I love my old Christmas decorations, mostly made of wood and wool. Then there is the wonderful scent of a live Christmas tree. Too late I thought to check if one can buy it in a bottle. Of course one can.
Scented candles and aromas from the kitchen. Music, Christmas music, old songs from Sweden, folk songs that I always thought were hymns sung in churches, so lovely. And our songs here, Chestnuts Roasting reminds me of Christmas season in New York City. Silent Night, sung in most languages around the world.
Even in this year, this most difficult year -- Christmas traditions, songs, decorations, and its spiritual meaning have lifted my spirits.
The Santa my grandfather made well over 100 years ago gets a place of honor on the fireplace mantel. Behind is the Save the Date request from my god-daughter, Mia, who is an artist and drew their pictures and designed the card. And, as of yesterday, is married to her Kevin. Love you both.
The little straw goats symbolize the goats that arrive with Santa in Sweden. Strangely, or perhaps not, in the land of the reindeer Santa travels with goats. The card behind, which you can barely see, is from Gabrielle and her family. Gabby's mom was one of my best friends, gone from us way too soon. I've known Gabby since she was born and I'm glad she remembers me in her busy life, a realtor with three young boys and a handsome husband to look after.
I haven't really decorated my little tree very well. I may add some things, or I may not. Remembering Charlie Brown's tree, oh well...
One day, a few years back, I found these little houses in a local thrift store. My village has a feed store, a fire house and, as every village should, it has a church. I added some of my Swedish tomtar, who don't really like to be called gnomes, but there you are. The little animals that so wisely gathered outside the feed store, I purchased from the gift shop I managed, years ago, at the Donkey Rescue. The runner was embroidered by my grandmother.
The Christmas table cloth was also made by my grandmother, my dad's mom. Joyce gave me the amaryllis four years ago. It's done with blooming.
Among my gifts behind the amaryllis is a gift bag from Walmart Pickup. I love it, a Walmart Pickup swag bag! I haven't looked inside, there are probably lots of promotions and ads in there, but it made me smile.
Then Christina emailed yesterday to let me know there would be a Christmas concert at Konserthuset in Stockholm at 9:00 a.m. PT. It was fun to listen to.
Afterwards, I felt inspired to bring out my own Swedish Christmas albums. This one includes a beautiful hymn, Bereden Vag, which translates to Prepare the Way.
While I was looking through my CDs, I found another one of Swedish Christmas songs in lovely renditions by, among others, two of Sweden's international opera stars, baritone Ingvar Wixell, and tenor Rolf Bjorling, son of our perhaps most famous opera singer, Jussi Bjorling. They are no longer with us, but their music, of course, lives on.
Grandpa's Santa, still going strong at around 110 years old.
Merry Christmas
and
A Wonderful Holiday Season
I may take off until 2021
If so,
Happy New Year!
