Stopping in to say "HI".....

My orchid is blooming!  This orchid was given to me by my sis and when the blooms faded I cut the stem half way back.  And lo and behold, on that same stem it produced a new branch of what will be 8 beautiful flowers.  Thought you would all like to take a look.

I have been away for a while, as you can tell...Not many thoughts flow in this little brain of mine, but to inform you that I am alive and still kicking I decided it was time to stop in and say "HI"...

After many years, since the mid 80ies, we've had the same TV in our family room.  It was a great TV in a large, beautiful cabinet.  I loved it and love it still, but hubby did not!!  I don't like change, especially when it involves replacing something that already works..But in keeping up with the times we got a 54 inch TV!!!!!  Yes, you read it right, 54 inches with a flat screen...How in the world do we fit that into our space of comfort without disrupting anything else?  Well, we did it our way....With two pine benches put together in the corner,  it actually looks just fine.  With enough space between the TV and us, reclining in comfortable chairs and sipping a cup of tea, it feels like we are in the most glorious movie theater setting.  And we have NETFLIX!!??##??  See why my brain is not working lately?  The other day I ordered an exclusive showing of the movie "I am Love".....Loved, it, loved it and love it still....Italian aristocracies filled with food, love and scandals.....Very well done and the performances were exquisite.....

Another showing was a documentary by Lisa Ling, an account of North Korea.  Excellent.  I was spellbound and horrified.

So, as you can see, 21st century entertainment has come to the Shollenberger household.  Hubby can't wait for the Super Bowl, and even though I am not a football fan, I look forward to an entertaining evening in front of our new TV.

For my daughter...

My latest knitting project for my daughter is this little vest designed by Solveig Hisdal, a Norwegian artist and taken from the book "Poetry in Stitches"..

It was a quick and fun project knitted from one vertical side to the other.  In other words, when I was done I had one long vertical piece that only needed to be put together by its two straps.

I tried it on and it looks scrumptious, can't wait for Kari-Anne to receive it.

My finished product.

A Not So Late Christmas

Christmas came a little late to the Shollenberger family, but it was filled with delight and surprises.

Yesterday was that special day and the spirit was high for the young, the in-between and the not so young.

I am always so delighted when I see the children's faces as they open their gifts.  We give them one gift each and it's as if they got the moon!!

Such sweet spirits with such grateful hearts.

Whispering between brother and sister

Sofie found the almond in her dessert

It is a Norwegian tradition to hide an almond in the ricecream dessert and whoever finds it wins a marzipan pig sent to us from my niece in Norway.  And this special little girl found it and loved the marzipan which she shared with us all.  Thank you, Sofie.

Look at this happy face.  Annika got her pillow pet and was overjoyed..

Such pleasure after receiving their gifts.

Sofie's winter outfit from tante in Norway.....It fits beautifully.  Thank you, tante (Kirsten)

Today is also my mother's birthday.  She died in 1987 and would have been 100 years old.  Unfortnately she died at the age of 76, much too young for such a wonderful mamma.  How I wish....she could have been with us today.  She loved life and instilled in my sister and me the ability to conquer and to enjoy what life has to offer us.  I left Norway as a 20 year old, to pursue a "career" as an Au'pair in Pasadena, California, but little did I realize how hard this was for her.  I was the youngest and she had lost her husband at the age of 42, never to remarry.  She provided well for the family and worked hard as a single mom...

You are missed, mamma.  "Gratulerer med dagen din"....(Happy birthday)

Traffic Court

I am one happy camper!! 

I got a traffic violation for expired license plates before Christmas and as an upright citizen went to court in Portland this morning to plead my "Guilty" verdict ....

The judge stated my case, but never did ask if I pleaded  guilty, not guilty or no contest..Instead "Ticket dismissed!!!!!"...

I am sooooo Happy!!  Thank you, your Honor!!