LearnSweden Blog

Scenes from Sweden

The Waldorf Connection Homeschooling Expo

Jump into a Book , my children's book blog,is proud to be a sponsor of this year's homeschooling expo. Please have a look below to find a free preview call as well as links to see who will be speaking at this year's conference. Though it's called the homeschooling expo, I've found even those of us who have children in school and gleam a lot of wisdom from this event. From creating rhythm in our days to discipining children, as well as, age appropriate stories, curriculum, music and art. This is a not to be missed expo.

We are only days away from the event of the year-
The Global Waldorf Expo!  I hope you have
reserved your ticket so you can glean all this
knowledge and move forward in your
Waldorf-inspired journey.

You can join Donna Ashton as she hosts Rainbow Rosenbloom
on Friday, June 10 for the sneak peek preview to
kick-off the Expo  “The Importance of
Waldorf Education Today” . You must be registered
to get the details on this call. Here is the link:
http://thewaldorfconnection. com Look for the sign-up box.

Can’t make it this weekend? No worries!
Your ticket includes the mp3 recordings (and CD depending on level)
so you can listen anytime again and again!

There are a lot of other incredible bonus audios and
special “goodies” from our speakers you won’t want
to miss. PLUS you will be given a private pass to
the Private Facebook Page where you can ask questions,
post feedback and meet other Waldorf families!

Here the link to register:

http://globalwaldorfexpo.com

 

In case you missed hearing the details about this,
let me quickly share that The Global Waldorf Expo
is on June 11 and 12th and will include over 15 workshops
on cutting edge Waldorf topics.

This conference is for YOU if:

*You want some balance and rhythm to your day, but just
can’t seem to make it come together!

*You want inspiration in your lessons and deeper
understanding of Waldorf ideas

*You want to raise your confidence with concrete ideas
for your “toolbox” so you “have it all together”

*You want to stop trying to learn all this by yourself
and get the support you need

*You want to wake up feeling inspired and confident
with your upcoming day

****************************

Come join the Waldorf homeschooling community for
a virtual weekend of inspiration and learning-
all from your own home.

If you’re at all curious, click here for details:
–>http://globalwaldorfexpo.com

 

Joy On Purpose: The Fox Diaries

Don't Forget!

Today is the last day to enter the Little Acorn Learning Giveaway. It's open until 8 pm EST tonight. Please leave your comment here.

 

Now back to our regularly scheduled blog post.......

A little over a year ago I looked out my office window to see a mother fox with her 4 baby fox kits. It was one of the most magical moments of my life. I immediately got my camera and spent the next several weeks in my front yard and garden observing and interacting with these gorgeous creatures.

 

Each Thursday I shared a little bit of each week and what it had held here on the blog under the category of "The Fox Diaries". The foxes didn't return this year and I still look out my window everyday expecting to see them.

 

They're with me though in another way.

 I haven't been as active as usual on my blog and it's for a good reason. I've been writing and editing my new book "The Fox Diaries: The year the foxes came to our garden" published by Audrey Press.

 

It has been a life long dream to write a book and the one thing I realized while putting this whole project together is that dreams don't just arrive at your front door, you have to create them intentionally. It's been the creating process that has meant the most to me and has brought me the most joy. To see a word document coming back from the editor looking like "real book text". To wake up one morning and see the book cover in my in-box and realize, "Oh,....this is really happening". 

 

There have been moments when I've lost complete objectivity, like the first time I saw the actual book design, I held my breath through the whole book look. Or what about the day a large envelope came to my door. Not expecting a package I couldn't think what it was, and it was the proofs of the book. I stopped breathing then too.

 

 The next package to come were the actual book pages. Soon, my book will be ready and soon....I'll have so much more to show you.

 

This is where I thank each and everyone of you who stop by this blog to say "Hej". It was because of your love of our foxes which gave me the courage to give this a go and it's been worth every living second.

 

 Here's to Joy! What have you always wanted to do or create?

Swedish Semmeldagen/Mardi Gras

Happy Mardi Gras Everyone! Not only is it a huge holiday in the Southern United Stated but in Sweden, my ancestral home, it is semmeldagen or Semlor day. On this day we eat cardamom buns filled with almond paste filling and topped with whipped cream.

 

In another way it's an anniversary as well. My friend Jenny was here one year ago today visiting while her husband interviewed for a job. Now she lives up the street from me and we have rekindled our friendship of 25 years.

 
This anniversary saw me baking once again our favorite little buns.

 
All of us Swedish people met over at Jenny's. Once there I assembled the buns. The anticipation of eating one of these buns was daunting.

 
Friends helped and watched,

 
until it was time to eat one of our very own.

 
bonne fete/happy mardi gras and may something sweet find it's way into your stomach. Be well.  

Elements of Early Childhood

 

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that the Waldorf Connection is having a new course which starts tomorrow called,"The Elements of Early Childhood." I'm so excited about this course and the support it can bring to those of us with small children in our homes.

The “Elements of Early Childhood” 5-week course is starting this Thursday, Feb. 10. That means you still have time to enroll!

Let me tell you a bit about The Waldorf Connections, "Elements of Early Childhood course. It was created especially for moms, parents & early childhood educators who are ready to get the back-stage pass into Early Childhood and start experiencing the wonders of Waldorf without the struggles.

(In a hurry? Grab your seat here: http://thewaldorfconnection.com/dap/a/?a=26&p=www.elementsofearlychildhood.com/preview.htm )

You'll learn in-depth "behind-the-scenes"information from Waldorf Early childhood teachers like Rahima Baldwin Dancy, Sharifa Oppenheimer, & Patricia Rubano. Led by Carrie Dendtler of The Parenting Passageway, here are foundational concepts you will come away with:

*Raise your confidence by knowing your child is just where they need to be and how you can create the optimal environment

*Create smoother daily rhythms and transitions throughout the day

*Discover realistic expectations of your child's age and stage that can take you off the hook

*Strengthen your bond and communication skills with your child with less talking

*Easily foster creativity through music, stories and movement, and puppetry

*Learn why play is the foundation for learning and how inspire creative play

*Receive the support you need at this time to grow within yourself as a mom and parent

Here is the link to get all the details and see the success stories from past participants. : http://thewaldorfconnection.com/dap/a/?a=26&p=www.elementsofearlychildhood.com/preview.htm


This invaluable training could be just what you have been looking for to bring harmony and rhythm to your daily routine.
This is a thorough, interactive training where you will be guided by your own Waldorf coach for 5 weeks, so take advantage of this! All calls are recorded so you can listen again and again, as well as you will receive the CD/Notebook shipped to your door.
http://thewaldorfconnection.com/dap/a/?a=26&p=www.elementsofearlychildhood.com/preview.htm 

Thanks again to Donna Ashton for bringing us such wonderful and supportive programs. Hoping to see you there.

Valarie

The Way We Continued

First let me wish all of you a gott nytt år (happy new year). Since I last visited this space the great holiday of Jul descended upon us and then there was after Jul better known as "God Forsätning". Yes on December 26th the Swedes continue to party or shop more like it through another day of celebrating. Everywhere one goes you can hear "God Forsätning".

 

For us we are still "continuing". With all of the children home from school and work, it's like this holiday season will never end. Here's a little recap:

Jul was at my house. We had a full Julbord (Christmas table) both on and off the table. It just depended where you wanted to fill up your plate. 

 

The big news of the day however was the snow. That's right, we had a huge snow storm which let us play outside in snow mode for days.

 
We've enjoyed our time together and many people in this family are sad that school is starting again today and the late nights of games and movies must come to an end. All of us here are wishing you a very splendid new year. Thank you for stopping by this space and for sharing our love of Sweden with us. Without you, we simply could not be. Tack så mycket.

 

God Jul

Tomorrow is our big day of celebrating but before I get really busy in the kitchen and having fun with family friends, I wanted to wish all of you a very happy holiday season. It's such a pleasure meeting all of our readers near and far. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for stopping by to visit often. God Jul och Gott Nytt år.

 

The Candle Guardian

Greetings friends. Yesterday I took a completely harrowing journey. I had to go to Nashville to pick up Mimi from school. I had cancelled the same trip the day before because of an ice storm. We weathered ice, wind, rain, sleet, oh yes and let's not forget the pea soup fog, all hundred miles of it.  7 hours later we arrived home with a very happy Mimi. She immediately got to cooking and this momma went horizontal in the bed.

Which leads me to today's story. As I was trying to decompress from the Polar Express journey, I was surfing the net to watch everyone's St. Lucia videos. In every video there was the silent hand and arm that would steady the real lit candles of little children. This brought back a lovely memory of my mother who served as the "candle guardian" for my entire childhood.  One of my favorite St. Lucia processions is from one the most cherished music schools in Stockholm, Adolf Frederik's Music Classes. Please watch this lovely St. Lucia procession ( only 3 minutes), and keep your eye on the silouetted hand and arm that makes loving adjustments to singing children's candles as they head out of the Gustav Vasa Church. Here's in honor of all the candle guardians that gently guide us.  I wish all of you a happy weekend.

 

 

Greetings friends. Yesterday I took a completely harrowing journey. I had to go to Nashville to pick up Mimi from school. I had cancelled the same trip the day before because of an ice storm. We weathered ice, wind, rain, sleet, oh yes and let's not forget the pea soup fog, all hundred miles of it.  7 hours later we arrived home with a very happy Mimi. She immediately got to cooking and this momma went horizontal in the bed.

Which leads me to today's story. As I was trying to decompress from the Polar Express journey, I was surfing the net to watch everyone's St. Lucia videos. In every video there was the silent hand and arm that would steady the real lit candles of little children. This brought back a lovely memory of my mother who served as the "candle guardian" for my entire childhood.  One of my favorite St. Lucia processions is from one the most cherished music schools in Stockholm, Adolf Frederik's Music Classes. Please watch this lovely St. Lucia procession ( only 3 minutes), and keep your eye on the silouetted hand and arm that makes loving adjustments to singing children's candles as they head out of the Gustav Vasa Church. Here's in honor of all the candle guardians that gently guide us.  I wish all of you a happy weekend.

 

 

Glad St. Lucia

Ah it's so good to be back. My computer was broken all of last week and I really missed this space and all of you. Be sure I will come around visiting today.  First things first, however.  Last night we lit the advent star knowing that today is St. Lucia. St. Lucia in Sweden is one of the highlights of the holiday season and at my house it's not any different.

 
 

The day started early with a fresh fallen snow and I found myself in a familiar setting, my kitchen. With everyone coming over to celebrate we needed a fresh batch of lussekatter.

 
As the house filled with the aroma of saffron buns baking, I set the table for a real festive fika ( swedish word for coffee break).

 

As friends arrive and listen to the story of St. Lucia, it's time to get ready for our family St. Lucia procession.

 

 
With just a few more adjustments and placement of the crown, we are ready to begin.

 
With our big girls away, this years Lucia was lilla Mimi (little mimi). Also known as the "Littlest St. Lucia."  From the dining-room our procession begins.

 
and in through the kitchen...

 
and into the family room we sang the St. Lucia song happily.

 
As the songs went on and on and on......., one little St. Lucia got a little tired.

             

 
I bet you're wondering where is St. Lucia's attendants? Where are the starboys? Where are the tomte? Well......everyone is my house wants to be St. Lucia. As Georgie says, "It's Lucia Day, that means everyone gets to be Lucia." Indeed!

 

Is anyone hungry? There is a fine St. Lucia table set. Skål and Glad St. Lucia.

If you are really wanting to get in the mood, Swedish T.V. has a wonderful program every year. This year's presentation is from the city of växjö in the cathedral. It is in Swedish but you will not feel lost for a moment. The St. Lucia procession is the very first thing and then they move on to traditional Swedish Christmas songs. The entire program is almost an  hour long but the procession is the first few minutes. Enjoy!

 

If you are wanting to make some of these treats for yourself including how to make a St. Lucia crown, head on over to Rhythm of the Home.

Winter Edition and the Most Incredible Giveaway

 
 The new Rhythm of the Home edition is out today. It is filled with the light, warmth , and love that winter brings. ROTH is starting it's second year, and this issue is full of the most wonderful ideas and special moments to create for you, your family, and loved ones.

An enormous thank you goes out to Bernadette, Heather, and Julia for the incredible work they do putting this mag e-zine together.

Again I feel honored to share company within the pages of ROTH. Getting ready for an edition of ROTH is recreating many wonderful memories of our traditions and having the opportunity to share them with so many  kindred spirits   Truly, I feel abundantly blessed.

One of my favorite festivals of the year is St. Lucia. It was so much fun to let you have a peak into our family tradition.

   
photo by Per Svangren

Being the youngest daughter among many meant I never got to wear the St. Lucia crown. The tradition states that the eldest daughter of the household is the St. Lucia.

 
photo by Per Svangren

The one requirement I had when I became a mother was that every child in my house would have a St. Lucia crown if they wanted it. Inside the winter edition I put together a St. Lucia crown made of wool roving. Nice and soft for little ones who also would like to feel  they are bringing light into the darkest time of the year.

 
 

Last but not least, The Rhythm of the Home Blog is hosting a giveaway from many Winter Edition authors. Don't miss out on your chance to win a real St. Lucia crown with LED lights, wishing cookies, and a very special book. Among these things are many more treasures. Leave a comment here for your chance to win. For an extra chance to win, post about the giveaway on your blog .

I wish you many cherished moments in the wonderful season of Winter. Be well friends.

Glad Första Advent

Hejsan everyone. Sunday saw the first of advent come which means the holiday spirit is upon us. At the top of each window we've placed a wooden starlight.

 

Along with illuminating the house, we have started baking in earnest , getting ready for all of the family and friends who will stop by. In two weeks it will be St. Lucia and we are expecting many this year. So, it's time to make our favorite saffron buns, lussekatter, in great supply. More on that later.

 

At this darkest time of year we are always looking for light. Today, I leave you with an excerpt of a beautiful advent poem by Nancy Foster which she wrote for her advent garden.

Deep Mid-winter drawing near,

Darkness in our Garden here ----

One small flame yet bravely burns

To show a path which ever turns.

 
 

Earth, please bear us as we go,

Seeking Light to send-a-glow,

Branches green and moss and fern,

Mark our path to trace each turn.