The Dala horses are not Christmas ornaments - actually usually more associated with summer. This little one just happened to already be on the shelf where I was going to set up the crib... And on a whim I decided to let him stay for Christmas this year.
Janet spotted something else as well, though - and quite correctly, even if it was not what I had in mind when I asked the question. The star on top of the stable is really a starfish. To be more precise, it is a little brooch... And as it happens, I have seashell one too. They're not real gold, just cheap trinkets.
My sister married into a Swedish family the "Hedstroms" and had many swedish things in her home including the little Dala horses.
ReplyDeleteWe have a nephew that visited Sweden right out of college and met and married a girl from there and never came home. He loved living there and raising his two children. Sadly he passed away last year at 61 with a heart attack.
My best friend for over 70 years is Kristie Carlson (Jones). A another wonderful swede. So I love the Swedes!!! HAHA
Yes Wanda, the Dala horse has become quite a well-known symbol for the whole of Sweden rather than just the province of Dalarna. So I can well imagine that if one moves abroad that would be one thing one might want to bring to remind oneself of one's origins :)
DeleteI add fun things to our nativity sets too, including a Santa on a motorcycle and a little drummer boy. I like your horse, he definitely fits in at Christmas too, besides summer.
ReplyDeleteChristmas is a time to keep a childlike mind, isn't it, Terra :)
DeleteThe little Dala horse does not look so out of place there, with its festive red coat. I like it that you added the starfish and let the horse stay on the shelf!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, a little fox arrived in my mailbox today! :-)
(I know it's supposed to be # 2, but # 1 isn't here yet.)
The starfish star has been part of the crib for years now, so I myself have come to see it as part of the set, Meike :)
DeleteAs for letters and postcards, I never cease to wonder what they get up to on their way, sometimes. Sometimes I get postcards from England that were posted within a day from each other, but one takes two days to get here and the other takes weeks!
i got so into the photo i forgot to mention i wanted to know where you got the star. i did notice it but thought it might not be new. it is perfect. i think we should call this a Dala Donkey and then it belongs there
ReplyDeleteI think I've had those little brooches longer than I've had the crib, Sandra. I'm not actually sure when I bought the crib either, but I think between 20-25 years ago. (I'm pretty sure I bought the crib in a florist's shop here in town, and I've lived here 30 years now.)
DeleteActually I have quite a few Christmas things that have your Darla horse on them. Christmas, snow flakes, Northern countries, sleighs, chimneys, bells - yes, your horse fits into my Christmas exactly. Nativity? No, not done much around here.
ReplyDeleteSo, Louise, the Dala horses have emigrated to Australia as well! :) To me it always seems strange to see photos of for example Christmas beach barbecue parties from your part of the world... but trying to bring a sleighs and snow into that must be even weirder! ;)
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