This morning I woke up to a full snow storm whirling about outside my windows. For a while I thought it was likely to go on like that all day - but later on it did clear up, and the wind died down quite a bit too. A few hours later a snow plough came by, and I was even able to go out for a short walk. I did not go far, though, as the streets nearby had only been ploughed, but not sanded. Just now (7:30 pm) it seems to be snowing a little again... Ah well. One day at a time!
Returning home after my walk, I checked my postbox in the entrance, and found two late Christmas greetings, which must have arrived yesterday afternoon - both from the US. (There have been very few post delivery days in between the holidays this season.) I added them to those that have already been on display for a while in my living room.
More card that I received from various friends both in Sweden and abroad are hanging on ribbons in the door opening between my living room and study:
The rapidly rising postage in Sweden in later years has had notable effect on people's habits when it comes to sending Christmas cards - but I do still receive (and send) quite a few.
I have just taken down all my cards and the few Christmas decorations and packed them away. For me, the festive feeling ends on New Year's Day.
ReplyDeleteJC, in Sweden 6th Jan is a holiday too and is known as the 13th day (of Christmas). And traditionally, at least in my generation and older, the day to "throw out" Christmas is a the 20th day, i.e. 13th January. (Or thereabouts...)
DeleteI'm glad you were able to get out for a walk, though. Fresh air can do wonders, even in such frosty conditions. Finding those late Christmas greetings must have been a pleasant surprise as well! It’s always lovely to receive unexpected mail, especially around the holiday season.
ReplyDeleteRo, I'm glad I was able to get out for a little while, too.
DeleteThey look nice on the shelf. And I think I even see mine there!
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to know your name is Monica! We have a lovely granddaughter named Monica. It was such a treat to see you on my blog again! I had somehow lost you on my blog list but will be sure you get back on.
ReplyDeleteWe have a nephew and niece that live in Sweden. They have lived there for years and love it. Speak the language and enjoy their lives. They came to CA a few months ago to take the children to Disneyland.
I love your display of cards on the ribbon. One year I hung a "clothes line" and hung the cards with clothes pins. This year they are desplayed on a buffet. I see most peeople are sending family photos for their cards. It's nice to see friends that don't live close by. Well, enough rambing....just glad to hear from you.
Wanda
Thanks Wanda. I like having the cards on display over the holiday season, reminding me of the friends who sent them :)
DeleteSame here about postage, it has further increased on January 1st.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I received a Christmas card from a fellow blogger from the US yesterday - according to the stamp, it was posted on the 9th of December!
I put most of my Christmas things away yesterday while cleaning, but will deal with the tree and the remaining things today or tomorrow.
Meike, the postage went up again here too on Jan 1st. I stocked up some more 'forever' stamps at the old price before Christmas, though... My Christmas decorations will stay up for another week or so. And I usually take them down gradually, in reversed order to how I put them up.
DeleteThe brightness and cheer of Christmas decorations carry us through the blank early days of January, and then life returns to as normal as it ever will be
ReplyDeletelove the first tree photo. so glad you could get in a short walk again. Yesterday I pretended I was a little like you, putting your Christmas things out a few each day, by revmoving anything that was the color red, 4 Santas, and the red poinsettia that were around the oil lamp. I wanted to leave the tree because it cheers me up. now there is less and not so cluttered and when I get tired of the tree will do the rest
ReplyDeleteGlad to be of inspiration, Sandra. The santas and gnomes are usually the first to leave here too - and in your kind of climate, their stay would probably be even shorter with me , too! (With snow outside the windows, they look more like they still belong in the picture here!)
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