Some Strange Seasonal Stuff

Burt and I have been absent for far longer than we ever intended to be. I'd blame that long spell of unseasonably warm weather between Halloween and Christmas for keeping me from getting things done, if I wasn't usually behind on my holiday preparations every year anyway. I have no excuse.

Flowers don't bloom in my garden past November, ever! This year, the pansies in the window boxes were so lush and pretty I didn't have the heart to pull them up. They somehow managed to survive until they were hit with an all out blizzard just three days ago. At least now it looks like winter.

Andy came home in time to help with the Christmas preparations that include making lefsa, a legacy from our Scandinavian ancestors. It wouldn't be Christmas without it, although once when we were traveling in Norway I did see it prepackaged for sale on the train, in the middle of the summer. 

It's basically mashed potatoes mixed with a little flour then rolled out like pie dough and baked on a hot griddle. I don't think it's supposed to blow up like a puffer fish but eventually it did flatten out.

It's always fun to have a cute pup around to help with the baking.

(Even if he did sneak off and poop behind the Christmas tree!)

Burt got a good chuckle out of that!

More seasonal baking, this time with a different appliance that is really only useful for making one thing at Christmas. What can I say? They taste good and someone has to make them.

Andy also lent his expertise to rolling up the KrumKake.

I will refrain from making any jokes about how to pronounce that name, for now.

Before the blizzard hit we took the opportunity to get out and enjoy the woodlands one last time, without snow shoes or cross country ski's, anyway. Andy and Kristin did some geocaching while Jeremy stayed home with Burt. Of course, we forgot all about how early it gets dark! 

It was great to be able to watch Mosquito Hill turn red in the setting sun. 

Nick took photographs from this mossy knoll all year long to record the changes.

Finally, we ended up at one of my favorite spots just in time to take photos during l'heure blue.

I'll end this post with the last display from our town's Festival of Lights, as it seems appropriate to New Year's Eve and because it was about the only photo I took from the event that turned out.

How are you celebrating tonight?

Best Wishes to everyone for a very Happy New Year!