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Author Archives: denisebrownell
- Finnish Pulla
  
  Posted at 4:22 pm by denisebrownell, on March 25, 2018
  Upon returning home from a three week trip to Scandinavia, I came across a newspaper article with a recipe for a Finnish Pulla. Although I had not tried the sweet roll while in Helsinki, conveniently I had picked up a small bag of cardamom seeds………..still in my unpacked suitcase!
  
  Cardamom Seed Pods from Estonia
  
  Piia Lintunen writes about her life in Finland, known for it’s coffee consumption, and sharing a family recipe for Finnish Pulla. I saved the article for a future memory invoking baking session.
  
  Today was a cold and snowy Sunday……..a perfect day to warm up the kitchen to allow rolls to raise.
  
  Cardamom is a fairly expensive spice, native to India. Norwegians have commonly used the unique aromatic spice in baking. I have made cardamom spice cookies several times before, and they were tasty.
  
  Using my mortar and pestle, I crushed the seeds into rough pieces.
  
  I used my stand mixer to make the yeast dough, and placed the covered bowl in a warm spot to raise……..I haven’t always been successful in my past bread and roll baking, but I was hopeful.
  
  When I travel I almost always bring home something consumable. Usually it’s wine, liqueur or coffee! We enjoy attempting to recreate meals or foods we’ve tried while traveling. I prefer these kind of “souvenirs” to factory made trinkets.
  
  My rolls didn’t brown up like the photos in the article. But the warm rolls were tasty with a cup of coffee on a cold snowy day……this time the coffee was locally roasted, but a toast to Finland nonetheless.
  
  Finnish Pulla
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  Posted in From the Mom, Uncategorized | 2 Comments
- Travel Momentos in the Home
  
  Posted at 9:21 pm by denisebrownell, on March 22, 2018
  Outside a nor’easter storm is blowing through……..inside I’m spring cleaning, and wishing I was somewhere warmer on an adventure. But as I’m dusting I’m reminiscing about past adventures, and thankful for each and every one.
  
  Since I’m not fond of clutter, when I travel I don’t buy a lot of souvenirs. Sometimes I may bring home an ornament for the Christmas tree, sometimes I bring a liqueur, or a spice, or a wine that we enjoyed and will enjoy again. But sometimes I find a painting or something I can put on display at home, to keep the vacation memories alive.
  
  If you’ve ever walked along the Seine in Paris, you will no doubt remember the artists lining the street, selling their works of art. The same can be said if you’ve wandered down La Rambla in Barcelona, or dined at an outside table on a piazza in Rome.
  
  On a trip to Panama, we brought home a painting of the French Quarter, one of our favourite places to wander, and to dine out. On the same trip we purchased a basket handwoven by the tribeswomen of Emberá, a traditional village of indigenous people. Purchasing from women who are helping to support their families is far more gratifying than buying factory made trinkets.
  
  The black cat has come in and out of the cupboard over the past number of years. It was a particularly memorable day, with some culturally eye opening moments for two young girls. Climbing upon the Great Pyramid of Giza while avoiding eye contact with the camel handlers will never be forgotten. And a visit to the Khan El Khalili Bazaar brought stares from men that made for a quick tour through the stalls of locals selling their trinket souvenirs. When we landed back on the bus for the caravan trip back to the cruise ship, my husband shared his purchase with us. It seemed like an odd purchase, considering his dislike for cats.
  
  In Barbados, we bought a large vase……..I don’t remember how I got this home! But it’s been on display in various locations through the house. A couple of small framed water colour paintings line the hallway between the master bedroom and bathroom. The bright colours remind me of the turquoise blue water.
  
  Provençal textiles are readily found in the Saturday market in Apt, or smaller markets of Isle sur la Sorgue and Coustellet. I picked out this neutral runner to compliment my transitional home style. It makes an appearance every now and then in my dining room.
  
  While traveling Provence with friends in 2016, I bought the small concrete lamp base. It wasn’t a well thought out purchase considering it has a European plug! My girlfriends and I had a good laugh over this one. At the time I thought it was a unique lamp that I hadn’t seen back home in North America (I’ve since noticed them all over the place……of course).
  
  While going through my closet today I realized I had several tea towels from Provence, as well as more purchased on our trip to Norway last fall. I decided that it was time to discard some of my ragged towels. After all, I can buy more on my future travels!
  
  Adorning your home in travel momentos is an easy way to add your own personality, a glimpse into your life and adventures. It’s a great way to bring aspects of style and decor that you admire in the places you visit. It evolves over time, which suits my personality just fine!
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  Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment
- Figuring It All Out
  
  Posted at 4:08 pm by denisebrownell, on March 14, 2018
  This week I’ve been painting…….walls and a furniture project. Painting puts me in a somewhat meditative state, thinking about all kinds of things as I swipe the brush across the wall. Catching a glimpse of the turquoise paint underneath the electrical faceplate, brings me back to parenting the 10 year old. From there my mind wanders to the many hats I’ve worn as a parent. Among them nurturer, disciplinarian, chef and listener.
  
  My mind has also been thinking about my blog, and why I’ve not been posting. I’m hoping it’s just a winter funk. But I’ve been doing alot of thinking about the purpose of the blog, and what I thought I would be sharing and questioning my “expertise.” I’m really just a working mother who enjoys working on projects, traveling and making memories as a parent.
  
  This winter I’ve been somewhat preoccupied with my new parenting role………parenting young adults as they find their way outside the family home. Even though we’ve raised independent girls, they’re still in that phase of still needing us from time to time.
  
  I’m often questioning if I’m doing the “right” things………am I giving enough advice, too much advice………do I text them too much, am I not phoning them enough……. should I be visiting them more, or less? It’s an endless battle in my head.
  
  Some might say that the hardest part of child rearing is done, and now is the time to enjoy the young adults in the family. But I can’t say I agree. These young adults are still testing the waters of life, they still have questions and still need the unconditional support of parents.
  
  The difference in this phase of parenting is that you’re just a bystander from afar. You don’t know what they’re doing, and you need to read the cues from texts and the short visits. You want to give them the space to figure it out for themselves, while still shouting encouragement from time to time, steering them to find answers and letting them make their choices in the marathon called life.
  
  As parents we go from phase to phase of child rearing, each phase seeming to be slightly easier than the last (at least that was my experience). Does surviving through to graduation unscathed make me an expert? I don’t believe so. I didn’t always have the answers, and I still don’t have all the answers. I guess that, in itself, is a great lesson to pass on………..
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  Posted in From the Mom, Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged empty nester, family, memories, parenting, stories
- Tips for Empty Nesting
  
  Posted at 10:49 am by denisebrownell, on January 28, 2018
  Now that we are parents of two young adult daughters, we are tasked with the responsibility of letting them practice what we’ve spent 21 years teaching. For me, this is not as easy thing. I find it difficult to cut those apron strings!
  
  Now I don’t believe I was an overly cautious or what some may label a helicopter parent. But I will admit I occasionally had to be reminded, by my husband, to pull back sometimes. I believe we made a great team!
  
  As teenagers, we tried to install in them a sense of responsibility, for their actions, and also for their well being. Most of the time they made their own choices and although they looked to us for advice, we tried to give them the information to make the best decisions for themselves. Some of the advice may have been strongly suggestive, especially if they were facing an important or significant decision.
  
  I am in my third year as a university parent, and it still isn’t always easy. From that first night of worrying about Chelsea alone in her dorm room, to this week’s concern over a reaction that Ashlyn experienced after receiving a vaccine, it’s a constant struggle. I’ve read it takes about 18 months to 2 years for both parents and children to adjust. Some parents seem to breeze through this phase, but even if this is emotionally difficult, it is possible to be happy in this new stage of life.
  
  My tips…….
  - Start practicing when they’re young – A confident child will manage things better on their own, and when you know they are ready, it’s much easier. Just like you might teach your child to tie their own shoes and zip their own coats to get ready for school, you need to teach your children basic life skills before they leave the nest. “Prepare the Child for Road, Not the Road for your Child.” I love this quote, and it’s a great read in HuffPost.
  - Get a new hobby, or revisit an old pastime that brings you joy – Maybe you have always wanted to learn to paint, or start a book club, but life with children has not allowed you enough time to pursue. Or you and your girlfriends may have had to abandon Friday night dinners out when children’s activities interfered, or you were simply too tired after chasing toddlers all day. Before they actually leave the nest is the best time to rekindle old interests or explore a new activity.
  - Keep in touch – Staying connected with your child with today’s technology is fairly easy. When we went off to university, our parents had to call the pay phone on the dormitory floor, and pray that someone would answer and go find us! But with such easy modes of communication , we need to be mindful not to stay too connected. We all need our space to grow in this changing period. This is one of the hardest things for me…..I still send a good morning and good night message pretty much every day!
  - Focus on the positives – It’s not helpful to dwell on the fact that the house is so quiet. Instead focus on the positives …….it might be the fact that your child is doing something they are passionate about, or something as simple as meal planning and food shopping! I used to be at the grocery store several times a week, and now I sometimes go less than once a week.
  - Plan visits – Depending on how far away your child has ventured, it’s nice to plan a trip to visit them, or maybe plan a trip away with them. Keeping these future visits in your mind helps you get through the lonelier days.
  - Refocus on relationships – Maybe your marriage would benefit from a little extra attention these days. My parents used to go to the movies all the time, but they rarely went while I was growing up. I love that they are back to enjoying this favourite pastime! Also, don’t forget about those friends who may have drifted over the years. My friends from high school have a weekend getaway planned this spring, as we all celebrate turing 50.
  - Take time for yourself – You know the old saying that “you can’t care pour from an empty cup.” Maybe you didn’t take enough time for yourself when you were full time parenting. Now you have the time, why not take pleasure in an activity just for you. Maybe it’s reading more books, or practicing yoga.
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  Posted in DIY's and How To's, From the Mom | 0 Comments | Tagged empty nest, hobbies, parenting, preparing for university, self care
- Liebster Award
  
  Posted at 1:18 pm by denisebrownell, on January 17, 2018
  This week I was pleasantly surprised when a fellow blogger Julie of Empty Nest Adventures, nominated me for the Liebster Award. I think you will enjoy reading about Julie’s daring adventures on her blog……..she is not someone to let fear get in her way!
  
  The intent of the Liebster Award to encourage new bloggers to read more and interact with the online community. After answering the questions that Julie asked me, I then nominate other bloggers and ask them to answer questions. The rules can be found in the link above.
  
  Julie’s Questions:
  
  What is something that you have done that is totally outside of your comfort zone?
  
  I can’t say I’ve ever leapt outside my comfort zone (like Julie skydiving!), it’s more like baby steps. My family getting me to the top of Mont Saint Anne on a ski trip was outside my comfort zone. Hiking Mt Saksa in Norway was outside my comfort zone (well only at the top of the mountain). I am going to say getting on a Segway in Berlin was one of my more adventurous moments. This was not planned, but a spur of the moment decision to join a couple we met on the train. We didn’t really have a plan for the day, just wanted to experience the feel of the city, walk about and do some people watching. I had a bit of hesitation to jump on this “balancing” mode of transportation and find my way through the crowded city streets. We ventured to a number of the highlights of Berlin, including Potsdamer Platz, an historical and busy intersection, the site of one of Europe’s first traffic lights. And I survived!
  
  Where is your next adventure?
  
  My girlfriends and I just booked a weekend get-a-way at Fox Harb’r. Now this resort is only 40 minutes from my home, but this weekend is not about the destination. This is about old friends, and celebrating the good and the bad with three ladies I’ve known over half my life. These are the friends I graduated high school with, and have managed to remain connected with. We’ve lived in different cities, and have been at different stages of family life and parenting, so it’s been difficult. It’s been more than five years since we’ve all been together. We dreamt then that we would plan some elaborate trip together the year we turn 50. But life happens, and getting away for a lengthy trip was not in the cards. Don’t get me wrong, we are ecstatic about this weekend. We will eat from the hands of Chef Vikram Vij, drink lots of wine, and be pampered by the staff. But more importantly, we will laugh and yes, probably cry together.
  
  What is something you’d like to accomplish in 2018?
  
  My goal for 2018 is to try and learn how to relax. Honestly, this is difficult for me. Don’t get me wrong, I can relax on the couch in the evening and watch a movie, I can go to the spa and enjoy a pedicure, what I’m talking about is my mind and body in this constant flight or fright mode. I hadn’t realized how much tension I carried in my shoulders until last fall. I’m undergoing physio for tennis elbow, and she feels I’m not healing because of this tension. Although I already practice yoga faithfully, I can’t seem to eliminate this tension. My goal is to try and learn meditation. If I can learn this practice of being still, truly still, maybe I will relax.
  
  What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you while traveling?
  
  This question is tough for me, I am a person who is easily embarrassed. Sometimes I wish I was more like my husband, nothing embarrasses him! When we met other hikers on Mt Saksa (outside my comfort zone from the first question) and I was trying to talk myself into making the next few steps in a “risky” section of the trail, I was embarrassed. When I looked like the tourist in a store in Tallinn and I let them convince me to drink a shot of Pepper Schnapps like a viking. With my pinky finger out, while standing on one foot, and rubbing my head! But I think the time I lost my bathing suit top in the ocean in Bahamas has to top it all!
  
  What are you most grateful for?
  
  I am most grateful for the love 💕 of my family. My parents for all the love and support they have given for the last 50 years. And my husband and beautiful daughters for putting up with me and my forever worrying.
  
  My New Blog Nominations
  
  PaperyBox
  
  Escapetothe6ix
  
  LifeOneBigAdventure
  
  FridaBeMighty
  
  I enjoyed discovering these blogs…….I think you will too!
  
  My Questions for My Nominees
  1. If you could give $1,000,000 to someone, who would you give it to?
  2. What is your favourite room in your house?
  3. What is the most peaceful place you’ve visited?
  4. Have you ever climbed a mountain?
  5. What makes you happy?
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  Posted in From the Mom, Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged adventure, liebster award, memories, stories
- Bringing Hygge Home
  
  Posted at 3:11 pm by denisebrownell, on January 10, 2018
  Hygge is “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being,” as defined by Oxford dictionary. As we head into the bleakest part of our Canadian winter, the holidays over, and the nest empty again, enlisting some hygge practice should uplift my mood.
  
  Hygge is a word coined by the Danes, who embrace this simple lifestyle. Considering our similar climate, I think it’s worthwhile including some aspects of this lifestyle in our own lives. While visiting Scandinavia last fall, I paid close attention to the people and my surroundings, curious about what makes this region such a desirable place to live. The following list is what I believe to be essential in a healthy well-being.
  
  Increase your Vitamin D
  
  Walk in Woods
  
  We spent a lot of time outdoors during our travels. If it wasn’t hiking a mountain to get a better view of the fjords in Norway, it was enjoying lunch at an outdoor table (yes even late September!) with sheepskin and blankets to keep us warm in Stockholm. We know that lower vitamin D levels contributes to lower moods during the shorter days of winter. Sitting inside and lamenting about the cold is NOT going to make you happy. Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and skating are all great pastimes during the winter months. Heck just getting out for a walk will boost your mood. Why do you think our parents bundled us up and sent us outside to play after a snowstorm?!
  
  Create a Happy Home
  
  Scandinavian style is a minimalistic type decor that embraces the “less is more” philosophy. Hygge is not necessarily a bare room with little texture and items to look at, unless this is what makes you happy and comfortable. I believe it is a personal choice and style based on what makes you content. We saw everything from the modern, minimalist decor in our Trondheim hotel, a rustic decor in our cabin in the mountain, to an older hotel filled with antiques and memorabilia in Gamla Stan.
  
  Textures warm a room
  
  When I first bring out the Christmas decor, the natural elements (pine cones and greenery) and the lights all create a nostalgic feeling that makes me happy. As the winter weather descends upon us, it’s great to curl up in a warm blanket on the couch, (even better after a day on a hiking trail!) and enjoy the lights on the tree. Add in a fragrant smell of baking or simmering potpourri and I’m in heaven.
  
  Pinecones
  
  After the holiday I find it refreshing to put away the nostalgic decor. Natural elements will remain on display until I’m ready for the Spring refresh. Think pinecones, white birch and some greenery. Soft lighting, including candles, will warm up your rooms.
  
  A Warm Fire Creates Coziness
  
  When talking to patients about sleep hygiene, I always mention the bedroom space. We know that a cluttered bedroom can inhibit your sleep, and I believe this can carry through to the rest of the home. When my house is not orderly, I feel a sense of upheaval and find it difficult to relax. Our homes are supposed to be our sanctuary for relaxation.
  
  Nurture Relationships
  
  The people we met on our travels were friendly, and genuinely interested in chatting. They were interested in our story, and wanted to share their own experiences. This is a practiced skill, part of their culture.
  
  After a calendar filled December, it is tempting to want to stay home in January. But nurturing our relationships with family and friends helps us feel a sense of community, and improves well-being.
  
  Why not ask your friends to join you for a hike on a sunday afternoon, or invite them for a night of board games if you’re not an outdoor person. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or planned. A cup of tea with my girlfriends brings back many memories, and is so uplifting.
  
  Self Care
  
  On our Baltic cruise, we had the opportunity to learn about the Nordic bathing ritual. This practice of circulating between a hot sauna, steam or bath and a cold river or shower is a relaxation technique used by the Scandinavians. We did have the best sleep following this ritual. I’m thinking I can get the same results at our lakeside hot tub by alternating a frolic in a snowbank!
  
  Reading can be “self care”
  
  Self Care also embodies the mind, and our ability to let go of things that are not fulfilling us. Yoga and meditation are an excellent way to allow us to relax and be happy in the present moment, no fancy equipment required. Luckily, a regular yoga practice is already part of my being.
  
  Making a happy life does not have to be complicated or require a lot of money. Just try implementing some of these lifestyle practices into your daily life, and see where it takes you……..
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  Posted in DIY's and How To's, From the Mom, Travel and Adventure Tales | 1 Comment | Tagged Baltic Cruise, coziness, home, hygge, lifestyle, Norway, scandinavia, self care, surviving winter, Travel, winter lifestyle, yoga
- Gift Giving
  
  Posted at 4:56 pm by denisebrownell, on December 15, 2017
  Who doesn’t struggle with buying gifts at Christmas?! Sometimes ideas come randomly, like yesterday. I was online searching for festive holiday drinks, and this one reminded me of of a very important mentor in my daughter’s life. Although I haven’t bought a gift for her since my daughter has gone off to university, I couldn’t resist making this up for her!
  
  The idea of giving a gift card or money always felt like a lame gift in my mind. But my mind is shifting, and I know how appreciative a teenager or young adult is to find these under the tree. It is very difficult to find that “perfect” gift that won’t end up in a closet. Just think for a minute about how much they like to shop! If you have a gift in mind, buy the gift card and ask them to share what they purchased. It’s fun to find out which colour or style they picked. Maybe shop online with them after Christmas as they pick out that perfect item.
  
  A gift of food is almost always appreciated. Who could resist the taste of fruit harvested and bottled at their peak in the cold months of winter. And buying direct from a small farm or local producer is like giving twice. Check out your local market and maybe you will find a great pesto, or bottle of pasta sauce. Pair it with some pasta and a lovely tea towel (who wants to pull a dingy one out of the drawer).
  
  The latest trend is the gift of an experience. Keep in mind your budget, then explore ideas. Maybe it’s a dream balloon ride, or a dog-sled adventure (some year I will buy this for my mom!) Want to make it even more special, join them! What grandparent wouldn’t appreciate the gift of your time. Plan a hike, or a drive to see someplace new, or a favourite haunt from past. Buy tickets to the theatre for both of you. Add dinner out, or a home cooked meal if a restaurant is not in your budget.
  
  Wrapping gifts of food, gift cards and experiences requires a bit more thought and creativity. Tuck tickets to an outdoor winter event into a pair of warm mittens. This blogger has a list of experience gifts, and suggestions for wrapping. If you’re not creative there are a multitude of gift boxes and tins on the market, and many are reusable year after year. Why not challenge a friend or family to regift you the box next year, with a fun experience gift you can do together! A gift giving tradition that can be passed on year after year.
  
  There has been much discussion in the media lately about the negative effects clutter can have on our mental and physical well being. Consumerism in our society has created a feeling that we need “this” or “that” to make our lives easier. I’m not buying into that trend anymore………simple is better on so many levels. The new trend of “less is more” is slowly catching on. Let’s embrace it.
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  Posted in DIY's and How To's, From the Mom | 0 Comments
- Holiday Traditions
  
  Posted at 5:33 pm by denisebrownell, on December 5, 2017
  Holiday family traditions in our home are a mixture of things my husband and I grew up with, and some new traditions we created with our own family. We go to church on Christmas Eve and put out milk and cookies for Santa (might have been beer and homemade bits ‘n bites last year!). The girls hang stockings for Santa to fill, but the adults don’t. Santa’s gifts are never wrapped and always arranged under the respective stockings.
  
  Except for a couple of years, (one year the whole extended family went to Disney World) we have always hosted Christmas Day dinner with both of our families. It was important for us to have both sets of grandparents share in the joy of Christmas with the girls. There is nothing quite like the magic of Christmas with children.
  
  When I was a new mom, my mother and I were browsing the displays in a local gift store. Upstairs in this old house they had several displays of Dept 56 villages, each with it’s own unique ambiance. Of course I was drawn to the North Pole series, the intricate details in the buildings and props made me feel like I was getting a glimpse of life in the North Pole. That day I purchased the Glacier Park Pavilion, a large piece complete with a Santa figurine and trees. This building not only lit up, but it had a magnet that moved two skaters in a continual figure 8 around the ice rink.
  
  Each year after that, my mother and mother-in-law, would each select a piece to gift to me. Some of my oldest and dearest pieces are the Hall of Records and Elves Trade School. I also have another moving piece, which is the Reindeer Rides………an elf sits on the roof holding a rope that is attached to a child circling the building on the flying reindeer!
  
  The collection grew quite rapidly, and at one point I had to ask them to stop gifting me the houses. It’s not that I didn’t appreciate them, but it was becoming difficult to find the space to display the village. I felt like I had completed my collection. And now each year as I unpack the carefully stored boxes, I am reminded of the thought that went into selecting each building.
  
  Over the years I have tried new display ideas and locations to set it up. The buffet in my dining room will hold the entire village if I position everything quite carefully. But the last few years I have split up the village into a couple of smaller displays. One year I hung a tree branch from the ceiling and strung cotton balls to create a snow effect!
  
  Some years I find I’m less motivated to unpack all the boxes and set it up. But if I’m a little late in getting it set up, my girls will remind me how much they enjoy it. Even though they are grown adults, it’s still a tradition that they look forward to. While they are studying for finals and writing papers, I have been preparing for their arrival home……
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  Posted in From the Mom, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged christmas, family, home, north pole village, traditions, village
- Temporary Ball of Yarn
  
  Posted at 8:20 am by denisebrownell, on November 13, 2017
  Something magical happens when I’m standing amongst baskets of beautiful wool in a yarn store. The possibilities are endless. Your eye is attracted to a colour or a texture on the wall. You feel the need to touch it. Maybe hold it up to your face as you imagine it knit up as a scarf for yourself or a child in need of a warmth as he plays in the snow.
  
  The ball is only temporary, like a bud on a tree in the spring. Or a child as she dreams of the future and what she might become when she grows up. Some might be knit up quickly by the anxious knitter, and some might wait in the stash while the purchaser waits for that special project she knows she will create someday.
  
  It brings me joy to think a pile of random bits of yarn can become a beautiful tapestry, or a few balls of wool can create a gorgeous sweater. I like to think that all will eventually be enjoyed or blanket someone in warmth.
  
  This post was inspired by a challenge to create a photo that says temporary to you…….I don’t consider myself a photographer, but thought my photo was fitting to the theme.
  
  Temporary
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  Posted in DIY's and How To's, From the Mom | 0 Comments | Tagged alpaca, blanket, knit, yarn
- Norwegian Adventure
  
  Posted at 10:18 am by denisebrownell, on November 11, 2017
  Norway has absolutely breathtaking scenery, a perfect setting for a road trip! Renting a car in Bergen after debarking from our Baltic cruise just made sense. We could have taken a train ride to see more of the fjords, but that wouldn’t allow us the freedom to stop by the road side to admire the sheep meandering down the rural road, or climb a mountain when the desire hit. The freedom to make our own itinerary was just too appealing.
  
  A certain amount of planning was needed to determine when we would return home to our jobs. After a two week cruise, we decided a five day road trip would allow us to cover quite a bit of ground. Since we weren’t packing camping gear, we needed to make plans for accommodation along the way. It was convenient to be able to read reviews and plan a little before we left home. I used an online booking website which allowed us to communicate with property owners when necessary as well. I think it would have been challenging to find accommodations in the shoulder season, especially those off the beaten path.
  
  We had a rough route mapped out for the five day journey. But we were building in flexibility as hiking up a mountain in pouring rain would not be fun! And sometimes you’re just so taken by the scenery that you forget to refer to your map (yes this happened on the second day).
  
  Day One
  
  Day one led us from the populated city of Bergen to the rural scenic roads we were seeking. My husband enjoys driving back roads at home, so I wasn’t surprised when he took an unplanned turn. A little while later we were admiring the Eikelandsfossen Waterfall. After rerouting the GPS we continued along this route, which we later learned was the Gaularfjellet National Tourist Route.
  
  Over a simple meal in our cabin, that night, we decided to wake up early and hike to the Haugabreen Glacier. It was a short drive to the trail, and we would still have enough daylight to get to our next booked accommodation.
  
  Day Two
  
  After a great sleep, we arrived at the trail head around 8am. We are beginner hikers and heeded the warnings not to hike the glacier without expert guides, we just wanted to see and touch the glacier. The trail was easy to follow, and the return trip was about three hours.
  
  We enjoyed the beauty of Innviksfjorden as we drove to Stryn. We then bypassed Route 15 to drive through Gamle Strynefjellsvegen. The winding hairpin turns led us to a very narrow route where large rocks served as guardrails and we felt taken back in time. We stopped many times over the next 20 kms to enjoy the simple beauty.
  
  This was the one morning we forgot to refer to my “plan”, and I realized we had missed the Sognefjellet route. Ironically we’d have missed one of our favourite roads of the trip had we followed my “plan,” and would have not had time for that hike. No regrets though, we had a wonderful day!
  
  Driving into Geiranger was both beautiful and tension inducing. I was happy to find our cabin overlooking one of the most popular fjords in Norway, just in time to watch the sun set. Being late September, the village was pretty quiet, with only a handful of tourists. Checking in I asked the host for a dinner recommendation. This gem was a short walk up the hill from the cabin, which allowed us to enjoy a glass of wine!
  
  Day Three
  
  After a hearty breakfast buffet in one of the larger hotels (the only open option we could find), we drove up to the Ornesvingen viewing platform. Then we strolled around the village waiting for the ferry to Hellesylt. This crossing is very popular with tourists, but being off-season, we had no trouble getting on the second ferry of the day. It was unusually warm for this time of year. Warm enough to sit on the upper viewing deck to enjoy the old abandoned farms and the famous Seven Sisters Waterfall.
  
  From the ferry we made our way to Urke, arriving after noon and hungry. We were lucky to find a cruise ship docked, which meant the local patio serving beer was open. It was an exceptionally warm day and the scenery was spectacular. We had waffles with our beer, which was surprisingly not bad.
  
  We then checked into the historic Hotel Union Øye. I considered the splurge worth it since we planned to hike Mount Saksa. After a fabulous meal we read a little of the history of the old hotel. Luckily we had a wonderful sleep, and were not disturbed by Linda, the ghost of the hotel.
  
  Day Four
  
  After breakfast in the hotel, we made our way to the trail head. It was an unusually warm day for the area, and it wasn’t long before we were meeting locals on the trail. The views as we climbed the mountain were breathtaking, and well worth the climb.
  
  After changing into dry clothes we made our way to pick up the Geiranger – Trollstigen highway in Linge. This drive started out fairly average, but ended with the most scenic mountainside vistas as we descended into Andalsnes. Tired and hungry from the hike we passed by the viewing platforms to make our way to our cabin for the night.
  
  Day Five
  
  We had a lot of road to cover on our last day of driving to Trondheim. We had mapped out a route via the Atlanterhavsvegen Tourist Route. This route overlooking the Norwegian Sea reminded us of the landscape we would see along the fishing villages in our home province of Nova Scotia. But the engineering of the bridges spanning between the islets is where it really stood out as unique.
  
  We drove to see the Kvernes stave church, just a little way off our route. It is only open during the summer months, but we walked around the outside, admiring the log construction.
  
  Trondheim, the third largest city in Norway, has lots to offer. We stayed right on the Nidelva River and a short walk to Old Town Bridge. There were many trendy dining options in this mostly walking area of the city. Unfortunately I was not feeling well, but my husband ventured out.
  
  We had the morning to walk around the Old Town and enjoy our last fika before flying home. A perfect ending to a memorable trip. It seems I already have a seed planted in my mind regarding my return trip to Norway. Does anyone else do that? Plan your return trip before you even arrive home?
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  Posted in From the Mom, Travel and Adventure Tales | 3 Comments | Tagged adventure, Fjords, Geiranger, Mount saksa, Norway, Road trip, Scenery, Travel, Travel planning, Urke
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