Trollheimen (home of Trolls) was the first mountainous area in Norway to be released from the grip of the last Ice Age, and archaeological finds from as long as 9,000 years ago indicate that this is where early Norwegians found their reindeer hunting-grounds.
Trollheimen lies south-west of Trondheim and east of Kristiansund
Over the last 2 million years glacial activity has shaped the landscape, resulting in a marked division between Trollheimen's mountains. Glacial arms and melt water torrents have created open U-shaped valleys in the east, and narrower V-shaped valleys in the west. Giant boulders broken loose by frost have crashed down into the chasms to form a harshly beautiful landscape. The western gneiss peaks are high and craggy; their eastern counterparts are composed of softer slate and limestone, more easily broken down to provide a rich, fertile soil. One of the remarkable relicts from this period is Litjhelvetet (Little Hell), beneath the peak of Trollhetta (Troll's hat), where a glacier has gouged a deep hollow. The little lake, now filled with clear water, is called Troll'yet (the Troll's Eye).
Sheep and cows find rich summer pasture on the hills but walkers may also spot less familiar beasts such as wolverine, lynx, arctic fox and otter.
Yellowstone's name is historically credited to the Native Americans who lived in and around the park area. The name is basically derived from the Yellowstone River. The Yellowstone River has high yellow rock cliffs along its banks in the northern area of the present day park.
In 1872 Yellowstone National Park was established making it the world's first national park. It's location is in Wyoming, USA, exactly halfway between the Equator and the North Pole. The Continental Divide of North America runs diagonally through the south-western part of the park. The divide is a topographic feature that separates Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean water drainages. The park sits on the Yellowstone Plateau, at an average elevation of 2400 m above sea level and at the plateau you also find Mount Washburn at 3122 m.
The park has one active volcano, 300 active geysers, 290 waterfalls, one of the worlds largest volcanic explosion craters and approximately 2000 earthquakes a year. The highest waterfall is the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River at 94 m.
Yellowstone has the largest concentration of free-roaming wildlife in the global temperate zone, for example Black Bear, Grizzly Bear, Coyote, Swift Fox, Red Fox, Wolf, Lynx, Bald Eagle, Moose, Bison, Canada Goose and White Pelican.
Old Faithful Geyser is one of the most popular features in the park and erupts every 65 minutes, which lasts from 1,5 minutes up to 5 minutes. It has been measured to 22m deep and a 129 degrees Celsius. When it erupts it expels 14 000 to 35 000 litres of water and reaches heights from 30m to 55m.
There are three canyons located in the park, cut through the Yellowstone Plateau by rivers over the last 640,000 years. For example, the Yellowstone River has carved two colourful canyons, one of them being the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
The Beauty Pool is one of many colourful thermal pools in Yellowstone.
The Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world.
Mammoth Hot Springs features unique hot spring pools, called terraces, where geologic formations have come about from the heat, flowing water and limestone.
Although there is a lot of mud at Yellowstone, Mud Volcano is actually labled wrong. It is not a mud volcano, but rather a mud pot. And a mud pot is a hot spring formed in high-temperature geothermal areas where water is in short supply.
Yellowstone is included on the United Nations World Heritage List.
A few fast facts: *Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park area is roughly half the size of New Zealand. *In 2006, the Federal Government budget for maintaining the park was over $30 million. *5% of Yellowstone Park is covered by water. 80% of the park is mountain forest and approximately 15% grasslands. *Yellowstone Park is home to two endangered species; the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) and the Whooping Crane (Grus Americana). *There are estimated to be over 10,000 thermal features/attractions in Yellowstone National Park. *Lodge Pole Pines make up 80% of the forest in Yellowstone.
St. Petersburg, former Leningrad, was founded by Tsar Peter I of Russia on May 27, 1703. It was the capital of the Russian Empire for more than two hundred years, until the Russian Revolution in 1917.
The city is considered to be the most Western inspired of Russia and by the Russians often referred to as The Northern Capital.
St. Petersburg is home to The Hermitage, the largest art museum in the world, featuring interiors of the former imperial residence and a vast collection of art. It was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great and open to the public since 1852. Its collections, of which only a small part is on permanent display, comprise nearly 3 million items,including the largest collection of paintings in the world.
Other famous cultural sites are The Mariinsky Opera, The Ballet Theatre and The Imperial palace and park ensemble at Peterhof.
There are several gardens to see in St. Petersburg. Here's some of them.
The Alexander Garden was laid out in 1872-1874 over what had been Admiralty Square, to a design by the landscape gardener Eduard Regel, as part of the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Peter the Great. The Garden was formally opened in 1874 in the presence of Alexander II, who agreed to having the Garden named after him.
The Botanical Garden is one of the oldest Botanical Gardens in the country. The Garden was founded in 1714 by order of Peter the Great as the Apothecary's Garden, and soon became a centre for horticultural research that was the equal of any other in Europe in terms of the importance and size of its collection. Originally the Apothecary's Garden focused mainly on growing medicinal herbs, but soon people began bringing saplings and seeds of rare and exotic plants — for which a greenhouse was specially built.
The Catherine Garden is the unofficial name for the public garden in front of the Alexandriinsky Theater, between the Theater and Nevsky Prospect. The Garden was laid out in the 1820s to a design by Carlo Rossi, and the statue of Catherine the Great which dominates it and from which it takes its name was erected in 1873. From late spring to early fall — and sometimes into winter — local artists sit on the sidewalk outside the Catherine Garden exhibiting and selling their work and offering to draw portraits of passers-by.
The Summer Garden is located where the Fontanka River flows out of the Neva River. It was founded in 1704 by order of Peter the Great, who was personally involved in planning it, and is laid out according to strict geometrical principles. The Summer Garden is home to marble statues acquired from Europe especially for Russia's new capital, and also to rare flowers and plants, as well as fountains. It was a traditional location for courtly life outside the palace, and balls were held here by the nobility, who also enjoyed simply taking the air in the Garden.
Moscow Victory Park is located in the south of St. Petersburg on Moskovsky Prospect. It was founded in 1945 to mark the Allied victory in World War II over Nazi Germany. The Park, which spreads over 68 hectares, is home to more than 100 types of tree and bush, and includes elements of formal and landscape planning, being decorated with ponds, canals, avenues, and flower gardens.
The Tauride Garden was laid out in 1783-1789 on the estate of Grigory Potemkin behind the Tauride Palace from which it took its name. Potemkin was one of Catherine the Great's favourites (and lover, allegedly), and the Empress gave Potemkin the land and the title of Prince of Tauridia for his services in conquering ancient Tauridia (now the Crimean Peninsula). The Tauride Garden was landscaped in true Romantic style, designed to imitate nature, with ponds and canals and picturesque rolling landscape. Trees and shrubs were brought in especially from England.
And just for the fun of it, here are a few more photos of St. Petersburg.
Thank goodness it's Wednesday, folks! Monica and I have had a crazy week (which is why you haven't heard from us much lately on facebook or twitter). Most of my crazy came in the form of my first trip to Las Vegas for a friend's wedding. If ever there was a crazy place, it's Las Vegas, am I right? We had so much fun, and loved being with some great, old friends. Sarah, the bride, asked me to take some informal pictures for them throughout the evening of their wedding. Immediately, I told her "I am not a professional photographer", and I made sure to emphasize this over and over and over again (sorry Sarah!). But I was game and had a lot of fun snapping shots of the happy couple, and thought I would share a few of my favorite pics of the night. Note: All of you photographers out there, please be kind! Feel free to read the quote in bold as many times as you need.: )
First of all, isn't she gorgeous? And secondly, I am embarrassingly in love with that sparkly headband…and the fabulous jewels on her dress.
There's nothing like pre-wedding nerves and the rollercoaster of emotions you feel in that day.
Since it was a destination wedding, the number of guests was small, but that didn't matter. We had enough fun for 100 people- especially in the elevators!
I mean, you can't have a Vegas wedding without a picture of some sort of game (True story: I'm an idiot about gambling and don't have a clue what that big wheel is!) in the background.
After the ceremony, we hopped in a cab to go to the famous Vegas sign. The groom, whom we affectionately call Chewy, is one of my hubby's best friends from high school. One of the funniest guys I know, for sure.
Sarah and Chewy, we wish you the best of everything in life! Congratulations.: ) And just because I love him to pieces, I had to include one of my better half and me at the reception:
So, tell me…what's your favorite thing about Vegas? Have you ever been to a wedding there?
From 28 August to 16 January the famous Chinese Terracotta warriors is visiting Stockholm, in the caverns beneath the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities. This is actually the first time that the 'secret' caverns will be made accessible to the general public. Up until the 1960s, they formed part of the Swedish Navy's headquarters.
The Terracotta Army (??? literally "soldier and horse funerary statues") or Terracotta Warriors and Horses is a collection of 8,099 life-size Chinese terra cotta figures of warriors and horses located near the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor ( Chinese: ????). The figures were discovered in 1974 near Xi'an, Shanxi province, China.
The Terracotta Army was buried with the Emperor of Qin ( Qin Shi Huangdi ) in 210 — 209 BC (his reign over Qin was from 247 BC to 221 BC and over unified China from 221 BC to his death in 210 BC ). Their purpose was to help rule another empire with Shi Huangdi in the afterlife. Consequently, they are also sometimes referred to as "Qin's Armies".
The Terracotta Army was discovered in March 1974 by local farmers drilling a water well to the east of Mount Lishan. Mount Lishan is also where the material to make the terracotta warriors originated. In addition to the warriors, an entire man made necropolis for the emperor has been excavated.
The exhibition will consist of several hundred artefacts from six different museums and more than ten different burial sites in Xi'an and its surroundings, including the grave of the first emperor.
Today, the Medieval week on the Swedish island Gotland starts. Markets and music, theatre and lectures. Knights clash in tournaments. A journey in time and space. Gotland's special settings, Visby's 200 medieval houses on winding lanes, splendid church ruins, and the magnificent city wall frame makes the beautiful Hansa city a perfect place to celebrate the Middle ages.
Additional information: Gotland is listed on UNESCO's world heritage list, and film maker Ingmar Bergman lived here, on F'r'.
I love to strip for photos. No, no. That's partly true not what I meant to say at all. I love photo strips. There, that's a little better. Does anyone else LOVE those old black-and-white photo booth pictures you get at the beach? They're so simple, but I can't get enough of them. This past weekend, my fam was at the Jersey shore, and we managed to squeeze the four of us into an ancient photo booth for our not-so-yearly tradition, which I am determined to make into an annual thing. I'm starting with these:
I know I want to do something cute and fun to display these pictures, but was feeling uninspired. Cue the worldwide web. Believe it or not, there weren't many great ideas out there, but I did find a few that got my juices flowing.
Source: my-mania.eu via Jessica on Pinterest This is soooo much fun. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to enlarge a picture of my face 70x. Trust me, too much pixelation is not a good thing for this girl.
Source: younghouselove.com via Jessica on Pinterest John and Sherry at Young House Love put all their photobooth pics (which they take on the day of their anniversary) into a glass so guests can take a look through while hanging out.
Source: nyctaughtme.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest This is a super interesting detail on a regular door at the end of a hallway. Love that it immediately draws your eye to that door. Again, enlarged photo + me = not pretty.
Source: storageandglee.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest This is pure craziness. Who has that many photobooth pictures? Someone with waaaaaay too much time on their hands, if I may be rude enough to say. Still, it makes me happy to see those bad boys displayed so proudly.
Source: younghouselove.com via Jessica on Pinterest This last one is definitely more my speed (again from Young House Love). So many things going on here that I adore: light walls and white frames, and organic gallery wall with photobooth strips included! I see a trip to Ikea for frames in my near future.
Ikea So, here's what I've come up with so far. I'm not quite finished, and still haven't decided on a location for these frames, but I think they're coming along nicely. (WARNING: The next few pictures are very bad quality. This is what happens when one very tired blogger tries to blog way past her bedtime. Forgive me, please?!)
I started with two of these frames. I know, they're terrible. And yes, I did have them hanging in my home for at least 3 years. I have no clue why, especially because I hate coffee.
I disassembled the frames, spray-painted them, and then painted the mats a light blue-gray.
When they're done, they'll look something like this. Now, I just need to find approximately 32 more frames to complete my gallery wall. {Sigh} What crazy memories do you have stored in your photobooth pics?
Source The wonderful people at the Nate Berkus Show have given us TWO EXTRA TICKETS to the show we'll be taping on September 1st in New York City!
Source That could be YOU sitting in the audience within an arm's reach of Mr. Cutiepie himself! (And note to self: do not wear super low-cut top, ie: woman in white shirt below Nate. Who knows what might hang out that you don't want seen on tv?) Shout it From the Rooftops Contest This is a spread-the-word contest. We want to see what creative ways you can tell the world about The Nate Show and our Debut! This is a totally subjective contest… no Random.org involved! We're picking the winner based on pure awesomeness!! Interested? Here's what you need to do to score these tickets: Creatively Spread the word about The Real Housewives of BC being on The Nate Show. (Ex: Rent a highway bilboard, Make us your Facebook status for 15 days straight, Get a tattoo announcing the big news and head to the beach, you get the idea…)
You have 15 days to be as creative as you can and to reach as many people as possible. We're looking for quality and quantity and we're sure we'll get a few laughs in there too! We have a tentative date for the tv airing of the episode, but it's not concrete, so you need to direct people to the blog and facebook to find out when. We'll let you work out the details on your own. We told The Nate Show producers that our readers would do an insane job promoting this upcoming episode of their show, so make us proud, and we'll thank you in person in NYC!! To Enter: you need to email us and let us know what you've done to spread the word (therealhousewivesofbc@gmail.com ) We'd also LOVE to see a picture of what you've done. The Nate Show wants to see it too! Who knows, maybe you'll be their next guests??!!?? All entries must be recieved by August 15th. We'll be looking over all the entries and annoucing the winner on Wednesday, August 17th! The Prize: The Winner will get TWO tickets to the September 1st live taping of The Nate Show! We'll both be there and will be so excited to meet you!! (If for some reason you can't make the 9/1 show, let us know a date that works and we'll get you tickets for that show instead). Sorry we can't fly you there or anything fancy-schmancy, but we would if we could! So, Who's going to win? Who's coming to NYC with us?? Leave us some comment love and let us know if you're ready to WIN!
The popular statement, " From here to Timbuktu." conjures up images of remote, isolated and distant parts of this earth. Very few people are aware of this ancient city's location, and fewer still ascribe any kind of civilization to this historic area. Timbuktu is located in the western African nation of Mali at the edge of the Sahara.
Timbuktu was founded by the Tuareg Imashagan in the 11th century. Whenever it started raining in the desert, the Turareg will leave their heavy goods with an old Tuareg women called Tin Abutut who stayed at the well. In the Tuareg language, Tin Abutut means "the lady with the big naval". With the passage time, the name Tin Abutut became Timbuktu.
By the 12th century, Timbuktu became a celebrated center of Islamic learning and a commercial establishment. Timbuktu had three universities and 180 Quranic schools. These universities were the Sankore University, Jingaray Ber University and Sidi Yahya University. This was the golden age of Africa. Books were not only written in Timbuktu, but they were also imported and copied there. There was an advanced local book copying industry in the city. The universities and private libraries contained unparalleled scholarly works. The famous scholar of Timbuktu Ahmad Baba who was among those forcibly exiled in Morocco claimed that his library of 1600 books had been plundered, and that his library, according to him, was one of the smaller in the city.
The booming economy of Timbuktu attracted the attention of the Emperor of Mali, Mansa Musa (1307-1332) also known as 'Kan Kan Musa.' He captured the city in 1325. As a Muslim, Mansa Musa was impressed with the Islamic legacy of Timbuktu. On his return from Mecca, Mansa Musa brought with him an Egyptian architect by the name of Abu Es Haq Es Saheli. The architect was paid 200kg of gold to built Jingaray Ber or, the Friday Prayers Mosque. Mansa Musa also built a royal palace (or Madugu) in Timbuktu, another Mosque in Djenn' and a great mosque in Gao (1324-1325). Today only the foundation of the mosque built in Gao exists. That is why there is an urgent need to restore and protect the mosques that remain in Djenn' and Timbuktu...
In 1893, with the colonization of West Africa by France, Timbuktu was brought under the French rule until Mali received her independence in 1960. To this day, many manuscripts originating from Timbuktu can be found in French museums and universities.
The manuscripts of Timbuktu cover diverse subjects such as mathematics, chemistry, physics, optics, astronomy, medicine, Islamic sciences, history, geography, the traditions of The Prophet peace be upon him, government legislation and treaties, jurisprudence and much more.
Today, this entire African intellectual legacy is on the verge of being lost. The brittle condition of the manuscripts i.e. pages disintegrate easily like ashes, the termites, insects, weather, piracy of the manuscripts, and the selling of these treasures to tourists for food money pose a serious threat to the future of the manuscripts of Timbuktu.
It's still hot here in mid Sweden and to be honest it's beginning to test my strengths. I know I shouldn't complain but 30 degrees can be a bit of a shock on the Scandinavian body. We're used to snow and polar bears, you know. ;-)
New to the blog? This is Part 2 of a series on my discovery to creating a home that is comfortable and stylish. I find that thinking about the places I've been that have really impacted me and that I fell in love with, helps me discern what styles I want to incorporate in my home. Each place has a certain feel that I would love to capture at home. To read Part 1, click here.
Have you ever been to Nantucket? (Sigh) It's probably my favorite place on the planet, other than my bed, and I think about it often. It is an island off the coast of Massachusetts that has a distinct New England feel. It's a combination of classic/preppy and casual/coastal. The homes on the island don't go for sale very often because they are passed down through generations, but when they do, they cost a pretty penny. Worth every bit, I'm sure.
Source: superstock.com via Jessica on Pinterest I remember riding my bike right past this little, rose-covered gem with a white picket fence. Dreamy.
Source: inspireddecorating.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest The towns (and there are only 2 on the island, I think) has great cobblestone walkways throughout.
Source: google.com via Jessica on Pinterest If I could wake up in this room every morning, I'd be a happy woman. Lots of neutral tones, but the wooden bed and brick step add warmth and depth. And oh, the gallery wall and french doors leave me breathless. I get like that sometimes over rooms. No big deal. {Ahem}
Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest I love this painting. I'm already trying to figure out how to recreate one for cheap. More on that later.: )
Source: cottages-gardens.com via Natasha on Pinterest
Source: chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com via Natasha on Pinterest Cedar shingles are so elegant and classic. They start out a light tan, and then as they weather, turn into that gorgeous, moody gray.
Source: inspiracionline.blogspot.com via Natasha on Pinterest
Source: brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com via Natasha on Pinterest Of course, you have to enjoy a good, old-fashioned lobster bake when on the island, and who wouldn't want to do that in this adorable space? Aren't those red and orange stools fabulous? And the chandeliers are awesome too, and are totally an easy DIY project!
Source: canvas.landsend.com via Susie on Pinterest Even this outfit screams"Nantucket" and, if I could, I would wear that every day of my life. Yes, even for my kid's weddings, in case you were wondering.
Source: traditionalhome.com via Natasha on Pinterest So cozy. I adore the faded blues and tans, and the fabric on that pillow.
Source: google.com via Jessica on Pinterest So, hopefully, now you understand my love for all things Nantucket. Stay tuned for Part 3 later this week!
It's good to be back from vacation. Happy Monday, everyone!
My family travelled a lot growing up, and still, to this day, we all get together one week out of the year, and vacation with each other in a new, unexplored (to us) location. I was also fortunate enough to live in Greece for three months during college. My friends and I (and my future hubby, unbeknownst to both of us), toured Greece, Italy, France and Spain with abandon, and I loved every second of it. Why am I telling you this? Over the past year, I've been trying to figure out what my design"style" really is. Instead of randomly acquiring or making things that may or may not fit the rest of my belongings, I want to be purposeful and intentional (there's that word again; ) with the design of my house. I want my home to have a nice flow, (which, if you've ever been to my house, is not the case), and to be comfortable and relaxing, yet beautiful. That's not too much to ask, is it? (Envision me looking exhausted). I find that thinking about the places I've been that have really impacted me and that I fell in love with, help me discern what styles I want to incorporate in my home. Each place has a certain feel that I would love to capture at home. This is the first post of three parts about my top 3 favorite destinations and what design elements I have gathered and want to incorporate in my home. Destination #1: Greece
Zacynthos, Greece (We affectionately call this place"Paradise Beach") Ahhhh…memories. This country holds a special place in my heart as it was the place I met and got to know my hubs (no, he is not Greek. He was on the same trip I was), and it was the first place that I really had to be completely independent. There are two main design elements from Greece that I want to include in my house: simplicity and history.
Source: perivolassuites.gr via Jessica on Pinterest This room is SO simple. Nothing competing with each other, no knickknacks. Just two beautiful blue bottles, a plant and a purple blanket. Makes me want to take a nap.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Jessica on Pinterest White on white on white. {Sigh} I told you I was in a white phase, and this depicts that perfectly. Even though it's devoid of color, it's still an interesting room with those totally cool stool/table thingies that add loads of texture, and the khaki/white rug. I understand it's absolutely not practical in any way with two little ones running around, but I so admire how peaceful and simple this room is.
Source: 79ideas.org via Jessica on Pinterest Again, nothing dramatic in this room, but somehow this room is perfect. That table looks like it has seen its fair share of dinner parties. I love the old furniture paired with the fancy chandelier, and beamed ceiling. I can totally envision eating a late dinner here with friends.
Source: flickr.com via Jessica on Pinterest If this doesn't inspire you to bring the outside in, then I don't know what will.
Source: trekearth.com via Jessica on Pinterest This is gorgeous, old and falling apart. It gives me hope that someone might find the peeling paint on my porch banisters gorgeous.
Source: indiehome.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest There is a very simple color scheme in Greece- white and blue, with a little pink thrown in there from the wild, climbing flowers. And still, it's so interesting and pretty.
Wow. That light fixture is fabulous. This room is breathtaking. Enough said.
Have you been anywhere that has inspired you to decorate differently? Please share!
In the pristine Languedoc area of south-western France, considered by many to be more desirable and less touristy than Provence, midway between the towns of Montpelier and Perpignan lies a beautiful wine-growing estate. Nestled amidst nature, the Ch'teau Les Les Carrasses welcomes you into a holiday home where modernity meets tradition.
Steeped in history, the Ch'teau was built in 1886 by well Bordelaisarchitect Louis Garros on the foundations of a rest stop on the pilgrimage route of Saint-Jacques de Compostela.
The properties has it's authentic character, contemporary design centred around a series of courtyards connected by an avenue lined with shady trees. The chateau, winery and cellars, houses farm workers, forge, stables, the granary, the mansion and the gardener's cottage.
Each of these buildings have been transformed into individual private residences in keeping with their original design, proportions and textures, most with private gardens and many with swimming pools as well.
8 acres of gardens, woods and 'garrigue' await discovery — a treasure trove that includes enormous palms and other thriving specimen trees and shrubs, a gorgeous basin that is home to sleepy koi, an orchard, vegetable garden and olive grove. Dotted throughout the estate are surprising features ' a loveseat hanging from a tree, a flash of contemporary art, nesting boxes and the Ch'teau's 'secret gardens'.
