice to be snuggled up in a blanket drinking a nice cup of hot tea listening to the Christmas music amongst the hustle and bustle outside.
I must admit, it makes me miss family time. But technology is amazing! I love talking to my parents and sister on Skype with the kiddos running around. I love watching them dance to Snoopy and listening to them sing songs. It makes me smile everytime Grant says "auntie" and Alynna tells me she loves me! And I can't wait to skype on Christmas at Nana's! Sometimes I think we forget there are thousands of miles between us, it almost feels as if I could reach through the screen and touch them.
So, on this eve of Christmas Eve, I am going with some friends to visit Tina's cousin. Tina and her cousin always get together this night to have their own little Christmas and they invited me and a few others to join them. We will enjoy a lovely evening of food and fellowship. On that note...I am going to get ready for the evening.
Have a Merry Eve of Christmas Eve!!! And spread the Holiday Joy to everyone you meet!
I must admit, it makes me miss family time. But technology is amazing! I love talking to my parents and sister on Skype with the kiddos running around. I love watching them dance to Snoopy and listening to them sing songs. It makes me smile everytime Grant says "auntie" and Alynna tells me she loves me! And I can't wait to skype on Christmas at Nana's! Sometimes I think we forget there are thousands of miles between us, it almost feels as if I could reach through the screen and touch them.
So, on this eve of Christmas Eve, I am going with some friends to visit Tina's cousin. Tina and her cousin always get together this night to have their own little Christmas and they invited me and a few others to join them. We will enjoy a lovely evening of food and fellowship. On that note...I am going to get ready for the evening.
Have a Merry Eve of Christmas Eve!!! And spread the Holiday Joy to everyone you meet!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Danish, Danish, Danish
Santa, Me, Lizette, Emily, and Lotte
Well, it's already Friday, again. I can't believe how fast time goes by, it feels as if it has magically sped up and I can barely keep up with the weeks, let alone days. I have had some very Danish, Danish, Danish, Danish experiences this past week. (just ask Frank)
Last Saturday we went to Malerkemmen, an old house in the forest about 30 minutes from here. As we drove up to a cozy cottage sitting amongst the trees we felt like we were going back in time. When we walked in the door we were greeted with a warm smell of yummy Danish pastries. We walked through the house and admired the old Danish decor and classic Danish Christmas decorations. They have converted this Danish house into a restaurant, it is known for aebleskiver and varm kakao, aka hot chocolate and ball shaped apple pastries. (see above pictures) They had many different desserts, yummy pancakes and aeblekage (another yummy apple dessert) just to name a few. I chose to stick with the famous and was not disappointed, the aebleskiver and varm kakao was delicious!
After enjoying every bite and every drop of the Danish yumminess, I found out there was more. They have horse and buggy rides that take you to a cabin just down the road that has turned into a shop. We were too late for the ride but we were just as pleased to walk to the cabin. It was another cabin situated amonst the trees with a fire pit outside surrounded by people and an outside vender selling sweets and warm drinks. As we went into the cabin it was crowded with Danish teas, sweets, and Christmassy treasures. It was filled, we had to go through single file to see everything. I found some neat cooking pans and was a bit surprised to find in this Danish, Danish, Danish experience that they were from Minneaplis, Minnesota...HAHA! A jolly good time was had by all!
On another note, Anders, one of our housemates, is a gospel choir director and Emily and Lizette, two more housemates are part of his choir. We had the privelege of attending their concert. It was amazing! First of all they sounded GREAT and it was fun to see Anders working, he really gets into it. By the second song he had everyone in the place standing up, clapping their hands, swaying and singing in parts! It was quite impressive, especially in this reserved Danish society.
Last Saturday we went to Malerkemmen, an old house in the forest about 30 minutes from here. As we drove up to a cozy cottage sitting amongst the trees we felt like we were going back in time. When we walked in the door we were greeted with a warm smell of yummy Danish pastries. We walked through the house and admired the old Danish decor and classic Danish Christmas decorations. They have converted this Danish house into a restaurant, it is known for aebleskiver and varm kakao, aka hot chocolate and ball shaped apple pastries. (see above pictures) They had many different desserts, yummy pancakes and aeblekage (another yummy apple dessert) just to name a few. I chose to stick with the famous and was not disappointed, the aebleskiver and varm kakao was delicious!
After enjoying every bite and every drop of the Danish yumminess, I found out there was more. They have horse and buggy rides that take you to a cabin just down the road that has turned into a shop. We were too late for the ride but we were just as pleased to walk to the cabin. It was another cabin situated amonst the trees with a fire pit outside surrounded by people and an outside vender selling sweets and warm drinks. As we went into the cabin it was crowded with Danish teas, sweets, and Christmassy treasures. It was filled, we had to go through single file to see everything. I found some neat cooking pans and was a bit surprised to find in this Danish, Danish, Danish experience that they were from Minneaplis, Minnesota...HAHA! A jolly good time was had by all!
On another note, Anders, one of our housemates, is a gospel choir director and Emily and Lizette, two more housemates are part of his choir. We had the privelege of attending their concert. It was amazing! First of all they sounded GREAT and it was fun to see Anders working, he really gets into it. By the second song he had everyone in the place standing up, clapping their hands, swaying and singing in parts! It was quite impressive, especially in this reserved Danish society.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
