Posts tagged northern lights
Winter 2021

It’s been Winter for a couple months now and I’m just getting around to writing this…so, that’s Winter in a nutshell. As I procrastinate going outside for the day, I wanted to share a new favorite seasonal drink recipe, and some photos of life in Norway. For tis’ still the season of embracing the slowdown, making warm and nourishing foods, and getting outside to worship the sun when it graces us with its presence.

 

IN THE KITCHEN

I tucked a bottle of Aquavit into our luggage this year when we flew from Oslo to Northern Michigan for the holidays to make this refreshing Aquavit cocktail for my family. I quickly realized one bottle wasn’t enough. The brightness of the lemons, spice of the caraway in the aquavit, and frothy texture has us continuing to make these well into the new year. Plus, they’re easy to make, once you’ve prepped the ingredients, but yet look impressive. Skål!

AQUAVIT SOUR:

Combine 2 shots of aquavit, 1 shot of lemon juice, and 1/2 shot of simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and shake without ice. Watch this helpful video for more on how to shake a cocktail.

Then add 1 egg white and ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds.

Strain the contents of the shaker into a pretty glass and garnish with rosemary, caraway, or whatever creative garnish you have on hand. Skål!

* To make the simple syrup take equal parts water and sugar and reduce over medium-low heat on the stovetop for about 30-45 minutes until it’s syrupy in consistency. This would also be a good time to experiment with infusing your simple syrup with different herbs or spices.

 

IN THE HOME

I’m thankful to have been partially self-employed with commissions of families, pets, cabins, and homes these past few months and so it was a goal of mine to also make time to work on my abstract pieces. In January I bought some blank canvases and set up my cozy spot on the floor next to the wood stove to paint. This new series of acrylic paintings are the result of that time and space to paint. They represent play and a sense of freedom in my process as reflected in the color palette, textures, and brushstrokes. They are available for sale in my online shop and ship anywhere in the world, from Norway. I hope you enjoy and they bring you a sense of warmth and calm!

 

IN NORWAY

Here a few pictures of the last month: Walking along the shores of Mjøsa, the largest freshwater lake in Norway, which is just a 30-minute drive from our house. There is a pretty sweet looking diving platform there that we need to make a point of using this Summer. And lastly, we saw the Northern Lights outside of our house! I had not seen them in Norway yet, so that was a treat. Thanks to our neighbor for texting us!

Katie Brinesnorway, winter in norway, american in norway, artist in norway, norway wintertime, winterland in norway, northern lights in norway, the little back garden studio, art studio in norway, artist, art life, in the artists studio, billed kunst, kunstner i norge, mitt norge, norge, life in norway, norwegian winter, norwegian life, expat in norway, kunstner, abstrakt kunstner, kunst, kunst til salg, kunst galleri, galleri, oslo, elverum, bergen, hamar, mjøsa, nordlys, northern lights, aquavit, aquavit cocktail, aquavit sour, norwegian aquavit, norwegian food tradition, norwegian drink traditionsComment