Sunday 18 December 2016

The Bock et al.



It's been in a trunk, wrapped in white tissue paper for the past 11 months, but once again it sees the light of day.

I have no idea how old our Bock (Goat) is, but it must be about 50; they are still made much the same.

With several Swedes in the family, you won't be surprised to hear that that is its country of origin.

I believe that the Norse god Thor rode through the skies on a chariot (sleigh?) which was drawn by two goats; why they are made of wheat straw I have no idea. One might logically have associated them with harvest time.


The trunk is now open, and all the old decorations will soon be coming downstairs, ready for the dressing of the tree. I really enjoy unwrapping all the old baubles etc; it gives a very comforting link to the past, and our Bock is a major player. 

                           

It's beginning to look quite festive. Today I shall cut the tree.







39 comments:

  1. These are some unique things you have got Cro. Hoping you will enjoy decorating the tree with these. Merry Xmas!

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    1. We shall be decorating this afternoon; this morning I'm plastering.

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    2. You're decorating rather early this year Cro.

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  2. Waiting to see the tree in it's full splendour tomorrow then. I like a few decorations for the season but we only keep them up for a short time. I get bored with them.

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    1. I keep ours up until Jan 6th. I'm a traditionalist.

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  3. Love the chandelier. (I know it's early but I've been awake since 2.00 a.m.!)

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    1. I usually sleep until midnight, then spend the rest of the night listening to the radio. I rise at 5.30; and all that without Jet Lag.

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  4. Is your beautiful Bok named after this Bock? If so, does he know he was named after a goat? The chandelier looks fantastic! It's starting to look a bit like Christmas around here, too.

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    1. Bok's original name was Pok; we mis-heard it and called him Bok. No connection between the two. Yes, getting quite Christmassy here.

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  5. Lovely decorations with history. Looks a liitle like our trunk of decorations. Home made Christmas crackers from years gone by, misc pieces of Santa suits, CDs DVDs and strings of lights wound round old calenders. Lots of memories

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    1. Yes, that's just like ours. The home made crackers are empty; just for show!

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  6. Is that by any chance your old "school trunk"... now relegated... or perhaps promoted to the Christmas Decorations Trunk?
    Our tree comes out from below the stairs...along with all the decorations....and, while I mow the last bit of meadow, herself will be decorating the tree.... when I have finished mowing, I shall decorate the tilluel....but will only plug it in overnight. The tree, once decorated, will be lit from the getting up to the point of retiring....and, by the Gods, on a day as glooooomy as this....its brightness is sorely needed!!

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    1. My school trunk (and even my tuck box) were far bigger; I was a needy child. I shall take the saw to our Leylandii hedge after lunch, and snip off yet another unruly growth. All should be done before my afternoon Mince Pie.

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    2. p.s. I was looking for your piece about the Hornet nest, but couldn't find it!

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  7. Although we have about two acres of Christmas trees, I am ashamed to report that we have an artificial one - I can;t be bothered with all the needles.
    We always put it up after my weekly cleaner has been - and like you I enjoy getting out all the old familiar things.

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    1. That's what I like about my branch of Leylandii; no needles!

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  8. I like your Bock, and it is very well kept for its 50 years! (I wish I could preserve that well in tissue paper)
    You are always very busy, Cro; hope the plastering is finished so you may enjoy the festive preparations with Lady M.
    Greetings Maria x

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    1. I've just finished, but there's a little bit of cosmetic work to finish off before lunch. Hopefully my last plastering for a while.

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  9. I was sorry to read that many Swedish communities have abandoned the ancient feast of St. Lucie where girls dressed in white used to walk with candles on their heads.

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    1. Many years back I was invited to a very special St Lucia service at Westminster Cathedral. I was given a front row seat, and it was totally magical. Afterwards I was taken to the nearby Swedish Club, and fed on Mulled wine and an extensive smorgasbord (sp?).

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  10. OOoo I LOVE the goat! Merry Christmas!

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  11. 'Tis the season for young Swedish girls to set fire to their heads in church as St. Lucia.

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    1. Have you ever been to a ceremony? It's quite something. The one I went to had about 50 girls in white walking behind the crowned one. All beautiful blondes.

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  12. I love to read of the Christmas customs of others. They are all different and lovely and are centered around tradition.

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  13. Leylandii is a lovely tree. I hope we see a picture of how you decorate it.

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    1. Ours is a bit hit-n-miss. I chopped it down this morning, and left it to Lady Magnon to decorate.

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  14. I've almost finished making all the gifts that I will be mailing tomorrow. Baking is now also underway. Lots of cookies will also be given away.
    Somewhere in the mix, it will be fun to bring the boxes of ornaments down from their spot on the top shelf, and start some decorating. I've not enough room for a tree, but always do get some fragrant greenery to grace a tabletop.
    And, there is another Christmas party this evening...some cookies will be taken along to that gathering.
    It's a great time of year!

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    1. A cup of Lapsang and a mince pie for our afternoon tea; what could be better.

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  15. I do agree about the pleasure derived from putting up decorations that you have had for years. I think that seeing all those beautiful young swedish girls in their white would have been an amazing sight...but pity the dumpy brunette who has to watch them!

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    1. It was a wonderful evening, with lots of 'dignitaries' around; I was very lucky to have been invited. It was something that should be witnessed by everyone.

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  16. This year I plunged through decades of Christmas decor and passed them on to our four kids and my three sisters. There is no room here for it all. I felt sad, but seeing all these items in their new homes making new traditions, relieved my self-imposed melancholy. Your home looks so warm and cozy Cro.

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    1. A lot of our very old decorations are in a loft in England; waiting for our return (if ever).

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  17. Your bok is more fortunate than the giant one in Sweden that is too often a target for arson. Yeah for ancient ornaments!

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    1. Yes, I've heard about that. I think it's almost become a tradition in itself to burn it down. It sounds like both fun, and a shame at the same time.

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