...Where did Spring run off to?

Here the other day we woke up to a white world again, with minus 10 C.  I guess spring didn't feel like hanging around just yet.  Who knows, maybe we can go dig up our skis again around here during Easter after all!  :)

Seeing these pictures that I took two days ago, I'm amazed at the amount of snow that has managed to pile up since then.  Wow... Yeah, spring definitely made a run for it and hid somewhere... 

Alright, me and my two helpers have loads of things to do! Time to get going :)


Have a good one!

Instaweekend - Skiing & Ice cream!

Finally!  Skis on my feet for the first time in a decade or more.  Let's just say it was pretty interesting.  ;)

It was great fun, even though the sky was grey, and the skiing conditions could have been tons better, we had great company and it was really fun to be back skiing.

I was beyond rusty!  Oh wow... I was hoping for a pretty flat run, but of course there were hills and bumps all over the place.  (Yeah I know, terrain usually tends to do that sort of stuff...) At some point there was a really steep hill, and I actually sat down on my skis and used them to just slide while sitting all the way to the bottom of the hill! Ha ha ha, what a sight!

There should so have been a hidden camera somewhere capturing that! ....on second though, maybe not...  ;)

Here are some Picture Moments from our little adventure!  ;)

We had the mandatory break with oranges, cocoa, chocolate and chatting.  Next time we will bring a big nice thermos with hot chocolate!
I hope the weather will allow us to do one more skiing trip this year before all the snow melts away.  You can really feel spring in the air now, and the snow was wet and old.


After the skiing we decided to pop by Barista in Drammen for some ice cream!  Yup, you heard me, ice cream!  It was beyond yum.  Cookie ice cream and coffee - Mmmmmmnom!

I was looking as Norwegian as Norwegians can be I think, in Bergans, with Marius sweater and then topped off with "Norgeslua" - a cap with basically a Norwegian flag on it!

I finished the day off with some lovely dark chocolate and a glass of red wine, relaxing in front of the TV.  What better way to end a Saturday?  It's important to let your hair down on occasion.  ;)

Today I'm hoping to get some knitting done on the VM sweater.  I'm kinda excited to see how it turns out.
Tomorrow it's back to stricter eating plan and some serious heavy duty strength sessions in the gym.  It's going to be good.  So looking forward to it.  :)


Hope you're having a great weekend!

Skiing Gear, "Norgeslua" & Instaslush!

Oh wow... yesterday the world turned into a pile of slush!  Luckily the temperature dropped a bit today, and the sun decided to pop by. Yesterday the world was just a grey puddle of goop and murky water.

Now this makes me long for spring and sunnier days! To me, this is the worst there is.  It's like the weather can't really make up it's mind.

That said, I really really hope for a bit colder weather and a tiny bit of new snow for next weekend.  We just bought cross country skies, and I'm really looking forward to trying them out! I haven't been doing cross country for ages, so I'll probably be falling all over the place, Ha ha ha! It's going to be fun! I'm all ready and geared up for the trip!

So how do you like my new cap?  Me loves it! Norgeslua yaaaay! *thumbs-up*  At least I won't be hard to spot with a big Norwegian flag on my head.

The Tuesday is well underway, and my to-do's are being ticked one by one.  Good feeling.  Now, I'm going to get some serious work-out underway!

Talk later!

Picture Moments - Haunted Winter Trees

Again the light along the river is absolutely amazing for photography some of the days.  I managed to get some pretty ok shots of the trees.  With the low winter sun in the back they got this lonely haunted look.

 I think they turned out pretty neat.  What do you think?  :)


Have a good Tuesday!

Picture Moments - Winter Fog

Today the weather is all slush and more slush. Time to give the Uggs a break and dig out the rubber boots again for wading through the rivers of murky water (a.k.a streets).

Yesterday there was heavy fog covering the city all morning, but as the fog started to lift it gave way to a bright blue sky.  The sun lit up the fog and bathed the surroundings in a soft white light.

Smile to the camera! Gotta love the angle, i look like a huge pear! lol!

Alright, time for me to get back to the translating for you guys. ;)

Have a good one guys and gals!

Low Carb Pancakes

So, it's Saturday and I'm having a rest day.  No work-out, just all chillin goodness.
Outside it's been snowing like crazy all day. I know I should be getting tired of snow by now, but I'm not.  I just really really like snow! :)

On the kitchen front we decided to try out something new for lunch today. 

I've been having this ridiculous sweet craving, and I so felt like pancakes.  Time to test out some  Healthy Low carb Protein rich Pancakes!  Did I hear a YUM?  They're not just yummy, they're pretty healthy too!  These pancakes are oven baked, not fried on the frying pan.

The recipe I got from Kristine Weber - a lady with; (read) good looks, good cooking skills, good portion of humor, NM in Body Fitness, and last but not least - a cat mom. 

Her blog  "Food for Muscles" is definitely worth checking out.  I'm passing by constantly for some good pointers and some nice protein recipes. :)  Thanks again Kristine!  *hugs*

Oven Baked Protein Pancakes

Ingredients:

2 egg
1 egg white
1/2 box of mashed cottage cheese
2 tbsp vanilla protein powder
1 tbsp coconut flour
1 tps baking powder
2 tbsp icing sugar replacement
2-3 drops stevia vanilla
Some milk or water if the batter gets very thick
1 ts cardamom
1 tbsp yacon sirup


Preperation:

Firstly, turn the oven on - temperature 180 degrees C. 
Prepare a baking tray with some baking paper. 
Mix everything together except from the yacon sirup, and let it rest for a few minutes.  Pour the batter on to the baking paper in medium pancake size - they will expand as they get warm.  Pour some yacon sirup over, and put them in the oven for 10-12 minutes.

Sweetener, cinnamon, roll them up and enjoy.

For some extra decadence, pour some extra yacon sirup over before serving.  Mmmmm yum.

 Tifa and I hope you're all having a great Saturday!

Freezing & xoxo

It's freeezing ! Jeez!  Going to work-out today was an extremely cold experience!  Thank god for Canada Goose jacket and home knitted wool socks.

I'm kinda looking like I'm going to the north pole....  it was more like ice skating than walking outside today.  *Brrrrr*



Todays Work-out:
Quick Warm-up - Treadmill 12 incline, 6 speed
Lateral Pulldowns - Wide Grip
Row, Bent-Over - Barbell
Straigth-Arm Pulldown
Shrugs - Dumbbells
Seated Cable Rows - Wide Grip



I'm still sore from yesterdays Chest and Bicep work-out, and something tells me that tomorrow is going to be interesting.  Deadlift, and barely able to move? No problemo! Ha ha, this is going to be good! ;)

 

They've been renovating the Gym, and that includes some new equipment, including these little beauties.  I just had to take a shot of them! Pink kettle bells is just adorable!

Too bad they're not heavier - I would have looooved to see the look on the big muscle guys faces if they had to use pink kettle bells! :) Wouldn't you?

A new class just started up not long ago at Elixia called "Fast, Fit and Fabulous" - you might have seen commercials of it on TV if you're here in Norway.  On that occasion they have decorated the gym a little extra.  Look what met me in the mirror after work-out!  

 

Now, that's cute.  :)


Have a good one!

Winter & Wizards

Brrrrr.  It's cold, minus 11 degrees Celsius.  Yesterday was minus 15!  Funny how that feels so cold now, comparing it with when I lived in Canada where we had temperatures of minus 30 plus wind chill... now that was cold!
At least the sun isn't setting at three PM anymore!  It's almost four, and there's still light! Gotta look on the bright side, right? ;)

Cold and dark days are excellent for indoor activities, so the video editing is really getting underway!
Good news for all beginners!  Soon "Part 1 – the basics" will be up on the blog!  Hope you guys have gotten your equipment ready ;)
Can't wait to have it all up and running so that we can get started on the cap!



On the side I have a cute little project going on.  I got a request to create a small pouch with a character on it.  A little wizard casting spells!  In more detail for you gamers out there, a final fantasy blackmage and some fireballs!  I think so far that this is the most detailed self composed character pattern I've done. 

Ain't he cute?  I'll show you the completed work of course.  :)



Have a good one!

Moments - Spiralen

Here are some wonderful moments from the Norwegian winter.  We went all touristy and drove to Spiralen in Drammen together with family.  The name "Spiralen", which means spiral in English, is a long spiral shaped tunnel that leads to the top of a mountain with beautiful views over the city of Drammen.

lonely bench with a view

My lovely sister in-law - the snow ninja! All prepped for the fierce Norwegian winter!

Have a good one!

Moments - Exploring Bryggen in Bergen

Bryggen in Bergen is such an amazing place.  There is just such a wonderful personality and feel to the place.

We went by there in Christmas, and how I wish I had time to explore more!  Not to mention take more pictures.  Isn't it beautiful? :)

It's odd... I'm almost starting to feel like a stranger in my own hometown.  The thought makes me a bit sad.  On the other hand it also makes it more fun to explore, and gives me the unique opportunity to rediscover my amazingly beautiful Bergen  ♥

Next time, my Canon is coming with, and I'll make sure to set aside more time! :)