LearnSweden Blog

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.