Now for my post in the procession…..
This past weekend we indulged in some serious Swedishness. I tried my best not to clap my hands and screech, play it cool, you know. But there were Lucias and tomtes and pastries everywhere you look! We went Saturday morning to the Lucia Fest in Lindsborg, Kansas a sweet and beautifully little town nestled in the midst of the Kansas prairie. It still has cobblestone streets and beautiful old houses. And there’s not a McDonald’s or Walmart to be found!
I think Lindsborg is such an interesting place, so embracing of its strong Swedish heritage and drawing Swedes,Swedish-Americans and Swedish-lovers alike to walk its quiet streets and pop into their little shops.
The Lucia Fest was a special day though, and two Lucias were featured that day— the first (and the one I got photos of) was the elementary school Lucia and Star Boy and later the high school age Lucia was crowned.
There was candle light (both real and battery operated) and lots of singing. I was impressed at how well those kids could fill up Bethany Lutheran Church there on Main Street with their little voices. Afterward, Audrey and I (and maybe even Will?) couldn’t get the Santa Lucia song out of our heads! It’s so very sweet.
Speaking of St. Lucia and sweet things, we also got a lesson in how to make proper St. Lucia buns and the different shapes they make. These buns are made with saffron, which gives them their yellow color. It is also, I learned, the most expensive spice in the world! $1,000 a pound. Yeah, that’s why a tiny vial at the grocery store is $17. Stuff ain’t cheap!
According to our instructor at the bakery, the different shapes you can make a St. Lucia Bun in includes the traditional backwards “S” shape, a Lucia Braid, the Bishop’s Locks (bottom left, looks like a beard!), Lucia’s crown (bottom right) and the Julbock (above the Lucia crown, looks like a goat’s face with horns.)
Later that day some of the teens from town paraded down Main Street in their traditional dancing clothes and put on a performance in the middle of the street. We sat down on the curb and watched the folk dancing– it looked like a lot of fun! And like it required some good upper-body strength! 😉
Of course while we were there I shopped like it was going out of style. I figured I would not be in proximity to so much Swedish stuff for a good long time, so I stocked up! I bought some straw ornaments for my little Swedish Christmas tree, a julbock (straw goat) some Carl Larsson note cards (love him!) and a bouquet of wheat to hang from my fence post for winter birds to enjoy. Will and Audrey also got some Swedish treats, and I’m so glad we all had a good time on “mama’s little Swedish holiday.”
If you’d like to learn more about the Scandinavian tradition of St. Lucia (Who is technically Italian…long story)
Please visit HERE or read Wendy’s great post about St. Lucia HERE.
And if you have a blog post you’d like to attach to the procession, please feel free to add it and a graphic to the linky tool below!
Everyone else— I hope you will follow along with the procession (see sidebar for participants!) and enjoy this lovely holiday of the good-hearted Lucia and learn some more about our blogging friends around the world!
God Jul!~
Heather
PS: I’ve been working on a new project! And it starts today! It’s called…Scandinavian Folk! And this is it: Scandinavian Folk. Check it out!~
http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=176076
Sleightholm Folk Art 
Have a beautiful day, Heather! You have the potential to make everything so special!Stephanie
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it looks like you must have had a lot of fun! those st. lucia buns look delicious 🙂
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Happy St. Lucia Day everyone! Since I don't have a blog, I wanted to share my husband's family cookie recipe. He is 100% Norwegian and this is Nana Olsen's Sandbakkel Recipe. I C butter softened, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup confectioner sugar, 1 egg, 1 tsp Almond extract, 2 1/2 Cups regular flour. In large bowl, beat butter with both sugars till fluffy, add egg and almond extract, add flour on low beat until combined. Chill dough 2-3 hours. You can use traditional cookie molds or a small muffin pan or cupcake pan would work. Make sure to oil whatever molds you use and then pinch off enough dough to press into the form pressing up the sides and bottom evenly. Bake at 350 degrees 12-15 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool about 5-6 minutes in the molds and then carefully loosen cookies from the mold. They are wonderful plain or you can fill like tart shells with anything you want. We like them plan with coffee or hot tea! YOu might want to double this recipe because they won't last long!!! God Yul!!
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I'm sad I didn't know about the Lucia-bun class when Paul and I visited Lindsborg. We also somehow missed all the folk dancing. I think it's because we got there too late in the day. We did see the teenage Lucia crowned, though.Thanks for hosting a blog hop! My post has been up for a while, but I just got up so that's why I'm just now linking my post. 🙂 Now I wish I'd made Lucia buns for today. I'm just having my usual very British breakfast.
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I missed the Lucia bun class! I was bummed. We overslept Saturday morning, so I didn't make it into town quite as early as I'd wanted to. Your dancing pictures turned out much better than mine, too. I realized after I'd been taking pictures for a while that my lens was smudged. Once I cleaned it, the photos became much better, but the kids didn't have much dancing left to do! Love the pictures of the little Lucia procession. So sweet! And I could spend so much money at Hemslojd and Anderson Butik given the chance. I need to visit Lindsborg when I have a bit more spending money! Great to see you, if not meet you there! ;o)
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Heather – Okay, I need to visit this little town! What a beautiful experience. The children all look so sweet – a beautiful procession. And what a fun blog procession, thanks for putting it together! I loved being part of it. Do you think you'll try to make Lucia Buns next year? Fun seeing all the shapes that can be made, I've only tried a couple. God Jul! 🙂
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Aww, thank you so much, Stephanie! And I'm so so happy to hear your little pup is doing better!
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They are so good, and great with coffee!
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Winnie, I'm so glad you stopped by and shared your recipe! These sound so good! I hope you made a big batch for yourself and Warren to enjoy. God Jul and a very merry St. Lucia Day to you!~
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Well, the class wasn't official or anything— there was a lady at the bakery making the buns and as people strolled in she'd tell you about them. You're not too terribly far from Lindsborg, so maybe next year? I think I've read that they do another big festival around the holidays on odd years— maybe I'll see you then?
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Aww, I hate camera malfunctions! Lol! I've learned to just take all my photos on low light setting. For some reason its clearest and quickest like that, no matter the light.Well, I'm glad we got to experience some of the same fun things, and between the two of us we saw both processions!
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I think you would enjoy it, Wendy! So…if you're ever in the midwest…it's such a small place but has a lot of charm. Thanks for sharing your family photos today on your blog! And yes, I\”m sure I'll make Lucia buns again!~
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I want some St Lucia buns!!!! This has all been SO fun. I'm going to go see if I can track down some of those pastries!
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God Jul for everyone!
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You got some amazing photos! It looks like it was a wonderful trip. Now I'm off to read all these great posts. Happy St. Lucia Day!
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This has been really fun and great reading all the other blog posts! Thank you Heather and all of the bloggers who participated. 🙂
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Well, how fun is this! I love learning the customs of different countries – especially the ones revolving around the holidays. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your post and initiating the St. Lucia blog procession! I am off to visit some of the other participants. 🙂
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God Jul from almost as far away from Scandinavia as you can get, South Australia! Having a lot of fun on this virtual St. Lucia.
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I wrote this down in my little books of things to do. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos. I love Scandinavia decorating too. Merry Christmas!Hugs,Cathie
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What a lovely place you've been to! This centre of Scandinavian culture seems to be thriving so well! I'm really envious we don't have anything like that in the UK (at least nothing I know of) I guess my only Nordic mecca will be … Ikea in Warrington ;)I loveed to read your post about Lucia's coronation and folk dancing and the souvenir shop looks great too. Would spend a lot in such place! Don't have a straw buck or a tomte for my Nordic decor yet so they would surely be in my shopping basket.It's great to see Lucia's buns being made and all those shapes are so fun! I especially love the \”Bishop locks\” and the braid. Do you use cardamon in your buns? Saffron – yes, expensive stuff, it's £3.50 or 4.50 for 0.5 gr of saffron in the UK. Bought one tiny packet and thought: Gosh, Can't afford to waste it! I'm very curious of your new project. Just heading over there to see what you've been up to. Also going on a tour round the linked-up blogs.
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