Are You Kidding Me?

Thursday:



Saturday:




I guess Mother Nature didn't appreciate my little joke. If anyone has any suggestions as to how to appease her, I'd be much obliged.

Because all this white stuff - it's getting old...

An Easter To Remember

Yes, it was COOOOLD.... Fortunately, our cottage is equipped with both heated floors and a highly efficient wood burning stove. Once we'd crawled out of bed and put on a fire, we were toasty warm in no time.

And truthfully, the cold was a blessing in disguise, because it meant a stop to the raging snowstorm that had kept us cooped up inside for most of the previous day, while the cottage slowly disappeared in the masses of snow coming down from the heavens:

Of course, a little snow didn't stop the kids from having a blast:







But the adults got noticeably more active once the sun peaked out and heated things. Fabulously long skiing trips ensued, with and without children:



We also managed some outdoor lunches, barbecuing hotdogs and sandwiches, and even a bit of suntanning. That's viking blood for ya!



The kids, meanwhile, continued their frolicking with slides down the mountain side:





And the cottage roof:



However, Easter in Scandinavia is really all about food and aquavit (however did you know, Rima?), and even far away from civilization in the mountains we enjoyed excellent meals:



Thus, despite vigorous skiing, I am certain not an ounce of weight was shed. Which may have been a problem had spring been around the corner, but with the forecast calling for snow, snow, and more snow, I'm not worrying just yet.

Though I am considering putting in a call to Al Gore. He may need to revise his inconvenient truth a little bit, as the Norwegian weather gods clearly aren't playing on his team...

(I usually have to crane my neck and look waaaaay up to read this sign).

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...

We woke up to a lovely sight this morning:



Yes, I said lovely. For the last few weeks, it has been pitch black when we've woken up in the morning, but today, at 7 am, there was an ethereal, wintry glow peeking through the curtains:



The light dusting of snow had our boys super excited to go to school, planning elaborate forts and spooky snowball fights:



While we frolic in the snow this afternoon, we'll be sending happy thoughts to all you Americans out there celebrating Thanksgiving today.