Johnny-Jump-Ups & Narcissus (three)

Johnny-Jump-Ups & Narcissus (three), originally uploaded by confections.

This lovely live arrangement of white johnny-jump-ups and not-yet-blooming narcissus (paperwhites) was a birthday gift from my sister last month.

We had tea at our favorite tea shop, Tea-upon-Chatsworth, on December 13th, Saint Lucia Day. In Scandinavia, Santa Lucia Day is celebrated with girls wearing Lucia crowns with candles.

In San Diego in Balboa Park on the first weekend in December, the House of Sweden has a Lucia procession as part of Christmas on the Prado (or December Nights, as it is now called).

The Lucia postcard is early 1980's vintage. She graced our table and reminded us of the many traditions that are re-enacted at this dark time of year.