Favorite books

Hi,

For those of you that need ideas of what book to read next :

Have a look on the right side on the blog. I have added a little list of books I have read myself.
It is a mix of English and Scandinavian writers, but I have seen books of the writers around in Auckland in both the library and Whitcoulls.

Link to Whitcoulls : http://www.whitcoulls.co.nz/

Enjoy!

Moussaka

Hi everyone,

I think it is time for a recipe again. I have tried this one myself and it tasted good according to my guests.

Moussaka (4-6 portions)

800 gr minced meat (or lamb mince)
6-7 tomatoes
2 medium aubergines
1 big potato, pealed and divided into thin slices
500 ml white wine
600 ml milk
4 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 egg
100 gr cheese (from cheese milk if possible)
1 tablespoon fresh, chopped oregano
2 twigs thyme
1 bay leaf
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
Salt and pepper

A-ha : Summer Moved On

Thought this was a very appropriate title for the time of the year.
You may have heard about today's band, A-ha, known from the 80's "Take On Me".
I have heard it on the radio here, so I know it got this far...

Always young looking, Morten Harket (now 50) is singing, Magne Furuholmen on keyboard and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy on guitar. This is from a concert in Oslo in 2001.



Let's listen to one of the oldies as well. This is "Stay on these roads"....



He obviously like his leather pants! :0)

Donkeyboy : Ambitions

Hi all!

New idea from me! I want to introduce some Norwegian and Scandinavian music for you to listen to.
It is sad to see that we are missing out on each other's music due to the distances between our countries.

The first one is an easy listening song called "Ambitions". It is sung in English so no guessing what it is about this time.

The band is called Donkeyboy and the song is written, directed and cut by Kristoffer Borgli. http://www.kristofferborgli/. Donkeyboy is a pop band from Drammen, Norway, formed in 2005. The band consists of Cato Sundberg (vocals, rhythm guitar) Kent Sundberg (synth, backing vocals) Peter Michelsen (guitar, backing vocals), Thomas Drabløs (drums), and Alexander Garborg Ågedal (bass guitar). Linnea Dale is a guest vocalist on "Ambitions". The song was released in 2009.

On the Norwegian page, music from New Zealand will be introduced. Let's share! :0)

Hope you like it.

Greetings from a fishing virgin

Hi all!

Something  big has happened to me (a snapper that is)! I have been on a fishing trip and caught fish! Incredible. It was my first fishing trip (ok, I have been on a fishing boat before, but never actually been fishing).

I was asked a while ago by my in-laws to go fishing with them and some of their friends, but I was sceptical. Me fishing? I love to eat fish, but to actually fish? Hmmm...needed some time to think about it.

Then my better half couldn't come fishing due to work and I was asked again. Still sceptical. You don't have to fish. Just come for the trip they said. So I thought: Why not. I could take some photos and enjoy the view.

I was picked up by the apartment. I had packed a backpack of warm clothes and wet weather gear, sunglasses, camera (yes...I did remember it!), crackers and chocolate (I even forgot I had it in my backpack!). Got on the boat, approx. 40-45 foot one, so looked safe enough. Didn't want to get too close to the water...

After a while we were all onboard, probably about 10 people. All the guys had been fishing before. Some even had their own fishing rods.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Finally the day is here!

All the green people are back. I had almost forgotten what it felt like to be an outsider walking in to the chaos of green, but it happened today.
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on the nearest Saturday as most "17 of March'es" always seem to arrive on a week day. Smart.

I remember a few years back (from my rocking chair...) when I was working in Auckland and we had a competition of who was "The Best Green Dressed Person In The Office". Some of us were boring and safe in a normal green clothes but one of my colleagues took it all out. She turned up on the bus in green shiny trousers and shirt (none matching), green make up and I think even green shoes! What a great look for a St. Patrick's Day!
She won the price - and deserved it.

Devonport, Auckland (and movie)

Hi to you all,

I sent this greeting to friends and family in Norway (who had everything from -3C to -19C at the time) to cheer them up a bit and to remind them that there will be a new summer some time...
You may need a bit of cheer up yourself if you are stuck in the office during this great summer!

I really enjoyed visiting Devonport. It is close to the city, but still a small world away when it comes to the more quiet lifestyle than city life can bring.