Norway's Nature: "RO"

Christian & Leif rowing into the Oslo Fjord to visit the Viking Ship Museum. Soon we do the "RO" chant as Norway's National Soccer team faces Brazil here in NJ.

My Grandfather & Grandmother grew up in Rogaland County, Southern Norway, where Erling Haaland trained when young and the people are taller than most IMO. While living in Oslo, I visited our family of nine "giant" siblings and experienced the outdoor athletic life most lead there. I have seen the Norwegian nature in my sons.

My son Alex and his wife (Brazilian decent) are anxious to watch the National Soccer Game this Sunday for sure. Young Alex.

Alex's best sport was bike racing, and he won a medal in the Spanish Alps when young.

Christian winning his first triathlon and shattered his first marathon record as an Elite (top 50 in Nation) runner.

Leif running still, to be healthy & happy.

Norway & Brazil, what a match (Go Vikings "RO"!).

Alex is bigger now and has been called "Thor".

Log Splitting Scene

Leif, Bill & I spent Father's Day splitting logs from 13 large trees Leif had taken down, and enough wood for two winters of heating his house. Ten solid hours of splitting onto a pile to be stacked later. Most of the trees were dead Ash from his second property, allowing a path to the creek and more sunlight in.

Half-finished splitting above, a new clearing in the backyard with 3 trees removed, and stacking logs below.

This "Frontgate" Chat Table comes in a whitewashed finish and is a big hit here.

Leif's stacking area allows for 4 or 5 very wide stacks near the side paddock.

The large chimney was repointed and cap rebuilt this week. "Velasko Chimney"  973 556 0927. 

Cape Clean Up

Alex, Christian & Leif as beach boys. This summer Alex visits Old Farm with his own beach boy, which is near 3 beaches.

The house number newly gold leafed installed and a new water line from house to the road will hook up with Roderick Construction Co.; the best. A new 117' 1" plastic water pipe will be shot underground and across the street!

New waterline path which remains undisturbed...

Bill's Cape planters cleaned up & ready for use.

 

I have bought 2 "new" Huskvarna mowers; a new electric 322 (below) 40 Volt, & a 1 yr. used 7.5, 4WD.

We maintain this 3/4 acre lot ourselves, originally 12 acres bought in 1630 from an Indian.

Bill cut down, cut up and chipped 6 large tree trunks using our equipment also (storm damage). 

Studio Open House June 20th

Bill has continued adding Carotid sculptures to his collection along with other similar size pieces.

Porch Planters

Our house had no front porch when purchased, so I designed this one which Bill built with help from friend Benni and my Dad on the roof. Alex made the porch swing in high school and Bill made the 6 vintage planters here, now with baby boxwoods in them.

 

All have 14" liners & 4 black rubber planter feet to lift them off the deck, from amazon.

The sunny side porch (designed & built by Bill) has planters of white Petunias; so pretty, long lasting and growing.

The boys have all been piled on our porch in the past...

PU Reunions Showcased

Princeton University's Class of 1975's Class blazer in the Graduate Hotel showcase.

Class banner christening our renovated porch.

First stop is Alexander Hall for wristbands and Alumni Council building next door.

Maclean House 1756 designed by Robert Smith along with Nassau Hall.

                    Courtyard & back of Alumni Council building & PU '11 Kathryn Boyce's painting of the new art museum inside...

This is a special PU Renions year marking Alumni Council's 200th birthday, which began in Nassau Hall. President James Madison '1771 *1772 (first graduate student) was its president until his death.

Memorabilia...

Stuffed squeaker toys I made with vintage patterns, my grandchildren now play with.

Made with '75 Class fabric and PU diploma ribbons.

Landscaping With Rocks

Christian, Bill & Leif excavated clay and boulders out from under his 1780 farmhouse, piling all behind the house. The rocks were used for a walkway, dry stack sittable garden wall and front step while hiring stone workers help on a weekend.

Front step stone was brought up from the creek bed & rolled on 2 pieces of PVC pipe into place.

The top/end wall stone, was the largest hoisted out from under the house.

Piles of rocks & clay were dug from under the house (to create space for his new HVAC systen) and lifted out between original tree trunk joists. They were used in a rock garden and low wall.

Rock garden in bloom.

The Stony Brook runs through Christian's meadows and woods while it first runs along Leif's border. Both have plenty of rocks to landscape with.

Stones around Leif's shed foundation.

Leif is collecting rocks to put in front of the house foundation since 77 large trees are now down.