Happy St Lucia Day!

Lucia day in Sweden is a very big deal with celebrations and ceremony all day long.  From eating lussebullar with every cup of coffee, to concerts, to small children parading around in white robes or gingerbread costumes, to girls walking around with lit candles on their heads.  It was a great day to be in Sweden.  The kids and I got tickets to one of the big Lucia concerts in a church downtown and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful singing and ceremony.  The "Lucia" wore real lit candles on her head for the beginning of the concert and I certainly breathed a sigh of relief when they blew them out and took off the crown.  Her wax covered hair seemed to be a badge of honor for the remainder of the evening.

Earlier in the day, I joined my walking group for one of the prettiest days we have had so far.  December seems to be treating us very well this year and it was almost 40 degrees and sunny (after the sun came up) throughout our walk.

Sunrise over Stockholm

People often ask what the daylight is like in northern Sweden for Josh at this time of the year.  Yesterday, he captured a picture right at noon.

After the Lucia concert, Josh and I headed out for dinner at a wonderful French restaurant with two other couples.  We had a fantastic meal and a great time.  On our way home, cars were lining our street (one of the main streets through the city).  It appeared to be some sort of Lucia event with old cars, decorated for Christmas, playing loud Christmas music and people just loitering in the streets, having fun and fooling around!  It was the craziest thing.  I didn't capture it well but tried to take a few pictures.  I couldn't find anything in the English newpapers or websites about this so I don't really know what it was but it was certainly entertaining!