Today I am TREATING!
Do you love to go to Christmas craft fairs? I sure do!
Christmas is fast approaching. I need to get stared on making gifts! To help get into the spirit of things I'd like to take you along on the Folkemuseet's Christmas market!
As you enter the open air market on a dusky November afternoon the chill bites at your nose and your feet snug in your boots clip merrily on the cobblestones underfoot. You gaze up and around at the various old-fashoned houses and small buildings. You might have to push through the crouds to get a glimpse of the wares being sold at some of the stalls.
Many seem to do a great deal of their Christmas shopping at this market. It is a joy to be able to see so many types of lovingly hand made crafts. The artisans and/or their family typically work at the stands so you can always have a chat.
Here I am eyeing the lovely handwoven towels.
Many of the vendors return year after year. Like this one whom I always buy Rowan berry jelly. I find it quite distasteful but Mom considers it a Norwegian delicacy it so it's one of my traditional gifts for her.
Happy boy - Sebastian finding an entire stand with jams and jellies to sample! Yes, there are many things to taste! Usually sweeet goat cheeses, smoked salmon, organic apple juice, syrups, jelly, jam, cookies, and honey.
This man is offering beautiful wooden cups, bowls, plates and utensils. It is a cold job manning a stand in late November in Norway!
See the pretty dried grasses tied with a red ribbon? Norwegians buy these to decorate their gardens and feed the birds! I think this is such a nice tradition and am sure that the birds do too.
All of these shots are from a few years ago (2003) when my husband, Sebastian, and I went to the Christmas market to learn about how to set up a pretty stand of our own. I aimed at having my own stall in 2004 (I sure did and it was a big success - more on that in a future post).
Norwegians really know how to make beautiful handknits! It is a crime how little people make on them though considering all the hours and hours of work!
Here you see some handmade Norwegian santas.
I end this virtual tour with one last virtual treat. In some of the bags are the very traditional Norwegian "brente mandler" - the literal meaning - burned almonds. They are actually far tastier than their name implies. The almonds are roasted in sugar giving them a crunchy, caramel coating.
Luv the picture of the Norweigan Santas! My DH & DD are Norweigan. Seeing your site sure makes me miss Bestafar.
:( Donna
Posted by: Donna | December 05, 2007 at 01:11 AM