|
Post by Elliot Kane on Dec 14, 2006 6:47:13 GMT
Trust you, Elliot? Yeah, why not it's Christmas. ;D Thanks for more song links. I've never heard of the first one. I am familiar with the second and third one, and I think I've heard of the last one. They would have been by different artists though. Season of (infinite) good will & all that... ;D Most Xmas songs are just endlessly rehashed, but The Darkness' song is an original, so unless you are a Darkness fan chances are you may have missed it. Darn good tune, I think
|
|
|
Post by Ubereil on Dec 14, 2006 10:03:11 GMT
Shan, you work for Coka Cola? ;D By the way, Coka Cola hates Sweden, because we drink must (I tried to check wikipedia for links on what it might be called in English, but I'm downloading Visual Studio (legally , and for free too ;D) so I couldn't find wiki...) for chritmass, and not coke . Ube, if this information is wrong, let me know. Christmas in SwedenChristmas begins in Sweden with the Saint Lucia ceremony. Before dawn on the morning of 13 December, the youngest daughter from each family puts on a white robe with a red sash. She wears a crown of evergreens with tall-lighted candles attached to it. She wakes her parents, and serves them with coffee and Lucia buns. The other children accompany her. The boys dressed as star boys in long white shirts and pointed hats. That might be how it's supposed to work in theory, but the daughters in Sweden are too lazy ( ), so we usually have one big session instead of a lot of small. And only the Lucia has a crown of candles, the "maids" who acompanies her only have one candle, and they hold one candle. And unfortunantlly, no serving . Oh and Christmass starts on the first of advent (four sundays before Christmass), where you light a candle for every sunday before christmass, and on the fourth of advent you'll light the fourth and last candle, and have all four candles burning . You allso eat pepparkakor and lussebullar (which is bread made of saffron with rassins in it), and you usually drink glögg if you're old enough (I drink the non-alcohol verision . Glögg is a kind of spiced mulled wine, and you allso drink it with rassins and almond. The weird thing about Christmass in Sweden is that we celebrate on Christmass Eve, and not on Christmass Day. And one day before Christmass Eve, the tree is brought in. It is allso decorated, and so it the rest of the house (the Julbock, the Christmass (he) goat is brought out). As you said, the tomte used to be (before the 1890's somewhere) some kind of brownie who lived on the farm, who you never saw. He protected you if you were good to him, but he had a temper like a dwarf with a hangover so if you made some mistake he abandoned you (not for good though). In these days the Goat came with the presents and not Santa. A famous (in Sweden anyway) swedish artist (who I can't recall the name on for the moment. I'll come back with it, and info, and pictures changed this image somewhat, so the Tomte took over from the goat. And influences from west changed the tomte away from the swedish verision to the american one. So nowadays Jultomten and Santa is the same person. Oh, and screw Donald Duck, it's Karl Bertil Jonson's Christmass at 19:30 everyone looks forward to ;D. Übereil
|
|
|
Post by Shan on Dec 14, 2006 16:42:55 GMT
Season of (infinite) good will & all that... ;D Most Xmas songs are just endlessly rehashed, but The Darkness' song is an original, so unless you are a Darkness fan chances are you may have missed it. Darn good tune, I think Season of (infinite) good will & all that....., hmmm, sounds pretty good to me. ;D Guess I am not a Darkness fan because I had never heard of them until you mentioned the name. Since it is a personal favorite of yours, I guess you will have to forgive me for never hearing of their group or the song. Remember it's Christmas and it's the season of infinite good will & all that. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Shan on Dec 14, 2006 16:46:27 GMT
Thanks Ube for the additional info. I'm never sure how correct the information I find on the net is, but I figured with you being from Sweden you could tell me. I would love it if you could find the name of the artist. Any info and pictures would be greatly appreciated. No more Donald Duck. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Shan on Dec 14, 2006 16:54:30 GMT
The Many Faces of Santa ClausWhether you know him as Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, P?re Noel, or many of the other identities he has assumed over the centuries, this spirit of Christmas has been a symbol of generosity, brotherhood and charity that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. The following are some of the guises of the "Spirit of Santa Claus" envisioned by these artists. Santa Claus by James GurneyJames Gurney the creator of Dinotopia (a mythical island where dinosaurs have evolved into the intellectual equals of man, and where both species live utilzing a science and lifestyle far more Earth-friendly than our own). This is his vision of Santa Claus.
|
|
|
Post by Shan on Dec 14, 2006 16:57:53 GMT
Preparing for the Journey by Dean MorrisseyThere comes a point on Christmas Eve when all the bustling activity at the North Pole begins to slow. The reindeer are in harness, the runners waxed, the sleigh is filled to bursting with gifts. Dusk conquers day and the elves take their place on the sleigh. When all is in readiness, the Old Fellow takes his moment of pause. No one asks why, for they know he is consumed with the enormous job at hand. Suddenly his face breaks with a rosy grin and he deftly swings up onto his sleigh. With a crack of the reins, Christmas begins anew......
|
|
|
Post by Shan on Dec 14, 2006 16:59:39 GMT
Old World Santa by James ChristensenA Greenwich Workshop 30th Anniversary Gicl?e Canvas. "I wanted to create a painting that would evoke both the history and traditions of the Christmas season," said James C. Christensen. "I was surprised to discover that our Christmas is not just a transplantation of old world traditions, but a synthesis of customs brought to this country by our forefathers. Our present day Santa Claus is a symbol, not only of Christmas, but represents our melting-pot society. While our Christmas character is the conglomeration of traditions of many people and lands, he has become American in the same way we have. This painting is a fantasy, a personal interpretation of that 'jolly old elf' that embodies not only the spirit of Christmas, but the best of America."
|
|
|
Post by Alrik on Dec 14, 2006 17:02:52 GMT
Alrik, how about posting the Christmas cookie recipe. Here you are : By the way : This is from Stonekeep :
|
|
|
Post by Shan on Dec 14, 2006 17:18:03 GMT
Great Alrik. Thank you sooooo much. They look like the could be good cookies too. Not sure about the pumpkin muffins. I would have to taste those to know. I'm not that found of pumpkin pies. And I will be looking for what you said you had to share with us later, closer to Christmas. It is almost like waiting on a Christmas present.
|
|
|
Post by Shan on Dec 14, 2006 17:46:06 GMT
Santa's Other Helpers by James ChristensenThis foremost fantasy fine artist answers the question "How does Santa know who's naughty and nice?" in a new limited edition fine art print in the tradition of his first two Greenwich Workshop prints, A Gift for Mrs. Claus (1985) and Olde World Santa (1986) - both sold out at the publisher. "Whether on paper or in porcelain, Santa has a special connection with the animal, bird, and insect world," says the artist.
|
|
|
Post by Shan on Dec 14, 2006 17:56:52 GMT
St. Nicholas in his Study by Scott GustafsonHere, amidst the clutter of centuries and the memories of a vibrant life, sits St. Nicholas checking his famous list. It took Scott 12 weeks to conceive and paint this work that contains 50 references the legends surrounding one of the world's best-known citizens - tracing St. Nick's life from his birth in Turkey around 280 AD to the present day. Amongst these, two are most poignant. One: an "I Love New York" coffee mug. St. Nicholas is that state's patron saint. The other: above the humble man, in an ancient reliquary, rests a glowing halo. Not worn, but not hidden-simply shining quietly on, visible to those who wish to see it.
|
|
|
Post by Shan on Dec 14, 2006 18:09:59 GMT
Father Christmas by Dean MorrisseyThis is the real Father Christmas.....a worldly traveler with a merry twinkle in his eye. Father Christmas is just one of the lavish images author/artist Dean Morrissey created for his book "The Christmas Ship" (Harper Collins).
|
|
|
Post by Shan on Dec 14, 2006 19:07:32 GMT
Here is a Santa Claus song. Jolly Old St. NicholasJolly old Saint Nicholas, Lean your ear this way! Don't you tell a single soul What I'm going to say; Christmas Eve is coming soon; Now, you dear old man, Whisper what you'll bring to me; Tell me if you can. When the clock is striking twelve, When I'm fast asleep, Down the chimney broad and black, With your pack you'll creep; All the stockings you will find Hanging in a row; Mine will be the shortest one, You'll be sure to know. Johnny wants a pair of skates; Susy wants a dolly; Nellie wants a story book; She thinks dolls are folly; As for me, my little brain Isn't very bright; Choose for me, old Santa Claus, What you think is right.
|
|
|
Post by Shan on Dec 14, 2006 19:18:23 GMT
Begger's Rhyme - Author UnknownChristmas is coming, the geese are getting fat, Please to put a penny in the old man's hat; If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do, If you haven't got a ha'penny, God bless you.
|
|
|
Post by Shan on Dec 14, 2006 19:21:59 GMT
Hoodoo McFiggin's ChristmasThis Santa Clause business is played out. It's a sneaking, underhand method, and the sooner it's exposed the better. For a parent to get up under cover of the darkness of night and palm off a ten-cent necktie on a boy who had been expecting a ten-dollar watch, and then say that an angel sent it to him, is low, undeniably low. I had a good opportunity of observing how the thing worked this Christmas, in the case of young Hoodoo McFiggin, the son and heir of the McFiggins, at whose house I board. Hoodoo McFiggin is a good boy - a religious boy. He had been given to understand that Santa Claus would bring nothing to his father and mother because grown-up people don't get presents from the angels. So he saved up all his pocket-money and bought a box of cigars for his father and a seventy-five-cent diamond brooch for his mother. His own fortunes he left in the hands of the angels. But he prayed. He prayed every night for weeks that Santa Claus would bring him a pair of skates and a puppy-dog and an air-gun and a bicycle and a Noah's ark and a sleigh and a drum - altogether about a hundred and fifty dollars' worth of stuff. I went into Hoodoo's room quite early Christmas morning. I had an idea that the scene would be interesting. I woke him up and he sat up in bed, his eye glistening with radiant expectation, and began hauling things out of his stocking. The first parcel was bulky; it was done up quite loosely and had an odd look generally. Ha! Ha! Hoodoo cried gleefully, as he began undoing it. I'll bet it's the puppy-dog, all wrapped up in paper! And was it the puppy-dog? No, by no means. It was a pair of nice, strong, number-four boots, laces and all, labeled Hoodoo, from Santa Claus, and underneath Santa Claus had written, The boy's jaw fell with delight. It's boots, he said, and plunge in his hand again. He began hauling away at another parcel with renewed hope on his face. This time the thing seemed like a little round box. Hoodoo tore the paper off it with a feverish hand. He shook it; something rattled inside. It's a watch and chain! It's a watch and chain!: he shouted. Then he pulled the lid off. And was it a watch and chain? No. It was a box of nice, brand-new celluloid collars, a dozen of them all alike and all his own size. The boy was so pleased that you could see his face crack up with pleasure. Operation Santa ClausHe waited a few minutes until his intense joy subsided. Then he tried again. This time the packet was long and hard. It resisted the touch and had a sort of funnel shape. It's a toy pistol! Said the boy, trembling with excitement. Gee! I hope there are lots of caps with it! I'll fire some off now and wake up father. No, my poor child, you will not wake your father with that. It is a useful thing, but it needs not caps and it fires no bullets, and you cannot wake a sleeping man with a tooth-brush. Yes, it was a tooth-brush - a regular beauty, pure bone all through, and ticketed with a little paper, Hoodoo, from Santa Claus. Again the expression of intense joy passed over the boy's face, and the tears of gratitude started from his eye. He wiped them away with his tooth-brush and passed on. The next packet was much larger and evidently contained something soft and bulky. It had been too long to go into the stocking and was tied outside. I wonder what this is, Hoodoo mused, half afraid to open it. Then his heart gave a great leap, and he forgot all his other presents in the anticipation of this one. It's a drum, all wrapped up! Drum nothing! It was pants - a pair of the nicest little short pants - yellowish-brown short pants - with dear little stripes of color running across both ways, and here again Santa Claus had written, Hoodoo, from Santa Claus, one fort net. But there was something wrapped up in it. Oh, yes! There was a pair of braces wrapped up in it, braces with a little steel sliding thing so that you could slide your pants up to your neck, if you wanted to. Operation Sana ClausThe boy gave a dry sob of satisfaction. Then he took out his last present. It's a book, he said, as he unwrapped it. I wonder if it is fairy stories or adventures. Oh, I hope it's adventures! I'll read it all morning. No, Hoodoo, it was not precisely adventures. It was a small family Bible. Hoodoo had now seen all his presents, and he arose and dressed. But he still had the fun of playing with his toys. That is always the chief delight of Christmas morning. First he played with his tooth-brush. He got a whole lot of water and brushed all his teeth with it. This was huge fun. Then he played with his collars. He had no end of fun with them, taking them all out one by one and swearing at them, and then putting them back and swearing at the whole lot together. The next toy was his pants. He had immense fun there, putting them on and taking them off again, and then trying to guess which side was which by merely looking at them. After that he took his book and read some adventures-called Genesis till breakfast-time. Then he went downstairs, and kissed his father and mother. His father was smoking a cigar, and his mother had her new brooch on. Hoodoo's face was thoughtful, and a light seemed to have broken in upon his mind. Indeed, I think it altogether likely that next Christmas he will hang on to his own money and take chances on what the angels bring.
|
|
|
Post by Ubereil on Dec 15, 2006 15:53:19 GMT
The person I was thinking of is called Jenny Nyström, and she was a painter and illustrator. She created the modern picture of Jultomten through the painting of around 3000 postcards and 2500 book illustrations. More info can be found here. Übereil
|
|
|
Post by Elliot Kane on Dec 15, 2006 17:28:52 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Ubereil on Dec 15, 2006 17:47:10 GMT
Made it past the first chorus before closeing the window with a shiver *proud*. Übereil
|
|
|
Post by Elliot Kane on Dec 15, 2006 17:49:47 GMT
Made it past the first chorus before closeing the window with a shiver *proud*. Übereil Never mind, Ube! Maybe you'll develop good taste one day... ;D
|
|
|
Post by Ubereil on Dec 15, 2006 18:15:37 GMT
Yeah... unlike you, who is hopelesslly lost ;D.
Übereil
|
|