1 Year Anniversary

One year ago today, I set foot in Oslo for the first time.  We were here for just a week to set up housing and deal with other administrative things prior to our move at the end of July.  I arrived with a terrible cold, and spent the first three days in bed.  But I was able to rally long enough to explore downtown and snap some photos.  Here are my first impressions of the city that has now become home!

Unique Norwegian Products

Now that we've lived in Norway for 5 months, I've collected a number of funny or unique photos of Norwegian signs, goods, and sights.  Here are some of my favorites.

Outside Seating on Cozy Sheepskins

Clever Signs in English are Common in Downtown Oslo

Children Learning to Ski on a Plastic Course

Norwegians Love their Hot Beverages

Reindeer on the Menu

Cronuts: No Need to Visit NYC for These Anymore!

Adorable Smart Car

A Taste of Home

Marzipan Pigs are Everywhere Starting in October!

Sushi Huset!

More English Sign Cleverness

Tommy og Tigern!!!

Not the Best Use of the Word "Rude"

"Up" is Obvious, But I Would Never Have Guessed the Word for "Down...."

Grocery Store Christmas Candies and Cookies

Advent Calendars are a Big Deal in Norway

Special Christmas Soda (I didn't like it)

Gorgeous Traditional Cakes

They Start Them Young!

Christmas Window Lights for Sale

Special Christmas Beer

Cozy, Furry Santas for Sale

Mountain Cabin

A few weeks ago, we spent the weekend at a friend's charming, traditional cabin, or "hytte," in the beautiful mountains a few hours east of Oslo.  As you can see from the progression of photos, we had a big surprise waiting for us outside when we woke up Sunday morning....

We're looking forward to spending another weekend there in a month or two so that we can practice our cross-country skiing skills, and impress our Norwegian friends!

Forest Day Celebration

What better way to celebrate moving to Norway than to attend a Forest Day fair, complete with reindeer skins and elk eating?

Elk on a Spit! (the signs says "Forest Company")

Amazing Coffee with Spruce

A Teepee... Not very Norwegian, perhaps

Lunch

Norwegian Woods

Deer Stew, Burgers, and Hotdogs!

Roasting Curled Bread (marshmallow roasting is relatively new here)

Dining in Style