Guess where we are now ?

Just for the end of the year, we made it back to get over our jet lag before we are ready for the next adventure. The last years we always had a very calm end and beginning in Maine at the sea to say good bye with the sunset and then good morning to the sunrise from Europe.

Seldom we were here in the days between Christmas and New Year. Now we realize that Paris is the preferred town to visit in these days and the citizens of all Europe seem to meet here to welcome the New Year 2012.

WE WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

Lucia celebration in Sweden

To fully appreciate the celebration of the Saint Lucia day on December 13 one has to be in Sweden where the daylight is down to about 6 hours (if it is a clear day). Even if it is not the shortest day, it is a good date: still 11 days to Christmas and the First Advent was 12 days ago.

In the circle of the family, ideally one has a daughter who comes early in the morning, dressed in something long and white with one or more lit candles, serving hot coffee, saffron buns and ginger snaps...... For me it was such a good feeling to be back and live in this well known tradition and not having to explain what 'gloegg' is and how old/young this swedish custom is. I felt 'at home'.

If you have the time and inclination, then you can click on this post's title and watch the actual 7 AM TV Lucia celebration as it is seen by thousands of Swedes. A modern substitute for

those who have no "Lucia" in the house and have to make their own coffee and eat the store bought saffron bun - as I did quiet contently.

In the afternoon - 4.30 PM the Stockholm Stadsmuseum had their own Lucia with her singing group, all from a music school. Despite a cold wind, we all were warmed and moved by the beautiful children's voices and well known songs. In the darkness the music and the many light sources give strength and hope for the next dark and freezing months.

.....As the sun departs from earth, shadows are brooding, there in our dark house, walking with lit candles - Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!.......

Christmas tree?

Is it already the 6th of December? The large fir tree on Boston College reminds us that Christmas is soon despite the mild weather with green grass. Shall we buy a tree?

At Russo's the best is to walk through the rows of cut fir trees and inhale the smell of Christmas trees. One tree more beautiful then the other. Which one should we get?

But I am away for a week and when I come back it is only 6 days until Christmas Eve.

We have to find a different solution this year. ........

Wellesley College

We live in Newton which is the 'Garden city' but sometimes we like to drive west to come to more open space. Wellesley College has a beautiful museum with a collection including unexpected masterpieces. The special exhibitions give new insights and surprises and after the museum visit the large wooded campus invites to a stroll around the lake.

Do the students know what a privilege it is to study in this environment?

Before and after

Days before Thanksgiving the freezers are filled with 'birds'. From between 4 kg to more then 12 kg specimens. A better way (for the food connoisseur) is to reserve a freshly killed former 'happy' free range bird at the organic food market.

Thankfully - we could eat a lovingly prepared meal with the family and can report that happy birds make happy eating.

Thankful we were again, when we saw during the next day's walk the remnants of somebody else's Thanksgiving meal. (Ronald McDonald in person you can meet if you click on the title of this post)

Sea side weekend

The last weeks were hectic and to come away and just enjoy being together and close to nature we drove up to the coast of Maine. There we could take long walks along the shore and taking deep breaths to fill our lungs with the salty air. The breaking waves giving us a 'sense of eternity'.....

It is low season, the beach is empty and the lonely seagull watching us is thinking:

"What are you doing here?"

Fall foliage

Every Fall the beauty of the change of colors from green to all shades of red and yellow is surprising us. In New England we are lucky with the right mixture of many deciduous trees and bushes, strong sunlight and often a clear blue sky.

Nobody can resist to look up with admiration!

How strange that these leaves, when on the ground

are perceived as 'ugly' and have to be remove with gusto (and high decibels).

From quiet contemplation we flee and with us the birds, squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits......

PS. If you click on the title it links you to more info on the Fall foliage in the US.