Galette des Rois celebration

The Galette des Rois is part of a very French celebration held in January to celebrate Epiphany. Today we were all invited to take part in this celebration at work, and crown some Kings and Queens!

A beautifully golden set-up with an abundance of Galettes des Rois. What a spread!
This is a favourite cake of mine, French puff pastry filled with almond cream, mmm! It was absolutely delicious.

A lovely mix of cultures, with the galettes and the luqaimat (an iconic Emirati dessert, sweet dumplings) side by side!

Traditionally a small porcelain figure, a fève, is baked inside each galette, and the person who finds it gets to wear the crown, and will get good fortune for the year ahead. Termy was one of the winners!

Parts of the Education team getting ready to enjoy some cake!

New Years Day 2026

So, we got to celebrate New Years two days in a row, both the last day of 2025 and the first day of 2026! First with pizza on New Years Eve, and then with our traditional fondue on New Years Day.

Same procedure as always! Yum yum yum!

Linnea found some Christmas crackers, that we forgot to bring out for Christmas. So she entertained us with jokes and riddles.

We had made Pavlova for dessert. If it was good? Let's just say there was no left-overs... :)

New Years Eve 2025

New Years became a topsy-turvy celebration since Nathan was going to work in the afternoon and was going to miss dinner. So we decided to save the traditional fondue for New Years DAY, and instead just have a movie night with dinner in front of the TV. And what better to eat on the sofa - than pizza!
Ah well, we've had pizza for New Years before!

 

We saw the 9pm fireworks from the beach, so that Mormor could try out all the fancy features on her new phone.

The Browns had landed back from Scandinavia earlier in the evening, and had invited us up to their balcony for the midnight fireworks. We packed a bottle of bubbly and a case of beer and walked across.
They sure have the best view!

So nice to get to celebrate the beginning of 2026 all together!

Once Mormor and I had wished everyone Happy New Year, we finished our bubbly and returned home. The kids and Nathan stayed behind and played Hitster with Jazzy and Browny, until the early morning. A good night had by all!

Happy New Year to all! May it bring lots of joy and laughter!

Lucia 2025

Like last year, I was invited to the Embassy to celebrate Lucia, but unfortunately I got sick the same day and instead spent that evening in bed with high fever. 
There was still a strong Lucia presence in different forms at home, of course:

And while at work the next day, while studying, I enjoyed the songs from the TV-celebration in my headphones. So the Lucia vibes were certainly there!

All Saints Day

On the weekend it was All Saints Day, and I know that traditions around this day vary widely across different countries. In Sweden, families honour their lost ones by visiting cemeteries, decorating the graves and lighting candles. 
My Mum sent me these photos from back home. I found them so beautiful. The atmosphere is somber and serene, but communal, and the whole cemetery is glowing and peaceful. 

I was so happy that Dad's headstone was done so fast so that it was in place for this holiday. Mum had tended to his resting place, brought a lantern and planted some winter flowers, it really looks beautiful. ❤️

October celebrations

Came back to Abu Dhabi and right into a socially busy week. Pia came just two days after I returned, and while she was here we celebrated both Kanelbullens Dag and Linda's birthday.

The SwedishLadies had made Cinnamon Bun Day a family affair this year as it happened on a Saturday. So husbands and kids were also invited, and a group of baking ladies had made hundreds of cinnamon buns! What a feast!

Then on Monday we went down to a new (well, at least to me, I don't get out much) restaurant in Yas Marina to celebrate Linda together with a smaller group of Swedish girls.

Hipp hurray for Linda!

Dad's funeral

Yes it does feel a bit bizarre to write about such a thing as a funeral, but it is part of life as well I guess. We took photos to be able to remember this day, as it all felt like a bit of a blur while it was happening.

I was so extremely happy that everything worked out and the whole family was able to be there. 
Nathan flew in to Copenhagen and after Lucas and him picked up a rental car in Malmö, they passed Svalöv to pick up Linnea and arrived in Stenum quite late on Wednesday night.

The ceremony was really lovely. It was a civil ceremony, and since Dad was going to be cremated we had opted to do it with the casket and do the farewells in the chapel, rather than end the ceremony at the grave. The chapel at Marie Kyrkogård is really beautiful.

The officiant had asked Mum and me to write a bit about Dad, and he used our words for the eulogy. It was a sad and very emotional moment of course, but it also felt warm and moving. Mum and I had chosen the music, and it all came together beautifully. It was a heartfelt and touching farewell.

Dad's magicians hat and wand ♥︎

Afterwards we gathered at home. Dad would have liked it that way, coffee and smörgåstårta (sandwich cake), one of his favourites. We had set the tables with Mum's nicest linen table cloths and china, when else to use that?
So grateful for everyone that came to honour and remember Dad.

Pia, Emma and I were on kitchen duty. Emma had made her lovely cakes, same as at Elicia's christening.

I call this photo "Tanter i trädgård". Luckily the rain subsided so they could go outside and do a walkabout in the garden:

♥︎♥︎♥︎

Ann's Baby Shower

On the weekend it was time for a Baby Shower for my colleague and good friend Ann. 

It was a lovely evening in nice company, fun to see everyone outside of work! 

We played Baby Bingo and Baby Charades - see my ‘The Lion sleeps tonight’-impression?

Indian food for dinner and yummy desserts, thank you so much Ann and family, and best of luck! Can not wait to meet your new little princess!