Yule lads, concerts and learning from the locals

Colin's favorite Yule Lad: Stuffy



Clark prefers Bowl licker

Because we are spending the holidays abroad this year and won't have the same traditions we are used to at home, we have instituted a wonderful new tradition taught to us by our Icelandic neighbors, the arrival of Yule Lads. These are Icelandic elves that used to be quite mischievous (and ate children) but now bring treats to kids if they have good behavior (like going to bed early and listening to their parents). So for the 13 days preceeding Christmas, kids are to leave one of their shoes out next to a window and if they are good, they will receive a small treat (if not, they get a raw potato). Here is a famous poem about them and they also have a Facebook page! The boys love this tradition and have added it to their daily regimen as well as the more traditional advent calendar. And no raw potatoes as of yet!



In-ground trampoline and tetherball



Clark with Gustave the pig

We were invited over for lunch to a friend's house a few weeks ago and learned a few more things about Spanish living. They live out in the "vega" just outside of town which means they have more room to roam and access to the countryside. They've incorporated some cool features like solar power (sure makes sense over here) and have room for many animals including a dog, cat, pig, lamb and multiple ducks, chickens and even a large turkey.



Drying permissons, and ripening with whiskey

 We also discovered that they have the same fruit tree in their yard that we do so the husband showed Nat how to dry caqui (persimmons) and how to use a cup of whiskey to help them ripen more quickly so he immediately picked the fruit in our garden when we got home. I have to admit, it worked great and the fruit tastes quite like mango, but without that pesky pit.

Other Christmas traditions

On Monday we had a "Christmas concert" up in the school yard whereby about 20 parents sang three songs, one traditional Spanish one, one flamenco song written specifically for the 25th anniverary of the school and the worldwide favorite "The Twelve Days of Christmas" (in english believe it or not). The concert was organized by a French mom and her English husband who also acted as conductor. Although I only made it to one rehearsal I had fun singing along (I'm right in the middle in the green down jacket - kind of hard to see).

Clark and I attended the music recital of the Icelandic girls upstairs and enjoyed hearing them play cello and piano and tomorrow there is a Christmas party (Navidad de fiesta) at the school which apparently each grade participates in although I can't say that my boys have much interest.

We are off to Morocco on Friday for 11 days along with our Icelandic neighbors so I am signing off until next year. All the best to you and yours during the holidays and will post again in 2012.

Karen, Nat, Clark y Colin

Christmas 2011
Granada, España