July 26th~

Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home...

 In just a few hours I will be in Florida.  Back home 

with Sniff.  I can't wait.  Little tired, but that's all part 

of this thing called vacation.  I now need another

 vacation to recover from my vacation 😂

I am tired, but I am also very happy.  Happy because 

our granddaughters finally are getting used to calling me 

bestemor.  Happy also because soon I will hold Sniff.

Summer in Norway was mostly wet and cold, but in many ways 

it may have been the best time I have had so far.  You see I bonded

 with our granddaughters, and nothing can take that away.  I just hope

 they don't forget me because for me they are always in my heart.

As I wait to board the plane, I think of 3 little girls in

 Norway, and yes I think of going home to Sniff.  Life, but I 

am so grateful for all the joys it has and continues to give me.

No matter who you are or where you 

are, instinct tells you to go home...

~Nadiya~

July 25th~ Homewards Bound

A man travels the world over in search of 

what he needs and returns home to find it...

 I am soon on my way back to the USA.  Home. For me there 

here will never be another place like the USA.  I love it, and I

 miss it.  It is where Sniff is.  It's where my heart yearns to be. 

 Thank you Norway for the beautiful memories and a wonderful

 time. Though the weather was terrible, I had the best summer 

with family, and lots of bonding with our granddaughters.

 I will be missing three little faces more than anything.

Home is Sniff and that's where I an going.  

I'm going home and I could not be any happier.  

It's been an amazing time with family.  Wonderful 

memories have been made.  It's a bittersweet feeling, 

but I'm going home, and that makes me happy. 

I'm already missing three little faces.  Life 😔

Next stop is JFK, New York. In a few hours I will be

 back on American soil.  After that another few hours

 and I will be home with my Sniff.  I am happy.

There's no place like home, and I'm finally 

heading back. Home is where the heart is, and 

my heart is racing back to my happy place...

 

~Nadiya~

July 25th ~

What's wonderful about life's simple pleasures

 is that they are everywhere around us....

Life's simple pleasures, they are the most

 unassuming moments, but things I truly find immense

 pleasure in.  Like an early morning walk or just alone 

time with Sniff.  Relaxing with Arvid yet not having

 to say anything.  Content with just enjoying life.

Yesterday ended with a very beautiful glow.

As Benjamin Franklin said, "Happiness consists more

 in small conveniences or pleasures that occur every day,

 than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but

 seldom to a man in the course of his life😁

Yesterday we had the best meal of the entire stay 

right at Victoria and Michael's. Everything they made 

was scrumptious, and they made quite a bit.

Today of course is a beautiful day.  I had my last 

early walk by the harbor and enjoyed a pretty morning for 

a change.  Sun was and is shining.  What a difference.

Soon I will be seeing and holding my Sniff.  

The simplest pleasures are 

sometimes the most extraordinary....

~Nadiya~

Wednesday July 24th~

If you go anywhere, even paradise, you will miss your home...

 My summer in Norway has not been that good,

 weatherwise.  If we had a "warm" day we were lucky.  The

 sun rarely came out, and if it did it disappeared just as fast. 

Right now it is also wet, and cold.  Hoping the day get better.

 It does help with a cup of tea at nights to help keep us warm. 

 Hopefully August will be a better month for everyone.

The grey kitty is Leo.  He belongs to Michelle and family. 

 He's super loving, chunky and cuddly.  The black and white as 

mentioned before is Felix.  He's more suspicious of everyone.

The view from the apartment.  Always a

 good one, and better when it's clear blue skies.

Arvid and I took another trip to the cemetery. 

There he trimmed the grown grass around the grave, 

something his mom always did when she was alive.

I am missing home.  I am missing my Sniff so very much.

Maybe that’s the best part of going 

away for a vacation — coming home again...

~Nadiya~

Some Days Can be Beautiful~ July 23rd

 Every morning starts a new page in your story...

On a good day I see the sunset from the balcony and 

as you can see from this picture, pretty impressive.

What a perfect ending to the day.  Sunsets no matter

 where I am are always beautiful.  Sadly, this was not

 yesterday.  Yesterday we only had gloom and rain.

From the living room I see the sunrise, so far

 when there is a sunrise it's has been before 4:30 am.

  And of course also very beautiful to say the least.

Right now there are pretty flowers everywhere. 

 I am so easily distracted on my morning walks😂

  But I sure have a good time smelling the roses.

Right now I'm missing my little Sniff.  He's always with me when

 I'm awake in the mornings "begging" to be fed before going back 

to sleep with Arvid.  Aww this little face sure makes me happy.

A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the

 pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness...

~Nadiya~

Monday July 22nd~

 Today is a new chapter in the story of your life. Fill

 it with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments...

A new week begins again and I will be welcoming 

it in Horten, Norway once again.   The weather

the last few days has been very good, but today

once again it's back to the gloom and rain.  

Beautiful weather makes life and everything

 so much more pleasant.  After a while the gloom can 

and does get to everyone no matter where you are.

Yesterday we had a really good time with Michelle

 and family once again in Daftö.  This place caters for kids,

 and its good to see how much they enjoy themselves.

We took everyone out for lunch at this Pirate restaurant.

  The kids really like it there.  Usually there is a pirate show, 

but we did no see it.  It's on specific days and times.

In Daftö the girls have so much to do, makes the place

 a dream for parents.  Plus the Aleah and Vanessa have friends

 visiting so they are in seventh heaven.  Amelia is always happy.

 There is the beach, pools and kids entertainment of all sorts.  

Like all kids, the girls have endless energy and some. 

 Arvid and I were tired in a few hours and truth be told 

this was the day we did the least running around.  It was a 

very warm day so the heat didn't help.  Especially when 

Arvid once again did not dress for the weather.

So far I will say this has been my best summer in Norway.  

I have not been to see much outside of Horten, but I have bonded 

with our grandchildren more than had imagines happening.  

I am happy and I keep telling myself that I must have done

 something right to deserve their love, and the love of Arvid's 

daughters and their spouses.  Yes, my best summer.  It goes without

 saying that I love them all and right now I am a little sad now.

Wishing everyone a new week filled with endless possibilities.  

My Sniff is home in Florida waiting patiently for me 🐾

Wishing you a day that brings you closer to

 your dreams and fills your heart with joy...

~Nadiya~

Candy Galore~ Sweden

Candy is my sweet escape from reality...

 On our way to see Michelle and family Arvid 

and I made a little pit stop to the biggest and oldest

 candy factory chain on the Norwegian border. 

 I will let the pictures do the telling.

This is heaven for anyone who loves candy. and who does not?

Candy: the sugar-coated magic that makes everything better....

~Nadiya~

Just A Beautiful Day~

 Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter

 how bad the roads and accommodations...

Just relaxing in the apartment enjoying the view.  Very

 calming and soothing to say the least.  We have the Ferry 

coming and going all day long together with a few cruise ships

 and some private boats.  Always something interesting to see.

When the weather is good, the view is amazing.  Calming

Just about a five minute walk from us is our favorite places

 to "chill" in the afternoons and have some relaxing times with 

just the beautiful scenery, a cup of coffee and for Arvid a beer

 or two.  It's a very good time and we both look forward to it.

I like to walk around a little and check things out. 

 That's how I spotted this cherry tree with more cherries

 than leaves.  Of course I had a few "samples"

Already adjusted to Norwegian time, but I really do not 

like the six hours difference between me and my family. 

 When they are waking up we're already so busy.  

Missing my Sniff, but I know he is well taken care of.

A good day to all.  Arvid and I are getting into the

 "Norwegian" lifestyle.  It's okay for now.

 In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have

 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact...

~Nadiya~

July 21st~ Trip to Daftø

I don’t think quantity time is as special 

as quality time with your family...

 Today we go to Sweden for the day.  Michelle, Emil 

and the girls are there enjoying their home away from

 home.  It's their little getaway from daily "life"  We start

 by taking the ferry from Horton to a a place called Moss.  

From Moss we drive to Sweden.  Very scenic drive.

We were there last year also.  Daftø  has everything 

a child can want which makes it the perfect family spot.  

Who can resist being in the pool all day long?

As with everything we do here in Norway, hoping for good

 weather, meaning please do not rain on our parade.  At least 

when it's cold we bundle up.  Cold and wet not so good.  Last year

in Daftø we had a good time with Michelle, Emil and the girls.

Last night we had the best time (again) with Michael 

and Victoria.  We enjoyed good company to the sounds

 of Reggae music.  Arvid said the music was not that great. 

 I said, what mattered was that we all had a great time.

 Back home in Florida, my Sniff is home 

alone waiting patiently for his mama to be back.

Embrace this day with all your heart and soul...

~Nadiya~

July 20th~

I'm in love with the world through the eyes of a morning walk...

 As long as it does not rain in the mornings I manage

 to get a little walk in.  Happy for that because it then rains for

 the rest of the day on and off.  The other day no rain was predicted,

 yet it rained most of the day.  Here in Norway I have learnt that

 you need to check the weather constantly before planning

 anything.  I always see interesting things on my walks.

And no, there is no Dunkin Donut in Norway, 

but I have my little Dunkin cup.  makes me feel as if I'm

 having cafe at home.  Coffee no matter where is good.

Yesterday was one of those absolutely beautiful Norwegian 

summer days.  The sun was out and the skies were blue, 

unlike most of the days we have had so far. Made for a 

beautiful morning walk, and Horten just looked better.

What a difference a day with sunshine makes.

The temperature was on the cooler side which made it even 

better when walking.  My best morning so far this summer.

When we went to Oslo I took a lot of pictures of the smiling 

boat as I called it, and to my surprise later that evening as 

Arvid and I were sitting relaxing in the apartment in Horten

 the same boat passed by.  Pretty cool I might say 😍

My Sniff is home in Florida waiting patiently for me. 

 I am happy because his pet-sitter sends me a picture of him

 everyday.  After I hear from her, I can relax and go to sleep.

With the good weather comes happy campers.

  Finally they can also enjoy their summer vacation. 

 Norwegians have a strong affinity for the outdoors and

 are known for their love of hiking, skiing, picking berries and

 embracing nature in any possible way. ⛺ People try to be as

 close to nature as possible and therefore it's very common to

 own or rent a hut, boat, RV or campervan in Norway.

Yesterday was a beautiful day here sun was shining so 

Arvid and I made it to our favorite summer spot when in Horten. 

 Fishland.  Though the sun was shining, as soon as it disappeared, 

it was cold.  Aside from me being cold, we had a good time.

Later this evening we go listening to Reggae music 

right here in Horten with Victoria and Michael.  We always have

 a good time together and I know tonight won't be any different.

I'm still smiling when I think of our day at Victoria

 and Michaels and what a beautiful time I had with everyone. 

 Especially with our granddaughters.  I'm sill overwhelmed by 

them calling me bestemor.  I don't think I can stop smiling.

Do the best you can until you know better. 

Then when you know better, do better...

~Nadiya~