Julmarknad in Ystad and
Marsvinsholm Slott (a Swedish Castle)
The beginning of advent marks the beginning of Jul/ Christmas season in Sweden. There were Christmas markets with lots of crafty gnomes and traditional straw decorations made by little old ladies in local villages. To visit a market, see the Skåne Christmas market schedule here.

Enjoying Pepparkakor and Bulle...and some super yummy rice pudding. There was also some nice surreal Swedish Weirdness, like a the chicken with the tiara...

And the tomte's evil twinsA view of Marvinsholms and the grounds, which are at their best in the spring and summer.

In the nearby town of Ystad there were lots of festivities in the streets, markets, and even some medieval activities going on.

This is Agnes, who also goes to our daughters Waldorf school, and sells us our veggies each Saturday at the local organic farm. (For those who Shop at Jessica's stand, she is like our new Allie :)

And Me!