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A Season of Lights

December 13, 2014 By Claire Annette Noland 6 Comments

lucia lightsNot only is it 12-13-14 but it is also the feast day of Santa Lucia, the patron saint of light. We celebrate most holidays and Santa Lucia Day is one of our favorites. It is interesting that a young martyr from Italy has become the center of a Swedish holiday. It is fitting, however that as the days grow darker, lights become more important.

Santa Lucia is important in the central California Valley city of Kingsburg where I live. The Festival of Lights Parade was held last week and Santa Lucia with a crown of candles led the way followed by young girls dressed in white gowns tied with a red ribbon at the waist. Boys also wore white but had large cone shaped hats covered with stars. They sang and held lit candles in their procession.

lucia parade

 

So, today is the “official” Santa Lucia Day. Kirsten from the American Girl collection made her annual visit.

Kristen

 

We started the day with Puff Pancakes which are super easy for kids to make. You need:

1/2 stick of butter   (4 Tablespoons)

4 eggs

1 cup low fat milk

1 cup flour

Divide the butter and put into 2 cake pans. Put the pans in the oven to melt the butter.

Put the eggs, milk and flour in a blender and blend until it is well mixed.

Pour the batter into the 2 pans on top of the butter. Bake for 20 minutes until they are puffed up and golden brown.

Top with powdered sugar, fruit preserves or applesauce.

butterbutter meltedpuffed pancake

 

Then, it was off to town. I met with darling Audrey for lunch at Diane’s Village Cafe where we ate Swedish sandwiches:

swedish sandwich

The one on the left is cucumber and ham. The one on the right is turkey on lingonberry preserves.

 

We walked a bit through town: dala

We love this Dala Horse.

svensk store

The Svensk Butik is filled with all things Swedish.

buns

Traditional Lussi Katter

I bought these Swedish candle lights to put in my front window. Don’t they look welcoming? I love the way they glow and make the room all cozy.

lucia lights

Now it is raining and we’ll settle into the comfy couch and read books by Jan Brett as a lovely ending to a lovely day.

swedish books

Filed Under: Books, Celebrate, Field Trips, Food, Places Tagged With: Kingsburg, Kingsburg Festival of Lights, puff pancake recipe, Puff Pancakes, Santa Lucia Celebration

« When we met you … a family celebration
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Evelyne says

    December 15, 2014 at 12:25 am

    This is lovely, Claire ! I’ve never been to kings burg and this is too bad as this celebration sounds like my kind of events. Of course Jan Bret’s books are perfect to end such a day. Thanks for the photos too. Happy Holidays!

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      December 15, 2014 at 2:40 am

      Evelyne,
      I hope you make your way through the valley again and stop by for a visit. It is actually a very lovely area year round.

      Reply
  2. Erica @ What Do We Do All Day? says

    December 16, 2014 at 7:04 pm

    I love this! I made saffron buns like I do every year. They are so yummy!
    Erica @ What Do We Do All Day? recently posted…(Our) Best Chapter Book Lists (of the Year)My Profile

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      December 16, 2014 at 7:18 pm

      I’m going to give the saffron buns a try.
      I’ve been following your blog for awhile and really enjoy your posts. I’m going to add it to my blog roll.

      Reply
  3. Trine Grillo says

    January 12, 2015 at 5:13 pm

    Happy New Year, Claire.
    I enjoyed this field trip. Did you know that I am I am writing about Saint Lucia?
    Hope to see you again soon.
    Creative blessings to you ~

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      January 13, 2015 at 5:28 am

      Hi Trine,
      I think it is a good idea to write about St. Lucia. I had a hard time finding information about her. Come to Kingsburg and we can go to the Swedish Botik.
      Ha det sa bra! (take care)
      Claire

      Reply

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