Feeding my OCD

Most of you who know me in person, know I have my OCD moments. This Christmas I got to experience SweetieS love for beading with Hama beads. Remember those small yet colorful little plastic beads? Put the beads on pegboards to create a “pattern” and iron to “fuse” them together for a long-lasting keepsake.
With Mother Nature finally bringing some more snow to this Winter, in-door games/hobbies are welcome @CasaR. We played outside in the snow yesterday, but with the howling winds and freezing temperatures, it didn’t take long before we were cold and headed indoors.
SweetieS has beaded a few times in kindergarten, but this Christmas I got to see first-hand how SweetieS sat deeply concentrated for a period that seemed like an eternity and just beaded. So bringing along experience from my wonderful sister-in-law for organizing the beads I went shopping when stores opened today.
My sister-in-law has this case, but I wouldn’t find it in a store here in Oslo.What I really liked with this solution was that the individual boxes can be taken out of the case and has hinged lids. Luckily my trusty Biltema had an option for me here. The case can be opened and lay flat on any surface. A case has 18 individual boxes with hinged lids. The boxes are “locked” in the case for easy transportation. Just remember to lock the lids too…
Some pictures after I had filled them…

“closed”	“open”

Here is a close-up of the individual boxes…

hinged lid	clip lock	it even has a belt clip

The boxes are a handy size, measuring in at 90 x 63 x 68 mm.
Just as I had filled the boxes with the beads I had at hand, my OCD kicked in…I needed a way to label the boxes. So that when the content was gone, I knew what to color to refill. Pintrest to the rescue! I came over a few interesting pins, here is one I found particularly interesting... As the case is black I didn’t want the color swatch to be too girly, so I formed the swatches as flowers instead of hearts. They as stuck to the lids using gluedots.

The flowers are very simple to make..all you need are 7 beads. Instructions can be found here I you need it explained in details.
As we were out of wax paper I dug out my trusty craft sheet I got @Clas Ohlson (I think it’s called a silicon baking sheet) to d my ironing, and it worked just fine. You will however get a fine mesh-kinda pattern on the melted side, but I don’t mind….
Just a note, two of these cases fit perfectly into a cube in IKEAs Expedit (is no longer available, but Kallax is practically the same product) shelving unit. So I have enough boxes to cover all my coloring needs.
I had planned this to be a birthday gift for SweetieS..but that’s in May. I couldn’t wait that long to present SweetieS with her newest “toy”. So when SweetieS came home from kindergarten today she got to play with the beads while I made dinner…Even BabyL joined in on the fun. Though with the larger version, Hama Maxi. While SweetieS has been playing with the Midi size, these are 5mm in diameter. You can read more about the different sizes available here.

the girls beading…

Now off to find some more pegboards….three is not enough…

- have you tried beading?
- how do you store your Hama beads?

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Today the first snowflakes of Winter came falling down….late for a typical Winter in Norway. While most Norwegians start singing “det snør, det snør tiddeli bom” in my head I start playing “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” by Johnny Mathis.

Getting in a Christmas mood…

Growing up watching Macaulay Culkins movie “Home Alone” EVERY Christmas has left its marks. Hearing this song got me into the Christmas groove and had me thinking of this years Christmas wishlist for the girls…so here goes! This year the list is in Norwegian, as it was put together by DaddyO (and I’m too lazy preoccupied to translate). I’ll try to add more as I think/come over more stuff we “need”…

Dec 3^rd – added more to the list
SweetieS

• Bukkene Bruse på Badeland, klaffebok 239,- (link Ark bokhandel)
• Bukkene bruse på Badeland, DVD 199,- (link Ark bokhandel)
• Bukkene bruse vender tilbake, innbundet 189,- (link Ark bokhandel)
• Fargeleggingsbøker (fargeblyanter?)
• 2-delt pysjer (str. 98-104)
• Fleecesett (str.98-104)
• Smykkeskrin, svart med to "lag" (link Zendi) 460.-
• Klokke 249,- (link Juvelen)
• Barnekniv/knivsett, 349 (link Brødrene Øyo)

BabyL 

• Jellycat Bashful Kanin, beige 219,- (link: kortogkos)
• Ullsett (str. 86/92)
• Fleecesett (str. 86-92)
• Smykkeskrin, svart med to "lag" (link Zendi) 460.-
• Gyngesau, 699,- Coop obs
• Chicco Animal cottage, 279,- (link Kozmos)
• Dyne, Junior str.
• IKEA gavekort
• Trunki koffert (link cdon) 359,-

DaddyO

• Dressokker (str 43)
• T-skjorter (str L) ensfarget
• Boksere (str L)
• Deo, type Hugo
• Bildekkoppheng, til fastmontering på vegg (link Biltema) x2 sett

MommyS

• Wink of Stella shimmer pen, clear (link: Bikuben) 69,-
• Smykkeskrin, svart med to "lag" (link Zendi) 460.-
• Twilight forever DVD set (link Amazon)
• Sjerf/sjal i ull, str 60x200 i nøytral farge (f.eks: Spennerigården)
• Johaug Åslia votter (link: Gmax) 399,-

Finally done and beautiful globes

I’ve been working on these pillow cases for ages. Well the knitting part was done in a couple of weeks, but adding the zipper took forever. Over the course of the last few weeks I have added the zippers. And now I’m finally done! Just four more pillow cases to go…but before I can start with them I have a few Christmas gifts that I need to finish first.

Knitted in Lana Grossa Classic Tweed, color 002 – a speckled brown/beige color. Lovely.
December is here and time for some Winter magic. These days I’ve been busy with another project. Making ice globes for Lysnisseprosjektet/Making a magical December. I found a tutorial thanks to Pintrest. So I’ve been experimenting with balloons and various amounts of water. It’s not cold enough outside to make these globes, so I’ve made them one at a time in my freezer.

my two globes yesterday…

I have placed mine on a bed of pine needle branches on top of a storage case I have on our front patio. Today I added another one…but forgot to take a picture. Instructions on making these can be found here. Thank you Anne! The tutorial is in Norwegian, but the video shows the steps so well no need for sound.
- How do you create your Winter magic?

I’m back

It’s been a few full weeks here at CasaR. With BabyS taking a few weeks Summer vacation from kindergarten I’ve had my hands full with BabyS and BabyL. The plan was for DaddyO to take a few weeks off from work simultaneously, but had to change his plans when there was some lousy vacation planning on his colleagues part. So DaddyO had to “work from home” while BabyS was home. In other words, hectic days.

On the plus side…we have been blessed with super fantastic weather here in Oslo, Norway. With temperature well into the thirties. No need to travel anywhere for Mediterranean forecasts.Sunny days and poolside lounging, no complaints here.

Now that BabyS is back in kindergarten I get naptime back so I might even have time to do some blogging again. Though I have to admit…I have had time to do some Ebaying lately. After joining the Facebook group Ebay Baby & Barn I get many great tips on stuff to buy for my two sweeties.

The arrival of BabyL on BabyS 2 year birthday hasn’t given me time to reflect over the fact that my “little BabyS” is becoming a big girl. Just a few weeks ago she “moved” from her cot over to a full size bed – after a diaper mishap we used as an excuse to move the cot out of her room. The cot is now in “quarantine” before moving in to BabyLs room – so that BabyS doesn’t feel she’s loosing her bed to her baby sister. These last weeks I’ve noticed her growing personality, and her temper... her vocabulary is growing and how talkative she is several times a day. The other day I realized that I have to talk more Cantonese to her, if I want her to master the art of Chinese…So note to self – say everything in both Cantonese and Norwegian. It’s fun to see how she loves to try things out herself now. Think it’s time to give BabyS a new nick on my blog – how does “SweetieS” sound?

- have you given your children cyber nicknames?
- how has your Summer been so far?

Is Spring finally here?

After getting myself updated on Facebook I realized there has been an excessive amount of Spring posts. Friends and family have been posting their first Spring sprouts. Is Spring finally here?

The weekend @CasaR has been spendt inside….with wind and local showers, playing outside was not an option.

- has Spring arrived where you live?

Signs of Spring

The trees and bushes outside have started sprouting, my Pumas have found their way out of storage and already taken their first steps outside. Ahhh Spring has arrived!

Though I did get a negative reminder of Spring this weekend too. With the snow melting out comes the turds dog walkers have left during the Winter. Please dog people, pick up after your pets!

Going all woolly…

These days the temperature here at “the top of Oslo” has dropped below zero degrees Celsius. And here in Norway we have a saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”. Being a mother with maternity leave I have a lot of time off to walk with BabyS in her stroller – in the increasingly colder weather. Well the other day a friend of mine recommended Pierre Robert Wool Collections tops.

I got a hold of a few tops the other day. And now I can say I    THEM! They are made of a wool and silk blend, and super thin…therefore not bulky beneath whatever I decide to wear.

What I love about these tops…
the design is plain and simple…no granny-feeling here.
They are available in beautiful colors…(I think I have all the available colors already-shhh don’t tell DaddyO)…I’ve seen these colors in the stores: black, nature (an off-white nuance), brown, grey, aqua (a marine blue version) and color I think is called port (a dark purple-red-ish color).
They are also available in sleeveless and with long sleeve…whatever rocks your boat.

the sleeveless version	with long sleeves

pictures borrowed from the Pierre Robert website

One of the great qualities of wool is its’ ability to transport away moisture, thereby keeping you warm.
Wool also has a self-cleaning ability, so if you just air out after use you can use the clothes more than a day before washing. Perfect for a new mum like me…finding time to do the laundry isn’t always easy with a baby around. Or is that just me procrastinating???

And the elasticity is the blend makes these tops perfect for a breastfeeding mum like me.

Only down side I can come up with, is the price. Wool clothing isn’t particularly cheap here in Norway, and Pierre Robert isn’t an exception. But they are widely available, as they are available in most convenience stores. Some stores also have regularly sales on Pierre Robert clothes, so checking around can save you some money.

These days I don’t go anywhere without one of these underneath… Have you tried Pierre Robert Wool Collection? What do you think about the clothes available?

Snowflakes keep falling on my head

Today I woke up to snow!

Though the temperature is not cold enough for the snow to stick…The first snow has arrived!

I hope you are prepared…have you change to winter tires on your car(s)?

Natures fall color palette

It’s official, fall is here.

This week I was out strolling with BabyS and she was totally mesmerized by all the beautiful colors that surrounded us. I recommend taking a stroll in the Norwegian woods these days. It really is beautiful…

some of the color palette on my stroll…

Well the summer is over for sure. These days there is more wind and rain than there are sunny days. Though the temperature has still not dropped below 10°C. So these days I’m trying to cram in as many strolls with BabyS as the weather allows.

All I can say, get on some warm clothes and go out and enjoy Norway!

Survivor

- they survived!

A few days ago I posted about the freak hail storm that hit my house. I finally had time to check on my backyard plants. I was relived to find all my strawberry plants and my little rose bush had survived. Now crossing my fingers that the berries will start coming before the summer here in Norway is over…

And the skies opened up…

We’ve passed the middle of July and the skies opened up and what comes down?

HAIL…only in Norway…

My poor strawberry plants and roses…hopefully they survived the pummeling. I’ll have to check on them when it stops hailing and raining.

Murphys Law rears it head again…

Just a few weeks ago I mentioned Murphys law for the first time in a post…once again it rears it's’ ugly head. This time in the form of bad weather.

I mentioned in a post I wanted a wooden gazebo for the front patio of our house, to provide shelter from the weather for our baby stroller.

Luck would have it, I found a wooden gazebo like the type I wanted at a VERY reasonable price. At just 1495 NOK it was way cheaper than any of the options I had found so far. But there was a catch…it had to be picked up in the city of Moss. Which is about an hours drive from Oslo. Manageable. and with a little help from my friend, we were able to pick it up Friday evening.

We even had such luck that by the time we went to pay for the gazebo, the price had fallen further, to 995 NOK!!! Because the item is being discontinued. Lucky we thought…we even got the last one they had in stock.

But when I woke up this morning, Murphy has struck. Several centimeters of snow had fallen during the morning hours and our front patio was now covered in snow…

after a day in the Sun, a lot of snow has still not melted

The gazebo is originally not painted, but this blog did give me some inspiration.

Now just waiting for the snow to melt and give the patio a once over before assembling the gazebo…

I want, I want

At the front of our house  we have a patio, and there is just a small roof covering the front door. The plan is to build a roof over the front patio later on. But for now, as a temporary solution, we have landed on buying a wooden gazebo. This way we have a place to park the baby stroller when at home, without it being in the way and protected from the elements. Where do you park your stroller when at home? Is it in the way?

So far I’m surprised over how expensive they are!This one costs 9990 NKR!!

the next one I find, more expensive than the last one…11990 NKR!

We haven’t set a budget for the gazebo, but I feel almost 10K NKR is a little on the expensive side…

from when we bought the house

last summer we did an overhaul of the flooring

Our house has a wooden exterior, so I feel a wooden gazebo will complement the exterior. Now starts the search for a wooden gazebo at a reasonable price. Wish me luck, I really want one…

It's snowing!...again

Didn’t expect it would be snowing when I woke up this morning. It’s not many days ago since I posted about the first flowers showing up in my backyard. But living in Norway it’s not a total surprise…
Well with this kind of weather I guess I will be using our fireplace and curling up in the couch…and doing some crocheting. Hopefully I will done with the baby blanket I started on soon.

...feel warmer already...

Signs of Spring

The down jacket has been put away and the not-so-fluffy-jackets has come out of hiding.

The snow is melting away and out comes the turds!

Darn it…my neighborhood is like a poop minefield these days. Please all dog owners pick up after your dogs…they can’t do it themselves

Sneaker time

The snow has finally melted away under the Spring sun and I can finally dig out a pair of my beloved Puma sneakers. And without worry of slipping and falling flat on my face on the icy ground I’m hoping that Spring is finally here…

Yeah I know…This pair is starting to look somewhat worn out

Snowflakes keep falling on my head

And here I thought that the winter was coming to an end…

True to the in-laws going away to a warmer place, snow is back in the scenary of my home in Oslo.

See forecast here