Wreaths

Dec 13th

Last week a friend invited me over to make evergreen wreaths. I've never done it before, but always wanted to. It was so much fun! And we were quite happy with our results! Fresh, green and wonderfully scented!

It was a prickly job, but definitely something we will do again next year!

Burlap and bells - for a country Christmas....

Today is St. Lucia.
The "Lussekatter" (safran sweet buns) are made. Tonight me and the girls will do a little Lucia progression for dad, -and eat them up!

Svart senker natten seg
i stall og stue.
Solen har gaat sin vei,
skyggene truer.
Inn i vaert moerke hus
stiger med tente lys.
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia....

Wish I was in Norway right now....

A polka dot party

Dec 12th

The party is over and we had a lot of fun. The theme was red and green polka dot. We had red and green candy, polka dot wrapping paper, laminated wrapping paper made in to table runners, punch and other goodies.

Baby A really enjoyed her company, presents and party. We went swimming at a local pool and that was a great success, especially going down on the big slide with daddy. "Me slide" she said over and over. Her poor hands and feet turned deep purple from the cold water...

Birthday girl waiting for her company....

Polka dot cupcakes....
Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Our Christmas card pictures

Dec 11th

This year we took pictures for our Christmas cards outside. i found these fun hats at a local store. I could not resist...

In babys defense, she is a baby...(well, just about to be a toddler). -And this little naughty girl is the best baby ever!!!

Now, I have a party to prepare for!

Letters and presents

Dec 10th

Today was a catch up day for me. I finished writing our Christmas cards, wrapped some presents and cleaned house.

Tomorrow is the big party day for baby A.! Family is coming over to celebrate her 2nd birthday! She still has a few more days as a one year old, but this weekend is good for a party. Red, green and polka dot is the party theme.

Happy Birthday to my dad who turns 61 today!

Spark

Dec 9th

=Kicksled!
This was a gift from my husband a few years ago- a Norwegian kicksled. You can fly through town on this thing, downhill anyways...Every December me and my oldest will go for nightly rides and look at all the Christmas lights. This is a cherished tradition for us! This year though our towns residents have not put out to many fun lights- and the kicksled needs a some repair...

Mr. and Mrs. Santa

Dec 8th

Saturday we got to meet Santa and his wife at a local craft fair. I could totally see this happening.... When Miss E was younger she screamed just like that. But who could blame a little girl, -all of a sudden you're put on a jolly strangers lap!
Miss E was happy though, she got her wish confirmed; a bratz doll and NO underwear will be delivered on Christmas!

A little later than the above incident, Baby A met her best little friend, and together they mustered the courage to give the Santa family a hug. And they got long hugs too!

Gingerbreadhouse

Dec 7th

Every year we have to have a gingerbread house. I used to make it myself. but have found it much more enjoyable to buy a pre made kit. It won't fall down!
My big girl had so much fun decorating it and it looks really delicious! I'm noticing though, that more and more candy is coming up missing...

We love this tradition!

All that shimmers....

Dec 6th

I can't help it...I love all that shimmers and sparkles and glitters...

I love how the colored lights reflects on my ornaments....(me and my camera too...)

My favorite kind of ornaments are shiny red, green, blue or gold. - Fancy or simple balls...

It brings out the magic of Christmas....

Second Sunday in Advent

Dec 5th

Naa tenner vi det foerste lys
Av Sigurd Muri

1. Naa tenner vi det foerste lys alene maa det staa.
Vi venter paa det lille barn som i en krybbe laa.

2. Naa tenner vi det andre lys, da kan vi bedre se.
Vi venter paa at Gud, vaar Far, vil gi sin soenn hit ned.

3. Naa tenner vi det tredje lys, det er et hellig tall.
Vi venter paa at Kongen vaar skal foedes i en stall.

4. Naa tenner vi det fjerde lys, og natten blir til dag.
Vi venter paa en Frelsermann for alle folkeslag.

This is the song we sing on the advent Sundays, counting down to Christmas. Each Sunday you lit one more candle, singing one more verse. My Princess is getting pretty good at it....

From the kitchen

Dec 4th

A couple of weeks ago a friend invited me to can with her. She had received a whole lot of apples and wanted to share them with me.
So for a whole day we peeled, cut and canned. In fact our fingers turned orange from all the apples! We made a really yummy apple pie filling - that will make great Christmas gifts!

When they were all done, we took another day to decorate them, and taste some of course!
Today we are going to see Santa! Then; Caroling! Yeah!

Candy holder

Dec 3rd

Here is another paper craft I've done - little paper cones. Perfect to put yummy candies in! (Especially old fashioned candy).

I'm not sure yet if I will hang these or give them away for Christmas...

Our trees

Dec 2ND

Today I would like to share our Christmas trees with you. First, we have a white tree in our family room. This is our "modern" tree. This year the ornaments on it are brown. Last year they were pink. I think a white tree is absolutely beautiful, but I could never have it as my main tree.

In our kitchen we have a small " Norwegian " tree. I realize it should be a real tree and not a fake, but oh well. -White lights, red apples and some simple Norwegian figurines adore this little tree. The reds looks beautiful at night!

In our living room is our main tree. This is full of colored lights and shiny ornaments! My absolute favorite! The more the merrier! We used to do a real tree, but when I was very pregnant with NR 2 and my husband worked too much, it was easier to just get a fake. I always disliked the idea of a fake, but have to admit I LOVE it! The shape is always perfect, the branches are very full and there is no mess. All things that matters a lot too me. And when I miss the smell of evergreen, I just light an evergreen candle and enjoy its strong aroma. (I want this tree to look like a tree from a Disney movie that I used to watch as a kid. How silly is that?)Anyways, those are our trees, just wanted to show them to you. And of course Princess E has her own miniature, and baby is in the process of getting hers....

The countdown starts

Dec 1st

Since childhood, I've had a advent calendar and this year will be my first without one! But with two kids, with two calendars, I don't really feel the need for one...strange...I must be growing up!

They have one big one that they share. In each pocket there is a small present or something we will do that day.

And of course there will be no Christmas season for me without these German chocolate calendars! This is the kind I had growing up, and I can clearly remember my mom asking me every teen year if I still needed one. And of course I still did!
Baby A had her first piece this morning and she did not think that one little piece was enough!

Our christmas gift

Not the TV, but the electric fireplace!

I've always dreamt of a white mantel fire place! Sure this isn't real, but electric. I have to say though, that I totally LOVE it!

By the push of a button, I can decide the heat, flame and ember! Finally our family room is nice and toasty!

Tomorrow is Dec 1st!