Christmas spirit in Lund and Malmo Dec 2012

I wanted to capture some of the Swedish Christmas spirit before we left for our trip to the US.  This is the tree right outside our apartment building.   

 This is in one of the city squares.  I find it so interesting that there is so much open flame in Sweden.

I went to Malmo for a Julbord (translated Christmas table).  I went with my dinner out group and we had so much fun.  A few of us took the train together and we were a little early so we walked around Malmo center so I could take a few pictures of the decorations.  It was so cold my fingers felt like they were going to fall off!

 This is the building where we had dinner.  Isn't it regal looking??

 Here I am with one of my favorite new friends, Jenny form Ireland.  The lamp was beautiful and super bright!

 Here I am with Naz (another wonderful new friend) in a small courtyard with a neat art gallery.

Kulturen on a cold, cold night!

 Here A and I are standing in front of Domkyrkan. R is across the street taking this picture.

 This is Stortorget in Lund. One small thing I find interesting is that all the public trees in Sweden are not decorated on the bottom third.

 This is Lilla Fiskaregatan a.k.a. the walking street.

 This is Ahlgrens Konfektyr, a chocolate shop I love!

 Here are the gingerbread houses form the party at Ray's work.  L and I were sick so R and A went by themselves.

 The one A and R made is in the middle with God Jul on the roof.

 More Domkyrkan pictures! It is the most amazing church! Look at the cool colors in the sky.

 A few more in Stortorget!

 And Lilla Fiskaregatan.

This is Allhelgonakyrkan. I have not been inside yet but I will sometime this month.

St Lucia 2012

St. Lucia is a fun and beautiful holiday celebrated in Sweden.  We loved St. Lucia last year and so this year we planned on going to three different Lucia concerts. The first one was at the Domkrykan. It is an amazing candlelit service with singing and it is almost impossible to capture the essence on camera. We went to the family concert so the children are allowed to sit in the aisle after the Luciatog (Lucia train). Here is A (in the striped sweater) sitting the aisle. 

 You can see the Lucia in the middle with the crown of candles on her head.

 There is A in front of the Domkrykan. Her snowsuit has reflective batches so it shows up really shiny!


The next Lucia concert we went to was in the church in the Kulturen. The church is one of my favorites in Lund. Again it was really difficult to take pictures but the candlelit service was beautiful and awesome.

 There is the Lucia with the crown of candles.

 This is the amazing wood alter in the church.

 We went to the concert with Bjorn and Ingrid and had a lovely time.

 The last Lucia concert was at A and L's school!

 A sang all the songs and L sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! I was so proud of both of them!

 My little pepprakakor!

 Here L is eating Luciakatter, the traditional food for the holiday.  I remember last year I didn't have one until St. Lucia day at A's school and they were so good! This year as soon as they were available I bought them and ate them, so much in fact that by St. Lucia day I was sick of them!!

 Here is L with his good friend E.

We love the new holidays and traditions we have learned about during our time in Sweden.  I think on December 13th I will always wish I could go to a candlelit service in a super old cathedral in Lund and listen to beautiful songs in Swedish.  And eat Luciakatter! And dress up L like a gingerbread cookie! And dress A up like Lucia and listen to her sing all the great songs.  Maybe we will do some of these things, time will tell. Our time in Sweden has left an impression on all us and one thing I will miss is St. Lucia Day.