Jul i Norge
Posted: Wednesday, 26 December 2007 |
Christmas in Norway. Norwegian kids get just as big a rush from it as our kids do, and Norwegians eat and drink to excess just as we do, but there are some significant differences!
On Christmas Eve my boyfriend and myself were invited to his sisters house, where they were all set for a traditional celebration.
Norwegians do the whole "big dinner" thing on the evening of the 24th, with a meal of Pinnekjott (lamb ribs that are "cured" to a special recipe) and tatties and neeps. For dessert it's traditional to have Riskrem, a special rice pudding, made the previous day then mixed with whipped cream and served cold with a fruit sauce. All the food was absolutely delicious, the Pinnekjott was tender and full of flavour. It's traditional to drink Aquavit with it, and I did try some, but it reminded me a lot of hairspray, so went back to the wine pretty fast!
During the meal, the kids were almost out of their skin with excitement, as straight after dinner is the time they open their presents. This part of Christmas was very similar to what I am used to, the only difference here being that the kids are dressed smartly, instead of their p.j's, which is what my kids seem to end up wearing for a large part of the day.
So on the 25th parents get to have a lie in, as their kids are busy playing with their presents that they opened the previous day. Sounds like a good idea to me!
Today we went skiing. And my limbs are still intact, so I guess it was pretty successful. So thanks for all who gave me advice on this matter, it must have worked! Although, to be honest, I would say I spent 20% of the time skiing, and
80% on my behind. (Oops, no, I just got this proof read by my boyfriend, he says 5 and 95 would be more accurate.)
On Christmas Eve my boyfriend and myself were invited to his sisters house, where they were all set for a traditional celebration.
Norwegians do the whole "big dinner" thing on the evening of the 24th, with a meal of Pinnekjott (lamb ribs that are "cured" to a special recipe) and tatties and neeps. For dessert it's traditional to have Riskrem, a special rice pudding, made the previous day then mixed with whipped cream and served cold with a fruit sauce. All the food was absolutely delicious, the Pinnekjott was tender and full of flavour. It's traditional to drink Aquavit with it, and I did try some, but it reminded me a lot of hairspray, so went back to the wine pretty fast!
During the meal, the kids were almost out of their skin with excitement, as straight after dinner is the time they open their presents. This part of Christmas was very similar to what I am used to, the only difference here being that the kids are dressed smartly, instead of their p.j's, which is what my kids seem to end up wearing for a large part of the day.
So on the 25th parents get to have a lie in, as their kids are busy playing with their presents that they opened the previous day. Sounds like a good idea to me!
Today we went skiing. And my limbs are still intact, so I guess it was pretty successful. So thanks for all who gave me advice on this matter, it must have worked! Although, to be honest, I would say I spent 20% of the time skiing, and
80% on my behind. (Oops, no, I just got this proof read by my boyfriend, he says 5 and 95 would be more accurate.)
Comments
Ooooooooh...picture two...I want one...
Flying Cat from dribblingalloverthejoint
glad you're havin fun! I can mind havin that same meal with our Norske pal in Trondra - I drank my aquavit and my (ex) husband's the rest was a blur.....
scallowawife from shetland
Your nice holiday season seems to have started on a good foot. Keep it all up. Cheers.
mjc from NM,USA
That all looks wonderful Ruthie not to mention very informative but I do have one burning question - is that Ramona Hardanger Bestikk?
diamondbigdod from Trondra
I've had Riskrem. Its very nice. Heard that Ruthodanort is as bad at finding her way around the Uk as she is at skiing. Also heard that she has had Scouse recently. There's a a dish to enjoy.
Muness from Elsewhere
I've had Riskrem. Its very nice. Heard that Ruthodanort is as bad at finding her way around the Uk as she is at skiing. Also heard that she has had Scouse recently. There's a a dish to enjoy.
Muness from Elsewhere
oooooooooooo pic 2 - I want one! (second time of trying to post a comment here). Hilsinger fra all of us!
FC&Marmers from dribblingalloverthejoint
Diamondbigdod, Jeg vet ikke. Kansje Arne vet.
Ruthodanort from Storbritania, for noo anyway, till 2008.
My sister & brother-in-law brought aquavit with them when they were here in Sept. Chilled it in the freezer first before drinking. Is rather strong (put hair on you chest!) but I didn't mind it too bad when it was really cold! (No I don't have a hairy chest now!)
macQ from NMtoo, USA
Happy new Year to everyone. Pinnekj酶t and wine, well I don't know.
Dag from Norway
Well I hope you intend to find out and enlighten us all as IB community waits with bated breath for confirmation (or otherwise). Happy New Year and looking forward to seeing you for the Fire Festival
diamondbigdod from Trondra
Ruthie the red-nosed skier, has a very nose....and all the other skiers, would not even dream of laughing at her, or calling her names, her reputation goes before her.
Tws from LyricsRus
Pinnekj酶t and wine...wasn't that a line from a Rift Pilchard song? Ah...those were the days...NOT!
Flying Cat from ancient music archives
Ruthie the Red-Nosed Skier, Has a very Shiny Rear, and if you ever............
Tws from The Music Class
I though this was going to be the Year of the Rat but for Tws it's going to be the Year of Living Dangerously...though the rat bit might be quite appropriate too...
Flying Cat from wondering where my last comment went to
It's like London Bus Syndrome, except it's comments instead of buses, and Island Blogging instead of london, that makes it Island Blogging Comment Syndrome. Fc keeps commenting, even though it looks like Anne ( the former IBHQ Moderator) has had a quiet word with Carol ( the New Moderator of IBHQ) about the Flying Cat and it's comments. Hmm, who can I upset next? Oh I know.........
Tws from The Western Isles
Oh. There it is!
Flying Cat from puzzled&confused
is this the year of the rat? I think I'm one....
scallowawife from lookin up the chinese horrorscope
Oooh, you guys!!!! All those comments, back from the place comments go, so nice to get them, thanks everyone! And thanks Carol Fae Here (as opposed to Carol Fae There) for finding them again! Tws, my rear has quite recovered now, thank you. Diamondbigdod, you really have to get Arne to answer that question, and jepp, I'm lookin forward to the Fire Festival damorns night, see u there.
Ruthodanort from Unst
TWS. don't even think aboout it!!!
carol from still in nz
Howzit goin doon under Carol Fae There?
Ruthodanort from Unst
great ruthie,thanks and how are you?? the comments i sent re your xmas dindins didn't get throughxxcarol
carol from fae here in nz
Yup Carol fae There, this disappearing comment syndrome is a bit upsetting, but some have been turning up most unexpectedly. I think Carol fae Here is doing her utmost. Not sure if that's enough though, I think some of the little blighters are lost and gone forever. Good to hear you're doing well. What are your plans?
Ruthodanort from Unst
Apart from bungee jumping, Carol plans to get married (I think), a blessed state, according to the Church of England. We will then (hopefully) be regaled with pictures of the wedding ceremony, and the bash following. It is rumored that Carol and Pascal are learning the traditional Maori fighting moves, and we might get some pics. of those as well ... courtesy of FC or/and Carol at IBHQ.
mjc from NM,USA
MJC:-yes we are learning maori fighting moves-me packing suitcases,then unpacking-him becomming a teeny little bit annoyed,still thats love--went to meg mega concert yesterday--started about 11a.m. till midnight--loads of bands bjork,rgae against the machine etc plus various kiwi and aussie bands i'd never heard off--tonight its police that are in concert--where's my bed????
carol from tired after big night out in auckland
Does that mean they are practicing haikus?
Flying Cat from Poetry Please
Carol, the general principle (of ancient folks like me) is: if the b*gger has the quakes and finally can't say oui, then it's time to give him a mighty kick where it hurts and fly back to the menagerie in southern France. I am of the old school, obviously. Oh, and leave him the drooling mutt.
mjc from NM,USA
Oh I don't think the oui-ness is in any doubt...it's definitely love, but love and burocracy don't necessarily mix!
Flying Cat from Carol's Complications Inc.
Good to be reassured, FC. I shall look forward to hearing the sound of the gong (oops, I mean: bells). "Yes" is an excellent word, never used adequately, except by Molly Bloom perhaps.
mjc from NM,USA
MJC: it ain'the poor guys fault,its red tape--miles of it and me now deciding i want my son to give me away--its him who should be giving me great kicks up the rump.[he nearly did yesterday,cause of my camera]
carol[tws's weather girl] from still in nz
Oh I say...could we have a picture???
Flying Cat from WoodenSpoonzRUs
well fc you've a pic of him
carol --- from here
...but surely you wouldn't want me to publish it Carol...would you?
Flying Cat from why's fpu glued to a photo?
Oh...you would????
Flying Cat from dob dob dob
Getting back to the subject of Christmas, which Rudanorth quite rightly associates mainly with aquavit in Scandinavia: a UK Customs officer said, after drinking our offering of aquavit at room temperature (no fridge on that boat), "Oh, for external use only, eh?" Wrong! Fine if chlled properly and absolutely wonderful together with pickled herrings. Each brings out the flavour of the other. 脜lborgs Jubileum Aquavit is my absolute recommendation.
Barney from Swithiod Christmas spirit
Blogs fae a thirty-something mum of 4 born in Fife, brought up in Orkney, and living in Unst.
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