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      Christmas countdown

      December 18th

      Yay,  today the children break up from school and we can throw away the clock for a couple of weeks. We can have lazy pyjama mornings and take our time over naughty but nice breakfasts. We may even watch a movie in the middle of the day. This week leading up to Christmas will be full of togetherness, making and baking, talking with the inevitable sibling bickering and we'll have comfortable silences. I love the school holidays and I love Christmas. This IS my favourite time of year.  The week leading up to today has been just as busy and as fun however, even if we were still ruled by the tick tocking of the clock. 

      Monday

      Mamma arrived from Norway to spend the week with us. We have so much planned it was great to have a mothers hug. I'm blessed. 

      Mamma and I


      Tuesday

      I decided to have my own 'works do' and invited witty, clever, compassionate friends for drinks, nibbles and chat.   


      Drinks and nibbles


      Beautiful nibbles and drink were brought by my lovely friends and I may have supplied one or two bits too ;) 

      Wednesday 

      The yearly outing to buy a Christmas outfit. My mother every year  takes the children out and chooses an outfit with them so they can  wear it on Christmas Eve.  It has become their tradition and a generation between they all love it. It melts my heart. 

      Thursday

      Meeting up with my chosen 'auntie', chosen because my parents moved to a country where they were foreigners and she and her husband became their best friends.  My chosen aunt and uncle have celebrated all the important occasions in my life and the sad ones too and we have celebrated most Christmas' together with their children and now their grandchildren, 'my niece and nephew'.  Do you also have a 'chosen' family?  Aren't they the best .  The evening saw my daughter dressing with extra care and asked me to help her with her make up; the occasion, her first 6th form ball.  She looked wonderful.  My son, took the opportunity to invite some friends over for pizza, whilst my husband was on his 'works do' and mamma and I made one of Norway's oldest cookie recipes.  A great evening for all. 


      Preening for the ball


      Everything matched


      Friday

      Today after school finishes at lunchtime we will choose our Christmas tree.  This is early for us but as a family we collectively decided to change the game plan this year.  Mamma leaves this weekend to return back to Norway and we all wished to decorate the tree with her, after all this is a family activity.  I am so looking forward to it and we will have an 'eclectic' mix of food for the evening beginning with homemade sausage rolls, no doubt copious amounts of the red stuff followed by a Friday night takeaway curry whilst trimming the tree.  Sheer bliss, except for the out of tune Christmas singing that is also somehow compulsory...

       
       
       
      Joining in with  Amy  today sharing my five week day moments with you. 
      Pop over to see what everyone else is up to. 
       
       
      I was given a new 'Nisse' this week from an old Norwegian friend who is an extraordinarily good knitter.  AS most Norwegian knitters she too makes many knitted cork Nisse and handed this one over saying, see, look I can knit an English version too now!  Genius, can you see from the photograph below, why the Nisse on the left is English and the one on the right  is Norwegian?  Send me a comment, what do you think?  Will reveal all in the next post...
      Spot the difference between an English Father Christmas cork and the Nisse
       

      30 comments:

      1. Throw away the clock - that's really the best thing in life!
        And chosen aunts can be a great gift...
        Have a wonderful time :-)

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        Replies
        1. Chosen aunts really are a gift, I agree totally

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      2. I thought a Nisse was a gnome??? Sounds like you have some wonderful moments planned and throwing away the clock sounds perfect. Wishing you a great Christmas.

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        1. They are usually haughty little elves that live at the farm and protect it. But they are also known as helpers. Jul Nisse is Father Christmas

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      3. Lovely to read about your Norwegian roots as well...and seeing that your Mama is there for some of the holiday preparations! Wonderful post!

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      4. How lovely to have your Mom there for the holidays.

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      5. Your daughter looked lovely for her special night. I love that photo ---- that's definitely a "memory-keeper" photo.

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        Replies
        1. I agree Dee and thank you so much for saying xxxx

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      6. It warms my heart to read your post and see the festive activities taking place. How nice to have your dear Mom with you for the week. Your daughter looks lovely in your beautiful outfit. I'm excited to see your tree, too. Enjoy your weekend. Hugs to you, Pat

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        Replies
        1. Thank you so much Pat. Tree pics to follow shortly

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      7. Such an exciting time of year for all. I hope you all enjoy a fabulous Christmas together. I've so enjoyed reading about all your celebrations, thanks so much for your comments too. x

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      8. More wonderful Christmas moments to celebrate! Glad that you had a great time with your Mum and that you bought some celebrations forward to share with her, that is so lovely! Thank you for joining Five On Friday and making it a great thing this year. I so appreciate it! Happy Christmas! See you again in 2016! xx

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      9. How nice to have your sweet mama around! I like the sound of sausage rolls. I had a delicious one when we were in New Zealand this summer and I am trying to replicate it.

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        Replies
        1. Ooh wonder what made the NZ one do special? There are so may variations but if I'm honest I prefer them plain and simple

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      10. The holidays are times of such great memories. I have a "chosen" aunt and uncle as well. Their kids were raised with the rest of us as true cousins and I can't imagine them not being part of my family. I loved the part about the nisse! I had never heard of the nisse, but love to learn new things about other traditions. Enjoy the season! Happy Holidays :)

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        1. Chosen family are just the best Deb. Happy Christmas to you too x

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      11. Have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones! Those cookies look so pretty!

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      12. Lovely homely events...enjoy being clock less for the holidays. Happy Christmas to you and your family. Barbara x

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      13. It sounds like a wonderful week, your daughter looked beautiful.
        Hugs,
        Meredith

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        Replies
        1. I will tell her you said so Meredith. Thank you x

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      14. Such a wonderfully festive post! I'm still working throughout most of Christmas but not having the 7.10am school run will be a lovely treat too, throwing away the clocks feels better though. I have a chosen 'sister' she is the best! Have a wonderful Christmas and all the very best for 2016 xxxx

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        Replies
        1. Ooh a chosen sister. That's a lively idea Lisa. Happy Christmas to you too x

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      15. What a lovely list of five moments. The love and warmth of family just oozes from this post. Thank you. Merry Christmas.

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        Replies
        1. Lorrie what a kind and generous thing to say. I thank you. May you and yours have a wonderful festive time x

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      I will always read all comments and will try to reply but it may take me a couple of days, do please pop back and lets get a conversation going...