Happy Birthday Mom

Today is Mom’s birthday.  I won’t say how old because it’s not polite to talk about a woman’s age, but let’s just say that telling people she’s 39 again this year probably isn’t going to work!  Many people think it’s unfair to have a birthday so close to Christmas, but as a wise women once (or twice…) said: “life’s not fair”.  But we always made sure to celebrate Mom’s birthday – no merging with Christmas.  Setting up the Christmas tree was often done on Dec 20th.  However nowadays I think the tree goes up much earlier along with a “whole whack” (Mom’s term) of other tacky and not-so-tacky (just kidding, they’re all tacky) Christmas decorations.  Or as I like to say, “all of that Christmas crap”.

But Mom really does love Christmas, especially the lights and decorations (and probably food and family as well).  I remember as a kid going downtown to the Woodwards building to check out the big Christmas window displays.  Even though Mom couldn’t see so well she really enjoyed it.  When we were in Stockholm last weekend we saw a similar display at the large Swedish department store Nordiska Kompaniet.  Each year they design a new set of Christmas windows which are wildly popular.  We were there early in the morning before the crowds got out of bed so we took these pictures that I thought Mom would enjoy.  You can check out the NK website to learn about this year’s vintersagan (winter story) although it’s all in Swedish.

Catherine petting the isbjorn
Catherine petting the isbjorn
Crazy under the ice miniature mad science lab.
Crazy under-the-ice miniature mad science lab.
Northern Swedish winter scene complete with ren.  Check out the strange stuff under the ice - the designers have quite the imagination.
Northern Swedish winter scene complete with renar. Check out the strange stuff under the ice - the designers have quite the imagination.
Ice fishing
Ice fishing
Yes, he's using a starfish covered in Christmas lights to catch the fish
Yes, he's using a starfish covered in Christmas lights to catch the fish
No clubbing of these seals
No clubbing of these seals
Bear den
Bear den
A couple hours later when the crowds showed up
A couple hours later when the crowds showed up

Happy Birthday Mom! We hope you’re enjoying your vacation from all the “little pukes” at school.

1 Comment

  1. Wow, going in the morning was a good idea!

    On the multi-room one, my favourite parts are the tunnels between rooms, and the monster truck. Because you never know when you’ll need a monster truck under the snow. And isn’t that way you do ice-fishing at Christmas? That’s called hunting for Christmas crap.

    What amazing detail – the time/effort in these is wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

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