My family's Norwegian cabin

I'm off to Norway for Christmas!

Let me share a little story with you.

I'm actually half-Norwegian (and a Norwegian citizen). My dad came to America in his 20's looking for fame and fortune...Actually, he just wanted a job as a commercial pilot. He began as a flight instructor, earning money and flight time on his way to the big leagues (flying 747s). Around that time, my mother, a newly-minted physician, woke up one day with the sudden urge to learn how to fly. Who was her flight instructor? My dad. Four years older than he, during one flight lesson while my dad was dozing, she peeked at his license and nearly broke up with him after learning how much younger he was! I'm so glad she didn't (she is too). (He works in finance now, but still enjoys flying!)

Many years ago my family decided to firmly replant their roots in our Norwegian heritage, and built a family cabin (seen in the above picture). Big enough to house a family of seven but still cozy, warm, and wooden (with a grass roof that has to be mowed in the summer), it's a wonderful place in the tundra atop the scenic country village my dad grew up in. I've been visiting this town since I was only a few months old--but I haven't been in five years! I'm so homesick for it, that I can hardly wait to get there (only 20 hours of traveling...no biggie).

This year, HB is coming along so I am DOUBLE excited!

UPDATE: All our flights to Norway have been canceled due to the giant snowstorm and British Airways' shit-their-pants-response to it...we are just scrambling to get there by any means possible, now....please cross your fingers for us!

Since 2003 I've been avidly interested in photography. I even ran a photoblog for many years that won several photography awards, and had my work published in local newspapers. All of the pictures from this post you see were photos I took during my most recent trip to Norway. It really is a winter wonderland.

We'll definitely be making plenty of snow angels.

Speaking of angels, my late brother (Erik) and I shared a common bond in our avid love for all things Norwegian. We were the Norway fanatics and couldn't get enough of it. I know I will feel his presence just that much stronger while I am there.

We particularly loved to go cross-country skiing.

Come on in! Doesn't it look so cozy?

Here is where we will be sharing our Christmas and New Year's feast.

And entertaining ourselves without wires.

While I'm overseas from Dec 21st thru Jan 2nd, PSS will be graciously hosted by a number of top-name bloggers--some of my absolute favorites. Please give each of them a hearty welcome, and your support & thanks in comments, as they share and interpret what it means to be pretty shiny & sparkly, as well as the holiday season!

Thanks all and I look forward to reading your feedback! Check back every weekday (and Saturday, Dec 25th!) for a new post every day from each surprise guest blogger, as well as a holiday greeting from HB and yours truly. :)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you!

Stay tuned for one more post today...!