A simple 10-minute task for today: invite people over for a get-together at the end of the Cure. This way, you have some extra motivation to finish things, as well as a way to celebrate all the hard work. It is pretty sweet to have these breathers in the Cure as well, so not every single day is filled with dusting and scrubbing.
For this task I cheated a little bit and finished on Tuesday. I am in a Bible study group that meet every other week, and I volunteered to host the next one. It will be a few days before the Cure is officially over, but thats alright. The main projects should be done by then, and maybe we can even finish everyting a little early. Is that too optimistic? Anyways, here are some bright weekend flowers for you.
I could never picture getting married anywhere but in a church. I had only been in Skodje church once, for one of my cousins confirmations. But when we decided to have our reception at Nedreskodje Gard, the choice was easy. The church is a 10 minute stroll away from the barn, it is quite small, and it looks really pretty too.
Here is a peak into our wedding ceremony, complete with soundtrack:
This sounds cheesy, but the moment the church doors opened and I started walking towards Mike must be the most emotional I have ever experienced. Seeing him for a couple of hours for photos earlier in the day didn´t take anything away from making it special. I was smiling and crying, and just so incredibly happy! I was not very nervous, but unusually emotional during the whole service - and grateful to have a handkerchief at hand.
Our processional was "Bruremarsj" by Jan Magne Førde. I have always loved this song, and the fact that the composer is from my hometown makes it even better. My dear friend Erika joined the organ player for this song, as well as for the hymns we sang.
We had readings by a couple of our sisters from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and Colossians 3:12-19, and a paragraph on marriage and being in love from "Mere Christianity" by C.S Lewis. All our parents were also involved in a prayer of blessing.
We had been wearing our rings during the whole engagement and had planned to take them off before the ceremony and give them to my dad who was our officiant. As I sit there in church I see Mike carefully take his ring off and hand it to his best man, and I realize I am still wearing mine too! Just a few minutes later it was time to say our "Yes", and the next thing up was the ring ceremony, so we remembered just in time. It all happened very fast, and suddenly we were married!
During the speech we held hands and smiled. It was slightly surreal to think that we were married for real, that this was not another rehearsal. I must admit I can not remember much of what was said, though I thought it was great in the moment. Luckily it is all recorded on video (a last minute decision), and if we are lucky I might be able to get a hold of the manuscript too.
The big surprise of the day came at the end of our ceremony. My dad walked out from behind the altar, my cousin Sondre started to play the guitar, and suddenly my dad burst into song! He had seen an untraditional blessing on youtube and decided he wanted to sing it for us. Everyone was so surprised, and there was a LOT of laughter.
Finally, we walked down the aisle as man and wife, while "Wedding Day at Troldhaugen" by Edvard Grieg was played. We hugged everyone, kissed on the stairs and since the skies were bright blue we walked to our reception and into marriage serenaded by a pretty violinist.
At church yesterday we had the very talented and beautiful Birgitte Karlsen playing some of her music for us. Her myspace page has more music if you like what you hear.
And judging by the numbers, you like my new blog layout too.
17th of May - Norway´s Constitution Day, has been celebrated with style, ice cream, bunad, parades, marching bands and games. It was a very good day!
In church we got the question: What makes you happy and thankful today?
My answer: My country, wonderful co-workers and students, fun friends, beautiful sunny spring, history and tradition, family, church, songs and music (including marching bands!), good food, freedom... and the list goes on!
So, what are you thankful for?
.... takk din store Gud! (.... give thanks to your great God!)
Before: a thrifted skirt from the Sunday market at Birkelunden in Oslo
It was a little too long and see-through so I decided to turn this one into a bubble skirt of some sort. I was considering making a tutorial for this, but it never happened (because I failed in taking pictures of the process), but I simply added a piece of fabric to the bottom to the desired (double) length, folded it in half and sewed it in place. The last sewing part was done by hand in the car on our way from Bergen to Sunnmøre. Finally a project I could do wherever!
An added bonus: the ride seemed to go a lot faster.
After: Bubble skirt
I thought this skirt would be appropriate as an Easter outfit. I never heard of the concept of Easter dresses before I had American friends. In these cold parts we got our spring/summer dresses for 17th of May, our Constitution Day, and even then you could risk snow and icy rain. This year spring has already announced its arrival, with summer temperatures and sunny days - I love it!
I love Easter as well, and it has been great to celebrate it with different families in Betlehem, Sula Frikirke and tomorrow: Langevåg Bedehus. I have had a busy schedule the past days, to be able to see friends and family, but still it is good to have time to meet together and just focus on Jesus and walk through the story that begins with fellowship, betrayal, suffering, pain and death and ends with life, resurrection, hope and joy!
Ahh... Sunday, how I love thee! To wear my pyjamas half the day, while watching Gilmore Girls and eating pomegranate for breakfast (brunch is more like it). But then I saw this picture at Rare Bird
...and suddenly I had the urge to put on a blue dress, so I did.
And yesterday was a glorious tapas feast to celebrate my friend Kristins 30th birthday. We had a lot of fun, and I forgot to take pictures, so you will have to trust me when I say the food looked and tasted delicious, the ladies were pretty and we laughed the night away. Congratulations Kristin, you are amazing!
