The week before Christmas

I am so glad I don’t have the everything-has-to-be-perfect-for-Christmas-gene. I have a quite laid back attitude about the holidays for which I am truly thankful. We will have food, we will have gifts, and we will have a table at which we can eat as soon as I clear off the debris from crafting fun and work stuff. No one will get handmade gifts this year which is fine, and if I get around to making and writing cards at all this year, there might be a few going in the mail by the end of the year.

My trip to Oslo and Lillehammer last week did not go exactly according to plan. There were a few hiccups I’d say. Oslo airport was closed due to an ice problem in the morning, and after 2 flight cancellations, loooots of waiting around at the airport and a few travelling challenges (think Steve Martin and John Candy road trip without the bed sharing scene), I was 6 hours delayed to Oslo and 4 hours late for the meeting that I have been working towards since February. There’s not much to do other than just going with the flow, is there, and thank goodness one of the people I was meeting stayed until we could finish up more than 3 hours past their office hours. I had 21 minutes to get from the meeting to the train to Lillehammer including a trip by tube and lots of running with two suitcases, my definitely non-small bag across my torso and a dangling briefcase over my shoulder (thank you Zumba classes of yesteryear). I managed to get onto the train as the doors were closing (imagine the looks I got from my fellow passengers when I happily laughed out loud, trying to catch my breath; so relieved to make it after such a day) and arrived at my parents’ late in the evening too wired to sleep at all.

My parents and I took the bus into town on Tuesday and I tried to take a few pictures of the main street.

Lillehammer is such a beautiful town, and even prettier in the winter, but now it was windy and rainy and icy.

It’s still beautiful though.


I got safely back home in the evening after eating lunch with my sister, spending a few hours with my nephews, having dinner with my parents, a cab that did not show up on time, another train ride, more waiting at an airport, and finally a bumpy flight home. I haven’t really felt the urge to do much after that, other than spending time with my family, attending a couple of Christmas parties (one involving Santa, the other lasting from 5:30 pm to 2 am which is a long time making small talk with people you don’t know no matter how nice they are and how delicious the food is).


I have been making Christmas decorations with grandson, but that’s not really doing anything, just pure enjoyment.
I love these!

And our fragile paper trees made with crepe paper ribbons and wood glue!

Oh man, what a mess that was; my fingers are still blue. I diluted the glue way too much and after 30 hours the glue is still leaking from one of the other trees.

And of course I have been knitting in the evenings, but that really doesn’t count, does it. This winter appears to be all about neck- and arm/leg warmers. The neck warmers have a kind of Victorian appearance, but they are super stretchy and comfy.

If only winter would come back; I want snow for Christmas.

I had a few lovely surprises this week as well, like this gorgeous artwork from my friend Sherry in the UK. Isn’t she just beautiful!

And husband came home from a trip to China and I found another mystery box on the table in the morning.

This time he brought home a beautiful crystal bottle which is painted on the inside; a gift from one of his suppliers.

Tomorrow is baking day; daughter and I will make our favourite Christmas cookies which is always fun. Maybe I’ll get around to making more gluey mess trees after that; I have a few other ideas I would love to try out.

Happy holiday preparations!