The magic of midsummer
Celebrating the miracle of light – after so many months of winter darkness – culminates in the biggest festival of all: midsummer.
This is a time of dancing around the maypole dressed in traditional costumes, accompanied by live fiddle music and song.
Although the tradition of dressing a pole in flowers and leaves came from Germany about 700 years ago, the idea of celebrating summer goes back much further than that. Summer is so short and sweet that it has to be enjoyed to the fullest!
As always, these traditions are about family, friends and food. Pickled herring (if you like that sort of thing), fresh new potatoes and, of course, strawberries: glowing red jewels that taste of sunshine.
Midsummer falls on the Friday just after the summer solstice – the longest day of the year. The white nights, or long summer evenings, are gloriously light – making sleeping difficult – and the sun is still blazing long into the night and then again in the very early morning.
10.30 at night… a pastel pink midsummer sky graces the silhouette of the old church across the lake.
I’ll sleep again come winter.. but right now, I have to enjoy the light!
For more slices of global life, please visit: My World.
These sound like the best traditions ever.
June 29, 2010 at 02:40
Very lovely photos today!
Di
June 29, 2010 at 02:49
Your photos always make me say, ‘WOW.’ They are beautiful. Definitely time to enjoy the light.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
June 29, 2010 at 02:57
How beautiful the light is! And berries – those are special treats of summer here as well.
June 29, 2010 at 03:32
Dear Fi, Those of us who are locked in snow and blue shadows so much of the year, should definitely celebrate summer! Your photos are luscious. Enjoy summer’s light!
June 29, 2010 at 03:49
That first photo looks like it was taken in a magical storybook!
June 29, 2010 at 04:01
Isn’t it wonderful!! We have days almost as long as yours, it doesn’t even begin to get really dark until after 9:30! How wonderful it is to celebrate summer! Your photos are marvelous as always! Enjoy, my friend, and celebrate!
Sylvia
June 29, 2010 at 05:30
such luscious photos! enjoy the sunshine!
June 29, 2010 at 05:35
Luscious colours in these photos. I’m still in catch up mode after almost two weeks away from the computer. I haven’t commented on your other posts but I have read them all. Always wonderful.
June 29, 2010 at 06:35
I too love the long days of Summer! & your cupcake looks delicious.
June 29, 2010 at 06:37
lovely images you created!
Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
June 29, 2010 at 06:41
Yes, wonderful shots having different moods.
Great post.
June 29, 2010 at 06:55
Wonderful tradition and nice shots.
June 29, 2010 at 07:09
Sounds like a nice tradition in dressing up the pole. I think I will have fun.
June 29, 2010 at 07:20
Pink could be the colour of summertime.
June 29, 2010 at 08:16
The first photo reveals perfect weather. Love love love it! Love the green all around. Enjoy your summer!
June 29, 2010 at 10:52
Yummy dessert. Lovely captures Lady Fi.
Enjoy summertime .
xo
June 29, 2010 at 11:02
Lush greenery, lovely food, open skies – you give an idyllic view of summer!
June 29, 2010 at 11:18
Yummy! That second pic is making my mouth water
June 29, 2010 at 11:23
Beautiful photos. Summers definitely a time to celebrate!
June 29, 2010 at 11:38
beautiful pics…enjoy that light and happy midsummer
June 29, 2010 at 13:04
Oh my Gosh…….does that strawberry every look good. Makes my mouth water……I love strawberries when they are just fresh picked. I enjoyed your post and your photos. Thanks for sharing.
June 29, 2010 at 13:10
You´ll sleep come winter…..
I need it dark to sleep too.
But I love your pics and can imagine your body’s need the light after such a long winter.
June 29, 2010 at 13:24
LadyFi: Neat to see your area as Summer begins, nicely posted.
June 29, 2010 at 14:02
Wow! That bright at 10:30. I do love a solstice and the life it represents.
June 29, 2010 at 14:12
Yes, the light is wonderful. I feel like whenever the sun is out I want to be out in my my garden or out with my camera.
June 29, 2010 at 14:16
I think the best time of the year. Appreciat your photos and post.
June 29, 2010 at 14:18
fantastic post about the joys of summer!
June 29, 2010 at 15:20
Any connection between your flower pole and a scarecrow do you think? Great shots!
June 29, 2010 at 15:34
That’s one interesting thing about each country. The culture, the tradition, practices and just about everything. So am thrilled to learn some from yours.
June 29, 2010 at 15:38
Beautiful! And perfect for the My World meme — A real glance at a different world.
I’d never want to go to bed! I only sleep because I have to anyway — always wonder what I’m missing.
June 29, 2010 at 16:04
I love your photos and I also wake very early in the morning during the summer time. We mustn’t grumble though because it is a lovely time of the year and the winter was long and cold.
I love your little froggy in the post below.
Maggie X
Nuts in May
June 29, 2010 at 17:50
I want to move to your part of the world!!
C x
June 29, 2010 at 18:08
visst är det skönt med midsommar
June 29, 2010 at 20:10
Herlige bilder fra midtsommer. Flott bilde av pastellhimmelen:-)
June 29, 2010 at 21:11
love it
June 29, 2010 at 22:00
the first photo is just like a set in a movie.
excellent work!
June 29, 2010 at 23:57
I SAW SPRINKLES!
June 30, 2010 at 00:18
Three fabulous and very different photos– All of them made me smile. Happy summer!
jj
June 30, 2010 at 07:07
one of the BEST parts of Scandinavian summer is the STRAWBERRIES!!!!
June 30, 2010 at 16:59
Summer is there! What a beautiful sunset, I love the long evenings..a time to just be outside and breathe in the evening light without choking on the mosquitoes. I was at a wedding once where the beautiful little girls in flowing dresses held their matching streamers and danced around the maypole..I just wanted to do it one time..:)
June 30, 2010 at 18:30
I forgot to add ice cream and sprinkles to my summer ode…
June 30, 2010 at 19:56
three absolutely sumptuous photos. the red barn, red strawberry and peach sky. i could devour all of ‘em:)
July 1, 2010 at 01:06
I love, love, love summer and your words and photos capture it perfectly.
July 1, 2010 at 01:35
Well wishes to a brilliant sunny summer season. May you and your family share many moments of joyful celebration and a lightness of being. I am looking forward to more snapshots of your time at the cottage. It seems so idyllic from here.
July 1, 2010 at 08:32
oohhh i love that first shot – what a perfect place!
July 2, 2010 at 22:46