Wednesday, December 21, 2011

December - Day 21


The sun rose at 1113 and set at 1318. The length of the day was 2 hours and 5 minutes.

For three days in a row the length of the day is the same, 2 hours and 5 minutes. These three days are called "nesting days",  as the sun stays in her nest.

These three days will tell us what kind of weather we are having in the summer. If one is not able to see one's shadow, that is if the sun won't come out, it is going to rain for the whole summer. If on the other hand the temperature will drop way down, the winter will be quite mild.

One is not supposed to spin from now on, as Christmas has come. If you would spin, you will be bitten by mosquitoes next summer and there is a possibility that a bear is going to feast on your livestock. I hope that you have gathered your firewood also, as you are not supposed to be cutting wood any more. The folklore does not say anything about baking, and I am glad, since I am going to bake for the next two days. 


Flour with you,
Lene

15 comments:

  1. Anonymous22:45

    It is such a gift to hear about your short, short days on the way to Christmas!
    Thanks for posting every day; I look forward to it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous22:58

    A bear eating my food.. wow! That would be the first bear in Germany since poor Bruno. That he eats my stuff would absolutely be worth it.. but the mosquito part sounds not so nice. Does getting plied yarn from the bobbin onto a niddynoddy count as spinning?

    ReplyDelete
  3. So when is one allowed to start spinning again? Or cutting firewood? I love the glimpse you give of life in a far away (to me) land.

    I've been thinking about your story of taking the girls to see Santa and him showing the reindeer. When I was a girl, I assumed that since Santa wasn't real, neither were reindeer. I think I was a yound adult before finding out that there really are reindeer (just not ones that fly).

    ReplyDelete
  4. Enjoy your nesting days! I have absolutely loved reading your blog this month - it's been both an education and a delight.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous00:29

    My husband is quite smitten with your style of writing and the glimse you give us into your life. Thank you, we look forward to each instalment. And my husband asked each day "the sun rose at".....and he askes me to go look and see what you have to say.
    Happy nesting days! It gets brighter from now on.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous01:17

    I love hearing about your customs.
    Happy nesting days!
    And happy baking :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Suzy01:41

    Thank you for your posts, they have been most interesting. I have spent the day baking also.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ellen in Conn02:54

    Toni, I thought that, too - that reindeer were not real. What a a surprise when the National Geographic finally did some article that included them!!
    Ellen in Connecticut

    ReplyDelete
  9. I so enjoy reading your blog. Happy baking!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nesting days sound like the perfect time to bake. I look forward to reading about what you bake, and maybe a photo or two!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Heres to a great baking day or two and seasons greetings. My hubby too always ask if you have posted and loves to hear all about your beautiful land.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have been reading your blog now for a while, and I have been looking forward to your daily posts this December. You have a very gentle way of speaking that is very calming as I read it. You have a beautiful way with words and I love the insight I get into your life in a different country which one does not normally hear about. As well, your knitting is amazing-the designs and colour choices are wonderful. Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oooops, I've read this too late (for I have been spinning this morning...)... But as I have no livestock I might be safe from the bear... I can't imagine how life is with such a little daylight.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I really enjoy your blog, thanks for sharing your folklore also...Merry Christmas and Happy Yule to you.

    ReplyDelete