A minute of deafening silence

“I love you”

“I care about you”

“I am there for you”

“Take my hand, I will stay with you”

“I will listen to you and support you”

“Let me give you a hug and keep you safe”

“Let’s lean on each other and share our grief”

“Together we can get through this”

Yet sometimes words are just not enough. This afternoon, at 12:00, we will take 1 minute together to say all these things without speaking, a moment of silence to honour those who lost their lives, to support those who were injured, to keep safe those who are scared and to share the burden of grief with those who need it. We will hold hands and lean on each other, and our togetherness will lift the threat of these terrors. We care about one other, love one other and will be there for one other. This is how and why we are so strong, and so free.

At 18:00 this evening, there will be a gathering at ‘Rådhusplassen’ (The City Hall square) for peace and to honour those affected by these terrors. Bring a white or red rose, and walk with the people to ‘Youngstorget’ to show your support.

This event is organized partly via facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=235053733194180

With all our hearts, we give thanks to our guests for your amazing strength and calmness through these past days, to the international community for your concern and support world wide, to all of Scandinavia for your participation in this silent call of love, and for anyone helping to promote peace and democracy.

What to do on a rainy day?

When it rains I love going to the cinema! My favorite cinema in Oslo is definitely Gimle cinema. It`s old fashioned and very charming. You can even buy a glass of wine or two and take it with you into the movie theatre.

Gimle cinema is placed at Bygdøy Alle 39, just 5 minutes walking from Skovveien 8, and has since the opening in 1937 been well known to show artistic and quality movies. Right now, it is Woody Allen`s new romantic comedy A midnight in Paris. The film was premiering at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival in May, and is fable-like, with a sense of “when you wish upon a star” quality. I would say this is his best and most enjoyable work in years!

Gimle cinema also broadcasts Opera from the Met in New York.

If it`s raining, or if you just want to be entertained, I would suggest you visit Gimle cinema. It`s absolutely worth trying!

Check out: http://www.oslokino.no/kinofakta/gimle/
And the weather forecast: http://www.yr.no/place/Norway/Oslo/Oslo/Oslo/

Kolonihagen - Frognerveien 33

Just behind our main office at Skovveien 8 there is a fantastic restaurant/coffee/ eco-shop named Kolonihagen. The concept is genuine and well thought out: Their vision is to be an organic diverse concept where you can have coffee, enjoy a delicious lunch, eat a nice dinner and have the ability to purchase your organic vegetables and herbs to take home. The suppliers for the boutique are a hand-picked few - it is only the very best who get selected, and they often only have one supplier for a specific commodity. This because we as guests should enjoy the highest quality of what Norway has to offer!

The dishes at the lunch- and dinner menu are simple and appealing: They serve simple smørebrød, salads and soups for lunch and a bit heavier dishes for dinner. Something you shouldn’t miss when visiting this lovely shop is their bakery! Make time for a morning walk down to the shop and buy their popular muesli bread, and enjoy it during a late breakfast - this is something everyone should try!


Opening hours:
Monday-Saturday: 11-23
Sunday: 11-17

You can easily find more information about the parts of this concept which you find the most interesting. I’m adding a couple of specific links with this text to my personal points of interest:

For more information about the restaurant and cafe: Info

For more info on their bakery: Info

For more info on their vegetable sales: Info

Skovveien 8

Skovveien 8 ”Frogner”The location and the region are fantastic! The address is full of life and motion; and here are a couple of the bars and restaurants which put their stamp of this area. These restaurants and bars have historical significance, and have been serving great food experiences throughout. They have long been the popular water holes for artists, cultural people, old Frogner’s wives and the common people who dream of something different.
Tiffany’s - Behrens Gate 2, 0257 OSLOA bar and a small food place with most rumours all over Oslo. Not so many years ago, this was the place to be and be seen, a place for the top among the media, arts, culture, and other interesting personalities. Now it is a place where locals and other eccentrics gather. Tiffany’s offers a cosy atmosphere, friendly people and simple meals. It is really worth a visit as an interesting start to the evening. Sit down take a look around and take note of all the unique and curious interior details.
Champagneria - Frognerveien 2, 0257 OSLOI’m talking about Oslo's best outside terrace and address! The guests are often well dressed, coming straight from work to enjoy a glass of nice red wine, or a glass of sparkling champagne as the name indicates. Here you also can enjoy easy, Italian-inspired tapas with many pleasant alternatives. Late evenings, they often have a DJ on site playing relaxing lounge and house music, which is easily changed for more dance-friendly beats depending on the crowd that particular evening.

Aker Brygge

This unique sea-front boardwalk is one of Oslo's primary attractions. It is a very popular area with a shopping mall, apartment buildings, offices, restaurants, bars, a cinema and a theatre.

Aker Brygge is where people meet, mingle and visit. Oslo residents, tourists from all over the world, business people on the move, as well as musicians, artists, actors, A-, B- and C-celebrities find Aker Brygge their favourite place to hang out.

This area has something for every taste and wallet, but the selection is probably best for persons with well-lined wallets. The waterfront along the fjord is teeming with activity 24 hours a day, particularly in summer, and it doesn’t cost anything to wander along the quay and enjoy life!

Does the date 17th of May mean anything to you?

No? Well here’s another cultural treat for you! The 17th of May is celebrated by Norwegians everywhere, as it marks the day when our constitution was passed and we received our independence – so to speak. In short, what happened was…:



(Foto: Stortingets arkiv)

Norway had been part of a union with Sweden and Denmark, and had not had our own government for almost 300 years. To put it bluntly, we had no say in national or international affairs, and the proud Nowegians wanted their voices heard. A selection of educated patriots gathered at an estate at Eidsvoll to find a way to peacefully claim our independence. The Eidsvoll council drafted up our constitution and selected a suitable king. They finalized an agreement with Sweden, which was passed the 17th of May 1814. (At this point, Denmark was no longer in the union.) The story doesn’t end there, though. The new king, Christian Frederik, was deposed after only a few months, and Sweden still ruled Norway until 1905. However, we were allowed to keep our constitution, and gradually established our own consulate to build international connections.

(Henrik Wergeland)

King Karl Johan of Sweden, our regent at the time, was not happy about the celebration of the 17th of May, but the more he protested, the bigger the celebrations got. In 1928 in Oslo, a ship called ’Constitutionen’ (translation: ”The Contitution”) was received at the docks on May 17th by a mass of applauding people. The celebration was dispersed by cavalery and infantery. The people accused the government of using unnecessary force, and the author Henrik Wergeland became a key person in the fight for our right to celebrate constitution day. He wrote speeches, songs and supporting articles, and in 1930 our parlament beseeched King Karl Johan to acknowledge the date as a natioanal festive day.

(Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson)

Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, author of our national anthem (in 1864), was also a pioneer. He organized the first children’s parade in Oslo in 1870. The children met at Akershus fortress, passed the parlament building and continued up to the royal palace. The children’s parade is now the main event of our national day, and ever since 1906, the Norwegian royal family has greeted the children from their balcony.

The fight for our right to govern ourselves was long, even after we passed our consitution May 17th 1814. Still, we celebrate this date to honor the Eidsvoll men who rekindeled our belief in Norway as a free nation and the children as our future. So tomorrow, May 17th, take to the street and be part of our proud audience as the children make their way past the statue of King Karl Johan towards the palace. They will be singing the songs written by Wergeland and Bjørnson, cheering for the King and his family - who cheer back from their balcony.

(17th May 2010)

The full plan for the day can be found at here.

Sources: aktivioslo.no; visitoslo.no

Chocoholics paradise!



(Foto: AJ Chocolate)

Chocolaterie is opening tomorrow (Saturday May 7^th), just around the block from Skovveien 8. From the outside it’s looking very cosy, and I can’t wait to see inside!

Chocolaterie is both a shop and a chocolate bar, offering hand crafted chocolate treats based on old, Belgian traditions. Every morning, the smell of quality chocolate-making will mix with that of their fresh coffee. Yummy!

From experience, I know the dangers of working in close proximity to chocolate very well... And the pleasures of it! Seriously overpowered by chocoholism, I know you will find me there once or twice after work. Who cares about 'happy hour' when you can have quality chocolate and fresh coffee instead?

Pop by to have a look, buy someone a sweet treat, or sit down for a while and enjoy the search for your ultimate favourite chocolate!

Henrik Ibsens Museum

Just around the corner from our adress in Arbinsgate 3, and a few minutes walk from our other two adresses, we find Henrik Ibsens Museum. This is a museum that I would recommend on a rainy day!

Henrik Ibsen is recognized as the founder of the modern drama, and alongside William Shakespeare, he is the most performed playwright in the world! Henrik Ibsen, was a norwegian playwright and poet, he was born in Skien and died in his apartment in Arbins gate 1, in Oslo. Here he lived the last 11 years of his life and wrote his last two plays.

The apartment is now restored to its original splendour with authentic interior an Ibsen´s furniture. The apartment with his study, library, bedroom and dining room shows Ibsen's private sphere and tells about his life in later years. Ibsen had great impact on contemporary issues and current affairs, and his themes are still relevant today.

Get there:
Henrik Ibsensgate 26, Oslo
Take bus or tram to Slottsparken, or enjoy a walk from one of our addresses.
Opening hours and fees: http://www.norskfolkemuseum.no/en/Related-units/The-Ibsen-Museum/Hours-and-Fees/

Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry`s!

Today you can get a free cone of icecream at Ben & Jerry`s in Karl Johans gate. Free cone day is an annual event for every Ben & Jerry`s store worldwide. They are among other things presenting a new flavour from the fair trade market – so now you can eat really good ice cream with a really good conscience!

 Ben & Jerry`s opened their first scoop shop in Oslo in February this year, and it is definitely going to be one of my favourite places to hang out on sunny days this summer! Although a full cone of this delicious ice cream almost contains as much calories as you need for a whole day, it's definitely worth a try. Its oh so good!

The sweet story behind Ben & Jerry`s ice cream began in a gym class in 1966. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield became friends since they both hated to run and loved to cook. Because of their passion for eating, they both took a 5 dollar corresponding course in how to make ice cream – and opened an ice cream shop in an old gas station in Vermont. The ice cream quick became popular and the rest is as you may know, history.

By: Maren

Weekend Notes

Frogner House has longed for and looked forward to Kaizers Orchestra live, this amazing band with amazing performances is something that must be seen and experienced. Listen to their new single "Philemon Arthur and the Dung", released in these days.

The band produced there first album in 2001 and become well known for its distinctive music and they set a new record of most sold albums in Norway. As you quickly may notes they celebrating 10 year anniversary, this will lead to a historical event on Saturday, don’t miss it! Order your tickets here

A cultural lesson on proper “utepils” behaviour ;-)



(Kafe Celsius, Oslosurf.no; 2010)



I know we are going overboard with all this spring and sunshine and happy times talk, but you might as well get used to it: We are coming out of hibernation and it feels so good we can’t stop sharing it!

One of my favourite tips on how to enjoy this season like a Norwegian is to join in on the tradition of “utepils” - pronounced ooteh-pills. Utepils means outdoors beer, and is the concept of getting some friends together, finding a spot in the sun whether in a restaurant terrace or in a more rural setting, and enjoy your beer or other beverage together with the fresh flow of vitamin D.

Utepils can take place after work or around lunchtime if you have the rest of the day off. It is often intended to be just one beer, but tends to drag out making additional beverages and even food necessary. It’s therefore best not to have too much on your schedule for the rest of the day, and to drink slowly.

The social convention during utepils is to lean back in a slightly slouched position, angle your face to the sun and keep your eyes closed the majority of the time. Let conversation flow naturally, keep to light and humoristic topics and leave all else alone. Bringing up serious topics in this setting is a social faux pas; so just kick back and enjoy!

Recommended places for utepils depending on your location:

Arbinsgate 3 / Vika: Aker Brygge area (Map) 

Ullevålsveien 1 / St. Hanshaugen: Waldemars café (Map)

Skovveien 8 / Frogner: Forest&Brown (Map)   

Change from 4 to 2 wheels!

So why not write a small text about bikes now when the spring is knocking on our doors, I hope and believe that there are more people than me waiting for streets empty from snow and until the day you can pack a picnic basket and ride out to Bygdøy or why not Frognerparken.

Is there something more exclusive and beautiful way to get around in the city than with a bike? a classic men's or bike for ladies with a saddle from Brooks, a sign of quality and convenience that makes definitive if not 100% sure more impression than a Porsche Cayenne in central Oslo.

In my opinion there are too few bicycles in Oslo, and I hope this will change, look at Copenhagen they have figured out that totally 36% take there bike to work and by 2015 they should reach 50% I think this is something Oslo should find inspiring, the city would be booth more beautiful and also sustainable! So we at Frogner House Apartments promise that from the 1 of April at least 50% of our crew will take there bike cycle to work.

Attractive cities in 2011

Lonely Planet has listed the most attractive cities in 2011; and if they can, Frogner House Apartment can. So here is the list over the cities we at Frogner House Apartments (mostly me personally) find interesting and recommend our readers to take a look at in the year 2011.

1. Oslo – Spring is great! When a city has winter 7 month a year everyone can imagine how people wake up and get an extra big smile on there faces when the first sun arrives and the temperature goes over 10 + Celsius!
2. Amsterdam - A modern and urban Paris with a touch of New York, buy a bottle of Rose wine and enjoy it by the side of one of all beautiful cannels.
3. Miami – Our general manager, Arne, consider this city to be one of his favourites. He has many travel memories among others when he rented a cab and drove to the airport to pick up his friends with Will Smiths classic song Welcome to Miami playing on the radio. I think you get the picture!
4. Delhi – All the interesting story’s guests have told us about India and particular Delhi in the past year have created an enormous interest and personal feeling about this city!
5. Hong Kong – Combines’ the best of all world, enjoy the mountains, skyscrapers and history!

Competition!

Invite your friends to like this page! Today March 1st, we will announce one lucky fan who will get a free stay Friday 4th - Sunday 6th of March in a studio for 2 persons!

Tip: There are still tickets available to Ski-VM in Holmenkollen, and plenty of free events in the city centre!

Be Creative!

Why emulate someone when you can develop something on your own? A while back I started reading a book about creativity. This book is written by Fredrik Hären a Swedish lecturer and author who has won numerous awards in these subjects.

The book is called “The Developing World”, a very interesting book about the developments taking place in the world right now. The whole world is becoming more creative and a greater amount of people in developing countries are taking more initiative and becoming more innovative. The numbers and figures on how many more people in the so-called developing countries who educate themselves, develop new business and find new solutions to problems are outstanding and incredibly inspiring in my opinion!

Based on interviews, knowledge and ideas he explains that the world has grown and is growing faster due to the fact that Internet, "the key to knowledge", has become available all over the world. He encourages people to take advantage of this flow of knowledge and open your mind to it. Not only visit facebook and your local newspaper.

/Pierre

What to do on a Tuesday night?

Why not try the legendary jamsession at Josefines Vertshus..

Each Tuesday during the spring, fall and winter season Josefine Vertshus is a hangout for musicians, eager and social listeners to meet. The jam-session gathers famous, as well as upcoming musicians for an entertaining jam that combines many great aspects of music, lots of people of all ages and a real good time. Here you can wind down and relax while enjoying good company and nice music.

For more info see here


Opening hours: 19:00 – 00:30 ( Jamsession starts at 21:00 )
Adress: Josefinesgate 16, See map here

Blogging inspiration!

Now when we have started blogging here at Frogner House Apartments, we have become more aware of other blogs that we find inspiring. So today we have made a list of our top 5 interesting blogs:

http://www.theselby.com/ - Photographer who is taking photos of celebrities' homes around the world. If you need to renovate or get inspiration for new design, this is a great blog!

http://www.businessinsider.com/ - Business blog that is first with interesting news.

http://quintessentiallyblog.blogspot.com// - Luxurious and awesome

anneelisabethlarsenphotography.blogspot.com/ - Friend of Stine! Great photographer and also a good writer.

inside-digital.blog.lonelyplanet.com/ - Amazing stories, great pictures and fun events from around the world

Enjoy the snow!

(Foto: Frogner House Apartments)

I walked to work yesterday, through the giant, soft snowflakes, and arrived with make-up running down my face and hair wet and disarrayed. I was welcomed into the reception by our janitor with the ‘kind’ words: Who are you? I guess I didn’t look much like my normal self.

I started making my way through a stack of paperwork and reservation issues, and had a very busy day planned. Just after lunch, the general manager asked if we shouldn’t perhaps go to the hotel and restaurant exhibition that afternoon, and I honestly admitted that we should! Driving there, I suppose the traffic was slow. Walking around the exhibition centre, I guess the people were pushy. There are so many negatives you can get sidetracked by in a normal, busy, stressful day, but yesterday I just couldn’t even notice any of it.

Instead, I did one task at the time. I took a time management challenge in a stride. I enjoyed the company in the car. I savoured the food tastings, discovering the most amazing brie cheese. I enjoyed my free cup of coffee while slowly strolling along the isles smiling at everyone who passed. And when I got home that day, I took an extra long walk with my dog allowing the snowflakes to play with whatever little I had left of my make-up, and the dog to play with the snowflakes and run free.

It is something about that clean, wet, white weather that plays tricks on my mood. How can you not feel serene in soft, muffled and sparkly surroundings? The snow coating covers all the flaws of the past, and there is a lesson to remember: ENJOY the present!

Weekend Flavours!

Arne's tips on simple cooking and great tastes in Japanese food experiences are ideal for a pleasant start of the weekend. As many may have already noticed, the Oslo wine festival has started: www.oslovinfestival.no

Today and tomorrow Aker Brygge and Oslo invites you to wine tastings in a variety of restaurants and bars. So my tip for a perfect Friday is to invite your colleagues and/or friends for a nice sashimi dinner, and then continue the evening at Aker Brygge together with sommeliers, happy amateurs and great wines.

Santé!
Skål!

Feel-good på Frogner House!

Hjemme-spa er det som gjelder nå. Dropp de dyre salongene, ta en eksklusiv hjemmekveld i eget selskap med håndklær og tøfler. Sats på yoghurt, honning og urter – eller finn produktene du trenger i resepsjonen - fra Kirsten Florian. Da er du sikker på at høsten kommer til å skli avgårde - på silkeføtter.

1) Bland litt honning i frisk yoghurt og bevar gløden i sommerfargen. Ligg på sengen i et kvarter og vask forsiktig av med vann

2) Morgentrøtt? Splash ansiktet med isvann blandet med persille og sitron!  Fresht!

3)  Legg deg 1/2 time med agurkskiver på øynene - en klassiker!

4) Trette føtter: finn en balje / en bøtte og fyll opp med kaldt vann og frisk mynte

5) Løp en tur og ta en varm dusj; krøll deg opp i sofaen med ekte ullsokker på bare ben.

Foto: produsent

Sleepless in Oslo?

Her er urtene som hjelper mot storbyplager.

Stresset, deppa, slapp eller frossen? Urter har vært brukt i tusener av år , og gir deg naturlig hjelp når du har fått nok av smertestillende og sov-i-ro. Kjøp dem på apotek eller helsekost (som finnes få minutter fra hver eneste Frogner House).

Mot depresjon/nedstemthet: Johannesurt, rosenrot, lavendel (lukter godt også!)

Mot dårlig sirkulasjon i kroppen:  Tempeltre, Hagtorn, ingefær og rosmarin

Mot søvnløshet: Humle, kaliforniavalmue,

Styrker nervene: Kamille, sitronmelisse, havre og pasjonsblomst

Skaper energi: Peppermynte, ginseng, rosmarin, cayenne, rosenrot og salvie

Spise-spa! 

I stedet for ullteppe:  Kjøp tørket hagtorn og trekk det som te. Legg en tykk skive frisk ingefær i teen, så får du et ekstra løft – eller lag en god buljong som du drikker varmt med masse frisk rosmarin

Få liv i systemet: Kyllingbuljong med ingefær funker en sen høstkveld. Eller bland en boks krepsehaler med nykokte nudler, litt revet ingefær, soya og cayenne. Et par klyper frisk koriander på toppen.

Full kontroll i møtet: En kopp kamillete med hakket sitronmelisse og en havrekjeks til gjør susen

Energi hele dagen? Begynn med ginseng (da går det ikke ut over nattesøvnen), ha frisk peppermynte i din yndlingste, ta en hot cayenne-lunch, og lag verdens enkleste pasta med olivenolje og en haug ristede salvieblader,  som du topper med parmesan. 

Foto: matprat.no (oppskriften finner du her)


Silvery Jasmine pearls fra Chaplon. Nydelig hvit te som fåes kjøpt der de selger te og kaffe. 

Foto: jingtea.com