Rats II, But Mostly a Post About Great Friends

SK found the maintenance man this morning and brought him into the apartment to point out the rat path from our neighbor's terrace to the grass and lake beyond (and of course where people love to go toss bread crumbs to the birds).  While he was standing looking out our windows, the wily rats kept a low profile.  And in truth....they have kept a low profile since it snowed.  They are probably in their little rat hole gorging themselves on their ill-gotten gains.

Ah Well.

The pinnacle of our day was eating with a couple from our little Amager branch.  They are a little older than we are, and two incredible people.  Actually, they are Kasper's grandparents.  If you could hear Kasper and Joakim speak about them, you would know how wonderful they are.

Sister Hamblin, SK and I went at 6:00.  We have been told that in Denmark if you are invited to dinner at 6....you don't show up at 5:45 or 6:15.  You show up at the door at 6.  We did.  As we entered the hallway of their building, we could smell something wonderful.

They welcomed us into their apartment....it was warm and inviting.  I could hardly get past the entryway.  There was an old printer's drawer with at least 50 compartments to it that had a life time collection of delightful little objects.  There was at least a dozen thimbles.  There was a tiny Singer Sewing machine - one of the earlier models....and old bus (tiny), a tiny little house.....so many things delightful to look at.  There were also some beautiful original paintings, a needlepoint, a relief - it looked like an old Roman one.

We entered the main room.  It spoke volumes about them both.  It was perhaps 10 by 12 with large windows looking out over the street on one side.  Have I ever mentioned that so many people here keep their blinds and drapes open day and night?  There were shades in the windows but they were up and probably always so.  The windows are sparkling clean and glitter with the multiple reflections of light from lamps and light fixtures.  Many people here just enjoy having the windows bring in all outdoors and don't seem to have the same need for privacy that so many in the States have.

There was a comfortable area with two couches and chairs around a coffee table.  The dining table was on one side, close to the kitchen and was set with Royal Copenhagen dinnerware and Danish crystal. The soft lighting came mostly from lamps, which were scattered throughout the room.

There was a desk with a hutch that had some books with gold embossing that shimmered in the light, and a few Royal Copenhagen figurines that looked like they had special meaning to this couple.  A book case also had a few fine books and a few more figurines or vases or other small items that were not overdone in the slightest, but just perfect as a part of this inviting room.  Two area rugs with intricate designs covered most of the two parts of the room.

On the walls hung a unique display of original oils, prints and watercolor paintings.  I stood as long as I could drinking up the beauty of the room and how it had been put together.  The variety was eclectic, yet harmonious.  Ellen (our host) just laughed at me and told me that they had gotten many of the wall hangings at a genbrue, or Deseret Industries type of store.

I have got to get serious about getting SK to take me to more of these stores.  I would love nothing better than to populate the walls of our Gilbert home with beautiful Danish landscapes and paintings.

The meals was pork curry.  The Danes use curry often in regular dishes but they use it sparingly and the result is a very subtle taste that just yells at you, "Have some more!!!!"  They served that with potatoes and peas - both of which tasted delicious with the curry sauce.  For dessert, we had chocolate mousse with a hint of orange.  I was delightfully full when the meal ended.

We sat at the table for another half hour after dinner just talking, and then moved to the couches where we visited for another hour....all the while they were plying us with cookies, chocolates and ginger ale.

A big wedding anniversary is coming up for them and they were telling us about how they will celebrate.  It is a big deal.  It sounds wonderful.  It will happen in June, so we will get to be a part of it I hope.  It is traditional to stand outside their windows and shout congratulations and then get invited in for breakfast!

Ellen was the first stake relief society president here in Copenhagen, and served with two stake presidents.  She knows a great deal about the history of the city and the country.  She knows a lot about church history and doctrine and has taught relief society since we first arrived....she is a marvelous teacher.  She knows a lot about family history and has put together some terrific projects for her family and her husband's family.  She is very good at the computer and helps other members of the branch.  She prepared a Power Point presentation for her family reunion and gave a copy to each family after she introduced them to it.

We sat there close to the gleaming windows with lights shining  from other apartment buildings across the street and beyond and enjoyed the glow of good company, great food and completely engrossing conversation.  We stayed nearly four hours!....which by the way....is a polite amount of time.

It couldn't have been nicer.