December report

A short report from over the sea. Our advent celebrations started November 28th this year, the first of four Advent Sundays. Or, to be honest, it started Saturday November 27th, as Gunnar had to carry 16 boxes of Advent and Christmas decorations down from the attic.
On the Advent wreath two lights have been lit by now.
The color of Advent is purple, but I feel free to use the colors of my liking.
In the churches it is right to follow the sacral colors though. Did you know that the church year starts with advent, the waiting for the arrival of Messiah?
Hosting a Christmas workshop is my greatest advent pleasure. Tradition from when I was a child. Earlier I invited Serina and her friends. Now my hiker friends are perfect company..

This year angels in various forms were the theme of the workshop. Our kitchen is the perfect place for these activities. No place or making food, so I ordered open sandwiches from a neighbor.
This year angels in various forms were the theme of the workshop. Our kitchen is the perfect place for these activities. No place for making food, so I ordered open sandwiches from a neighbor.
We downloaded angels from the Internet and used several techniques, decoupage, ironing on fabric, painting e.t.c.
My Youle nisser are admiring Liv's and Tilly's skills from their hiding place on top of the cupboard .
So do the angels in our window. Hearts belong to Christmas decorations as well. In 90 % of Norwegian homes you'll also see this Advent Candlestick shining from one ore more windows in December.
Our regular house guest, the cat belonging to our neighbors was also very curious as to what was going on for more than six hours that very day. He sure doesn't like to be ignored.
Who does?

THE BLUE HOUR

In summer we have blond nights, but in the winter, with sundown at four p.m., (and it's still going to get darker), we have the blue hour.
This picture was taken outside the church after Christmas mass a year ago, in the blue hour.
It's magic. So silent and yes,- so blue, the light is blue, the sky and the snow is blue .
A fairytale tells, that the blue-nisses of the mountain make the blue hour from blueberry juice.
Our heavenly Father knows better. He knows the laws of physics and the psyche of his children. He made it so wisely, that in our darkest days, before the sun once more is turning, the scenery is dressed in white and both dawns and sunsets are blue, filled with dreams and hopes.
To day was first Sunday of Advent, and in less than three weeks my girl will be home for Christmas.

WALKING ON PROMISES # 25

ISAIAH 45:
2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the doors of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron; 3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I am the LORD, who call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel. 4 For the sake of Jacob My servant, and Israel Mine elect, I have called thee by thy name, I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known Me. 5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, beside Me there is no God; I have girded thee, though thou hast not known Me;

Sometimes I wonder; have I used these wonderful verses before.
If so, they were once more new to me today.
They were given me as food for my soul and a light or my path, just this very day. I hope that I by sharing also can pass on food to somebody else. " That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me; I am the LORD; and there is none else."

RUBY NOVEMBER

Summer has passed, and fall is also reckoned to be over.
We were surprised by an early snow fall at the end of October. King Frost made short process with most of our garden flowers. I managed however to save a dozen of the still blossoming geraniums. For a while our kitchen and living room were inundated with all shades of red geraniums.
Due to lack of water, they have starved one by one.
The few survivors shall be taken care of, in remembrance of the bygone summer.

Originated by MaryT, check hers for today

SICK LEAVE

As much as blogging has become a part of my daily routines and joys, and my blog friends are an immense source of inspiration, spiritual fellowship and interpersonal love and understanding, I have to put myself on sick leave for a while.
I've had as a principle that I at least should answer and keep in touch with the ones that bothered to visit and comment on my blog.
Lately I haven't been able to do that, and that makes me feel so shameful.
I have been struggling with this chronic fatigue syndrome for two decades, lots of broken bones due to osteoporosis, arthritis and now also gastritis.
I am blessed to live in Norway. I have appointment with our family doctor once a month, physiotherapist once a week, and I go hiking and swimming also a least once a week to keep this old machinery running.
I have family, a few, but dear friends and best of all husband Gunnar and Serina who care about me, and vice versa.
Thanks to Teach Mary and Gunnar I also have reached a new level of enjoying photographing.
To me blogging has been about sharing, preferably of the good things in life. Thinking about my blog friends make me feel rich, happy and conscious about values and interests beyond my own sphere.
I will in random order thank Terry, Amrita, Mrs. Mac, Saija, Lidj, Crown of Beauty, Trish, Debbie, Sonja, Carol Ann, passing thru Bob, John C, Jim, Teach Mary, Leora, Robin from Israel, Pilgrim father David, Annie, Julie LBM, Constance, Pat, Diane, Cheryl, Deb, Maria Stahl, The Montreal Sisters, Colleen, Kris, E G Wow (who taught me to enlarge photos), Carletta, ilandavita, Nora Johnsen, reg, jel,
Ralph and Patti and Raven. You have all put so much wisdom into my life, broadened my horizon and opened my heart.
I will be back. I simply cannot be without you.Please bear over with me and say a prayer if you feel like.

Treasures from summer and fall 2010. They are neither photo-shopped nor enlarged, but you can double click to see more details.
A walk in the forest last Sunday.

Sundown in October. The lighthouse of Haugesund, called Tonjer Fyr, used to have two guardsmen working on shift. Now they being are computer supervised.

Each fall there's Friday swimming by candlelight in the public swimming pool. Ice water, fruit, candles and soft music with admission for adults only. We are five friends who love spending two relaxing hours there.

Gunnar and I just have to visit the old church on the Karmoy island now and then, a perfect place for sundown shots.

Our dear aunt Lilly also lies at the church yard nearby. She was a special dear relative and friend to all of us. Paying her grave a visit is comforting. This summer I have lost two of my "prayer children" and one dear friend from early childhood. Kirsten was in particular a hard blow. I am still shook by her too early departure.

Gunnar hiking in rough weather. Can't you see he's related to many viking chiefs?

Hiking in the mountains surrounding our town just one week ago.

Heinrich Heine's beautiful poem "Auf dem Brocken" should be accompanying this photo.

Heller wird es schon im Osten
Durch der Sonne kleines Glimmen,
Weit und breit die Bergesgipfel
In dem Nebelmeere schwimmen.
Hätt ich Siebenmeilenstiefel,
Lief ich, mit der Hast des Windes,
Über jene Bergesgipfel,
Nach dem Haus des lieben Kindes.
Von dem Bettchen, wo sie schlummert,
Zög ich leise die Gardinen,
Leise küßt ich ihre Stirne,
Leise ihres Munds Rubinen.
Und noch leiser wollt ich flüstern
In die kleinen Lilienohren:
Denk im Traum, daß wir uns lieben,
Und daß wir uns nie verloren. 

The trail leads through thick woodland.

After sundown, still in October.

Overlooking the Bay of Whales.

Tonjer lighthouse in golden fairytale light.

Am car exhibition. I've watched the movie Convoy numerous times. Imagine how I'd love sitting behind the steering wheels of this machine.

My mother is busy in her garden, cleaning her house every Saturday and making dinner everyday. Can't you see how she's full of joi de vivre?

Our October Garden, preaching fall.

Salvation Army's second hand shop.I love spending time and money there. Recycling and money for a good cause.

Gunnar are only interested in buying books.

The garden in September, while one still could have a nice cuppa outdoors.

My mother was both happy and surprised when a card from Terry and Bernie found way to her house.

Beating my Mom in Chinese checkers after midnight.



Excalibur at the am car exhibition.

This Cadillac got my vote.

Tractor eggs from Jaeren.

Painfully realistic art exhibition. Names of murdered girls in North Mexico.
One was encouraged to embroider one of the names of the anonymous female victims.

Sundown by Olberg sea.

Olberg harbor.

A Catapillar of American size crossing the road.

Ryvarden lighthouse in September.

Lunch by Ryvarden, eating Norway's # one outdoor chocolate bar.

Ryvarden has been converted to a so called "culture lighthouse". Here we attended the launching of a new book about Norway and Iceland.
Gunnar brought an elder biography about his great aunt Bjorg, written by the Icelandic ambassador. They had met nine years ago in Iceland and were happy to reunite. He of course asked her to sign the book.

This summer my stomach have been acting severely up. This shrimp baguette brought me into lots of trouble. I love sea food, so it felt like a major setback.
Gunnar, on the other hand, is enjoying his food, and hopefully will become even better after seeing a famous Egyptian stomach specialist.

Serina, soaking wet, after dancing a wild Indian rain dance on the terrace.
"We don't have rain like this where I study," she proclaimed.

Idyllic Skipper street in old Skudesnes on the island.

Serina while free climbing the mountains of the park to reach the Moon stone.

Thought Mrs. Mac might like to see a knitted ad pole for Norwegian handicraft.
The finest rose area of the district.

People actually still live in these picturesque houses.

Look, how the house is built to adjust to the street.

Thought of Jim's Adi.

My mother's still making the best waffles, but Serina is giving her competition.

She can also act naughty when she feels I am being too fuzzy with my camera.

Mom with her Sunday hobby, word puzzles.
She will never do any "work" on a Sunday and dislikes me even knitting on a holiday.

The most precious love of my life, Sernia.