In Sweden, the Christmas season starts with the first Advent Sunday, and that's also when most people start putting up decorations - especially candlesticks and window stars. December is a very dark month here, so the extra lights are welcome.
I spent most of Friday putting up my window decorations, plus changing some table cloths and runners etc.
To the left in the collage above is the window in my study; to the right the living room.
On Saturday morning, somewhat to my surprise, I woke up to the first snowfall of the year.
I went out for a walk a bit later, but kept it very short. For one thing, it's tricky to know in some places if there is ice hidden under the freshly fallen snow or not...
And when I woke up today, the first Amaryllis flower in the kitchen window had sprung open for 1st Advent Sunday.
Lighting the first Advent candle.
Happy Advent, everyone!
You are celebrating Advent in a wonderful way: the pure white star and candles, the Amaryllis open, lighting the first Advent candle and a light snow falling. It is poetic and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Terra. I'm in two minds about the early snow, I have to admit... But it does make the outside world look a bit brighter :)
DeleteHow wonderful that you had such a series of firsts today! No snow yet here at O.K.‘s, but yesterday we spotted a light white dusting on the Black Forest hills rising nearby. I have just lit the first of four tealights in O.K‘s star-shaped glass candle holders and am looking forward to lighting the first candle on my Advent wreath at home tomorrow evening.
ReplyDeleteMeike, it's always a special feeling lighting that first candle, isn't it? I know the German and Swedish traditions are rather similar when it comes to celebrating Advent, although we usually have our candles in a row rather than in a wreath :)
DeleteYour Amaryllis is gorgeous! How long will it last? My next favorite is the snow dusted bush.
ReplyDeleteHard to say, Ginny. Three out of four flowers on that stalk open today. But there is one more stalk on its way up from the same bulb. And then I have another amaryllis in the living room which hasn't opened up yet.
DeleteHow festive it all looks - the large star is quite spectacular against the dark window. I've always loved the way you use so many candles in Sweden, even when it's not dark.
ReplyDeleteFor years I used to buy packs of candles on each trip to Sweden - coloured ones were not something readily available in the UK. Just plain white for use when there was a power cut!
The Amaryllis is amazing - what a beautiful flower.
Happy Advent to you, too.
Interesting, CG. I wasn't aware of that difference in the use of candles between our countries. I don't really light a lot of candles except in winter myself - but I still tend to use them as decoration. (I have a couple of glass candlesticks in which I change the colour of the candles now and then, even if I never light them!)
Deletehow cool the flower bloomed on the right day and every window and your table looks so festive and bright and beautiful.. good job
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra :)
DeleteThat series of photos was a love snapshot into your life as much as anything and a reminder more than any other how the season is changing. We've had no snow but the Mainland mountains across The Minch have been covered in snow.
ReplyDeleteThanks Graham ♥ I'm glad I got my decorations up before winter surprised us. I feel having a cozy atmosphere indoors helps me ignore vs deal with the weather outside...
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