Holidays and Cake Championships

... Summer holidays has finally started! My spring has been the most busy one in years ... When I arrived home from work, I had to plug completely off - No computers nor writing, but small walks, quiet moments crocheting and just relaxing.

On the first Saturday of holidays,  a friend of ours hosted a Cake Bake Championship! You could just come and be part of the fun, tasting the cakes and voting for a winner - or you could  participate with baking a cake to the occasion.

I participated with baking a Pavlova - this cake is one of my favorite summer cakes. A Pavlova is easy to make, and it has a light and cloudy consistence. The mild taste of Pavlova highlights the flavor of fresh berries. I filled the Pavlova this time with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and cherries. 

We had such a cozy afternoon - tasting each others cakes and chatting with old and new acquaintances. 

I voted for Mette's Allotment cake - The almondy crusting and the taste of black currants, rhubarb and strawberries was scrumptious! 

As the votes were being count, the winner was announced: It was the Key Lime Pie - which taste was characterized with delicate symphony of sweet caramel, sour lime and soft cream ... Delicious and a nice consistence with crums,  to types of cream and kiwi fruits. Mette's Allotment cake got the 2nd place, and - my Pavlova the third place!

Our sweet and creative creative friend, who hosted the bake Cake Championships (such a great idea, isn't it!), had prepared prizes for the winners! She handed an apron to the winner - which she had sown her self, with a fine plicated "Cake Bake Championship" logo! A price for the second best cake was cake molds, that were made of paper - like for muffins. And I received baking powder - Yes, so I can start experimenting with new recipes to championships next summer :-)

It has been good to slow down - No busy schedules, just being with the family, getting books from the library, have time to take photowalks, see friends, and bike rides (my husband has gotten a bike ... so we're exploring some green biking routes this summer!)

Last Thursday there was a Music festival at Vig - an hour drive to south from here. A day outdoors at sunshine with a friend of mine - sitting on the grass and listening music, grasping a coffee every now and then - and joining to another concert. We saw three concerts from the start- Beth Hart from the US, Kim Larsen - a grand old man in Danish pop music, and Carpark North - a Danish group playing electronic music. Besides, we listened to a whole bunch of other groups, while sitting and chatting :)

... I hope you're enjoying the summer. 
The unsteady weather here in Scandinavia keeps the excitement up in not knowing, weather to wear sandals  or wellies?! 

Nina

Frederiksborg Castle [Wordless Wednesday]

Wordless Wednesday greetings,

Nina

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Smooth Jazz Melodies

Copenhagen Jazz Festival has started, and there is music all over the town. Nina and Søren Baun - a bother and a sister - held a concert in the cozy Cafe Cadeau.  

Café Cadeau is a non profit café run by Frederiksberg Integrationsforening (FIF) and Church Integrations Ministry (KIT). The profit of the café goes to integration and humanitarian projects in Denmark and abroad.

We had an unforgettable evening with a lovely mix of Nina's moody and modern jazzy songs, 
and Søren's groovy and light numbers & evergreen cover songs with Latin rhythms.

I hope to get to listen Acoustic Lounge, that is playing in Cafe Cadeau on Monday.  
Acoustic Lounge is one of Søren Baun's Jazz Projects.

Søren Baun 1. July 2016 Cafe Cadeau #CPHJazz from Nina Jensen on Vimeo.

I recorded short videos from the concert - Video above is recorded with Cinamatic iPhone Application 

(a Hipstamatic Style video recoring app).

The video below i recorded wih the build in camera of the iPhone, and edited in iMovie.

Søren Baum 1/7-16 Cafe Cadeau #CPHJazz from Nina Jensen on Vimeo.


... With melodic greetings,
 Happy Weekend
to you! 

Nina


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Art, Walk & Coffee

"Long time no see!" - Our girls afternoon out started with visiting art galleries at Bredgade by Nyhavn. 
The paintings by Marianne Christa Krogstrup at Galleri Bredgade 22, made an unforgettable impression on us. Many of her paintings were already sold at her vernissage on Wednesday - fortunately we were able to buy postcard prints of the beautiful painting with birch trees. 

Marianne Christa Krogstrup at Galleri Bredgade 22

We made our way through the side streets - popping in and out of pretty boutiques ... Flowers, pottery, tea ... Not really buying anything, but enjoying the atmosphere, admiring the colors and scent of the flowers, the way pretty things are being set up in the stores, and most of all, each others company.

Hot Moroccan Mint Tea tasted just lovely after a chilly walk outside ... Cafe The a la Menthe serves also coffee, tea and hot chocolate, together with light lunch dishes. Colorful and ethnic decor in the cafe created a warm and cozy atmosphere. 
The a la Menthe is a nice place to sit down and chat away, enjoying the fellowship around good food - in other words - a very hyggelig cafe!

... I'm so thankful for this week of rest - I find that Winter Break came just at the right time! 

 Wishing you a peaceful weekend,

Nina 

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[Blogging every day in February - Day 19]

Thebirkes - Danish Poppy Seed rolls

Every now and then in the weekends, we treat ourselves with fresh breakfast rolls and some pastry from out local baker. My favorite Danish pastry is Thebirkes - Danish Poppy Seed Rolls. The crispy layers of butter dough are folded around a layer of marzipan, with sprinkled poppy seeds on the top.

I have not tried to bake Thebirkes myself, but I found a recipe at the Honest Cooking blog, where you find a bit more history of this pastry (that actually has it's roots in 18th - 19th century Austria).

Slow mornings in the weekends are the best. Even if one wakes up in the normal time, it is a pleasure to let your thoughts and senses linger in the morning routines themselves ... The scent of tea and coffee, the pink sky turning to golden and blue, the notes of the birdsong from outside ...

Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.

I vow to live fully in each moment and look at all beings with eyes of compassion.

Thich Nhat Hanh

... Wishing you mindful moments this weekend,

Nina

[Blogging every day in February - Day 6]

Christmas Card from Copenhagen

The sun was shining as I biked to downtown to run some errands this week... The light does make a great difference - both in our mood as well as in photography. I stopped by the bridge by the city lakes, and enjoyed the glimpses of light on the water. Beside me there was a Christmas Tree stand, so many stopped by and chose a Christmas tree - and I saw smiling people setting the tree it on a bike, or carrying it along the bridge, chatting happily.

The mannequin in front of the water Wear Boutique looked funny, wearing diving glasses and an elf hat! Well, the weather has been pretty stable in Denmark this year: The average temperature in June was +12,6 C grades, and the temperature this Monday was + 11 C grades ...

Sct. Nikolaj Church building is the third oldest chruch in Copenhagen - it was built in 1200. Sct. Nikolaj Church burned in a fire 1895 - the tower being the only part that survived . The church was rebuilt but it has not functioned as a church since 1805. Today it functions as an exhibition hall - and has a lovely play ground just outside. 

The Church very close to the shopping street, and when our boys were small, we often times stopped by the park and had a little break with sandwiches and play, when in downtown.

The shopping street is decorated with Christmas lights - creating a nice atmosphere, especially in the dark.

Having done most of my errands, I popped in to Lagkage Huset - a cozy patisserie, where I rested my feet and had a coffee and a chocolate coated marshmallow treat - sweet and so good!

The sun is setting here already at 15:35, so it was already dark, as I steppe out of the cafe, and walked back to my bike. i was in no hurry, so I was walking slowly and enjoying the Christmas lights.

Our local church held an organ concert this Tuesday evening ... The church is the oldest building in Copenhagen, built in 1180. The church is rather small, and so beautiful! Kneeling before the altar to the Lord's supper is special each time, there is place to 18 people at a time by the altar.

I remember my mom taking me to church early Christmas morning - we sat up so we could see the candles at the altar, and also the organist playing ... Eversince, I have fancied organ music. The talented organist in our local church, Bente Kiil Toftegaard, stands in the middle of the photo above.

Last year the snow fell on Christmas morning ... The photo above is from our walk in the neighborhood a year ago.

With these postcards I want to wish you a Joyous and Merry Christmas,

Nina

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Advent Candles

The time for crafting Advent Candles has arrived. Making Candle decorations is a Danish tradition I have adopted to our family, since I moved here in Copenhagen for 19 years ago. 

Making Advent Candles is easy and fun! 

You need some candles, clay, acorns, pine cones and other things you have collected from the nature during the fall.  

I like to use ribbons and other decorative elements, this year I have dried some flowers and roses to use as well. 

Pine branches, moss and mistel are to be found in the local grocery stores here in November - December, together with clay, to use in the Advent Candle decorations.  

And finally - you need small trays, plates or clay pots, where you build your Advent Candle decoration.

The process is very simple - You take a clump of soft clay, and put it on your plate or in the pot. Then you plant the advent candle in the clay, and decorate it with the things you have, as you wish.

We got snow last weekend, which kick-started my Christmas mood.

We listened to Carols and had some ginger bread-cookies, while making the Advent Candles. This is how out Advent Candles -making looked like in 2012.

Advent candles from Nina Jensen on Vimeo.

The snow has melted, but the Advent Candles decorate our home ... 

We're lighting the candles tomorrow, the first Sunday of Advent.

This year we have a special joy, when lighting the Advent candles - 

My mom is visiting us this weekend - 

and celebrating the first Sunday of Advent with us!

Wishing you a joyful weekend,

Nina

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Photos: iPhone 5S, Camera+, Snapseed, VSCO & Faded Apps

The 3 rings & other tidbits

Small and everyday'ish photos - meaningful moments - from my week.

I take my rings off when doing things in the kitchen - to keep them safe and clean. The other day I noticed the pretty light, they reflected, and the contrast between the metal and the soft cotton towel. 

The very old tradition in Denmark has been that you have one ring for both the engagement and for the wedding. That is, when you get engaged, you wear the ring in the ring finger in your left hand. When you get married, you move the ring to the ring finger at your right hand. As my husband told me this, I found the simplicity of the tradition very charming and special - and wanted to follow it. The ring furthest on the left is my engagement & wedding ring.

The ring in the middle is from our 10th wedding anniversary - it has also 3 small stones, looking like 3 rings but they're melted together. I wear this ring together with the wedding ring on my right ring finger. 

The ring with a circle of small stones is from our 20th anniversary (this august), and it sits now in the ring finger in my left hand. 

I do not wear a lot jewellery - these rings and earrings, occasionally a simple neck-less I got from my dad on my 14th birthday ... The meaning attached to these jewellery makes them special to me.

Hearing our elder son play piano is something I cherish a lot ... I took a snapshot before dinner in low light as he was rehearsing for his class.

The flu got me in the end ... Tea and warm soup is so soothing for a sore throat. The season for colds has arrived - I hope this one has strengthened my body, building some antibodies to resist any possible virus around.

We had a late Halloween Party for our younger sons class ... A lovely bunch of teenagers! I did some fun photo-editing with the images above (our son & me :) with Pip-camera -, Mirrored- and Koloid Apps.

...Wishing you a happy weekend,

Stay well and fresh,

Nina

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Photos: iPhone 5S, Camera+, Snapseed, VSCO, Hipstamatic, Aviary, Mirrored, PIP Camera and Koloid Apps.

My Christmassy Week

iPhone 5S: Camera+, Image Blender, texture by DistressesFx, VintagePhoto, Filterstorm

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

with every Christmas card I write ..."

I was feeling creative last Saturday and made some Christmas cards. I punched coloured cardboards with either a heart or an  angel paper punch, gluing them to the cards, together with a ribbon. Thursday evening I wrote the cards, listening to carols and sipping tea ... And now they're stamped and on their way, thanks to my sweet husband, who patiently waited at the post office to get the stamps.

iPhone 5S: Camera+, VSCOcam, Snapseed, FocalLab

Christmas Carols have been echoing at my work as well, as the children have been decorating the classrooms.  Watching them I remembered an occasion from my own kindergarden class: I was 6 years old, and we were making Christmas collages. We had a dark blue cardboard, where we glued some cotton balls as snow - and I was allowed to sprinkle some silver glitter to the sky, for stars ... The collage is printed on my mind - being a magical piece of art, our kindergarden teacher inspired us to make. 

On Friday some of the students performed the old Nordic tradition, Lucia - bring the light. The Lucia day is actually the 13th of December, but we delayed the Lucia-tradition to Friday, when the parents were invited to school to Christmas workshops at the classes.

Rick Steve's European Christmas Part 4: Norway

The Christmas traditions in Scandinavian countries are very similar. The video above shows both the Lucia-tradition, the pepperkakkor-cookies and the Christmas porridge with almonds, that among others are a part of the Danish Christmas traditions.

Last but not least - I have been introduced to a fun and creative doddle game, a smart phone app called Draw Something. I am newbie but find it nice and relaxing: Draw one of the 3 words suggested - and try to guess the words, that co-players have drawn. If you already are doodling away at Draw Something, I'd like to guess your word - you'll find me as Niksu12.

Happy Weekend greetings, 

Nina

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Taste the World- Street Festival in Copenhagen [Wordless Wednesday]

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

Nina

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