Home Again, Home Again...

     I feel like I just went on a Flat Stanley adventure…mailed myself off to a friend’s house in Norway (transatlantic flights are definitely akin to being a little squished for 7+ hours – from my house anyway). What a lovely break, adventure, time to relax and hang out with my wonderful friend Bente and her family.  And now I have three lovely boys to write to (might be using Google Translation – lol) & send fun Canadian things. I have to compliment Elias (age 11) on his incredible English and thank all the boys for teaching me some Norwegian (cheese being my very favourite word!). I think one of the things I loved to do most was wandering through the grocery store - drooling over the chocolate and loving all the different products/packaging. It never got old - I'm just unique that way.

Another bonus to going away (besides the awesome travel itself) and then coming back (besides being picked up at the airport by my husband, hugs and kisses from my wonderful family, and a sweet boy who said, “wuv you too” for the first time to me) is that there is a little stack of mail waiting just for me! It’s kind of fun when it piles up – a sweet birth announcement for a beautiful boy, a silly letter from one of my nieces, a fantastic ‘old school’ note from a friend and a few other fun pieces. Let's all go "old school" and send out some notes to our friends!

And now I look forward to writing many cards of thanks for my hosts and for the people who took care of my kids and husband while I was away. Feel so blessed to have such amazing people in my life who love my kids as much as I do! What are your best ideas for sending Canadian items to my three new Norwegian friends (age 11, 8 & 6)? Leave me a comment.

773/1000 Adding two to the mix.

The Random Drop Off...

One of my favourite movies has a great line in it to help the guy get the girl, "An unexpected gift, at an unexpected time." He does get the girl. I'll send you something fun in the mail if you can tell me what movie that's from. 

I really like the idea of that unexpected gift at an unexpected time! In fact it seems to be popping up all over the place this week (how unexpected). A friend just wrote on Facebook that for the last four or five years her family has received an Easter basket on their doorstep and they truly have no idea who it is from. This is so cool! And today a friend had the water service guy in her office bring her a coffee - how sweet! I brought someone special a soy cinnamon dulce this week too (although she knew I was dropping it off but she loved it just the same)! Which had me thinking about putting up my own Facebook post and asking all of my friends what their favourite coffee shop beverages of choice are...so maybe one day I can surprise them (so many different options)! Okay, I might just do that!

Oh and how could I forget this! My sister-in-law came by with these beauties for me! I mean one for each of us. They were delicious and fun. Thank you!

An unexpected gift!

On the news there has been a push in the last 48 hours for people to become organ donors in my little corner of the world. One of the ultimate unexpected gifts and at an unexpected time. My husband and I have been donors for years (although him longer than me). I somehow had this irrational fear about it (darn movies and urban legends) but I got over it and saw all the good it can do for others and that was the most important. Congrats if you are one and if you aren't...what are you waiting for?

Mail is super cool but the random drop off...a little gift to make someone's day - on their desk, doorstep, windshield...maybe they need some encouragement, some love or just because. Feel free to write a little note to go with it (always working the mail angle - haha). Not sure what to drop off? A favourite hot beverage or a $5 gift card so they can pick, chocolate (this is always good, unless you are allergic of course, but try to find out what their favourites are...dark, milk, peanut butter, sea salt...with bacon...oh yes that is a thing and so good), actually any favourites of anything (snack, cookie, lotion, bubble bath, candle), flowers, a good book and so on...

Share the love!

767/1000 4 new ones (and one is a birthday package for Piper's pen pal)!

Advent Calendar Monday

     I know Chocolate Advent Calendars are very popular and maybe why a lot of people love the coming of December but that's not my story. Chocolate calendars didn't make their debut in my house until I was almost in my teens. And they were really just an excuse to eat chocolate in the morning/everyday (not the best chocolate either). Having said that there are a number of gourmet chocolatiers that are putting out Advent calendars these days that would make any chocolate aficionado drool and I could definitely get on board with these (Rogers, Purdy's, Lindt...). Mmmm...I do love good chocolate!

My memories are of Christmas story/Nativity Advent calendars - beautiful colours and sweet tiny pictures behind each door. It became about conversation every morning - "What do you think it will be today?" Followed by "Oh tell me about that one?" What a great way to start the day and slow down for conversation during a very busy month. Children grow up so fast, so any opportunity to create moments, memories and traditions is important and meaningful (I remember those moments).

Vintage!

This is the kind I grew up with - German most likely. It actually has a fold out and a slide on the right side to make the animals move. My Mom found this one in her Christmas decorations a few years ago. I've kept it in the package until now.

A collection!

These are some I've used over the years and a couple still in the package - one tells jokes, another is the Nativity story, another is the Christmas Carol story and a few others. This is just a small number out of what I've found in my Christmas decorations (Advent Calendars are rather flat, take up little room so... perhaps having lots doesn't make me a hoarder...I hope). 

Maybe, I'm tuned in but I've been noticing a lot of Advent Calendars out there as I've been shopping around. A resurgence perhaps? Or maybe they've never taken a dip in popularity (I hope not). The problem is remembering to get them before December 1st so now is the time - a little joy each day!

Adding two to the count (my blog post didn't make it up last week...I had the chance for a few days away with my husband and it was lovely).

563/1000 (going to add big to the count soon...Christmas cards and such!).

A little post script: My Mom just reminded me that my Grandma used to give me Advent calendars too.  I don't remember that but it warms my heart

Oh Happy Day!

I hear footsteps on my stairs, the doorbell rings and then, I think, someone running down the stairs or jumping? Nicky, Nicky Nine Doors? (or is it Knicky, Knicky Nine doors?) Either way, I peer through my peephole and no one is around, not even a single niece hiding in the very corners of my front porch with a shoe or scooter giving her up...hmmmm.

Ever so cautiously I crack the door to solve this mystery and lo and behold I see something tucked under the corner of my snowflake welcome mat (note to self - time to put away Christmas welcome mat). I swing the door back and scoop it up in delight - a package! a package! a package! Now, had I been a little bit more together, I would have taken a photo of said package under door mat for this post but alas, I was caught up in the glory of a brown paper wrapped parcel that was hand addressed to me, that had traveled all the way from the breathtakingly amazing Norway ~ and I knew this even before I saw the stamps or the return address because I recognized the handwriting (so cool). I ripped it open :)

Nothing cooler than crazy awesome chocolate bars from other countries.

In fact, these ones taste like those bugle snacks - does anyone remember those savoury delights? Maybe they are still around but they remind me of parties from my youth and by that I mean, house parties my parents had when I was little. Yummy! So while there were other equally amazing gifts wrapped up in that box I thought I would share these sweet joys with you.  And hey, if you are thinking of sending a package to someone across the world, consider sending candy/chocolate that is only made in your country and not available anywhere else - it is such a wonderful but simple gift to share.

Thanks Bente - you are a rockstar!