Happy 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.

DSC_0096 
 

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.

DSC_0099 
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).

DSC_0115 

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

DSC_0151 

DSC_0154 
With just a few more adjustments and placement of the crown, we are ready to begin.

DSC_0159 
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.

DSC_0169 
and in through the kitchen…

DSC_0173 
and into the family room we sang the St. Lucia song happily.

DSC_0175 
As the songs went on and on and on……., one little St. Lucia got a little tired.

      DSC_0183     DSC_0184  

DSC_0196 
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!

DSC_0227 

Is anyone hungry? There is a fine St. Lucia table set. Skรฅl 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 vรคxjรถ 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!

DSC_0244 

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.
 


Comments

21 responses to “Happy St. Lucia”

  1. Oh how wonderful! Mimi is just precious as St Lucia! Lussebullarna looks yummy (and is that a spettekaka I spy in the third picture down?)
    Enjoy your day!

    Like

  2. What a beautiful celebration Valarie!
    I would love to be at your house during St. Lucia!
    Enjoy celebrating this lovely season xo
    (are those GNOME mugs!!?! LOVE)

    Like

  3. Hej Valarie
    Valkommen till bak (is that right? welcome back ๐Ÿ˜‰
    I MISSED YOU!
    Oh Valarie your St Lucia celebration looks soo homely and just lovely, and cosy, your Lusskate buns look delicious…I haven’t made any yet, but the boys have in school.
    Trevlig St Lucia dag!
    LOVE PEACE enJOY
    Julie
    x
    P.S. You have freshly fallen snow today wonderful…will you share it with us tomorrow?

    Like

  4. That looks like a gorgeous celebration! It has been so fun to learn more about this holiday through your family and your piece in Rhythm of The Home. Thank you for sharing these gorgeous images, and it is good to have you back ๐Ÿ™‚

    Like

  5. ah! I was just about to ask you for the saffron buns recipe. I didn’t realize they were on ROTH. I haven’t been able to dig into the new edition yet. I will, eventually, but it most likely won’t be until after Christmas. Something to look forward to!
    Glad your computer is back in action ๐Ÿ™‚

    Like

  6. It all looks delightful! Tasty treats, adorable children, and supersweet gnomes on the mugs. What a fun celebration, thanks for sharing.

    Like

  7. This looks so fun. Your children look absolutely angelic.
    Do you follow all Swedish holiday customs? How ’bout the lutefisk for Christmas Day?

    Like

  8. Oh, I love that you shared this. We have friends who celebrate St. Lucia, but not this elaborately. Saffron buns? Really? With real saffron? Yum! Love your photos and your new blog look. It has been too long since I have stopped by. I am sorry!
    Nicola

    Like

  9. What a happy post, and a wonderful tradition. And all those happy faces!

    Like

  10. Great post. I always loved the St Lucia tradition, and I wanted our family to be Swedish so i could wear a beautiful crown. I might just institute it next year. Your photographs are so beautiful and fun! Lovely lovely food too. I am actually going to Ikea tomorrow, so I will probably come home with some delights from their food section. xxx

    Like

  11. beautiful pictures Valarie….. and I see my favorite cups have come out for the holiday too!

    Like

  12. I am off to ROTH too – things should quieten down a bit here from today and I can start exploring a few of the things I have missed in the chaos of the last week! Saffron buns….:D

    Like

  13. Hej Carin,
    It is a spettekaka. I just love baking this time of year. We have so many fun things to make. Be well.

    Like

  14. You are welcome any time. Yes those are gnome mugs. They are porsgrund nisse pattern.

    Like

  15. Hej Julie,
    Valkommen till baka. Your swedish is getting better and better. I hope your holiday season is going well and that you have a safe trip back to Sweden. Hugs to all.

    Like

  16. It was so much fun sharing this holiday with you and ROTH. It’s one of my favorites. It’s so good to be back.

    Like

  17. Wouldn’t miss the lutefisk for anything. We do,however, go and eat it at a friends house because I let that smell linger else where. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Like

  18. Yep, with real saffron. It’s one of my favorite celebrations.

    Like

  19. Ah Jacqui, you can celebrate St. Lucia no matter if you are Swedish or not. It’s just the beauty of it all. I hope you’ll adopt it next year. Hope you had fun at IKEA.

    Like

  20. The mugs made it out again this year. It woudln’t be December without them.

    Like

Leave a reply to Mousy Brown Cancel reply