Jul Market

On Saturday, John and I took the bus to a local Jul market.  This one was located outside of town at what appeared to be a historic site with a number of preserved old buildings.

Along the walkway there were fires - presumably to keep warm.  It wasn't particularly cold (~28-30), but then again, we did not have to wait in line.

The little deer*, made of straw, is a very common decoration.  Smaller versions of the deer, and other figures made of straw are seen frequently.  Little ones are used as Christmas tree (julgran) ornaments. (* Edit: December 2013:  The little straw animal is not a deer!  It is a goat.  I assumed it was a deer because Americans have deer in their tradition.  Funny how one assumes without realizing it. )

Notice the painted walls and ceiling and the ceramic woodburer on which the wreath is hanging. 

Short streamers of flags and twisted straw ornaments.

Part of life here.  No complaints (that I am aware of) from PETA regarding fur etc.

As lovely as they look, it must have been pretty cold.

Jultomten, this one in shades, helping children onto the merry-go-round.

We bought some sausage from a vendor who raised reindeer.  Our sausage had both reindeer and wild boar, and was very lean.  The vendor sold the antlers too.

...and a fun time was had by all...

Sunrise, sunset : Part two.

With winter solstice approaching, I thought you may like to see the early evening sky.

 

3:52 PM

 

 

4: 19 PM

 

I should mention that every building is not this lovely.  But let's pretend. 

 

 

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Date	Sunrise	Sunset	Length	Change	Dawn	Dusk	Length	Change
Today	08:24	15:36	7:12		07:38	16:22	8:44
+1 day	08:26	15:36	7:10	00:02 shorter	07:40	16:22	8:42	00:02 shorter
+1 week	08:32	15:36	7:04	00:08 shorter	07:45	16:22	8:37	00:07 shorter
+2 weeks	08:36	15:38	7:02	00:10 shorter	07:49	16:25	8:36	00:08 shorter
+1 month	08:33	15:57	7:24	00:12 longer	07:48	16:42	8:54	00:10 longer
+2 months	07:49	16:56	9:07	01:55 longer	07:10	17:35	10:25	01:41 longer
+3 months	06:38	17:59	11:21	04:09 longer	06:02	18:36	12:34	03:50 longer
+6 months	04:26	21:49	17:23	10:11 longer	03:27	22:48	19:21	10:37 longer

Notes:Daylight saving time,

First Advent

Last Sunday celebrated the first week of advent.  As I believe I have written previously, Sweden is a very secular society.  That said, if one is going to go to church at all, first advent is the Sunday one is most likely attend.  It is the first Sunday of the church calender.  On this day, the church not only celebrates the coming of the newborn King, but also Christ's entry into Jerusalem.  It is, as I understand it, the true beginning of the Christmas (Jul) season.  It is on this day that Swedes put lights in their windows, and light the first of their four advent candles.

And so, off to church we went.  We had our first snow that morning, and I got a kick out of the snow removal the church employed. Yes, there are snow plows here.  But I have never seen this...snow broom... and, like I said, it brought a smile to my face.

 

The church service was lovely.  There was much singing.  Swede's love to sing - and pretty consistently - sing very very well.

 

 

After the church service we, of course (!!), had FIKA.  Fika should not really be capitalized, but it is in my world.   : )  Below you see a picture of Lucia rolls.  The feast of Santa Lucia is the 13th of December, but I guess it is fine to make these lovely, lightly sweetened rolls ahead of time.

 

 

I am including a recipe for the rolls which I found on Youtube.  The post is very nicely done.  I am also including the recipe from the cookbook I mentioned in an earlier post. Neither recipe has cardamom, but in this area,  cardamom is very common, and it, along with the saffron, typically flavors the rolls. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdcYG_tnGv8

 

 

 

I know the print is small.  You will have to "zooma in".

 

In the evening, John and I took the bus to a small church in Trelleborg.  We went to listen to a choir in which a friend of ours sings.  It was really lovely.

 

 

 

The following recording is not great quality, but you will get a feel for the evening.

 

 

And when we came home, the traditional Jul lights were shining in our windows. 

: )

 

 

 

 

God Jul!!!