Unusual Delays

This is the season where lots of things are delayed – from Christmas packages and flights to middle school basketball games. Yup, there's a story...

It wasn't long after I stepped into the gymnasium for the 7th-grade boys game that I smelled burnt popcorn coming from the lobby concession stand. Not overpowering, but you know the scent, it's just annoying. I didn't give it much thought because once the game started, it got interesting.

And not just the score.

Before we even reached halftime, we had our first delay – a fan was ejected from the game. How does this happen at a 7th-grade game? I guess people are passionate. Just haven't witnessed it at a pre-teenage competition. Hmmm.

In the second half, we had another unusual delay...

Yup, the fire alarms went off in the middle of the 3rd period. After half the gym was evacuated, they started turning around and coming back in. The culprit? You guessed it – burnt popcorn!

And even though there was no danger, it took a few minutes of suffering through the annoying alarm noise before it was safe and quiet to resume play. Crazy, crazy. At least our boys won that one.

The other delay today is probably not that unusual but it ticks me off.

Last Monday I sent a small package to the kiddos in Raleigh. Part of it was a St. Lucia Day gift so I paid extra for two-day shipping. Guess when it arrived? Yup, you read that right – tonight! A full week later! I don't want to be that nagging customer who complains when it's clear they're overstressed and understaffed. Still... why the heck would they go to the East Coast by way of a mail center in Houston, Texas? Not kidding. I've been tracking this daily!

Sigh.

Just a reminder to focus on what we can control – and pray for patience on all the stuff we can't. It is the most wonderful time of the year after all. Right?!

Be careful out there!

A Wonder-Skol St. Lucia Day

Usually when we celebrate St. Lucia Day in our household, I play the role of the Scandinavian Goddess of Light and distribute gifts. This year, I got the surprise!

To be honest, with Carter off at college, I didn't help purchase and distribute any small gifts to mark the occasion. But I thought of it and mentioned the ancestral holiday a few times this week. Today, though, she was pre-empted by prep for a work potluck and an afternoon shopping trip of sorts to Appleton.

When we got home, it was dark already. But what to our wondering eyes should appear, but...

Not only a real live Christmas tree – but a purple one at that! If you recall that I shared a picture of Carter and I by a purple tree at our friends' tree lot over Thanksgiving weekend. This had to have come from that lot, but how did it get from there to our front deck? And who is responsible for spreading good jul?

I don't know. I left a message for our tree lot peeps and asked around. So far, we still don't know who our secret Santa (or secret St. Lucy) is, but we want to thank you!!

And wish you a wonder-SKOL St. Lucia Day!

Lost Holiday

In years past, I have been so good about observing St. Lucia Day. We'd awake on the morning of December 13 and each have a present from the Scandinavian Goddess of Light left during the night.

This year, there was darkness.

My fault entirely. Hubby asked me Monday night if I sent something to College Boy for St. Lucia Day. I gave some excuse about Carter being out of town today so he wouldn't be around to get it anyway. Well, it turns out the concert he was planning to go to has been postponed. So he was around. Now, I suppose to make up for it, I should get a decent Finals Survival package sent to him.

Oh, you know. That would just need to go out tomorrow. Finals start Monday.

Could someone tell me where 2017 went?

At least Mother Nature is paying attention, giving her gifts ahead of time even. Now that we are only a week away from the official start of winter, she dumped on us in central Wisconsin. Actually more in north-central Wisconsin. Like 8 inches of snow. We just got a few inches of slushy crap that made the commute home slow and slippery. Not fun.

I suppose that could be the reason for the St. Lucy no show.

That would get me off the hook. Right?

Ol' Kris Kringle

As a full-blooded Scandi-hoovian, I pretty much keep my allegiance to the Swedes and Norwegians. But today, I let the Danes in.

Typically, we celebrate St. Lucia Day in this house with a small gift and homemade, fresh from the can to the oven, cinnamon rolls. However, since my BFF lives in the Racine "home of the Kringle" area during the week for work, she brought me an Almond Kringle this weekend.

Oh my favorite! I had to wait a day for St. Lucia Day to share it with the guys. Apparently somebody besides me likes it, because the ring on flaky, frosting-ed flavor is just about gone!

Guess it was a hit. Will put that info in the St. Lucy Vault for next Dec. 13th.

Was also an atypical Christmas celebration when our area was under a flood watch today. Not a winter storm watch. Nope. A 100% chance of rain in nearly 60-degree weather type of flood watch. Still raining.

Since I was stuck indoors and really didn't want to work – on anything – I jumped at the chance to go to a movie with previously mentioned BFF and her niece and nephew. Saw Mockingjay Part 2.

Here's my opinion because you didn't ask... Mockingjay Part 1 was much better. Mockingjay Part 2 was sort of lame... sort of like the book, in fact. Not an impressive ending to either. But I still enjoyed reading the series immensely and liked 3 of the 4 movies. Plus, I had good movie theater popcorn for lunch. Can't beat that, either.

Came home and did a little work, did some grocery shopping and walked on the treadmill. I discovered if I check out "large print" books from the library, they are pretty easy to read while moving on the treadmill. Well, pretty easy to read, period.

Since the new treadmill is quieter than the last one, I can watch Hallmark Christmas movies while walking, too. I only saw one today. Should probably go get more steps...

Snail Mail

Rarely am I sitting on my Christmas cards this late in the year. But better late than never, right?

I received my cards in the mail yesterday so that was the first step. After an enjoyable Book Club at the coffee shop, I went to get stamps this morning. Must have been a popular idea as I was 12th in line!

Got home and basically spent the afternoon watching Hallmark Christmas movies while addressing cards (found my older label file so that helped), stamping them and stuffing them. My goal was to leave the house by 4 so I could make it into the Post Office for the Saturday pickup up at 4:30.

So I busted my jingle bells and left at 3:55 p.m. Get to the Post Office and pickup was at 4, not 4:30. Dang. So the snail mail will be more like slug mail now, if in face slugs are slower than snails. So if you normally get a card from me, well, you still should by Christmas!

At least the Hallmark movies were good!

Tonight I wrapped a few more presents since St. Lucia comes tomorrow and Carter actually has friends over for a fire. Oh yes, still in the high 40s/low 50s today so just a nice night for a fire. I guess it's going to rain all day tomorrow so if I am going to get a walk in outside, I better go now and stick to the circle in the neighborhood.

Backup plan is just go on the treadmill and simultaneously catch another Hallmark movie. Is 3 in one day too many?

I suppose I could test the theory and get back to you.

Nog Blog

I don't always start AND end the day drinking... But when I do it's eggnog.

Today is St. Lucia Day, a Scandi-Hoovian "Festival of Lights" holiday celebration. We observe it each year so that Carter remembers his roots (as if I don't say "uff da" enough), plus why would he fight getting a present?

In the real tradition to honor the Goddess of Light, the oldest girl in the house wears a ring of lighted candles on her head and serves breakfast in bed to the rest of the household. I skip the incendiary devices on my hair-sprayed head, bake cinnamon rolls out of a can and let the guys serve themselves.

Today, I enjoyed a pumpkin spice cinnamon roll and a cup of pumpkin spice coffee topped with eggnog, while Carter excitedly opened his gift of funky socks. Serious about the excitement. He really wanted some fancy and fun socks. Lucky St. Lucy knew!

After that it was a busy day of running errands (bank and library) and shopping for a few Christmas gifts. That took me to 5 stores in Rapids, but did move two people onto my "done" list. Yay. I later figured out what I am getting 3 more people. Just need to quickly get those and then we are done. Oh, except Carter. I'll have to check with St. Lucy to see what else he has on his list!

Tonight, after a yummy chili supper (I do know how to cook ONE thing), Carter took off for a hockey game. Hubby is watching TV and, after a half hour on the tread mill, I figured I earned some eggnog, this time mixed in with my chai spice tea.

I'm not a wimp. I can take my eggnog straight, too. But by mixing it in my hot non-toddy toddies, it lasts longer.

I've been informed the store does make more, though. Hmm... I'll drink to that!

TGIF-13-SLD!

TGIF-13-SLD translation: Thank God It's Friday the 13th and St. Lucia Day!

Yes, happy St. Lucy Day to my fellow Scandi-hoovians. While we somewhat acknowledge St. Nick's Day since the school handles the card and candy cane for us, we make it a point of honoring St. Lucia Day at home -- just so I have some Scandinavian tradition to pass down to Carter.

As tradition goes, the eldest daughter in the house is supposed to wear the ring of lit candles on her head and serve everyone breakfast in bed. Since I am the only daughter, mother, sister and female in the house, that responsibility falls to me.

One, I skip the lighted candles. Flames and hairspray do not mix. Two, I bypass breakfast in bed but do usually make cinnamon rolls when it falls on a weekend. Three, when it doesn't, the guys get their own breakfast while the Goddess of Light gets ready for work.

Regardless of the day of the week it falls on, we all get a nice little gift. This year, head gear was the theme. Carter got two winter hats (he may or may not have picked out himself on Black Friday weekend), and hubby and I each got a nice Royal Blue golf visor with the Assumption school logo. I'm quite sure that's a hint from St. Lucia that we should consider a golf trip to the islands like St. Thomas or St. Marten or any of her "brothers."

As for the Friday the 13th part of the equation, it didn't factor in. Yet.

Had very busy but productive day at work. Afterward, Jim and I caught the Rapids JV girls basketball game at 5:45 p.m. His god-daughter Becca plays on the team and they won. After that, it was a typical Friday night thrill fest -- grocery shopping at Wal-Mart and visiting with at least 3 other people with the same exciting lives, then going to The Ridges to wait for Carter to get done with his dish-washing shift.

Home by 10 and we will all be snoring by 11. Trust me. It was a long week.

TGIF indeed. And thank you, St. Lucy, for stopping by, bypassing the candle wreath, but still sparking some holiday spirit.

Happy Skol-idays

All week I've had it my head that it was St. Lucia Day on Saturday. I kept thinking the 15th and wondered how I would, er she would, get presents to Carter without embarrassing him in front of the friends he's having over Friday night.

All this thought going into it and then I realized a half hour ago that TODAY is St. Lucia Day!

Whoops.

Just about missed our Scandi-hoovian holiday!

So I quickly threw our gifts in some bags -- Wal-Mart bags, not gift bags -- and spread some good old Swedish cheer!

Hubby got a nice cheese slicer (built in on a bread board) to replace our old one. Carter got an Asteroids video game t-shirt. And I, following Norse tradition, got a new Vikings apron! Skol!

Or in today's case: Happy Skol-idays!

For the record, for the real Christmas, I do have my shopping all done now. Maybe I better write it on the calendar that my family's gifts are due the 23rd, Jim's family's gifts are due for delivery the 24th, and the boys will get theirs the 25th.

Our bathroom may "arrive" by New Year's. We'll see. Good thing I'm not completely in charge!

Happy St. Lucia Day!!

Santa Lucia

Nightly, go heavy hearts
Round farm and steading
On earth, where sun departs,
shadows are spreading.
Then on our darkest night,
Comes with her shining light
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Then on our darkest night,
Comes with her shining light
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.


The 13th of December is the day that people in Scandinavia celebrate Lucia. Over the whole country, people arrange processions with a Lucia, her maids, starboys and small Father Christmases. As far as tradition goes, the oldest daughter in the house is supposed to wear a ring of candles on her head and parade through the house, serving breakfast to everyone.

We don't do that. I don't do that.

For one, due to the possible fire hazard associated with hair spray, I don't think candles on the head are a good idea. Secondly, when St. Lucia Day falls on a school day/work day, there is no time to whip together a breakfast for all. Unless they guys don't mind Pop Tarts in bed.

Who was the "real" Lucia? It a nutshell: This day got its name from Saint Lucia. She was a Catholic saint. She was a young Christian girl who lived in Syracuse on Sicily. That was during the time when Rome was in power. The Romans were not Christians yet. Because Lucia was a Christian, she got killed on the 13th of December in 304 A.D.

Sounds dark but they considered her the "queen of light" so that is what prompted candles. I didn't even celebrate/observe this holiday as a child but I wanted Carter to know something of his Scandinavian heritage, so I started playing the role of St. Lucy each Dec. 13.

And by playing the role, I merely mean I bought and wrapped some little gift for each person in the house (I love my new Christmas book and mini reading light, St. Lucy!). I also made sure we had something sweet -- real candy canes and the plastic ones filled with peanut butter cups -- since I didn't have time to make Lucia Buns. Oh yes, a person could really go all out for their heritage.

I pretty much stick to what comes easy and still marks me as a full-blooded Scandi-hoovian. Lutefisk is out of the question but I wouldn't turn down lefse (if someone else makes it) and certainly will take seconds on krumkaka. I just don't have time or ambition to make it.

I'm not the saint here.

Happy St. Lucia Day!

Winter Wonder-What-The?

I know those of us in the Midwest are sick of seeing the snow, as lovely as it is, but I had to post some pictures for the benefit of my sister in Texas -- just in case she ever second guesses herself for moving there! I doubt she does!

Above, the snow looks so pretty as it falls Saturday afternoon. This was our view all Saturday and probably all during the night, too, though we couldn't hear it or see it...

...only saw what we woke up to! Needless to say, we did not make it to 8 a.m. church (or any later service). Carter's practice and Christmas program were called off, too. The plow finally came through mid-afternoon.

Our neighbor took care of our driveway, but Jim handled the "extra" areas -- with joy, of course, as you can see on his face.

Judging by the path (and unofficial measurements in the neighborhood), we estimate we got about 14-16 inches.

Carter was in charge of the decks so I just had the responsibility of taking scrapbook pictures. You can tell he was really happy about it!

I didn't feel guilty for a minute. The snow was much wetter and heavier today so this old lady did not need to strain my back. Plus I was busy doing something important I'm sure... but I just can't recall what it was...

Probably watching replays of the Dome roof collapsing. What a mess! I guess Brett Favre will do anything to delay a game a day so he can keep his streak alive!

The weather even messed up St. Lucia's schedule. Typically, our Scandinavian Goddess of Light arrives Dec. 13. But somehow sensing our incredibly busy schedule tomorrow with work, school and out-of-town basketball, she arrived this afternoon. Jim got the book Dreaming of a Black Christmas by comedian Lewis Black and Carter got Toy Story 3. Naturally, we had to watch that right away (and cry again)! Awesome movie!

What did I get? I guess I'll say I got a free pass from shoveling for the day (but in all likelihood it's something I've been typing on for the past 3 weeks)!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Holi-Daze

A good percentage of my siblings and family enjoyed the "real" HoliDazzle in the Twin Cities yesterday. I still have to get there some year for the lighted Christmas parade and all the fun. But we had our own version today. Sort of...

Happy St. Lucia Day to my fellow Scandi-hoovians who also observe it! The patron saint of Light left some nice treats in our stockings. Carter got a new winter hat and the movie Up. Mommy got the Four Christmases movie plus a DVD with 4 made-for-TV Christmas movies on it (Does St. Lucy know me or what?!). And Daddy got the new Bob & Tom CD plus the old movie Scrooged (which he claims is the best version of the Christmas Carol).

So we definitely started out the day on a good note. Carter had program practice again during the Sunday School hour. When we got home, I ran off some of that eggnog from yesterday (but I'm sure not all of it) then donned my purple apparel for the Vikings game.

That game continued our day on the good spirits level :)

We didn't get to stick around for the ending since Carter's Sunday School program was at 3:30. He did a fine job reading and I actually caught him singing on tape! (See him in the center with the red shirt.) I thought I better video a tiny snippet anyway since this is his last Sunday School Christmas program already. I know. Where does the time go?

Looks like we'll continue our Holi-daze this week with Clay's choral concert Monday night and Carter's school band concert on Wednesday afternoon. Between that, basketball and the potlucks at work, our calendar is looking pretty full. I don't mind one bit. I'm going to sit back and enjoy every minute of it.

I'm sure I'll be Dazzled more than once!

Happy St. Lucia Day!

Hurray, it's St. Lucia Day! St. Who? I realize for most people, if they observe any "extra" holiday, it's St. Nick's Day. But when Carter was young, I decided we should do something to reflect his Scandinavian heritage instead. So we celebrate St. Lucia each Dec. 13th.

Now tradition goes that the oldest girl in the house should wear candles on her head (Lucia was the "light" saint) and serve the rest of the household breakfast in bed. Being the only girl in the house, I elected to bypass that this year (well, I have every year so far).

But we did check our stockings and we each received a chocolate treat and a Christmas movie of some sort to get us in the holiday spirit. Carter got Deck the Halls, Daddy got the Best of Saturday Night Live Christmas Skits and I finally got White Christmas. For some reason, we ended up watching the Christmas Story movie instead, but I'm sure we'll get to the other ones.

We decided that since today was a holiday we should treat it like one and have some fun. It was quite mild out so I went for a walk (fun for me) and Carter spent quite a bit of time outdoors building a snow tower of some sort. Then we stayed inside, drank hot chocolate and we all played Yatzee and Sorry and 3 to 13.

I seem to recall that I won all the games but really, who pays attention? It's not competitive. (ha) I'm just grateful to St. Lucia for giving us a holiday -- and a worthy excuse to spend quality time with the lights of my life.

Lucy lives on

Although my family is big on Christmas traditions (especially our annual program for Mom and Dad), it wasn't until I was in college that I heard about St. Nick's Day, when I found presents outside my dorm room door on Dec. 6.

As a parent, I thought it would be great to start this "new" tradition with Carter. Then I thought, why not see if there is something that better reflects my 100% Scandinavian heritage? That's when I found out about St. Lucy's Day.

According to tradition, in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, Lucy (called Lucia) is venerated on Dec. 13 in a ceremony where an elected girl, portraying Lucia, walks, with a crown of candles, ahead of a procession of other women holding a candle each, and they serve sweets or treats to the others in the household. (The candles symbolize the fire that refused to take St. Lucy's life when she was sentenced to be burned.)

In my house, as the only female, I have refused to wear candles on my head and serve the guys breakfast in bed -- but have made cinnamon rolls when it has fallen on a weekend. I also do explain the tradition to Carter and do make sure a little gift appears under the tree from St. Lucy.

This morning, I was at work before Carter got up (Daddy has the day off), but he called me to tell me he was very excited about his gift. (Do you find it strange he has no hesitation believing in Santa Lucia but is questioning the existence of Santa Claus?)

By coincidence, Jim is having lunch at Grant Elementary School with Carter to celebrate St. Lucy (or maybe just a day off). I am celebrating with a McDonald's eggnog shake -- thanks to my friend Katy -- and my Swedish Meatballs SmartOnes meal. M-m-m... could be the start of another tradition.

Happy St. Lucy's Day!