Splish splash, I was taken a bath...

(picture taken in Norway)

What a beautiful day it has been! We spent the day with friends at the lake. It was stunning! We got a nice tan and had so much fun! I feel content!

Now we are back home, in need of showers. Our house needs a good cleaning, especially since we have family coming this weekend. It will be a fun 4th of July weekend!

I dream of doing crafts, but I never seem to have any time. I have 3 friends that are due soon, so I would like to make their babies something...but when? And what? + I have so many other projects I would like to do....

My parent's house.

Some pic's from my parents. This is where I do a lot of my "shopping" whenever I go home. If it can fit in a suitcase or two...Everything from clothes, curtains, nick knacks, linens, books...nothing is safe. Except for weight issues and the suitcase thing....Which is very annoying!
My mom and I have the same taste, and she is very giving, so this kind of shopping is very fun and exciting! It's pretty insane all the stuff that has left that house and ended up on the other side of the pond! Now if I could only bring that chandelier and her two fireplaces....;)

Ah...summer...

Two collages from our trip to Norway.

Today we had another beautiful day. Summer really is here! Yet it seems too good to be true. We had such a bad summer last year, most people here are worried it will be over soon. And living in the mountains it probably will. But let's just enjoy it while we can!

-Most of our meals are eaten outside and there are toys all over our yard. We have not hiked yet or taken out the boat or jeep, but that will all happen soon. I just love how pretty summers are...
We put sand in our little sandbox today and the kids loved that. We also went to a friends house and jumped on their trampoline and played in the sprinklers. Then we enjoyed a really good lemonade, cookies and cupcakes!

Flowers and yard

More flowers from my friend. Lilacs! One of the most amazing smells in the world! I really want a lilac perfume! I don't know of one though...

Progress in our yard. Husband re-lay'ed the landscape rocks in the front. It looks so much cleaner now. I've planted some flowers and bushes. One is a peony and I'm super excited to see it bloom. Our yard is far from perfect, but it definitely has improved. I just hope my bushes survive.

( And I just figured how to do a collage, so I'm having fun with it)

A gift from my sweet friend

One of my sweet friends dropped by yesterday with some sweet surprises. Flowers and cupcakes! How lucky am I?

Pink and white...absolutely beautiful!

I've canned 12 + cans of rhubarb juice! That alone took 6 lbs. Then I had another 6 lbs I made freezer jam with! (and that was just 1 rhubarb bush). I mixed some with strawberry, some with raspberries and some with pineapple. It all taste great! The rest of the ingredients are sugar (lots) and a little bit of water and some lemon juice. Boil it and mash it. Easy. Yummy. Fresh.

Tip for freezer jam: When you put it in a freezer bag; lay it flat, that way it takes up less space in the freezer.

A new doll carriage for baby Ava! This was actually someones trash, but it got rescued by loving grand parents. It's brand new and totally adorable! People are crazy! And the little princess absolutely loves it! She pushed it all the way down to the library, not that it is all that far...but she had a lot of fun and some help from big sister.

(click on pictures to enlarge)

It looks like summer has finally come for real, and it's absolutely wonderful! maybe I will put out the big pool tomorrow...but right now I am totally ready to relax and watch a movie!
Good night!

My new love

I'm in love. With my rhubarb plant. It's huge, and it's been here since before we moved here. Before, I always just enjoyed it's beauty, I was never interested in it's "fruit". I thought I didn't like rhubarb anymore. Of course I was thinking of when I was a child and would dip the sour stalk in a cup of sugar...

Instead I made rhubarb juice! Boy oh boy was that delicious! And easy! I also made jams. Will post that tomorrow.
I'm on a roll now...will make more this week. Preserves and more drinks. This drink tasted SO good!

Rhubarb drink recipe:

1 1/2 kg rhubarb ( just rinse, not peel. Will make the juice pink)
4L water
250g sugar
juice from 2 lemons ( I used 1 orange and some concentrated lemon juice)

Wash the rhubarb and cut it in big chunks. Boil it soft in the water ( about 20 min). Pour it over a cheese cloth. Then pour the juice back in the pot with the sugar and lemon. Stir and give it a fast boil again.
Pour in hot bottles or canning jars. Cork it right away.

Serve cold with ice cubes! Delicious on a hot summer day!

It's been a weird day. Both sad and happy. My friend came over for a birthday lunch and we had a great time. We went to a nursery and I got a lilac bush and a peony plant. They're both in the ground now and hopefully will grow and stay healthy. I'm excited about that...

I want to wish a Happy anniversary to my parents in-law and my sister in-law! - Even though I know they're not too happy right now. Yesterday something very sad happened; a 5 month baby boy in our extended family passed away.... It is just so very sad...It absolutely breaks my heart.... It's really hard to believe, and to imagine the pain the family is going through.

It is 11.30 pm and my oldest has been puking for the last three hours...It will be a long night, but at least I have my precious babies. Oh, how much I love them! I really hope though, that the baby will stay healthy, and big sister will feel better soon.

Father's Day

The morning didn't turn out as planned, I fell asleep....But we did enjoy some cupcakes.... And this evening my husband and children will have some cheesecake. I, fortunately do not like that.
Well, we're off to do some splashing. Have a GREAT day!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! We love you daddy!

Today, my hubby will get breakfast in bed and get to sleep in....which he does every weekend......
We're going swimming with the girls, and then more yard work awaits...

My cup of tea

Except I'd take some coffee....

I like fancy dishes, beautiful table settings and good food. Too bad I'm not very good at doing it. Maybe it will change when my children are a little bigger...

These dishes are my mom's!

This Saturday we are going to a parade, do yard work, and finally relax ;)

Brunch at my Sister's

My sister lives in the capital in the tiniest apartment. But it is oh so cute! One morning we went over for brunch and it was so nice. She is super creative and has a great sense of style! Just my type! She only has cool stuff...
Miss E thought it was exciting to be in the big city, and the baby was super cranky....Yeah!

Red barns

In Norway most farm houses are white, and the barns are red and white. I absolutely love it! The farms are usually small and close together, so it looks really unified when all the farms "match". The farmers are pretty good at keeping machines and "stuff" tucked away, in the barns or where ever. The results are nice and neat looking farms. Me like!

Shopping for my yard

Today I'm going shopping for my yard. I'm not sure what to get, but it has to be something that is hardy and easy to care for. These pictures are all from my mom's.

I definitely want a hydrangea, but it will probably have to be an indoor one. My mom's had been blooming for a month and looked just as beautiful when I left. It's definitely one of the most beautiful plants I have ever seen!

I also want to get some nice pots and some outdoor shelf's, the list keeps growing....
Have a great day!