tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89127255702782859132024-02-02T17:31:44.148-06:00Jean Ramey PhotographyWelcome to my blog, featuring travel stories and global travel photography tips from popular international destinations.Jean Ramey Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191763896230629332noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912725570278285913.post-59344419663780630072011-01-05T18:40:00.005-06:002011-01-05T18:58:21.294-06:00A Swedish Christmas<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">December 11, 2010</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SGB51-kr2_GDA9ALW4vLUAIcyIjlumFDPQDbDgS3RYl4AuV7L-H0XZ2A7J7mydj9katTGF4r5WBmpk6G6NIUJ5YFNVOc6k7eKlStB2drPQkFZk_b3yS-NdtjBlCeyoQcdfPa3yXWmjU9/s1600/Sweden_Mistletoe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_211249024"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtqnzcn8G1WQW6oRQO1rhqEH66ejzL0123J0VoiYv-EPmjOMyDJvNZIKtpVpC8IVuppsVxH3mHoZDKUEO3AJjPSFy7rm300r9533X8y_58ubZv4IcWZJ_VJO4Byo3b1NeaYkO04MWLEDr/s200/Sweden_Mistletoe.JPG" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jeanramey.photoshelter.com/gallery/SWEDEN-CHRISTMAS/G0000xBnOcb1fEuE/P0000KwNi.5xE26I"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Swedish Mistletoe</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://jeanramey.photoshelter.com/gallery/SWEDEN-CHRISTMAS/G0000xBnOcb1fEuE/P0000KwNi.5xE26I"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Images of a Swedish Christmas</span></a><br />
<br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;">Several years ago, my mom and I went to Stockholm, Sweden before Christmas. We're of Swedish descent, and wanted to experience some of our Christmas traditions back in Sweden. <br />
<br />
We shopped the Christmas markets in the Gamla Stan (old town), sipped spicy glogg drinks, and ate mountains of Swedish pepparkakor cookies. Everyone attends traditional Julbord dinners, featuring herring, meatballs and lingonberry sauce, reindeer, smoked eel, and tasty desserts.<br />
<br />
In December, Sweden has only 8 hours of daylight. During the Christmas season, red wooden candelabras sit in every window, creating a beautiful glow on the snowy streets below and lighting the dark nights.<br />
<br />
December 13th is Santa Lucia Day, and is celebrated throughout Sweden. The oldest girl of the house wears a wreath of candles in her hair and a long white robe, and serves warm cinnamon buns to her family. <br />
<br />
Stockholm decorates with traditional lights strung across the narrow lanes, hosts concerts in the old churches, and sells traditional old-world gifts such as mistletoe and hand-carved Swedish elves. It's a true old-world experience that shouldn't be missed. Passerbys smile and wish each other God Jul (good yule), or Merry Christmas.<br />
<br />
This holiday season, I wish you and your loved ones a God Jul, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a peaceful 2011. <br />
<br />
Jean Ramey<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.jeanrameyphotography.com/">www.JeanRameyPhotography.com</a> </span></div>Jean Ramey Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191763896230629332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912725570278285913.post-49009319147557490032010-12-17T13:34:00.005-06:002011-01-05T18:52:08.838-06:00Holiday Gift Ideas from Jean Ramey Photography<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"></span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" id="yiv1063075684content_LETTER.BLOCK20" style="border-collapse: collapse; display: table; font-size: inherit; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><tbody style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;">
<tr style="display: table-row; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none; vertical-align: inherit;"><td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: black; display: table-cell; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;"><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;"><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;"><div align="left" style="display: block; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #354853; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 15px;"></span></b></span></div><b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"></b><br />
<b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"></b><br />
<b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"></b><br />
<b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"></b><br />
<b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><table border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" id="yiv1063075684content_LETTER.BLOCK13" style="border-collapse: collapse; display: table; font-size: inherit; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><tbody style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;">
<tr style="display: table-row; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none; vertical-align: inherit;"><td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #939ca6; display: table-cell; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><span style="color: #939ca6; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #939ca6; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #939ca6; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #939ca6; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #939ca6; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><div style="display: block; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jeanrameyphotography.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">www.JeanRameyPhotography.com</span></a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Christmas holidays are full of hustle-and-bustle, from the USA to Europe, South America, and even Asia-Pacific. Here are some great ideas for the world traveler on your list, or anyone who appreciates a thoughtful gift representing cultures from around the world.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="display: block; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </span></span></span></span></div><ul style="display: block; line-height: 1.2em; list-style-type: disc; margin: 1em 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px;"><li style="color: black; display: list-item; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><a href="http://jeanramey.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/Paris-France/P0000ruIkfI9vPXQ"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ooh-La-La</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">frame a photograph from Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower or a quaint cafe. Add a bottle of champagne and box of chocolates for an elegant gift.</span></span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;" /> </span>
<li style="color: black; display: list-item; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;"><b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><a href="http://jeanramey.photoshelter.com/gallery/Provence-Markets/G0000xCXwtD43qMk/P0000_t9SjL5cd0g"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Market Chef</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">select market photographs of </span></span><img alt="Eiffel Tower" border="0" height="158" hspace="5" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.10" src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs094/1103899759382/img/10.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; float: right; line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;" vspace="5" width="118" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">peppers, olives, cheese from Italy, Paris, and Provence. Place four 5x7's in a gallery frame. Give to your favorite gourmet chef for their kitchen.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;" /> </span></li>
<li style="color: black; display: list-item; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;"><b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><a href="http://jeanramey.photoshelter.com/gallery/SWITZERLAND-ALPS/G0000neErC4EHsKY/P0000T.D9SoRRXJ0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Taste of Switzerland</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">choose a mountain panoramic or landscape for your favorite nature-lover. Wrap a Swiss army knife & chocolate fondue for a touch of Switzerland. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;" /> </span></li>
<li style="color: black; display: list-item; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;"><b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><a href="http://jeanramey.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/London-England/P0000b.uorz13oxE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">London Calling</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">an iconic red phone booth, pub print, or gorgeous English flowers make a great souvenir for London travelers.</span></span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;" /> </span>
<li style="color: black; display: list-item; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;"><b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><a href="http://jeanramey.photoshelter.com/gallery-list"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That's Amore</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Italy is one of my favorite collections. Choose a beautiful photograph from Amalfi, Venice, Rome, Vatican City, or Florence. Add a Frank Sinatra or Italian music CD and they'll love you.<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;" /> </span></span></li>
<li style="color: black; display: list-item; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;"><b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-style: none;"><a href="http://jeanramey.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/Japan/P0000EimjKdRE0Kc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Memoirs of a Geisha</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the beauty of Japan adds elegance to any home, through images of geishas, temples, and nature. Include a silk scarf or box of tea for your favorite traveler.</span></span></li>
</ul><ul style="display: block; line-height: 1.2em; list-style-type: disc; margin: 1em 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://jeanramey.photoshelter.com/gallery/USA-Chicago-Christmas/G0000yMYLHhn.Wpg/P000027fiVtRGozM"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My Kind of Town</span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">:</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chicago's stunning architecture glows like a Christmas tree this time of year. Buy your favorite Chicagoan a one-of-a-kind photograph that will last throughout the years. Wrap it up with a Chicago ornament or pizza pan for a hometown holiday.</span></span></span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Merry Christmas, Buon Natale (Italian), Joyeux Noel (French), Feliz Navidad (Spanish), Frohe Weihnachten (German), God Jul (Swedish), Nollaig Shona Duit (Irish). Happy Holidays and best wishes for a Happy New Year! <br />
<br />
Jean Ramey Photography</span> </span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></b><br />
<div align="left" style="display: block; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://jeanrameyphotography.com/">http://jeanrameyphotography.com</a></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">All content Copyright Jean Ramey.</span></b></span></div></div></div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jean Ramey Photographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191763896230629332noreply@blogger.com0