Monday, April 25, 2011

Norwegian Easter


There are three times I need to be in the the home where I grew up, and where my mother still lives; summer, Christmas and Easter.
Since I left my birth-home to study I have always striven to get home for these celebrations. This year we had 6 cats in our care, and therefor had to split the vacation.
We somehow got to share moments together, the core family; my mother, my brother, our daughter, husband G and myself.

Tommasi white wine, feathers and a huge egg, all symbols of Easter.

My painting of a knitting woman always reminds me of my mother.

My mother with some of her new year production. She has already given three pairs of socks away.

As usual we played Chinese Checkers, and as always my mother beat me.
No mercy when it comes to games in the Ljung family.

Breakfast table. My mother has painted the porcelain Easter breakfast set.


Pagan Sauda. We are standing on the Hovland (Hoofland) farm looking up on the Hoofland peak. I was there once with my Dad, so it's kind of my special mountain. Hov or Hoof is the place where offerings to the pagan gods took place.
Eating eggs are also related to easter morning. Pagan fertility rite, as is the color yellow, the Easter color.

Indoor roses with throbs, a reference to Christ.


We celebrated Easter night (Saturday) in Haugesund, making a bonfire on the terrace.
The blond nights are already here. We sat outside till 3 a.m.

Easter Morning in our garden both tulips and narcissus sprung during the warm Easter week. Paske is Norwegian for Easter, from Hebrew and not pagan at all.
Last hint of ruby on our red shrub. It was once a big tree, withered and is now grow up from a root.

Visit teach Mary for more Ruby Tuesdays here

18 comments:

Ralph said...

Our moms were always full of tradition, the things that we hadn't considered important when we were young - but as we grow, the feeling that mother perhaps knew better, we see in these important holidays. The importance of the time we spend with our parents is shown here. The family that holds onto each other is special indeed!

I really enjoy the views from pagan to the Christ - that the pagan took root yet was uprooted gy the redemption of Jesus, What was is no more as we look to the one true God. Family and faith shine on easter!

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

You are so rich in family, Felisol--rich indeed!

THE SEEKER OF RUBY AND RED

The seeker of ruby and red
Will not let green go to her head;
Instead she will seek
Her senses to pique
With cherry and crimson instead.


© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

Amrita said...

OI enjoyed your description and photos.

So good to come together as a damily and celebrate and all those symbolic reminders of new life and hope.

I love your flowers.

Mother looks so regal.Nothing can beat her she is top gun!

I like your painting - you are a great artist - you should paint more.

Maria @ LSS said...

Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing.

Happy RT!

Mine's here.

Dinah said...

Thank you for sharing us these wonderful Easter traditions!
Ruby Tuesday

John Cowart said...

Hi Felisol,

"Blond Nights"-- I'd never heard that term before but it immediately brought to mind long spring/summer nights here in Florida.

Thanks for that mental image.

John

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I didn't know about feathers. What do they signify?

Hootin Anni said...

Traditions hold the family together with a strong bond!! Enjoyed viewing your photos.

Here's my link: My Ruby Tuesday Do stop by if you get a chance.

Roan said...

Your mom is a very talented. The socks are beautiful colors and the Easter dishes are so cute. Love all the reads, but especially like the first shot. The colors are wonderful.

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita,
I haven't painted the knitting lady, it's an elderly, hand copied painting from a well known object hanging in our National Museum in Oslo. Artist, Harriet Backer.
I've posted a photo from our living room wall.

John C,
Blond nights are a familiar term about the Nordic summer nights. At midsummer the sun is only down four hours here south, then there's the slow dusk and dawn in between. Real darkness for two hours when the weather is good. Now it's dark for about eight hours, minus dusk and dawn.

Ann.
The multicolored feathers attached to birch twigs are symbols of the feathers of the famous rooster in the garden of Gethsemane.

Trish said...

Dear Felisol...I too love returning to the place of my birth! Being home with Mama and Bobby for 5 days, was so calming and saying goodbye bittersweet.
But, in a few months I will be blessed to make the 600 mile trip and once more breathe in the sweet country air.
As always, your photo's and family touch my soul...thank you ever so much for sharing them.
Love,
tris

Irish said...

aww gorgeous post! love all the pictures attached :)

Arti said...

Wow... This is such an interesting post!!
We too light up bonfire to celebrate the arrival of spring, its called the festival of Holi...
Loved your pics, beautiful!
Have a nice week ahead:)

Kris said...
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Kris said...
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Crown of Beauty said...

AS always, the pictures you posted are all beautiful.

I loved the bonfire, Felisol.

You are fortunate to have a mom who is still strong after all these years.

May you enjoy this new season of your life. May it speak much life into your heart, and praying that God will continue to feed the spiritual longings of your heart.

Much love
Lidj

Felisol said...

Dear Kris,
I'm always encouraged hearing from you. You are one of my oldest blog buddies, and you might have been my second daughter.
When you hurt, I hurt too.
I think we should always be allowed to communicate true feelings and colors.
I know life doesn't work like that for any of us.
Nevertheless one must be allowed to tell that somethings are hard to forget and forgive.

My favorite artist, Bob Dylan wrote "It's alright Ma, I'm only bleeding."

He really was on to something, wasn't he?

Annie Jeffries said...

I'm very late on the uptake here, Elise, but had to chime in so you would know I did not miss this. She painted the china set? I'm so impressed. Oh, and if mom has any socks she does not know what to do with well . . .

Blessing to you all during this season of Easter.