A Movie Review and First Advent…

This weekend flew by as I knew it would but still I somehow hoped the clock would magically move a little slower and give me just a little more time.

Yesterday the kids and I began our day by visiting Skafferiet here on Helgøya. This is a quaint little country store/cafe which sells lots of knick knacks and some clothing, home decor, candles, and a few food and drink items from local farms. They also have a cafe which they sell homemade cakes and gourmet sandwiches, coffee, tea, and other drinks. I baked for the Skafferiet last year only briefly but still it was fun. I just wish at the time she had a bigger oven so it would have gone quicker. She had just a standard oven so it took forever to bake several cakes. I have since heard she’s put in a production oven used in bakeries. (Lucky bakers that she has now!) We found lots of wonderful things and I had to constantly remind myself that I was suppose to be looking for things for other people and not myself. Isn’t that typical that when you’re suppose to be looking for others you ALWAYS find something for yourself? This happened to me several times yesterday!!

Here is a couple things I found at the Skafferiet yesterday:

The little heart at the bottom was not purchased at Skafferiet…our next stop after the Skafferiet was to a local julemarked (Christmas Market) in Stavsjø (about 10 minutes from my house) where we found this little red and white heart and a few other things which I didn’t take pictures of (sorry) but I will tomorrow.

After the Christmas market we went to Hamar and did some shopping there and guess what we came home with…

Meet Gizmo….or Porky…..the kids can’t decide….though I think it’s leaning more toward Gizmo. Cute little fella isn’t he? Yes, I know I need another animal in my house like I need another hole in my head….still, he’s here, he’s cute as a button, and they don’t live that long do they??? hahahaha….I have to tell you also, I just love that little sound he makes, sounds like he’s purring or something….so cute! Puts a smile on my face every time I hear it and the kids love him to pieces also. He’s been held by everyone several times today. The dogs went bananas when we came home…they ran into the house and all of them stopped and started sniffing the air…funny as heck to see…and when they finally saw what we had they sat down and started licking their lips….so we had to explain MANY times that Gizmo is family and we don’t eat family around here….hope they listen…The cats are taking the new family member totally cool….but that’s cats for you….sneaky little fellas….just when you think they aren’t paying attention BANG…there they are…so don’t let this position fool you…he’s aware of everything happening around him…

Today is the first advent Sunday and after a late breakfast and a walk with the dogs we came home and began cleaning. Six hours later we have a fairly clean house and a tad more organized then it was…we lit several candles tonight and had the fire burning all afternoon- it’s like a Finnish sauna in here and the dogs are panting like we live in the Saraha desert! Still it was cozy to begin to put some Christmas stuff up. We haven’t done the majority of our decorating- that will happen next weekend when the Captain is finally home with us and I can’t wait!!!! I was half tempted to TRY and hang up Christmas lights outside because…well, patience is not a virtue I claim to have….but I mustered up what little I do have and decided to wait. Doesn’t it look cozy here in the “Eventyrhus” (Fairytale house)…I love my cabin in the woods..

After dinner the kids and I watched the film Seven Pounds with Will Smith.

At first I was afraid I was going to have to write that I didn’t get this film either…but the whole thing was completely explained at the end of the movie, for those of us who need answers, however, I still had a question- why did he have to die in the end of the film?

I asked Sarah if she thought it was right to glorify his commiting suicide even though he did several good deeds and she told me that suicide is a selfish act usually and even though this was selfish on his part he did think of others and not just himself before he left this world.

Are you lost? Yeah well I’ve already told you more then I need too- go get this film- it’s worth watching and the whole thing will be explained in the end so be patient!! I’m going to even let you in on a little something….I cried….toward the end of this movie I cried…not full blown bawling, but I was sniffling and there were tears…a few of them. Hey, I can’t help it, stuff like this touches my big ol’ heart and I get moved…I have feelings ok!!

Now I’m up way past my bedtime just so I could share my weekend with you and now I’m off to bed. An exciting week is beginning, my honey is coming home on Thursday. I’m only working Wednesday and Thursday this week so it’s ALL good…now if it would only snow then Christmas would really be here…for now things look like this around here..

It’s not bad…I know…but wouldn’t it be better if everything was white and magical during this magical time of year? I’ll leave you to ponder that question my friends and don’t forget my contest….I found a couple goodies to send along with my ornament and I’m so excited- I just wish I could see your face when the lucky winner opens their packages…that is one of  the best parts of Christmas watching other’s joy!

Until next time my friends….