Saturday, December 24, 2011

God Jul og Godt Nytt År

Hello how is the Christmas celebration coming along. For us in Norway it officially starts today 23rd Dec - the Lille Juleaften ( Little Christmas Eve), when most offices close by mid day and people rush home to decorate their Christmas trees. The last important shopping day and the radio said that it has been record breaking this year with 200 credit card transactions per SECOND - 7.2 million transactions in one day. That is a lot, for the population of Norway being just about 4.5 million. 

With most decorations already in place





finished the last bit shopping :-) and the tree was all ready to be brought in around 5 PM. Care has to be taken that the outside and inside temp difference is not vast to sustain it longer

While I was setting up the dinner table - kids and Sekhar got busy in the kitchen cooking the traditional Norwegian dinner (BTW is different in different parts of Norway). We chose to make PinneKjøtt - salted and smoked lamb to be cooked on the Pine twigs which used to be a well-kept secret in the valleys and fjords of Western Norway, served together with potatoes, sausages, mashed Rutabaga(Swede) and a sauce made from the juices of cooking the meat.  


While enjoying the desert platter with the traditional seven types of cakes / cookies


my son got busy arranging the Juletre (Xmas tree). With Lots of fun discussions of how it should and should not be - daughter directing the color scheme among other things, Sekhar documenting with his camera and Sankalp putting up things (returning half the things I gave him, back into the box), laughing at the memories of their childhood craft classes,  poking fun at the nice and not so nice things they made - the juletre decoration was finally completed.



 
 Tomorrow 24th Dec is the main Christmas Eve here, contrary to the 25th as in India and we are heading to a friend's place for the traditional Norwegian Christmas dinner. I sign off now for this year wishing you all God Jul and Godt Nytt År - meaning a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Click here to see how we say it from the snowland.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

100th blog post + my birthday :-)

Hey!!! all you wonderful readers out there - readers is not the apt word - many of you have become friends now and I can't believe I am sitting now and writing the 100th post on homeShanthihome. What a journey! it had been and indeed such a wonderfully inspiring one :-). No wonder my DH complains that I spend all my time ( free time) glued to you all on the computer :-). It has been just too good  and to celebrate this 100th post I decided to post  back some of the best comments you left on my blog from time to time :-). This means I went through all your comments once again and I am so glad I did that :-) 

from the start 
Kamini said....
Shanthi....great going! Wishing you all the very best - tho honestly you don't need it, cos trust me, its going to be a great blog! For a rookie you've done a fabulous job so far.....
All the very very best to you from the bottom of my heart! And just fyi - Raga sleeps with the knife next to his pillow and that's scaring the heebie jeebies out of me ;-)
 
Our common love for sarees :-) here
GB said...
The very first one! It looks like a slightly different take on a balachauri? Is it?
it's gorgeous!
PS: your necklace in the last picture would go with it too! And that silver balls necklace would look lovely on me! :D (I know, I'm shameless!) 

Sound Horn Please said...
Oh Shathi! The 1st one is SO gorgeous! And the jewellery is to die for! The antique heavy ganesha with the beads... Where is it from? Lovely! I hope you wore the 1st sari to the party ;) Damn! Looks like I've missed so much.. 
Kala said...

Wow, what wonderful eye candy, I so enjoyed that Shanthi. I love Kalamkari designs and your saree is gorgeous:) 


Ambika said...

Oh my, these are stunning kalamkari pieces!! What patterns and use of them. 


Anpu said...

LOVED your SAREE Shanti...omg that is a heirloom piece...wear it with lots of love and enjoy the lovely tradition...

shared the festivals / Parties


Anpu said...

Happy Ugadi Shanti...Lovely Pictures...2011 should rock...I am sticking to Bevu-Bela...
I am using dried Neem leaves...no fresh ones available...:-( and putting up the Gudi...the Maharashtrian way as I am Mumbaite by heart...:-) 

My3 said....
 SHANTHIIIIIIIII!!!!!!! OH WHAT WONDERFUL PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And yes I am shouting. They are so much fun. We went to a neighbor's house for the same party. But hey, I am soooo making a trip to Norway to eat golgappas in such classy cups. Toodle doo or however you say in Norwegian, see ya soon :)).



This is fantastic Shanthi! You look lovely and got a very sweet family:)
Beautiful captures and yummy food!
Thanks so much for sharing this gorgeous party of your son with all of us...

Emreen said...

Lovely photos...!! Sweet moments .. well captured... You look beautiful, Shanthi !!

Love the floral centerpiece... the gorgeous decor.. and The food looks yummy...

rama said...

And may I ask why not the picture for me too, you knew I always wanted to see you, and you just brushed aside my wish, and now Kala takes the credit, very very mean....
You look gorgeous Shanthi. The pictures are fantastic.And food too looks very delicious.
Nice of you to remember your good family friends.

Kala said...

Shanthi, I am speechless and so thrilled to finally see you...you are gorgeous, as is your family:):) What a fabulous ceremony with family, friends and great food. Wish I was there:) I had to check out the photos many times over!

Wow, lovely images.

in times of need
 
Kala said...
Shanti, that was a beautiful photo essay of your summer activities - loved it:):) Looks like you will be missing your daughter, but new horizons beckon her:)

Shanthi.. You have all of us here in blog land.. to keep you on your toes.. So dont miss your little girl... so much!!! But I can only imagine how you are feeling.. I cant even think of Sims going away to college.. *sigh*.. and Yva.. I feel as though.. she'll always be mamas little girl.. No.. No.. !!


Maureen said...
Please know that we have you in our thoughts and prayers. A tragic event in such a peaceful country is truly shocking.
Such a tragedy. My lil sis lives in Norway and is still shell shocked. Although very sad the pic is a beautiful show of unity and love. God Bless Norway.


decor
Sharon said...
that's a setting to die for! i love the way the decor blends in with nature...you lucky gal! :)

purplehomes said...
whoa! is this home straight from the magazine or what?
Designwali said...
ooh lovely! trip on the horizon....lucky you! 


Kala said...
Shanti, that corner looks so inviting, I want to come over:):) Thank you so much for the birthday wishes:)
Kamini said...
Oh looks dreamy! Like something out of a catalog showing outdoor design ideas. Really nice. I'm coming to visit you Shanthi next summer...have to talk Raga into it...maybe say he can buy another knife, or something like that which will appeal to his caveman instincts!!!

Im coming on the next flight.. This image is simply stunning!!   

So lovely!! The flowers are beautiful, your entry is just delightful and I absolutely love your Bollywood cushions! 

Remembering Amma and Thata 

MY3 said... 
Sniff. Sitting here surrounded by sleet, I went back to my Tatha too. They also lived in a gorgeous village. I visited them in June and helped Paati make butter by churning it with a long pole and then Paati would put it in the ugranu (pantry?) which was dark. I would only walk in a couple of feet into the ugranu. Thanks for the lovely memories. We lived too far to celebrate festivals with anybody. I feel so sorry for myself and my children. My husband grew up with so many relatives from both sides that I doubt if he even realizes what he has and what we have missed. I understand it when my son sometimes says he is lonely. He has a wee 3 year old cousin. My son is 19 :) in college.
OK off with the senti tone. Lovely lovely post. Thanks for posting such a difficult puzzle that made me feel privileged to solve it. I am usually a tubelight when it comes to all this.


Nayana said...
Shanthi, your mother was very warm and kind person. thank you for writing this post so we could know a kind soul like her...when I read that'not angry once' I realized sometimes how impatient I am with my son....She was very beautiful too...thank you for sharing this.
Shanthi- this was a really touching post and one of the best I've read on blogland. You are definitely lucky to have been born to such a lovely human being.
Kala said...
What a beautiful tribute to your beautiful mother Shanthi. Thank you so much for sharing her life with us, what a special person she was:)
Designwali said...
a beautiful post...you were lucky to have such a wonderfully inspiring mother. Thanks for sharing...
Anpu  said...
Lovely post Shanti...Very special. Thanks for sharing...and your mom seems to be a great lady, warm, big hearted and kind. it is ok.
Yes your mom is no longer with you in her physical self, but will always always be with you in every other possible way. Love and Hugs Shanti...

Kamini said...
What a special warm tribute to your mother Shanthi! I know wherever she is, she is proud of you and the mother you have become to your children!
Hugs - Kamini
Shalini said...
Such a touching tribute to your mother. We take those we love for granted too often and it's such a loss to not be able to tell someone how important they are.
GB said...
Oh Shanthi this is such a beautiful post. You brought tears to my eyes. I'm sure she's very proud of her daughter too--beautiful inside and out!

much love,
Gagan



on my travels
 
I'm so glad you showed these pictures. Having never been to Viet Nam, and being a child of the 60's and 70's, when I hear that name, my mind only pictures war. This is so much nicer. 

Sounds like you have the perfect weekend sorted out :-)
Love reading about your adventures, but goodness the crocodile activity looked SCARY!
P.S. Thank you so much for your lovely words on my previous post. You are a sweetheart!


Kala said...
Really enjoyed that visual journey Shanti, brought back memories of India:):) A country full of contradictions with some of the most kind-hearted people I know:)


You wished my near and dear ones
aaawww.. You are so sweet Shanthi.. Happy Birthday Chandra.. from all of us.. If it wasnt for you.. Shanthi wouldnt have a blog.. and thats not even nice to think of..

Nayana said...
Happy Birthday Shreya and Happy Diwali to you and your family Shanthi:)
Patricia Torres said...
aaawww.. What a cute post.. What a gorgeous home!! Happy Birthday Ingela.. from us here in Dubai as well..  

Other warm things you said ....

Little Dragon said... 
Hey, you are making me shy :-) Thank you, Shanthi, for that introduction. My little blog is quite simple and was originally meant for my friends spread around the world. I am very impressed with the blogging circle you belong to, Shanthi - so many wonderful women shaping and spreading ideas and beauty. I am proud to have you here in Norway - you are the best advertisement Norway could get! Big hug and have a great day!



GB said...
Awwwwwww, pepper. I want him (and someone to clean up after him, too!) 


I always LOVE my little trips here to your blog.

First of all - - - my MOTHER used to ALWAYS say, "We'd better make hay while the sun shines!"

Secondly - - - there are MANY Norwegians who immigrated to THIS part of Wisconsin and even farther north than this - - - looking at the pictures of your countryside, I can certainly see why. I BET when they got here, they thought they were in a second Norway in the New World!


GB said...
Beautiful, warm and gracious are the words that come to mind. Such a lovely post, Shanthi.......I love the friends you have surrounded yourself with, it speaks volumes about you!

Per and Rakel, thank you for inviting us into your wonderful home, I can just hear the music and the laughter..... :)   



and finally for almost touching every chord , here is a big HUG to all of you. Though I could not show all the comments and names here I want you all to know I truly enjoyed and appreciated every single comment that has been left on my blog.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The first look.....

A table for 6 that can expand to 12, all 12 chairs, a Buffet,  and a Vitrine - Oh my Gosh .. all arrived on the magical day putting an end to my wait after packing this up. Not knowing when it would arrive, I cancelled my meetings and kept myself available. With no handy man in the house, I had to make sure all was in place properly ( my husband may get angry for saying this) :-). To my surprise the call came at 9.00 in the morning and they said they would deliver it in 30 minutes. All excited I was running like a Yo Yo in the house trying to clear the last bits and pieces from its way. Promptly they arrived and Lo! it was 2 Indian guys who came to deliver it. With lots of pakdo , kisko, hato, idhar and udhar's they carried the things in. Excited having got my stuff and that too listening to the Indian language, I offered to make Chai for them. Promptly they said YES and that too wanted an Indian Chai. I am a Black tea / Green tea person and never made a good masala chai ever :-).  
A pat on my shoulder -I did make good 'Adrak Chai' which they sipped up while fixing the nuts and bolts.
 This is the first look - white oil painted whole tree Oak
The actual fun started now - arranging and rearranging , bringing in all the boxes tucked away in all possible rooms and corners,  putting a thing here....
 feels empty! let me add this
How about this one too?
what do you think? does it seem better here ....
 isn't this fun? stay tuned, I have loads of boxes to open......

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Christmas fever is on....

We do celebrate Christmas though not religiously,  but as a festival that brings in so much cheer into the cold dark days we live in.  It's all about lights, holidays, lots of traditional Norwegian food, children coming home for vacation and visiting friends and good dinners. Sharing clicks from a visit to a dear friend Kavitha's home ....


 and gifts piling up

 and of course some home made cookies by her daughter M.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

For all the good times we have shared together

Did you recognize this place? This is one corner in the house where we as a family spend hours together - our family corner

As I have an open kitchen, while I and my husband are quickly putting together the days only hot and the main meal in the evening, my son and daughter would be sitting here doing their home work, sharing the anecdotes from their day, quarreling with each other over simple things,  sharing jokes, teasing each other, my husbands achievements and woes from the job, my highs and lows - all revealed here.
Not only this, it has been the seat of  many many wonderful dinners over the years with flavors from different lands being served, fine wine flowing, intelligent and witty conversations, people from all walks of life from philosophers to artists to ambassadors to scientists to plumbers. There is something to learn from each one and each one had an interesting story to tell. 


When I work from home, this is the place where I have my home office, or should I say I end up here most of the time, from my so called office. This has also been a place for expressing my creative side - laying out different table scapes, trying different decor ideas .
 


 Oh my god this one knows too much about us and may be we  should'nt be changing it :-).  But variety is the spice of life - right? so we anyways decided to bring in a new one. Today my husband and son sat down and opened it's every nut and bolt , packed it carefully and moved all the chairs and the table to the loft above us. 
 
Hopefully I will bring it down one day and it will again give the same joy as it did all these years :-). And the new one that is coming in tomorrow - doesn't  know  it's responsibilities yet :-).  Keep watching this space ...

Monday, December 12, 2011

YAAAAAAAAY !!!!! I won

“Agar kisi cheez ko puri shiddat se chaho, to puri kayanaat usse aapse milane ki koshish karti hai...

Meaning if you wish for something with whole heart, the universe will act to make it possible. Why I am bla bla ing all this. I really lusted for these beautiful hand crafted ear rings with those brass frames and here I am the proud owner of these. 

 Thank you Designwali for bringing these talented artists to us and this is my first ever win in a giveaway contest. Shannon from Moonlight for Violet - I am thrilled at the thought of owning this beautiful pair of ear rings which I will treasure forever. Thank you.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

A giveaway Bonanza at Designwali!!!

And mind you , this is not like anyother giveaways I have heard or seen.  YAY !!! Designwali has lined up some exquisite giveaways spreading holiday cheer from very talented artists in her part of the world . So let's see what is up for grabs...
Toronto Talent 1: Pam Lastracco
This stack of mountains is created by the sketches she drew of the mountain range tops she saw in her many travels. what better way to start .-2012, than taking this exquisite calendar up on the walls and PAM is shipping it INTERNATIONALLY :-).  Don't wait, go get it here


Toronto Talent 2: Rob Tavares 
 This limited edition Turntables Art Print is also shipped to wherever we are . So what are you waiting for? Hop here to own this cool art.


 Toronto Talent 3: Shannon from Moonlight for Violet 
Such classy and beautifully crafted jewelery pieces. I am lusting after this giveaway :-). Don't give this a miss, enter here ...
Toronto Talent 4: Robin Pocisk
 Water colors - Isn't this bonanza getting better and better.  Rush here to have this up on your wall...


Toronto Talent 5: Ele from Minouette
Enter here to win this lino original block print to brighten up your space 

Designwali and the artists did their part to bring them to us. Hurry up! time is running out ...and I am crossing my fingers too :-)