A bikeride in Copenhagen

Bicycles outnumber cars in Copenhagen - it is faster to get around in downtown with a bicycle than with a var. You can park your bike easily, and moreover - biking is a lovely way to get around (when it's not a day with pouring rain!)

I like to find new ways to bike around - and thanks to another spontaneous turn, I found

this pretty light blue house - and took a snapshot of the house, and the charming old street light, wired upon street crossings. 

There are many green parks in Copenhagen. In the summertime, people come for picnics, or eat their pack lunches in the parks. 

I'm grateful for the work that is being done here to promote bicycling - bike lines, bike pathways and parking for the bikes ... It is environmental friendly - no pollution, and also good for the health of the bikers, that get daily motion. 

The reason I needed to bike to downtown was to get a leaf binder. I have been journalising with a Collect App the past 3 year - but I miss the feeling of holding a pen, handwriting, and gluing the daily photo to a journal. So - I found both a leaf binder in A5 size, and a sketch book,  watercolor paper - pretty decoupage paper and some washi paper... In sale!

Do you write journals, take snapshots of the occasions, or keep notebooks? 

There are so many ways of scribbling or typing a few lines, 

in order to cherish the moments,

... I'm joining to Michelle's Thankful Thursday,

until next time,

Nina

Banana Omelette with Chocolate & Almonds

I borrowed a buch of cook books from the library last week - now when the time and the fresh vegetables, fruits and berries are available, is a great time to try some new recipes. 

This recipe is from Suzy Wangles book "Two easy weeks with Sense" (my translation). Suzy has written 5 cook books about Sense Lifestyle Diet, that in a nutshell is about eating 3 well balanced and nutritious meals every day - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

This Banana-Omelette tastes scrumptious, and I keeps you well wed until late afternoon.

Ingredients:

A half banana
2 eggs
2 egg whites
0,2 cups rolled oats
butter for frying
0,5 oz chopped almonds
0,4 oz chopped dark chocolate 
2 tablespoons of skyr or thick Greek yogurt flavored with vanilla

• Mash the banana with a fork, and add the eggs, egg whites and oat meal, stir well.
• Fry the omelet in butter on a frying pan.
• When the omelette is almost done, fold it in the middle.
• After the omelette has slightly cooled down, serve it topped with 2 tablespoons skyr, or thick Greek yogurt, (seasoned with vanilla), sprinkle on top with chopped almonds and chopped dark chocolade.

Well, this Banana omelette topped with almonds and chocolate is definitely a new favorite to a weekend / holiday breakfast!

...Have a great and delicious weekend,

Nina

August sunlight

The sharp August sunlight has been brightening up the neigbourhood here now and then, during this week.

We were in downtown the other day, and I took these snapshots of the old buildings by Israel's Plads.

In the end of the street to the right from the upper image, you'll find the Torvhallerne - two buildings filled with all sorts of delicate and culinaristic specialities, with some cafe's and restaurants as well.

A slight sommercold bug kept me inside two days, but yesterday afternoon I was able to enjoy the sunlight. 

During my last visit in the library, I grabbed a random cook book due to the appealing book cover. I was positively surprised when I opened it: Besides the delicious and easy-to-prepare ~ recipes, the author describes small anecdotes of her life. Her love for good and tasty food shines through the lines. The book is written by Sophie Dahl and is called "Miss Dahl's vuloptuous delights".

Summer is ebbing into autumn, the last weekend of summer holidays is at hand ...

All in all, it was a never to be forgotten summer — 

one of those summers which come seldom into any life, 

but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going —

 one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, 

delightful friends and delightful doing, 

come as near to perfection as anything can come in this world.

L.M. Montgomery

... Until next time,

Nina 

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A wonderful day

Today is the first day of summer holidays ... As I opened my eyes this morning, I took a deep breath, smiled and felt just light and grateful. The last two months has been filled with lots of writing and many deadlines at work, and I managed to finish my'to do' list yesterday. My mind has not fully comprehended that yet, but it will sink into my consciousness within a few day, I'm sure. 

Our boys have been on vacation for already two weeks, and they have still four weeks to go before the school starts again.

Pita lunch with schwarma and pommes frites is the favourite of your youngest son at the moment, so we went to the Schwarma House at noon ... Just a small treat ... A little celebration of that we're on holidays all together. 

I biked to downtown to run some errands. I visited my favourite bookstore and found some titles, hoping to find from Kindle or from the e/book library. I found out that Lisa Genova, whose "Still Alice" I read some years ago, has written also a book called "Left Neglected". The main character, Sarah Nickerson, experiences brain injury, that turns her life upside down ... Lisa Genova is a neuroscientist and a writer. I do like her authentic style of writing, humour with a twist, and the way she describes the characters and weaves the circumstances together.

The Church of Our Lady • Vor Frue Kirke • has a beautiful silhouette. The sun broke out from the clouds as I was crossing over the square, so I took a snapshot. The Church of Our Lady is the National Cathedral of Denmark, and the wedding of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, and Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, took place in The Chruch of Our Lady in 2004.

Queen Louise's Bridge is one of my favourite places to stop by, when biking in town. The bridge connects the inner city and the Northern part of Copenhagen.There is a bunch of benches on the bridge for people to sit down, together with a fast food stand, like hot dogs, or pancakes. In the summer time there is often times music, and in the evenings young people hang out on the bridge.

In December you can buy a Christamas tree from the bridge, and in New Year's Eve fireworks are being fired from the bridge. 

I continued from the Queen Louise's Bridge, biking along the City Lakes, and stopped for a while by a bench.  

It happened twice today, that someone asked me about my handbag: "May I ask you where you have gotten your bag from? Is it a vintage one, did you find it from eBay or Trendsales?"  

I do like my brown leather bag, even though it is not a vintage one, nor a second hand find. I bought it for a year ago from Spikes & Sparrows, a Dutch brand, that has developed a special tanning process, that gives the vintage like look to the leather. 

This is actually my first leather hand bag, that I have bought to myself ... I am mostly a tote bag or backpack type of a person. When the time came, that I needed a leather bag, I spent a few weeks surveying online for a bag, that would suit to my needs: A bag I could use everyday, in every weather and with every kind of outfit. And ~ I am happy about my bag: There is room for a book or two, a bottle of water and a lunch pack, my phone, keys, notebook and a folded tote bag for groceries. 

... My first day of summer holidays is turning to an evening.

I cherish the cozy lunch with our youngest today, and am

grateful for being on the other side of the writing marathon at work.

Sipping tea and just being.

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]

Courtyards of Copenhagen

We found these charming courtyards close by Nyhavn today, having visited an art gallery, and looking for another.

History is echoing from the walls and through the architectural details. 

And - it is fun to find new places and short cuts, when out and about with friends!

Nina

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July 2015 - Month in Photos

 

Can you believe today is the last day in July?! Such a great bunch of memorable moments 31 days can include ...

Tea in the mornings at mom's porch.

Time is. 

Here. 

No hurries.

 Enjoying the fellowship with the family.

Our teens sleeping in ... waking up about earliest around lunch time.
Darts & card games.
Watching old photos and slides together. 

 Picking wild strawberries & blueberries. And chanterelles.

The scent of clower flowers and the sound of bees.
 A fox appearing behind a cliff - it's the first time ever I have seen a fox!

Cooking the rare dishes you just get in Finland.

A 4-day trip to visit my dear cousin in Helsinki.

The Great Outdoors & fresh air.

Slow life.

Old-fashioned wooden sauna in the evenings.

My favorite photo from July is the one above - we were rowing and fishing - and this particular evening was wind still and so quiet ... The clouds were drifting slowly, and we were on the lake to see the setting sun.

July 2015 ~ Month in Photos from Nina Jensen on Vimeo.

Above a video of my daily iPhone snapshots in July, made with the CollectPhotoApp.

I hope you're doing well here in the end of July -

May the months of August bring moments of joy, peace & sunshine to your path,

Nina

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Picking blueberries

 

The season for blueberres has arrived ... The forests around my mom's house are filled with these blue pearls at the moment.

 



The weather has been a mix of sunshine and showers of rain ... So I headed to the forest early in the morning, when the sun was out.

It is such a pleasure to be so close to the nature here ... I am enjoying the scent of the birch and pine trees, and helping mom in the garden (and learning a bunch of gardening). The boys enjoy warming the wood sauna and my husband likes to pick up mushrooms with my mom - dad likes to stand for the grill. My brother had also holidays last week, so we've had a family get together.

 

These snapshots are with my iPhone, I have taken a few photos with my big camera as well - they're waiting in the memory card until we get home to Denmark (the time is flying all too fast!).

 

... With blueberry greetings,

 

Nina

Heather Flovery Valentine's Day

Thank you French Kiss Collections for this pretty photo mask

My mom has heather flowers outside her porch - they look so pretty when covered with snow. As you may have guessed, we have spent our winter break visiting my mom in Finland - The week flew by so fast, I'm grateful for each moment! 

The Great Outdoors with slalom and cross-country skiing, playing in the snow, walking ... Breathing the crispy air, watching the squirrels play and enjoying being in the Winter Wonderland.

Our boys fancy the thin, small rye pies, that are salty and filled with rice, a Finnish speciality caller Karjalanpiirakka. Mom baked a whole bunch of them, and we got some of them home with us ... So delicious! We spent a lot of time in the kitchen together - cooking, baking, having tea and coffee - Enjoying the dishes we rarely get home in Denmark.

Saying farewell is not easy - It takes a few days to adjust ... phone calls, Skype and text messages are great ways of keeping contact. Yet I feel a bit like I've left "my soul" behind: I'm waiting for it to arrive from the woods of Finland back to me ... Feeling a bit lost here in the city. 

Travelling with aeroplane makes everything go so fast - Had we driven by car and ferry all the way, we had gotten an opportunity to be "on the way" a bit longer, thereby adjusting to the change from the quiet life in the countryside back to the city. 

Well, it is Valentine's Day, or as the Finnish tradition goes: The Day of Friendship - A day to cherish one's friends and loved one's ... Some snail mails have been written, some e-mails and texts are yet to be send - and already in the morning, some lovely greetings were waiting for me ...

So life goes on ... A part of loving is to feel longing, as well as a part of living abroad is to meet the family a bit seldom.

Well, my kitchen is calling ... Wondering if I should bake a banana bread or chocolate muffins? :)

...Wishing you a lovely Day of Friendship / Valentine's Day,

Nina

PS. Thank you for all the delightful notes on my two former posts - Lovely surprises that made me really happy! 

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A Rainy Day at Tivoli Gardens through the Old Camera App

We had the pleasure of having my dear mom visiting us during the Fall Break. The Tivoli Gardens is beautifully decorated during the Harvest Market - Halloween season, and we spend a lovely afternoon - with our umbrellas - in Tivoli. 

These photos are taken with my iPhone, using the Old Camera Application. I chose the Kallitype Mode, out of 6 different black and white options in the Old Camera. I like the soft, grey tones and the strong vignette effect in the Kallitype mode. The Old Camera does really add a touch of vintage to the photos ... and a silver lining to a rainy day. 

I love especially the portrait of my mom in the cafe - the light falls softly to her beautiful face, capturing the dreamy look in her eyes. 

Another favourite of mine is the 2nd picture, where mom is standing in the mist with her umbrella.

Should I mention one disadvantage in the Old Camera App, it would be the fact that the app does resize the photos to a size around 200 - 250 KB. Since I want to use these photos in a photobook, I used the Filterstorm App to upsize them to around 3000 KB. 

We said farewell to my mom yesterday - She has had a safe trip and is back at home now. We're thankful and so happy for the moments spend together ... Looking forward for Christmas when we'll meet again!

With Rainy Day Greetings,

Nina

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Summerfeet - Retromatic 2.0 App

Summer feet are happy feet - they're out and about in the grass, on the sand and in the water! It has been warm and sunny - yet the mild breeze makes the temperature feel nice and not too hot.

I found this creative and handy Retromatic 2.0 App the other day, it is available free at the moment in App Store. You can make cool posters and cards with it, all in one app:

• You start by selecting a photo, you would like to use.Then you mask the object you wish to include to your poster, and choose a background for it. 
• You can add nice patterns, insignias and marks in different colours, and also write a text of your choice as well.  There is plenty of fonts to choose from - they look very similar to the fonts in Phonto App
• Afterwards you can save the image on your camera roll, or post it directly to Instagram, facebook and Path On.

I have had some creative moments with Retromatic 2.0 App, making holiday greetings and birthday cards  
- And I will surely keep using it in the future.

Now I'm going to see what others have created this week at Barb's App Happy Wednesday,

Nina

Getaway to Sejerø

We had a lovely getaway to Sejerø with some good friends of ours. Sejerø is a charming, tiny island (12,4 km2) in the Kattegat sea. It takes about 40 minutes to sail to Sejerø from the town of Havnsø in Zealand. 

There is only 400 inhabitants in Sejerø - in the summertime though more, since the summer guests, staying in the summerhouses and in the sailing boats in the harbour, are visiting and staying in this beautiful island.

The island is long and narrow ... We visited the eastern tip of the island - finding interesting stones and also a small skeleton - of a fish, a rabbit or a 

bird? We saw a deer running across the narrow road - also many swallows that had build their nests on little holes on the top of the sandy hills.

Our friend picked up this stone: What does it remind you of?

Birds started their evening concert, as we sat outside and had a barbecue ... Witnessing the sun go down behind the fields was beautiful, while hearing the waves from the sea, and feeling the warmth of summer & fellowship.

 ...Weekend greetings,

Nina

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