Yule-calendars and chocolate figures

Tags

Calendar gifts, Christmas, Christmas calendars, Gifts, Husband, Love, Norwegian Traditions, Yule

The countdown for christmas is very big in Norway. The ‘yule-calendar’ which counts down the 24 days of December until Christmas Eve is the most prized possession of many a child (also among the older ‘children’). I made one each for Son and Husband a few years ago and have spent some time finding presents for them every year after. This year though I have been lazy. Husband took over much of the calendar business for Son’s calendar, and Husband himself has spent most of the advent-time on a rig some nautical miles west from here, which meant he wouldn’t be home to open his calendar.

The last day of November I counted quite a few comments from mothers (strangely it seems it’s the mothers who are in charge of the calendar-business) who were done, almost done, or panicking completely, over the 24 small gifts. I was among those who, instead of thinking about the calendar, jumped on a plane to London and pretended to have forgotten completely what date it was (I had helped out quite a lot with Son’s calendar though, I didn’t leave it all for Husband). While I was (last-minute) packing I was on the phone with Husband (he and Son had gone away for a few days so that I could finish working on a wee project of mine). He asked me to have a look in his wardrobe. In his wardrobe I found a white, wooden plank with the numbers from 1-24 painted on them and 24 small, metal hooks.

I was very surprised, to say the least, that he would give me this, but, mean as I am, thought maybe he meant this for Son, but to give it to me so that I had something bigger to give Son as a calendar for next year. Husband and Son returned home a few days before me. I came home very late a few days later and upon entering our bedroom that night, I found the calendar hanging on the wall. The wooden plank now had 24 gifts hanging from the hooks. Needless to say, I was moved to tears! And honestly it’s not at all because of the gifts, it’s solely the fact that he has spent so much time planning this calendar, keeping it secret, and surprising me with it without giving me any hints at all about it beforehand.

As the days have passed now it has become obvious that he has really spent a lot of time on the gifts and remembered everything I have looked at and wished for for the past months. Coming home from Liverpool he brought home a bottle of Magners Pear (Magners is my only weak spot when it comes to alcohol – or when it comes to any drink except tea) which is impossible to get hold of in Norway. And I also found this eco-cup (eco my ass, but it is cute and it’s a travel-mug perfect for tea, as it’s porcelain rather than metal or plastic). The gifts are very well planned! And, he has wrapped them in mathching gift-wrap-paper that was designed by the my brother and the company he used to work for; so the calendar was as aesthetically pleasing as well.

I had planned to write a post about chocolate figures that Son and I made here the other day, in a mould made to create 24 chocolate-figures to be used in a yule-calendar. The tradition with yule-calendars and the gifts that go in them, which used to be chocolate figures, was supposed to be the main subject of this post. But I just had to brag a bit. What else can I do with a husband like that? After being through a bit of a rough patch for a while, Husband and I are finally back where we should be, and more in love than ever. We are both going that extra mile in all situations to make the other smile, laugh, or be happy, and life is just wonderful! Pink clouds with silver linings! Obviously, my husband has for the past weeks done a much better job than me!

Flowers in the garden

Tags

Family, Flowers, Gardening, Husband, Love

My husband rarely buys me flowers. Now, I’m not about to complain about my husband not being romantic enough. Au contraire, I’d rather like to point out the love he puts into the work he does in and around the house. You see, he doesn’t often buy me flowers, but he has been spending a few hours working in the garden during the past year. And instead of a bouquet of red roses, that I would have to cut, vase and throw out after a week’s time, I am now greeted by these beauties every time I enter the house.

There are plenty of them. About one metre tall (3ft) and they really do stand out from the surroundings. The leaves on the nearby trees are changing their colours and the days are getting cold. There are few really strong and bright colours left. But these flowers decided to bloom surprisingly late this year and stand strong through wind and rain.

I hope they stick around a little longer. Every day they are reminders of everything Husband does for me, our son, our home, and for himself. The small things in life are what builds our foundations, and lucky for me, those small things are being represented by beautiful flowers in the garden. I prefer these beauties to flowers in a vase any day!

My brothers

Tags

Brothers, Family, Love

I have three brothers. The world’s three best brothers. I consider them my most important rolemodels, and they have, in more ways than they can imagine, made me who I am today.

We don’t spend enough time together, it is neither of ours fault, we all have busy lives. Still, I never feel left out, and I never feel forgotten. They’re all there for me when I need them to. I know I mean a lot to them. One brother shows me with his eyes. His bad conscience for not being able to make me the top priority in his life. He would make every person in his life his main priority if he could. Still, he’s always there. One snap with my fingers and he’s there to help, or there to talk, or just to listen. Another stops his crazy schedule for me. His life comes to a halt, and a few hours it’s like nothing else matters, for the both of us. He guides and advices, but never judges. He’s comforting and safe. The third lives his life to the max. Everything he does he does using all of himself. I know I sometimes make him feel bad for not seeing me as often as he could. I am sorry for that, and I know it is just as much my responsibility. I know he needs time to breath. I know he will be there when I need him, and when he is he is here one hundred percent. So many times has he come out of his comfort sone to help me out. He never says no when the need is great.

One does everything he can to ease life for those around him. One does not know what harm and evil is. One can make friends with anyone in the world. One is as creative as creative gets. One can make you laugh no matter how deep the pain. One is a safe haven no matter what life throws your way. They are brilliant, each and every one of them. And so successful in the things they do. So often do I feel like I fail myself, but only because I try to measure up to the great standards they set. I am so proud of them. Their abilities combined would make the perfect person, but perfection is over rated, instead they are three of the most amazing men I have ever met.

 

Image from here