Monday, December 14, 2009

Christmas in Norway... and in Texas...

My mother was born in Tromso, Norway, so my Norwegian heritage has always been a BIG part of our Christmas celebration...

She told us stories about Christmas in Norway as we grew up, and it came alive in our home every December. We grew up in California, so the long winter months of snow she described, sounded like a dream...now I live in Texas, and it still does...but I re-tell her stories to our 6 grandkids...

We have Christmas Eve in our home, and the 'kids table' is Norwegian. The colors and traditions of Norway are so vivid and bright, and we all love them.

I set the table today so I could take a few pictures to include here... those trees in the middle were at Dollar General a few years ago, they remind me of Christmas in Norway!.. The music playing is also Norwegian, her name is Sissel...


Here are a few more pictures of the rest of our home, all ready for Christmas..














































Merry Christmas to all of you, from Texas, and Norway....

20 comments:

Andrea said...

Absolutely beautiful.
Blessings and prayers, andrea

Dena Pickle said...

beautiful. love the tables too, very festive
merry christmas
dena

Rose said...

Sonja, those decorations are beautiful and I especially love the picture of Norway. How lovely. Thank you for sharing these pieces of your heritage.

Hugs,
Rose

Unknown said...

Everything looks just lovely! Have a merry Christmas!
Kay

Alleluiabelle said...

Hi Dear Friend,

I love your Christmas decor and your home is absolutely beautiful. It looks warm and cozy...all ready for this Christmas coming.

You are a beautiful woman with a beautiful heart. God bless you.

Hugs,
Alleluiabelle

Debra said...

The table is so decorative and festive! And might I add you have a lovely home!

Deborah Ann said...

I'm drooling...your house is gorgeous! LOVE that pic of the bull skull and wreath!

How awesome that you carry your family tradition down to your grandkids. Love the music too...

Have a blessed Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your Christmas home! It's beautiful! And I love, love those Christmas trees on the table!

Just Be Real said...

Oh my gosh! You set a very nice house for Christmas. I enjoyed looking at your pictures! What a beautiful Norway story about your mom also. Thank you for sharing dear. Blessings.

Territory Mom said...

I love your blog, everything is so pretty and so are you. I bet you are the best mimi.

LisaShaw said...

What a beautiful post and photos. Thank you for sharing with us. I came by to wish you a blessed Christmas and New Year.

Felisol said...

Hi, Sonja,
Thank you for visiting.
You have got the same name as the Norwegian queen. Good!
Your picture from Tromso is beautiful. I've never been that far north in Norway, but some day I'll take the trip by boat. Cruising from south to north along our coast is about the best voyage there is.
Especially in summertime when the midnight sun is shining 24/7.
The winter is also pretty, with snow and this fairytale blue sky.
That''s when the nisse comes out of the mountains, to dance in the moonlight and do some pranks as well.
It's a good think you are taking care of traditions and deliver them down the generations.
After all, a tree well rooted stands firmer when the storm comes.
From felisol

Lisa Smith said...

I love your Christmas table!! I love the little trees on each plate and I especially love your ceramic tree centerpieces. I'm saying a prayer that you will be blessed by those you love this Christmas. Merry Christmas!!

PS I also love the legacy this blog is giving your grandchildren...so special!

rcubes said...

Hi. Thank you for encouraging me with your visit and comment. Nice to meet you. What a nice Christmas decoration! So festive...But so is your blog...all about Him! God bless you. And Merry Christmas!

Cathy said...

Your decorations are beautiful. I love Sissel, her voice is so pretty. Thanks for your sweet visit. Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

sonja-gess
You look A LOT like my wife!! Nordic females are indeed beautiful. And you are so LUCKY to have found fantastic guys like Joe and Me.
Your humble servant
Jack
p.s. Nice digs. PLEASE keep me on your blog. Yer buddy
Shuler

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Such pretty color on your Christmas table! THis is all so pretty -- those trees are especially adorable.

GwendolynKay said...

Oh Sonja,
I so enjoyed stepping into your home... It is so beautiful! Love that big mirror with the greenry on it. The Norweigen table is so beautiful. Wish I could be there to give you a hug!
Love and Blessings!
Gwen

Carla Gade said...

Sonja, I'm so glad you invited me to see your Norwiegan Christmas! It is so wonderful. Yes, I am Swedish, but my husband is Norweigan (our sons then are both!). My late father-in-law emigrated to the US with his parents from Oslo. In fact, his grandfather grew up at Frogner Manor (Oslo Bymuseum)- have you been there? Our family hopes to travel there some day and to Sweden.
Did you have Krumkake or other Norweigan foods? I think it is great that you are passing along the family legacy/traditions with your grandchildren. I will have to be more creative about doing so with my sons since their paternal grandparents are gone now, as are their Swedish great-grandparents.
I so enjoyed this! Tusen Takk!

Stacey said...

How beautiful! I'm so glad you left me a sweet message today so I could see this post. :) It's always fun to meet another Texan.