Snow-Blasted

We just had a storm called “Ole” that blasted the northern part of Norway this past weekend.  Ole has left us with lots of snow to shovel, and frosted our buildings from basement to roof.

I also want to share a photo of our neighbors’ stairs leading up to their house.  They are amazing at keeping it clear of snow.  Something my husband and I aren’t very good at yet.  If we had those stairs we’d have an outdoor winter slide  – my kids would love it!

And now, while the rest of the world is counting down the days to Spirng, we are counting down to the next storm, which is hours away.

 

 

A Noonday Stroll

A noonday stroll in -8C, wind 14 mps (Windchill -17C/-3F).  Beautiful light, cold fingers and toes!

 

 

 

 

 

Eco Art Project in the North Cape

I just started a new blog that will share more details about the Eco Art Project I started in 2012.  If you’re interested in following our endeavors to clean up the majestic North Cape coast, please follow the new blog :)  Thanks

North Cape Shoes

Cleaning up the coast one step at a time

Reunited, at last

It was the perfect day to welcome the sun back to the North Cape. I went searching for the sun with two other friends…

 

We waited, and waited for it to peek above the horizon.

 

 

And it did not disappoint us!

 

Sun, glorious sun! It’s back and we are grateful.

The Secret of the North Cape

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of watching “The Seret of the North Cape”, created by Peter Szivolt. Since then I’ve watched it several times, totally in awe of the beauty of the aurora borealis and grateful that I live in a place where I’m privileged to observe them.  If you want to be mesmerized by the mysterious northern lights, I recommend watching Peter’s 3 1/2 minute film.

 

I asked Peter if I could share this video, as well as some information about creating this short film.

Here are some of the “secrets” behind the making of this 3.5 minute film – which took over three months.  As we have many overcast, winter days, it wasn’t easy to collect this footage.  For 10 seconds of footage, Peter needed 250 photographs with long exposure.  Each photo was exposed for 25 seconds, so he needed 100 minutes for 10 seconds of footage.

I was amazed and surprised to hear how time consuming the projects was, and admire him for his patience as well as his willingness to endure the arctic wind and low temperatures.

Thank you, Peter, for making “The Secret of the North Cape”.  Looking forward to seeing more of your creative endeavors.

You can see Peter’s photography and follow his journey at http://www.mywaynorway.com.

Affairs of the Sun

After living 4 years in the North Cape, 71 degrees above the Equator, I see the sun in a whole new light.  As the expression goes, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”, and after two months without the sun’s appearance, I’m longing for its return.

The days are getting a little brighter and the sun’s reminding me it’s on its way back.  It’s enticing me with its peachy-pink glance.

In fourteen days, (yes, I’m counting), it will show me it hasn’t abandoned me forever.  It will set skies, houses, hearts on fire.

No matter that its arrival will be accompanied by icy, wailing winds.  I’ll meet it face to face, eyes stinging, cheeks burning, toes aching.

And I will thank it for coming back to me.  I’ll treasure its presence until we part ways again… a distant horizon in November.

 

 

 

 

 

Sugar coated

When it snows and the wind blows….