Haul Out the Hollly!

My beautiful Swedish Sister-in-law, Kirsti, decorating the tree

We need a little Christmas!

My brother's family decorates the traditional Scandinavian way every year, with streamers of Norwegian and Swedish flags, just like they do in the "old country".

When the tree looked a little too Norwegian, my nephew Christian decided to remedy it!

Christian mischievously adding a Swedish flag to the Norwegian tree

It's been a battle fought at every Christmas that I can remember: which flag goes at the top?  The Norwegian flag of Jay's and my heritage, or the Swedish flag of my sister-in-law's?  Hmmmmm....

The kids have playfully made this a kind of Christmas game.

What a difference 3 years make!  Anders, a much shorter Christian and Nils with Santa in 2011

Since the above photo was taken with Santa in 2011, twelve-year-old Christian has grown a foot or two.  Anders (on the left) is currently serving as a missionary in Texas.  Nils (right) is finishing up his studies at BYU.

Ah, yes.  Being tall enough to plant the flag at the top of the tree is quite an accomplishment, Christian!

Way to go, Christian!

Once Upon a Time

In Norway these sisters are called: Tante Grøn, Tante Brun og Tante Fiolett

"Once upon a time there was a little town, and in this little town was a little street and on that street was a little yellow house where lived three sisters..."  So begins one of my favorite children's books, the Story of Aunt Green, Aunt Brown, and Aunt Lavender.

You may not have heard of author Elsa Beskow if you grew up here in America.  However, she is part of most children's literary experiences in Scandinavia.

Mother baking cookies

If you don't know about these books, you are missing out! These charming stories are known the world over, and are available in English translations.

Beskow's books often feature fairies and elves interacting with children

These are charming stories.

The Flower Festival

Elsa Beskow was born in Stockholm in 1874 of Norwegian parents.  She was educated at the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design and began to contribute stories for a children's magazine called Jultomten (The Christmas Elf).

Elsa Beskow
From the Swedish Portrait Gallery

Overall she would publish some forty books with her own text and images.

Her books are often framed by decorative Art Nouveau styles.

                                     

My favorite stories are the ones about Peter and Lotta with their aunts and uncle.

Aunt Brown, Uncle Blue, Aunt Lavender and Aunt Green at Christmas

I remember well reading the stories of Aunt Green, Aunt Brown, and Aunt Lavender in my youth.  I really loved the beautiful illustrations.

Dancing around the Christmas tree with the Peter and Lotta

I also love this woman's imagination!  In her stories, children meet elves and goblins, and farm animals regularly chat with people.  Her themes concern relationships between children and adults and children taking independent initiative in their lives.

Singing Christmas Carols with Aunt Violet at the Pianoforte

These charming stories remind me of a happier, simpler world.

I went berry-picking with my grandfather as a child.  When I see pictures like these, it takes me right back to that time period.

Childhood should still be a time of innocence.  These books certainly evoke that!

As a side note: Almost all the Beskow books, and an Elsa Beskow calendar, are currently available on Amazon.

A Strand of Doubt

Donna autographing her novel

Donna Fuller is my good friend Elaine's little sister.  I first met her in Scottsdale, Arizona many years ago.  It was about the time she married that tall, dark, and handsome Darryl, as a matter of fact.

Recently, she has had the audacity to get a novel published.  Before me.  The nerve!  Talk about irritating little sisters!

Okay.  Just kidding.

Sorta.

A new voice in LDS Chick-lit

When Donna and her family lived in California, Elaine and I would drive down for Thanksgiving every year.  I have great memories of our times together.  We did that for more than 10 years.  I can quite honestly say Donna is a marvelous cook.  Here, she has cooked up something a little different - a romantic drama aimed at a primarily LDS market.

A Strand of Doubt was published this fall to positive reviews.

Available in paperback and Kindle formats from Deseret Book and Amazon

If you look it up on Amazon, you will get the following plot summary:

Jana Clawson has a propensity for Chinese food, M&M s, and chocolate chip cookies, and she deals with opposition with a wry sense of humor. She is caught up in a whirlwind known as Trevor Willis, the most eligible non-Mormon bachelor in Portland. He is perfect in every way, but will his secrets be too much for their relationship?

While Jana escapes to the Oregon Coast to make a decision about Trevor, a car accident stirs Jared Carpenter a physical therapist with kind brown eyes who never turns down a homemade meal into the mix. Unknown to Jana, events set in motion six years ago threaten everything she holds dear, and her life depends on one or both of these men. Combining suspense, intrigue, action, and understated humor, this book will keep you turning pages until…

Yes, friends, it actually cuts off in mid sentence.  That cliff-hanger means you are going to have to fork out some money to find out the rest!

Donna's "Author" shot

I'm thrilled for my friend in the publication of her first novel.  It is quite an accomplishment.  Way to go, Donna!

Learning to Crochet

Test run 

I don't know what came over me, but when someone got me a gift certificate for Barnes and Noble for my birthday, I found myself straying into the arts and crafts section.  My attention was drawn to books on How To Crochet, and little packets of brightly colored yarn.  As my house is full of books, and imminently in danger of being granted library status, I thought maybe I'd get the essentials to begin crocheting instead.

Well, okay, that also involved buying the How To Crochet for Absolute Beginners book, but in my defense it was small and the bulk of the gift cert went to the crochet hooks and yarn... you get the idea.

My first adventures in crochet

I began the adventure carefully, and found it is relaxing and fun!

Then, on Saturday, my dear friend Cheryl - who is a real crocheting pro - volunteered her time and talents for a few hours to teach me a quick stitch and get me started on a blanket project:

Blanket in progress!

I had such a good time visiting with Cheryl, and her help was invaluable in achieving my crocheting goal of making a blanket!  I got quite a bit done over the weekend!

And, did I mention it was a lot of fun?  Thank you, Cheryl!  You are the best!

I love this!
I'm not sure where the photo came from, but a friend posted it on Facebook.

Have you stretched your limits, or tried a new hobby lately?

Light the Candles

My beautiful Sister-In-Law, Kirsti

The Advent Season marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Scandinavia.  Personally, I always forget to light the candles, but my brother's family observes this every year.

The first Sunday of Advent was the 30th of November.  On the first Sunday of Advent, one candle is lighted. Yesterday marked the 2nd Sunday of Advent, so two candles have been lighted and allowed to burn through dinner.  This continues through Christmas. Advent is a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, and to prepare for Christmas.  Most Advent traditions in America come from Northern Europe.

Kirsti, Christian and Jay

Yesterday also marked the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  If you missed this beautiful hour-long Christmas event, you can still enjoy it. 

Visit https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng

President Thomas S. Monson, flanked by his counselors, President Eyring and President Uchtdorf

This is the most wonderful time of the year!

Living the Good Life

Jack loves to hide in my tote bags

If I bring home a tote bag, I know what will happen...

It is good to be an only child.... er... I mean, cat

Jack has to appropriate any tote bags that come into our house.  It's the law.

We're enjoying our December so far.  Jack is anxiously awaiting Santa!

Jack is living the good life in California!

Have a terrific weekend, Everyone!

Rain, Rain, and More Rain!

Looking southeast out over Monterey Park

We finally got some rain here in the Los Angeles area!  Real, steady, soaking rain!  I'm so very happy I can hardly contain myself!

Looking across the hill to the office building next door

It started on Tuesday.  It rained steadily and lightly all day, all Tuesday night and into Wednesday.

This verdant hill is home to lots of little critters of all kinds

And just when we thought it was going to be tapering off... it just poured yesterday (Wednesday) evening as well. I was driving home in it - very carefully, I might add - and it was coming down in buckets!

My office building sits on a hill, so I took these shots of the area around us through the office windows. It was such a beautiful sight to see everything rainwashed.  That hasn't happened in a long, long time.

A layer of foggy moisture envelops the valley below us

Last February the Latter-day Saints all over California held a Fast and prayed for the end to the three-year drought. I know others have been praying for rain, and an end to the drought, too. I can only hope this soaking rain marks the beginning of an end to our on-going drought situation in answer to those prayers.

This morning the weather man on TV said because of this soaking storm the last two days we've already greatly exceeded our normal rainfall amounts for this time of year.  What terrific news.

Keep praying!