SSCS 2015 - parcel opened

I have been spoiled - again! I can't believe how lucky I am to have been part of Chooky's SSCS once again. 

I think my Secret Santa has been very good at sneaking around my blog and see what might be the perfect gift - because this is really perfect!

A project bag, with a knitting critter! It's big, and colourful - with balls of yarn on the outside, and knitting needles on the inside. With pockets for useful things. 

And inside it?

Two skeins of - to me- new types of yarn, but oh so soft and fluffy! 

And this little fellow - a piece of (I'm not sure i dare to use it) fabric so exquisit I haven't dared to take it out of the plastic protective sheet.. 

Thank you so much, Maria G (of http://thenextstage-maria.blogspot.com.au)! I absolutely love my gift! 

And thank you, a million times over, to Chookyblue, for once again organizing this yearly event. I know it could not have been an easy task, and I hope that there will be some comfort knowing that our hearts and prayers are with you and your family. 

It simply wouldn't be Christmas with out you, the SSCS and all the participants/friends!

4th Sunday of Advent

Dear mom,

Here we are again, the last Sunday of Advent. Christmas is almost here! Only a couple of days until we're pulling up in our car, barely able to breathe due to all the luggage and presents. We'll arrive in time to help put the decorations up. Everything in it's special spot. Will we be able to see the tree for all the presents?

The fourth Sunday of Advent brings perhaps the biggest gift - if the first one hasn't fulfilled it's call - but it's still small in size. Now it's almost time for relaxing and enjoying. I hope that this little gift will bring you just that, relaxing and enjoyment. 

Merry Christmas!

Hugs.

3rd Sunday of Advent - parcel

I've been thinking "I should post about the parcel" about 20 times this past week, but things tend to interfere. Well, tomorrow is the fourth Sunday, so I better get a move on!

"Baby, it's cold outside"

The parcel contained a gorgeous yarn (Kauni, multicoloured) and knitting needles (square ones) and a note, which read "A new coat deserves a new scarf". 

I'm saving this for when we drive up to mom's house next week. I have a pattern ready (another Hitchhiker, one of my favorite scarf patterns), and I know I can get quite a start on the almost three hour drive. 

Thanks, mom, it is perfect!

***

With only one Sunday left, Christmas is almost here!

An illusion..?

I know it looks like snow, but the truth is all the humidity has frosen, leaving a thin layer of crispy ice on EVERYTHING!

The grass, the bushes, the roses, the road, every thin straw and branches stretching out. 

Winter is fascinating..

A tiny sliver of moon on our way to kindergarten this afternoon. 

And lost (well, not really, just pretending) on our way home Monday morning. 

Our first winter here is a little strange, but we're looking forward to what else it might bring us, besides frost and fog. 

3rd Sunday of Advent

Dear mom,

It's the third Sunday of Advent! Where did the time go? 

Today is St Lucia's day. We'll be celebrating tomorrow in P's kindergarten. Really early in the morning.. but the bears are going to do the procession - and P will be wearing a hat with a star. We have to be in the kindergarten before 07:30. Of course we'll take lots of pictures!

I think we'll be putting up the decorations today. I have a feeling P and I will do the decorations while M and A are out on a walk.. I can't wait to see the look on A's face when she sees the tree! I wonder if she'll leave it be - or make it fall.. It's not quite Christmas yet, but since we're travelling (counting down the days now) it's nice to see our house decorated too, not just putting the decorations up for air before taking them down again.

The third Sunday of Advent brings a strange little present. It's something I never knew existed, but that I know you'll put to good use.

Enjoy!

Hugs.

2nd Sunday of Advent and another parcel.

It's the second Sunday of Advent and we've spent the day on a trip. We drove just over the border to Sweden for some Christmas shopping and some cheap goodies (chicken, bacon, and candy.. a bit too much candy..). 

Before we left home, I opened my parcel from mom. (Yes, this time I was actually allowed to open it myself!)

Time for a bit of work!!?

The picture may be upsidedown, but there's a pattern and templates (and even some background fabric) for an epp heart! Can't wait to get started! A second note gives a tip to use 5" precuts. I think I might have some in my stash.. Hmm.. My fingers are itching!

2nd Sunday of Advent

Dear mom,

It's already the second Sunday of Advent! Tomorrow they will be having a santa party at P's kindergarten. Today we are planning to decorate a gingerbread house. I hope it will turn out a little better than our last attempt (in short, it was extremely soggy!). I'll send you a picture when we're done.  

I remember our gingerbread houses growing up. And how the back of the houses always seemed to lose decoration over the course of the Christmas days.. I wonder where it went.. was it the house mouse?

Did you know that the reason it is called pepperkaker in Norwegian, although we don't use that much pepper in the dough anymore (I know that some versions use pepper, but most dont). It was because at one time spices were so expensive and rare, that when used in cooking and baking, one would say that one "peppered" the dough/meal - meaning adding spices. We still call them pepperkaker, but the english name (gingerbread cookies) or spiced cookies might be a more fitting name. 

The second Sunday of Advent brings along a double-gift. Because even quilters get cold (or idle hands). 

I hope you like it!

Hugs.

The sleigh has arrived!

The sleigh. THE sleigh! The sleigh arrived yesterday afternoon!

Hurray!

Ofcourse, the ornament was opened right away. 

Can't wait to hang this charming little fellow on our tree next Sunday. He looks like a mischevious little charmer - I wonder if he's related to the house elf? Maybe, if I listen really close, I can hear a "mischief managed" whispered in a soft voice?

Thank you so much to my Secret Santa! I'm being a good girl, saving the parcel for Christmas Eve! 

 

First Sunday of Advent - calender opening

My mom and I swapped Advent Sunday calenders this year. Very exciting! I think it's been years since I had a calender like this. 

On Sunday it was time to open the first parcel. Well, the thing is, as soon as the parcel came out, someone nicked it. I heard a "I can help you!" and it was gone..

"Oh look!"

"Can I color one?"

Thanks for the coloring book and pencils! As the wrapping said, I do spend a minute here and there (if not five) coloring. It's a nice way to have a break!

The remaining three parcels are hangong from the stairs, waiting for their Sundays. I wonder who gets to open the next one? Will it be me?