Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Tablescape Thursday ~ St. Lucia Day



I am joining Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday and I am celebrating the Swedish Feast of St. Lucia with my tablescape.



Although St. Lucia Day is not an official holiday in Sweden it is a popular celebration marked by a ceremony where a girl is elected to portray St. Lucia, wearing a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head, she walks at the head of a procession of girls, each holding a candle. The candles represent the fire that refused to take St. Lucia's life when she was sentenced to be burned. The girls sing the traditional Neapolitan song Santa Lucia.



After this song is sung, Christmas carols are then sung in Swedish. St. Lucia Day is celebrated on December 13. Since my husband's roots are Swedish and St. Lucia Day fell on Sunday this year I decided to invite the family and celebrate in Swedish fashion.


I used the traditional red and white colors of St. Lucia Day for my centerpiece, and I used the red tulips that my husband bought for me and I put them into three small white vases. I hung three red heart ornaments on the vases.










I used my Johnson Brothers Christmas tree plates and Castle plates, and since there were too many guests for a sit-down dinner, I set everything up buffet style.




We feasted on Swedish meatballs, lada, gravy, lingonberry perserves, two different cheeses, crackers and crispbread.





And for dessert my husband made Aland pankake served with a choice of lingonberries, applesauce, fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or whipped cream. He also made individual pumpkin/cheesecake muffins, and we had heart shaped pepparkakor cookies (Swedish gingersnaps).

I like my pankake topped with whipped cream and a few raspberries.


Some of the pumpkin cheesecake muffins were topped with cinnamon sugar and some were topped with powdered sugar and raspberries.





Please join Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for more tablescapes!



(And just in case anyone is interested in any of the recipes they are listed HERE)










20 comments:

  1. Eileen, where do I start? The celebration is wonderful! I actually didn't know much about it, only that I've seen dolls with the clothing and wreath of candles around their heads, but never knew the story...its beautiful, and I'd like to know more, so I might google it.

    Then the way you celebrated it, with the wonderful traditional foods, the table set with such beauty and meaning...Eileen, its just wonderful, and I love every bit of it...I would like to do something like this for my family next year. I believe we need to keep every Godly tradition alive as long as we can...our children need it...we must give them roots to carry them through the generations. So many people are lost and don't know who they are...this is the kind of family togetherness that makes a huge difference. I think its wonderful that your children and granddchildren are taking part of your husband's heritage...I just really love that you did this, and that you shared it with us. It blesses my heart very, very much!

    Did you read that Melanie, of Bella Mella, lost her precious Andrew today? Its heartbreaking...so very sad.

    God bless you, Eileen, and may He protect and bless your entire family this Christmas season.

    Mary

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  2. Just beautiful girl and all that food Yum!! love your china...thanks for sharing this great post..Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  3. Eileen, this is so neat! I am fascinated by this Saint Lucia celebration, and you really went all out to make it so special for your loved ones!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  4. Eileen, do you celebrate Saint Lucia every year, I think this is absolutely wonderful, so loved your centerpiece and table settings. You are very creative Eileen, I have enjoyed so much seeing how you and your family are enjoying the holidays through your post..Big Hugs to Jayden and Mia.......:-)

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  5. Hi Eileen !
    I love all your pictures - so neat to learn !
    The food looks yummy and you know I love your plates !
    Kammy

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  6. Eileen this post is beautiful from start to finish. I love it all and the food looks wonderful too!

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  7. What a fun celebration! Thank you for sharing... Dee Dee

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  8. Ahhhhh...those dear plates that I love, love so much! And I'm quite excited...my new chandelier looks just like the St. L. candle wreath on her head! Now my chandelier is extra special!

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  9. St. Lucia day is always so special and I like your lovely tablescape to celebrate the day. The food and your husbands Aland pancake look delicious. Happy holidays.
    Joyce

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  10. Eileen,
    Thanks for the info on St. L. That first pic is so pretty.
    Your food ALL looks so delicious.

    D

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  11. Swedish meatballs...uhm, yummy! Your desserts are to die for too. Thanks for St. Lucia's story. I love reading about saints. They really have incredible and humble lives. Your tablescape is beautiful, Eileen....Christine

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  12. Love the tulips and hearts, two of my favorite things. Thanks for sharing and have a great day!

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  13. Hello, Eileen,
    Wonderful post! Thank you for sharing this beautiful family celebration with us. Everything looks lovely and appealing. You photographed it all to perfection!

    Merry Christmas, my friend!

    Bill

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  14. Hi Eileen,
    Interesting post-I love hearing about the different traditions other countries have. the food looks good too!
    Merry Christmas,
    Carolyn

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  15. Great post Eileen. What a neat celebration and incredible looking dishes you prepared. I just ate dinner but looking at all of your food makes me want to eat AGAIN! Happy Holidays to you and your sweet family,

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  16. How beautiful this all is! And the food looks amazing too -- This looks like a wonderful way to celebrate the season. I love your plates (I have them too)

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  17. Hi Eileen you do such a good job with your table settings and that food.........yummy!!!!! Take care Carol

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  18. Beautiful..HPS Happy Holidays

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  19. My darling I wish you and yours all the joy, love, hope, blessings, peace, laughter, miracles, good health and boundless wealth during this holiday season and always.

    Love & Hugs
    Duchess

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  20. That was a great post. I love reading about the different traditions..you set a lovely table..what a feast..I copied and pasted the recipes.
    Thank you, Eileen.
    Have a very blessed Christmas, and healthy new year!

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