First sunday in advent

It's been a very long time since I last posted anything on my blogg. I have had major trouble with my computer...and since having it fixed..I just dont seem able to upload any pictures..or rather it takes such a long time. So motivation has unfortunatley been lacking :( However With christmas just around the corner my inspiration is on top form..and so is my motivation..so I'll give this blogging lark another go.

In Norway it is tradition to Have a advent candles which consists of four candles, one to be lit on each of the sundays in advent. Traditionaly the candles are purple, however I fancy'd trying white this year..Although James was a bit disapointed. So yesterday being the first sunday in advent..we lit the first candle.

I have started to potter around the house, slowly but surley getting everything ready for christmas. The kids are excited to be reunited with our christmas ornaments and other decorations.
And these wonderful nostalgic little boy and girl are one of my favorite ornaments.

they realy are lovely, and festive.

How are your christmas preps coming along??

Hiya :)
Ive been having alot of trouble posting pictures on my blogg lately..so Thats why I have'nt been a very activ blogger. I am trying to figure it out..as I miss my new blogging hobby..and want to get back to it asap..!!
So please bare with me..and I'll be back on as soon as I can.
Take care for now :)
xxxx

shopping

One day last week My Mother and I along with kieran went for a day of shopping in bergen, It takes us 1.5 hours to drive to bergen, so we make the most of it while we are there..and usually shop til we drop..!

Kieran knows by now that when we go shopping..it can take a while..and a lot of waiting around..so in one of the shops..he made a b-line for the comfy chair..and had a nosey at the magazines..so "Nanny" could try on as many clothes as she liked :)

A spot of lunch, and a rest to recharge the batteries before a bit more shopping, before eventually driving home. "my poor feet"..I can almost hear him cry..as he is propped up in the back with all our goodies and bargains :)

Our Little Hero :)

When our son James was born , he had a severe Brain hemorage, and the prognosis was not looking good. As a result of the stroke James developed hydrocephalus also known as water on the brain, and had to have a drain/shunt put into his head to help drain the water. He was also diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP). To cut a long story short...It turns out that James no longer needs the shunt, and the diagnosis of cerebral palsy has been scraped...HURRAH....James is a healthy 8 year old boy :) and so...the neuro surgeon decided to remove the shunt.

Steven and I spent last week with James in hospital , as he had surgery to remove the shunt. I have to say without a shred of biased-nes...James is by far one of the bravest people I have ever met...!!

Wakey wakey , rise and shine.. :) I took a picture of James before the surgery....you know..just to document every step of the way :) James was so excited..not a shred of nerves...unlike his mother.. !! A little play with sponge Bob while we wait for the nurse...helped to pass the time.

A lovely nurse came to wheel James down to theatre, but first a name tag.

On his way to theatre....Mothers bottle has gone...but I put on a brave face, as the patient is soo excited..!!

Ok..so I said I was documenting everything...so this is in the lift on our way down to theatre...lol!!

A couple of pills before being wheeled down for surgery...I asked If I too could have a little something to calm my nerves....That was a big fat NO...!

Anyone who has spent time in hospital knows, that this little device on the finger messures your puls and the oxygen levels in the blood.....James loved this...and spent the entire time checking his "vital signs"..!!

and just when he thought hospital could'nt get any better....enter electric bed..!! Oh my God he had us demented going up and down..legs up..legs down...head up...head down...the noise still keeps me awake at night!!!

Such a brave little soldier..James you are a star, We love you xxx

Our cheeky little monkey

Last week Kieran and I went on our jolly's for a couple of days to my dads. We always have so much fun when we go there..and there is a lovely lake nearby where we can go for a walk and feed the ducks, however I must admit I was dreading it a little bit as Kieran does not like to sit in his pram, nor will he hold my hand..so you can imagine my nerves where gone at the thought of a walk around the lake. None the less, off we set, and all goes well at first:) But then I resorted to a mothers best friend when trouble started brewing.. BRIBERY..!! Kieran sat lovely in his pram eating an ice cream as we strolled to the lake..with only a short stop off at the garden centre on the way. on our way out I needed the loo, and could see a toy's'r' us across the raod..so I popped in..and boy am I glad I did..for their in all it's glory ..was the most fantastic invention I had ever seen... TADAAA!!! Now, I have seen these contraptions for years, but never understood the point...But that was before I had a Kieran....These are the most marvelous inventions EVER and made our stroll around the lake and feeding the ducks such an enjoyable day. Kieran loves it..and we walk to the shops everyday and he sits like a King all the way :)

Does he not just ooooze mischeiviousness???

Kieran loves his shoes..It's the first thing he gets in the morning, and wants them on. hence lots of pictures of him in his vests..and shoes:)

Kieran is always up to something..usually no good! And he is always on the go..His latest fad is the ash bucket and lid (a bucket to put the ash from the fire in when cleaning it)

And I can tell you...it makes quite a noise when banged..!!

Kieran having a little rest before all systems go..again..!

Awwww butter would'nt melt..!!

I thought it was a bit quiet...and that is NOT a good sign...I found Kieran at the side of the couch..with one of his brothers ds lite games...ripping the cover....someone will not be a happy chappy when he comes home :(

This ice cream was not for bribery...just for a yummy treat, and boy did he enjoy it..a whole cornetto :)

Kieran certainly keeps me on my toes..and there is never a dull moment. I often joke about putting him up for sale on E-bay..but I would'nt really swap him for anything else in the world :)

Have a great weekend :)

A thursday in Ølveland....

Well I have'nt been very active on my blogg the last few weeks..but I will get better :)
Here is a glimps of what we have been up to today :)


Benjamin enjoying a piece of apple...one of the few "healthy" options Benjamin likes :)

As the kids are off school today, and James was feeling a bit poorly, Benjamin was bored and just getting up to no good, we decided it was the perfect day for Benjamin and I to bake some iced buns...yum yumo :)

Benjamin made the dough all by himself..believe it or not! I helped to roll them out and take them in and out of the hot oven, otherwise for the most part Ben done it by himself.

He loves to bake.

We had a lovely visit from my sister Geraldine and her husband Paul..who both got to enjoy a yummy bun..and a nice cuppa tea:)

As I was in the shop yesterday paying for my shopping...I could smell these deliciously fragrant strawberrys that where perfectly arranged by the checkout till ..I usually dont succumb to pressure purchasing out of principle...However on this occasion..I did..!!

And they did not disappoint, their flavour was every bit as yummy as I imagined...and I'm going back for more tomorrow!!

Have a great thursday, whatever your doing!!

our week in pictures :)

We have had these swans in the "fjord" (just at the bottom of our house), all winter,
All the people in our village have been very kind and fed the swans for months now. Including us.

Kieran and I have fed the swans as part of our daily routine...since we have been having such lovely spring weather.

This is the last of my yellow tulips, I love yellow flowers, it gives me such a feeling of spring, and all the anticipation and expectation of summer comes flooding over me with such delight as Ienjoy every minute of them.

Kieran just loves to be outside, and playing on his bike is one of his favoritt things, although this bike is a bit too big for him, he is quite the dare devil :) this bike was also James' first bike...and then benjamins...it has become the family heirloom:)

after kieran and I had fed the swans, and played out a bit, we walked the 10min to my mums house, where she had prepared lunch...yum yumo :) a delicious potato salad..and foccacia with cherry tomatos, it was such a treat.

Yesterday, Steven needed to change the tyres on the car. In Norway we have different tyres in the winter than in the summer, and so he recruited the best help in the village for the job!!

Kieran taking a massiv interest...making sure his dad was doing the job properly :)

" Missed a spot"..!!!

" well if you want my advice"

Having a well earned rest after such a busy week :)

Hope you have a lovely weekend :)

My favorite Make-up must have's

As I have mentioned before, Make-up is a huge passion of mine. I love, love, love make-up.
Below I have listed my absolutt favorite must have's, These items are in my kit at ALL times.

Benefit Eye Bright Pencil (pale, bright pink) is multi tasking, so well worth the money. It's great for highlighting the brow bone, for making your eyes look fresh and bright by applying it to the inner corner by the tear duckt. And I also like to use it as a base, by applying it to the entire lid, and setting with the eyeshadow of your choice, it makes the colour really pop!

Mac studiofinish conceler.(I use a NC20 shade, to hide redness) this is excellent coverage for me who suffers from rosacia. Opt for a NW shade if you want to neutralize cooler tones.

The very best under eye conceler is the Select moisture cover by MAC, to hide any signs of tired eyes and dark circle. I use shade NW 20. (I forgot to take a picture)

The benefit powder lage is the absolutt best under eye powder I have ever tried. usually I dont like to set my under eye conceler with a powder as it can set in fine lines and look chalky, but honestly , this is the best I have ever used, and it highlights the under eye area to give you a bright fresh look.

The benefit FY eye ! eye primer is honestly one of the best eye primers I have tried, I love urban decay primer potion too, but this is what I have been using the past few months. And it last forever, you only need the smallest amount to cover the entire lid.

I can apply my eye make-up in the morning, and it is still perfect when I take it off at night. with no creasing what so ever.

Painterly paint pot by MAC fits my skin tone perfectly , and will suit most skin tones, but there are lot's of tones to choose from. I use this before my eyeshadow, just to even out the skin tone, and conceal any vains on the eyelid. It provides the perfect canvas for you to be creative with eyecolour.

I realize I should have taken some pictures of me using these products and the finished result. I will do that for next time.

I have a lot more favorites to show , so stop by soon:)

retro at it's best...

I could'nt pass up the chance to buy these fab milk jugs with a "vintage" motif of corn flakes and my favoritt rice crispies..

And matching bowls. How cute are they?? James and Benjamin have each taken one for themselves...and this is what they have been eating their Breakfast cereal in.

James wanted the "Red for Liverpool" one.

And how cute are these mugs?? so sweet. All these where bought rom a shop called " kremmerhuset" in bergen.

Right i'm off to make a nice cuppa in my new mugs :)

Have a FAB weekend :)