Look at all that snow and frost. Christmas 2010 - Blokhus.
Who starts the new year blogging about Christmas? Well, I do…as I had a mission this Christmas 2011 – To look more deep into my Scottish December and my Danish Christmas traditions. Being a Dane living in Scotland I am blown away by the different Christmas traditions, for example like my pagan neighbour who celebrate winter solstice or the fact that many Scots celebrate Christmas dinner on a restaurant the 24th followed by opening presents the 25th and then boxing day. Most Danes celebrate Christmas eve the 24th of December, followed by Christmas lunch with relatives and plenty of walks (well, in Martin‘s and my family anyway).
My sister & I - Christmas "hygge" with my family
A December walk before coffee and goodies - Jutland
Muuuuhhhh the Danish cows say. Think they are happy that most Danes eat duck for Christmas
Danish traditions - Æbleskiver & gløgg...Or Pancake Balls & mulled wine
So where did I spend Christmas? In Denmark…yep, Christmas is about being together with family and when they are all in Denmark, you gladly jump on a plain to see them.
This year was a bit special as it was my first Christmas celebrated with Martin’s family near Silkeborg in Jutland, being my third Christmas together with Martin. So when I first arrived at Denmark I spend some days with my family and getting the holiday spirit with æbelskiver and gløgg.
Martin and my first Christmas was when we lived in Australia and where on a road trip in the Kimberly. We ended up the 24th of December in Fitzroy Crossing almost alone on a camping ground drinking champagne, accompanied by thousands of tiny ants (they where all over in our Camper-van Jeep for days). Brilliant. The second was last year with my family in beautiful Blokhus, with snow all December, so we got some special shots while enjoying being with my family near the sea (see first image).
This December has been extremely mild both in Scotland and in Denmark, accompanied by heavy gales and grey skies in both countries. Gladly we where indoors in front of the fireplace, went on long walks and Martin’s mum was teaching Martin new tricks in the kitchen (while I was documenting it for this post).
Risengrød - maybe like rice pudding..?
Cheers!
The big Danish Christmas bake off ;)
Rødkål: red cabbage a side dish for the Christmas dinner, Martin and his mum in the kitchen
Flæskesteg - A lener version of pork belly. Christmas lunch.
Finished rødkål served hot
Martin, Jesper & me decorating the tree
Christmas ornaments
The star for the Christmas tree
Klegner - A Danish Christmas cookie homemade by Martins mum. Yum
My father in law putting real candles on the 24th in the morning
No Christmas without the little camper!
Brown sweet potatos - side dish for the duck
Danish Christmas dinner - duck, filled apples, gravy and potatoes
Dessert Risalamande - who gets the almond? Martin did
More walks around Hald sø
Christmas lunch the 25th
There comes a time every Christmas holiday where you just need spice and garlic! - My dad's famous speciality meat sauce. Yum.
The Christmas of 2011 was so cosy and I was taken great care off by Martins parents with glorious food and laughter supplied by Jesper (Martin’s big brother) and Martin. Happy holidays it sure was, followed by New Year’s in Blokhus with my family at Strandingskroen (my favourite Danish INN).
Martins mum and me (in Martins new pyjamas)
The Christmas tree in all its glory - we walk around it and sing songs afterwards presents!
Here are some Danish Christmas carols that we sing walking around the Christmas tree (and you can hear them on this link to!)
How did you spend Christmas? Any special traditions?
Have a great weekend
ML
