Britt-Arnhild's House in the Woods

Back to ordinary days.

An ordinary Saturday means homefun (housework). It was a joy to clean and tidy the groundfloor today with all the Christmas decorations packed savely away. To find again my pile of women travel books which have been tucked away for a month, my opera cds and books, our collection of chess games from all over the world and so on. And while homefunning I could look out the window and watch the birds and the squirrels busy in the feeder. I always hope to get a photo of the wood pecker, but he is too shy for me. The squirrles are more tame, but as the photo is taken through the window it is a bit grey.

As Marta was away last night we did not break the gingerbread house then. we usually do it on the 12th day of Christmas when we undecorate. So instead it was a treat for Marta and her friend to break and eat the house today when they came in after having played out in the snow. The house we made this year was only a very simple one, from a ready made wall and roof kit. But it was decorated with alot of icing and sweets, which had become hard as stone. Looks delicious, but the taste is more so and so :-)

My parents are moving in just a few weeks and every time we visit them we get old things from the house. Our family have had the house since 1930. My latest "found" is an old chest, and today we found room for it in the diningroom. First I placed an antique quilt on the floor, one I found in an antique store here in Trondheim many years ago. And on top of the chest I have placed two old earthware pots from Holland, and piles of my travel book collection. Suddenly this became a favorite corner of the room.

12th day of Christmas

Today is the 12th day of Christmas, epiphany or "13. dag jul" as we say in Norway. We burn the three armed candle in remembrance of the three wise men who followed the star all the way to Bethlehem.

And it's the end of the Christmas time.

We have been busy all afternoon undecorating, and now the house is just back to normal. I will miss Christmas, but a new year with new possibilities is also a great adventure.

All my nativity scenes are put away, well, all except for two which will be displayed all year long - a little Christmas spirit during the whole year is always a good thing. In my office the Russian babusca scene I have will remain in the windowsill, in the livingroom the Provence scene, the crèches will stay.

The three wise men are my neves figures in the crèche, bought by my husband when he visited Avignon in Provence in October.

They are all beautifull dressed, and have walked a long way to reach the manger.

In Victoria Magazine from 2001, there is an article about the tradition of live nativity plays in Provence - "a crèche comes alive". The article tells that in Provence, a pageant with roots deep in the past brings life and music to an ancient ongoing tale. Just listen to this: "As midnight approaches on Christmas Eve, a steady stream of men, women and children make their way to St. Denis, an ancient tile-roofed church perched on a hill above the village of Seguret. Dressed in traditional antique costumes (some 200 years old), they look for all the world like the ghosts of Christmas past, but in fact are all players in a pageant - one that not only celebrates the events of a special day but the life of the village itself......and this pageant has been played every year since 1720!

Wow, how I wish to go there one day :-)

Waiting for epiphany

Christmas time is still here. The Three Wise Men have still not come to visit the little baby with their holy gifts. In my different nativity sets we can follow the holy kings on their wandering towards the simple manger, and they don't have far to go now. It is only four days left.

While waiting I want to share with you a few Santa Maria and the child sculptures I have collected over the years. The big one in the background I bought in Haiti in 1998 when I was there on a trip with Norwegian Church Aid, the small glass sculpture in the front I bought in Finland many years ago. The two others I have got as Christmas gifts from Norwegian Church Aid. The one to the left was carved in Malawi a few years ago, the one to the right is made by "Association des Artistes pour la Development et la Culture - AADC". This organisation is situated in Kimihurur, outside Kigali in Rwanda. AADC was started 15 years ago with the purpose to give work to the members to help them earn money for their families. The members are men aged 17-43. AADC cooperates with "Association de Promotion de Handicappe", and organisation of women with different handicaps. These two organisations run a shop together where they sell their handmade products.

Jesus came to the world for all people. We all have the same value for God, our Creator, we all depend on each other, we are all brothers and sisters on this world.

You can read more about Norwegian Church Aid at their homepage: www.nca.no

Happy New 2006!

Happy New 2006 to everybody.

New year's Day is always one of my favorite days. We slept long, and then I had a long solitary walk before watching the New Year's concert from Vienna. It is a year long tradition to watch this concert, and this year I really enjoyed Mariss Jansons as the conducter. Though he is not Norwegian, he is from Latvia I think, he has been conducting here in Norway for many years. It was also a positive surprise with Mozart's Overture from Figaro's Wedding, in honor of Mozart since it is now 250 years since he was born.

Last night was spent quietly at home, with all four kids at home - at least for the meal. After eating we played Settlers, to Marta's great joy. And at midnight Terje, Marta and I went out just up the hill here to watch the fireworks. Ingrid and Øystein were already out with friends, Torgeir were working (poor him)

Tomorrow it is back to school and work and everyday life!