Birthday working

 Stavanger Norway was where Dan was sent for an assignment and poor guy, it was over his birthday! So, I decided to go with and celebrate with him so he would not be alone in this super beautiful town on his birthday! This place was just beautiful!

 Quaint streets, nice and clean, most everyone spoke english and other than being mighty expensive, I loved every second of it!

Dan worked mostly every day until around 6 pm and then the two of us would stroll the streets and see the adorable town and also pick out some yummy restaurant. They had many international choices and it was fun because if you do not know this about Italy, they like mostly just Italian food. Its hard to find many other types of food in Italy.

It was a lovely and relaxing vacation. No computer for working , only FB messenger available (because I forgot to pay for the additional travel phone credit)

The people of Stavanger had a very American feel to them. It is hard to describe, but when you travel you find how different people's sense of humor is and how different their day to day life is. These people felt very comfortable and extremely similar to people you might meet anywhere USA.

 We did try some traditional food which felt a little more german than anything else, but they do have their own pastries as any good european country should and these school cakes were super yum!
It was a slightly sweet (tough) cake with a vanilla cream and nutmeg sprinkled on it, and of course coated in sweet coconut!

Very hip and ver cool little town!, Now I am sure you are wondering when Dan was working (poor guy working on his birthday) what on earth were you doing all day Arlena????

 Well I toured the town, found an open air market, Visited the old town church.

I visited museums : 

I had lunch at quaint little cafe's 

 I sat in old taverns and sipped apple and cinnamon tea!

It was quiet and peaceful and just enjoyable!

And now you wonder, did Dan get ANY time off while there?

Why yes, just one day! What did we do? We took a boat tour of the fjords (which I learned are rocky inlets)

 Our guide showed us a rock that looked as though a heart was carved into it and said it was a natural formation, however there was a legend that went with it. It stated that a troll had fallen in love with a human girl, and when he came out into the sun light to see her he was turned to stone,but his love was so great it was reflected in this stone.

Also, at the top of this formation is a large "Plate like rock" that many like to hike to. The legend says that when 7 sister from the town marry 7 brothers from the town the table rock will fall.

Sounds like another movie I am familiar with!

 It was pretty impressive and you almost expected to see the characters from frozen jumping out because they captured this scenery right on in that movie!

Great Birthday party Dan, thanks for inviting me!

Lasagna fresca for his birthday

Thats right folks this guy has hit the ripe old age of 45. I remember thinking about retirement  at the age of 45 and when I was 25 thinking about it, it seemed forever away. The time has flown and now we are winding up the last years of this field of work in a beautiful country and having a great time!
45 years young is more how it feels.  He's got a bit left in him for a few more years of fun!

We had an early birthday for him since the poor guy had to work for his birthday (The army is sending him to Norway to work for several days.)

I made him a chocolate cake with a peanut butter cream cheese filling. It was pretty good!

His request was a lasagna made 100% from scratch, noodles, cheese and all. No of course I didn't make all the items from scratch, but luckily we live some place where I can very easily buy fresh made straight from nona's kitchen items. It was also pretty good! ( I will blog the experience on my food blog sometime soon- www.childrensculinaryinstituteblog.com)


Happy Birthday Dan! Heres to another 45!