Lens Artists Photo Challenge #23: Celebration
This week it is Amy hosting our challenge, and of course she takes us to colourful and festive Peru! The festivities now in Sweden is for celebrating Christmas, and it looks a bit different to colourful Peru…but as my family attended a julbord today, I thought you might want to tag along!
Normally, what appears on the julbord are several standard dishes, divided into three courses.
The first generally includes a variety of pickled herring and cured salmon, the second is bread, ham, liver pâté, red beet salad, and cheese, and the final course is comprised of the warm dishes with Janssons frestelse, dopp i grytan, meatballs, sausages, pork ribs, and cabbage.
Pork is a significant element here – the julskinka, or Christmas ham, plays a starring role despite the fact it didn’t become common on the julbord until the end of the 1800s.
The Janssons frestelse is a more modern addition too – because of the late arrival of the potato. The recipe wasn’t published until 1940 but the casserole made-up of julienned potatoes, sliced onions, anchovy fillets and cream is a well-loved favorite at Christmas as well as other festive occasions throughout the year. When our children grew up though, I had to use salmon instead. Today they both enjoy anchovy fillets.
Meatballs are another standard dish and everyone has their own family recipe. Swedish meatballs have become well-known with the world-wide phenomenon of Ikea. But generally speaking – nothing beats my grandmother’s recipe…
Another well loved tradition down here in southern Sweden, is to visit Copenhagen or Elsinore for the Christmas markets. We go every year – for the lights, the fun, the food. Next week – Copenhagen here we come!
CB&W Photo Challenge: Anything Hot or Cold
Thursday Thoughts – The Forest is Down
Today was going to be a lovely hiking day – sun promised and no wind. I decided for the Bockeboda forest – looking forward to a bright winter’s day. I told Totti and Milo where we were heading, and they knew what to expect already in the early morning.
10 minutes into our walk, we found these tracks…and soon, the sound of forest machines reached our ears. Then we heard a huge tree falling. Some minutes later, I realized the forest ahead was gone.
We had great difficulties in finding the track – if you ever have walked in familiar forests, you follow the paths and know exactly what trees will be standing where. I guess it is the same in cities – if they tear down your familiar buildings and streets, you are lost.
This photo was taken some weeks ago – who would have guessed it was to be the last one from this beautiful forest?
Milo is standing in exactly the same place as in the previous photo – maybe thinking…Where did my forest go? My playground, my hiking favorite? Well, today every tree was down, piled up, waiting to be transported away from where they were raised for as long as I have lived – around 60-65 years.
The path back home again seemed a bit bleak, or maybe it was because of my tears.
Wordless Wednesday
Tuesday Photo Challenge – Tranquil
CFFC: Close-up or Macro
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Close Up or Macro
My garden is a joy even in winter.
The common spindle leaves tiny capsules for the frost to bite
Macro Monday – Frosty Colours
When frost is a visitor in my garden, winter is close
Even if it only lasts for a day or two – we wait for the sun to colour our frozen world!
I wait patiently –
– and finally the cold rays transforms the crystals into diamonds.
It is a wonder each time, each year…
…to see them come alive again!
Silent Sunday
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #22: Happiness is…
True happiness is… to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca
In March this year, we traveled to a long dreamed of country, Bhutan. I had read some books in advance, and knew the Bhutanese values and their use of GNH (Gross National Happiness) instead of GNP to measure prosperity. Values that went straight to my heart.
– But then, what Is Happiness?
Let’s start off with something really tangible – according to John Gunther, All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast. And, I might agree…because what makes my mornings happy is a quiet room, a good newspaper (made of real paper…) and a cup of strong coffee with some warm scones.
So, this week’s Lens – Artists’ challenge is: Happiness is...and it is up to you to fill out that sentence! What is Happiness to you? It could be anything from a big ice-cream on a hot day to spending a glorious sunset with your loved one – or running barefoot in the rain.
If I try to pin down what Happiness really is to me – what makes me warm inside and my eyes shine… it might look something like this:
Happiness is…photographing of course, but also…
…enjoying the little wonders in our world
…traveling with my family – meeting other cultures and exciting new people
….forest walks with my dogs
…playful (or mischievous…), smiling young faces – and the sound of their laughter!
…writing with my smooth fountain pen (I am a pen-freak…)
…the coming of spring
I am really looking forward to your interpretations of what Happiness is… to You! The next challenge (#23) will be hosted by Amy – just returned from Peru – on Saturday, December 8. Welcome to join us!
DID YOU SEE THESE? Here are some interesting posts you don’t want to miss from Patti’s Splash challenge :
- Anvica’s Gallery, where she is playing with a single drop of water.
- Visit Janet for some beautifully lit splashes!
- Visit an interesting garden with some very colourful splashes, with Manja
For more information on the Lens-Artists Photo Challenges, click here. Most importantly, remember to TAG your post ” Lens-Artists ” so it appears in the Reader.
And finally, thank you for participating in the fun – and I wish you all an inspiring and happy week!
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