A Christmas Film and an American Find in Norway

I caught wind of a movie opening in the USA on Christmas Day and I am hoping also here in Norway at the same time although I haven't heard anything about it so far. The movie is called Marley and Me (see the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9qLrcUdftA ) and when I watch this trailer I am in tears- I can relate to EVERYTHING in this trailer at least....hahahaha! Our Swedish Leo, Nanna, is Marley's twin, I'm sure of it!!! Sarah bought some twine and beads today to make some of those necklaces that are so popular now and she had cut off a huge piece of twine and went to do something in the kitchen and Nanna had managed to get almost half the twine down her throat before Sarah came over and managed to get it out again!!!! DORK!!!!!

We slept in today, well for me sleeping in is like 8AM...but it was wonderful and I love not having to jump out of bed, just kinda roll out. First Isabella came over to say good morning (Isabella is another one of my dogs) and I let her come up on the bed next to me and we just laid there quietly while I pet her....so nice...and then I got up and made some coffee and then made toast and fried eggs for everyone and then woke the whole gang up. We got ready and everyone except Thomas went to Hamar to do a little shopping and run some errands. Stig needed some car parts for the two cars which are falling apart and I wanted a new lamp for the living room since the floor lamp we had has died completely. Found a lovely lamp at Skeidar called Kristin and it's black and the shade itself faces up, really nice, I'll have to take a picture but don't feel like it today. We found a smaller lamp which hangs on the wall in the same style which we got for our hall between our bedroom and bathroom.

I also made a discovery at Binders- SYNDER'S of Hanover pretzels with different flavors, there was Jalepeno, Cheddar Cheese and Mustard and honey!!!! So for all you expats in Scandinavia- check out your local Binders and see if you can find them ok!!! I love pretzels and the only ones I have found in this country are those small sticks with barely any salt on them!!! So I was so happy to find these bags and bought one of each flavour!

Our sweeper also died so we bought a bagless sweeper now from Biltema- should be interesting to see how that holds up with all the dog hair around here....Stig said they got one for the boat and it was really good. Hmmmm.....ok....probably less dog hair on the boat but ok...we will give it a try was really "cheap" for Norway standards- paid less then 600 Norwegian kroner for it!!!

Our youngest, Thomas, is going to a disco at his school tonight. He has been so excited about this and could barely sleep last night...he asked to go to bed early so that today would come faster. He's informed us there are three girls he likes at school and he was going to see them at the Disco. He has showered and fixed himself all up and is getting his sister to do his hair afterwards. I swear, when these kids decide to grow up it happens overnight!!! Thomas also informed us today that he would like cologne and clothing for Christmas!!! What happened to video games, legos, and other toys? We do a less American Christmas here then I was ever use to as a kid. The first year or two we were here I bought the girls everything they asked for throughout the year at Christmas. It looked like a toy store under the tree but they opened everything so fast and just tossed it aside after a quick, "oooooo". I was heartbroken. I expected they would be so happy to finally get what they had been asking for all year long...but they just wanted to get to the next package. After that year we did one present from "Santa" and one from us, although I have to admit, presents from us can become as many as three or four...but it depends what we are getting them and sometimes we do joint gifts to all three. But I think they appreciate much more what they are getting, at least I hope so.

We do most of our celebrating on the 24th but here in Norway the Christmas celebration last all week until New Year...so that is kinda nice! I want to have a Christmas breakfast for some of our friends, I thought that would be a nice change to do something in the morning since many people have something going on at night through Christmas. So if you have a great idea for a Christmas brunch I'd love any and all recipies!!!

Speaking of recipies, I've bought what we need to make peanut butter fudge and french silk pie. I've never made the french silk pie but Stig loves that so we will try and the peanut butter fudge I've made before and it's TO DIE for...wonderful but very rich!!! I am also going to try and make Ciabatta bread this week and Foccacia bread. We are having company on Friday who will be staying overnight for the big dog show in the Viking Ship in Hamar and I'll serve them dinner and breakfast...for dinner I was thinking about a quiche with salad and foccacia bread and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting for destert and then a grand Norwegian breakfast with good bread and tons of different meats and cheese and other toppings. Stig is being operated on his knee Friday morning so I am taking the day off from work, should be a busy day but hopefully fun.

I am also going to try and head back to the gym next week. I've had a two week hiatus and now it's time to get this big bum back there! There is so much ice on the road now it's hard to walk around here. Wish we could get some snow so we can walk easier around here.

Have a great night folks- I'll try and take some pictures this weekend and write more soon-