Ballard Visit

Mom, Jim, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Tom were here for the Lucia Festival on Saturday, so we decided to head to Ballard on the actual holiday. We (well, the ladies, not the guys) have been wanting to check out the Ballard Scandinavian Store and Cafe for a while. We enjoyed shopping and treats in the cafe! Leila discovered that she loves lefse! After the Portland-bound folk left for home, Leila and I hung around Ballard a bit longer and found ourselves down at the locks. It was a CHILLY day to be on the water, but we had a great time exploring. 

Lucia Dagen

Leila woke up bright and early on December 13th, St. Lucia Day! We could hear her sneaking around in her bedroom getting dressed and in the kitchen preparing a tray of Swedish yummies. It was hard to stay still and wait for her to come "wake" us. What a fun way to start the morning! My Mom and Jim were here still from enjoying the PLU concert, so they also got to join in the Lucia Festivities with Leila waking them up on the sofa bed. 

For a Christmas present last year, my Mom got Leila a St. Lucia American Girl dress for Judy. We had to get a picture of both our Lucias. 

Sankta Lucia Festival

Leila participated in her second Lucia Festival on December 12th. She was beyond excited for the festival to begin! This year, she learned every song instead of just the Midnatt Rador. After the first rehearsal she was worried that she wouldn't be able to sing the Swedish, but after two days of listening to the songs, she was singing Swedish like a pro! I love watching Leila sing in this concert and I love that we are able to celebrate a holiday that our ancestors would have celebrated in Sweden. 

After the concert is finished and the college-aged Lucia is crowned, there is traditional Swedish singing and dancing around the Christmas Tree. Jultomten even made a visit and passed out presents to the children. He gave Leila a darling hand-painted Lucia ornament for her tree. 

Wouldn't it be amazing if in 12 or so years, we watch Leila be crowned as PLU's Lucia? We think it would be pretty special!

More Rain!

We woke up Saturday morning to more rain! We had so much standing water in the yard that the ducks actually moved in! 

 Here a comparison photo. The one on the left was taken Friday afternoon and the one on the right was 24 hours later. 

Lussekatter Rolls

For Lucia Morning, per Swedish tradition, lussekatter rolls are served. No one in my family, except me, likes to eat these rolls, but it doesn't stop me from making them. I think they look so pretty on Lucia Morning! I got better at shaping them this year and Leila helped a lot more with the process. 

Flooded Yard

 This fall has been full of rain! There have been many days where it has rained 24 hours straight! Our backyard began to flood, but only the yard. There wasn't any damage to the house. The flower beds and lawn were under several inches of water. Leila was really excited to pull on her boots and wade to her play structure. After walking through the water she informed me that I was going to have to dump water out of her boots. I thought she was being silly, but she wasn't. She had neglected to tell me that there were giant holes in the back of her boots! We went inside, changed her socks and shoes and promptly headed out for new rain boots!

Sankta Lucia Crown

As a participant in PLU's Sankta Lucia Festival, Leila was given a a gown and crown of tinsel to wear for the Festival. Only the Lucia Bride gets to wear the crown of greenery and candles, but Leila really wanted her own outfit to wear at home on the 13th. So, Chris made her a crown and I sewed her a gown. It was great fun designing the Lucia outfit as a family!