Make A Wish

Yesterday I was commenting about how I wish we had snow….and this morning I woke up and looked out to this…

So I have now decided I must have a wishing blog….so I’m now accepting any wishes you might have and we’ll just see whether they come true or not…

In the meantime I thought I’d show you some of the cute things I have outside my entry way…

We have hung some grains for the birds but so far it’s only this big baby who has taken a shining to it…

I was planning on doing some more shopping today but didn’t feel like driving in this weather so we’ll wait until the Captain comes home, nothing that HAS to be bought right now…so we’re good…we can chill out…..like the cats…

Remember- don’t be fooled…he’s totally aware of what’s happening around him despite this very laid back appearance…

In Norway during the winter they have something they call the blue time “Blåtid” it’s the time of day when everything has a bluish appearance…usually in the morning or early evenings…hence the blue appearance of these photos..

Sometimes it’s nice to watch the blue time from the inside of the warm cozy house…

Until next time my friends….keep an eye on the sneaky kitties, keep warm, and enjoy the blue time!

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….

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers around the world! I’d love to brag about the big turkey dinner we’ve had or are going to have, but there will be no turkey dinner this year. Stig is in Brazil, I worked today and the kids are at various activities…this weekend will go by in a blur with various activties as well…so no Thanksgiving holiday this year. I think though it’s important to realize we don’t need the turkey dinner and football games and Macy’s Day Parade to be thankful for things in our life.

I am thankful for many things but a few things I’d like to mention now are, I’m thankful for my family who love us and support us and whom we miss very much especially around the holidays. I’m thankful my mother is no longer in pain, even though I’d give anything to have her back..I’m thankful for my beautiful kids who teach me so much and brighten my life in so many ways. I’m thankful for my husband who takes such great care of us and loves me unconditionally. I’m thankful for my job which gives me such joy…the children who enrich my work days with their precious sayings and humour that only they could come up with. I’m thankful for my dogs who despite their mess enrich my life so much with company and new friends around the world. And finally my blog friends I am thankful for having you in my life. It’s funny how people we’ve never met can touch our lives in such positive ways, but that is exactly what you’ve done.

If you’re an American overseas wishing you could watch the Macy’s Day Parade- check out this link…Macy's Day Parade- Earth Cam Link I’ve been having a blast watching Snoopy and Buzz Lightyear…Mickey Mouse…I will be visiting this parade someday and then sticking around for the lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockfeller center and ice skating in central park…I think that would be the coolest…

Let the Holidays begin…..

Until next time my friends…here is hoping your turkey is stuffed and your heart is filled….

 

Happy Birthday Captain…

The love of my life, my sweetheart for 17 (soon 18) years turns 37 today!! Happy Birthday my darling….

He’s younger then me…I like that….I’ll never have a need to go find some young thing to keep me young…I already have my young stud…hahahaha…

His adorable rubber face and goofy humour make me laugh until I think I might pee my pants…I love that….

He loves animals like me (and they love him too) but he doesn’t openly ooooo and awwwww over them like me…these are rare photos, he wouldn’t do this in front of you guys…

He’s a kid at heart….and I adore his sweet boyish charm…I look forward to all the birthdays we will celebrate together in the future. I’m sorry we can’t be together this year but that’s how it is married to a sea captain…I’ll have a marsipan cake waiting for you honey when you get home!!! Have a wonderful birthday sweetheart!!!

Until next time my friends….

This Old Dog Learned A New Trick!

So I’ve been racking this old brain trying to figure out HOW do all of you add so many neat things to your blog? All the side pictures and links and such I have totally been stumped…UNTIL NOW! I’m one of these people who is scared to death to click a button for fear I’ll lose everything, so I just click what I KNOW but I wanted to leave a link to my giveaway and continue writing on my blog and had to take a chance to figure out how to do this…and I did…oh man I am so doing the happy dance!!! Now I’m feeling a bit brave so I might add more things….just have to figure out what everything is first. Oh by the way, what do you think of the red colour? I’m sure it’s nothing I’d want the whole year but it works for Christmas don’t you think?

I’m so ready to decorate for the holidays, it’s just that cleaning part before the holidays I’m not too thrilled about, but I bought a new mop I hope will help my miniature stature reach the top parts of my log walls so I can remove the enormous amounts of dust that have settled in so nicely. Never thought about dust settling in there but then who takes time to study their walls???? I’m too busy for that!! However, one night whilst sitting on the sofa I looked over and couldn’t help but notice…ugh!

I’m also ready for snow…

Warm lights that guide the way through the snowy forrest…

And little frozen kitties waiting to come inside and warm themselves by a roaring fire…

Oh I can’t wait!! Anything has to be better then this grey, rainy, foggy, icy, dirty autumn we are having! I’m a pretty positive person but everyone has their limits and my patience with this weather is running thin…

I’d love to extend the warmest welcome for all my new followers and blog friends who have made their way in here from various spots in the world! Yes, I got a lot of you here with my giveaway..but hey, I’m not above dangling a little bribe in exchange for new friends…hahahahaha…

This is me, your friendly, happy, American hostess- just so you have a face to go with the name…I think that is nice to know what your friends look like…don’t you?

So I’ve been checking out other giveaways on other blogs and I know I mentioned I’m going to add some other surprises along with my ornament and seeing what everyone else is giving away I’m feeling like my prize won’t be fantastic like everyone else’s but hey, quality over quantity is my motto…and besides, this is my first giveaway, I’m learning…and yes my friends, we can teach this old dog some new tricks- just give her time!!! ;-)) hahahaha…

Until next time my friends…..

 

I Dreamt Of You Last Night….GIVEAWAY!

So I have been surfing around and visiting new blogs that I’ve never been too before and I’m just speechless at all the interesting and talented people out there who share their lives and talent with us- how blessed we are! Too bad there isn’t a job where you just read blogs all day long, I’d probably enjoy that!

A lot of blogs, especially American blogs are already into the holiday spirit and various blogs are having giveaways which are always fun! So while I was sleeping last night it came to me….I want to have a giveaway also for you my dear readers! You see, I dreamt of you last night, do you feel special? I hope so, because you are special!!

Now the details are still foggy, I just dreamt this last night so I don’t have anything to give away YET…but give me a couple days and I’ll come up with something wonderful. My main gift will be an ornament, in honor of my mother who won’t be with us this holiday season. You see my mom sent me ornaments almost every year for Christmas. Not just any ol’ ornament but unique and special ornaments. Sometimes they were Santa cowboys riding horses, or ornaments with the American flag on them..sometimes she would send the children ornaments with their names on them..I’m really going to miss getting ornaments this year and the years to come…

But I love the idea of ornaments, taking out an ornament that has been lovingly packed away for an entire year and remembering who gave it too you and thus remembering that person…and Christmas is the time of year to remember loved ones, friends, and family.

This is going to be such a difficult Christmas to get through…I’ve spent the last 16 years away from my parents at Christmas, but I could always call and talk to mom for the holidays and remember holidays of past with her and my dad and sister. This song brings me to tears every holiday season and the tears came running when I played it before posting it here…it’s a combination of happy tears and sad tears…remembering good times and holidays with family and missing every holiday I can’t be with them…

I’ll be back within a few days with details for my giveaway and hopefully a photo of the Ornament I’ll be giving away. I’m sure I’ll be throwing in a few more holiday surprises also- I dreamt that too! So stay tuned!

Until next time my friends….

UPDATE: As soon as I was done here I went out into the cyber world to look for a unique and special ornament and it didn’t take long before I stumbled upon this..

Isn’t this beautiful? Not only that but it’s made by the famous Norwegian porcelin company Porsgrund AND the best part, 10% of the purchase price goes toward Red Cross! Beautiful, Norwegian, and we’re helping out a good cause- can it get any better?

I’ve sent in my order for one of these ornaments and as I mentioned before I will probably add a few other little surprises to this holiday giveaway also. Now, would you like to know what you have to do??? There are three chances and you can take as many chances as you’d like. If you’re already following my blog just let me know in the comments. I don’t have any fancy way to select the winner, your names will go up in a bowl and one of the lionesses…ok….KIDS…will pick out the winner randomly. The contest will be open until the 2nd of December…my mother’s birthday. If you don’t have a blog, be sure and include your email in the comments or send it too me privately so I can get in touch with you if you win! Best of luck to you all! HO HO HO!!

1. Write a comment below telling me what Christmas means to you.

2. Become a follower of my blog!

3. Tell others about my giveaway on your blog!

Happy Holidays my friends….

Woodland Residents…

It never stops to amaze me that with as many walks as we have in the woods we rarely see these guys….and yet here they are…it was very foggy when I took these photos and I’ve tried to give the photo as much colour as possible so you could see the woodland resident who sneaks around the woods and avoids me and my four legged gang with amazing accuracy.

The other day we went into the woods these deer are walking into and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was these two we met in there, but we stood just a few yards from each other but the deer were extremely well blended into the woodsy background, so while I saw them, the dogs just smelled them. Even Jenny and the two pups who were running loose ran everywhere but where the deer were!! Instead of waiting to be found these two turned and high tailed it out of our view as quick as possible. I was grateful for that, while I enjoy seeing them I don’t like being on the other end of a leash to a very eager leonberger who would LOVE to run after the deer to say HI…..

I know I promised photos of the climb we take on our walk, but to be honest I forgot my camera. I’ve been moving at a snail’s pace all day long and really wasn’t in the mood for a walk today but another one of my lovely friends wanted to take a walk and asked me to join her, I couldn’t say no. So out we went and she flew up the place where we climb up and I was huffing and puffing and cursing the whole time that I forgot my camera and about how tired I was…but then again we all have days like this right?

Tonight I’m enjoying rice krispie treats Sarah made…semi fat free?? hahahaha…it’s a compromise…come on guys…give me a little break..I’m trying….sort of…

Until next time my friends…

Thinking Green….

She’s done it again…the adorable and most lovely Hagemor has bestowed upon me yet another award and I must admit, all these sweet gestures and awards are giving me a big head…I’m really begininng to think I’m something special- so thank you my dear friend for making me feel so special!!

Pretty isn’t it? Since moving to Norway I’ve discovered the importance of recycling and seperating the trash so that things can be recycled but I must admit I do not know that I’m such a green person otherwise environmentally…I love my diesel car and would have a giant suburban in a heart beat if I could…but the other aspect of this award is someone who has an appreciation for the nature around them and with seven dogs in the house I’m in the nature a LOT….take today for example, my darling neighbour and I took an hour long corebar exercise class, then we had a nice lunch at a local cafe in Brumunddal. I had a salad which wasn’t THAT exciting but edible and semi healthy and then we came home and walked the dogs in two groups for two hours in the pouring down rain…I have to admit, I was going to skip it after the cafe visit when I saw the rain but my exercise partner said, “aww, we’re not going to let a little rain scare us from exercise are we?” I was thinking…um…yes….but I said “no….of course not”…then I said,” well”…..then I laughed and said ” no just kidding”…then I said aloud, “well not really but I will walk if you’re gonna walk” My friend just laughed at me…she knows it’s my underlying internal nature to be LAZY but she loves me anyways and is such a motivation to get moving even when I don’t want too. That’s the best part about having someone to work out with, they motivate you even when you don’t want too!! She was even late for work but called them and told them she would be 15 minutes late. I apologized for not having the energy to fly up that last hill to my house but she said I had nothing to apologize for she could have chosen to not go but she wanted too. She’s great, love that lady! ;-))

Now I’m sitting here totally soaked after my workouts today, 3 hours isn’t something I can do every day but sure going to try when I can to get in as much exercise as I can. The dogs take two hours if we’re going to take everyone on an honest to goodness walk…but on work days we don’t always get so much time, so I’m enjoying it when I can.

Now I’m going to jump in the shower and get some dry clothing on, the dogs are all sleeping contently around me and life is good. First I need to pass this award out and I think Lady Fi at On A Quirky Quest deserves this for all her walks around the beautiful lake near her home with her adorable Golden Retriever Oscar, and Kelli at Mads and Kelli for all her green iniative since moving to Denmark…anyone willing to ride around in the rain on a bike to save the earth deserves a green award!

Have a super Friday everyone, if we get a break in the weather I’ll try and bring the camera along on one of the walks so you can see the amazing climb we have on this one part of the walk…it’s pretty amazing..I’ll give ya a hint…it’s worse then this..

This little monkey, Bently, ALWAYS gets in front of me when we are climbing up these various paths and STOPS!! Ugh, you just don’t do that man…it’s not cool!! hahahaha!!

Until next time my friends…(OH and guys…thank you so much for you advice and sharing your experiences with me about gall stones. I’m going to do everything I can to make this NOT a problem in my life, so thanks for your support!)