Thursday, December 13, 2007

Yesterday Trifle.....Today Saffron Buns

Being that one half of me is of English stock, I took great pleasure yesterday in diving into a lovely bowl of Trifle. One of the women at work brought it to our "Christmas Gathering Potluck". It takes some time to make one of those desserts too.

She set the bowl on the table, taking special care to find the right spot so it would be available to all.

Then came the LARGE spoon for serving (as opposed to a tablespoon which was nowhere in sight). We are hearty and passionate eaters at the Forest Service, by the way. So, I believe it was gone in the blink of an eye.

I just happened to be standing by the bowl when it was set down and was able to have a SPOONful. Delicious.

I sent her an email today telling her how much her Trifle was appreciated, even though it died a quick and gallant death. And I expressed how much I also appreciated the time she took to make it look beautiful with the upside-down raspberries all evenly spaced out and looking very red and inviting.

My mom used to make this, so it brought back many memories of polishing one of these off, together with my family, at one sitting. Happy days.

Then, today we celebrated Sankta Lucia Day. A Swedish custom. It was hosted by a dear friend who has done this for over 30 years....every December 13th.

The table was set with Swedish ginger cookies, various cheeses, butter, deliciously special saffron buns with raisins, coffee and apple cider......... with the Swedish candelabra lit in the corner.

It's a come and go affair beginning at 7 a.m. One of her daughters is there from Saskatoon to aid in the festivities. When several guests are seated with their treats, Mrs. B's granddaughter, dressed in a white gown with a red sash and a cedar wreath sitting atop her head (with lit candles) beautifully sings Santa Lucia.

It just goes to show you that people care about one another. They do special things for each other. They go out of their way to be of help to those they love.......and to those they don't love!!!

Christmas does that.

But what on earth kind of love makes one do things like that?

I believe it's CHRISTmas love. There is no other love like it......on earth, that is.

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