Photo by Bengt Nyman — Carl XVI Gustaf och Silvia på Skansen 2009
Just a short post today. Yesterday was Sweden’s National Day, which resulted in me being lazy and not preparing any blog posts. But here’s a picture of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, with the Queen wearing the national costume of Sweden, which, I’ve discovered, was created in the early 1900’s, but didn’t become “a thing” until Queen Silvia wore it in 1983–the same year when June 6 became the National Day of Sweden. Prior to that the date had been Swedish Flag Day, but didn’t actually become a full-blown holiday with time off and people being lazy until 2005. Crazy stuff. There’s your Swedish Fun Facts for the day!
Anyway, so the giveaway for A Shadowed Spirit is done, and I’d have to say it was a pretty good success. It drummed up some interest for the book and brought quite a few new folks to the blog, which is great. Welcome everyone! It was also good fun, so I’ll probably do another one in the future. So, if you didn’t win this time, don’t fret, you’ll probably get another chance!
Thank you everyone who participated and helped spread the word. Here are the four winners that were drawn:
Tree of Life pendant: Joey R.
Signed paperback copies of A Shadowed Spirit: Natasha D. & Sophie D.
Amazon gift certificate: Patricia K.
Congratulations you guys!
Hazel and Holly
This Friday, Hazel and Holly will also be making a return. The break was nice, it allowed me to catch up a bit as I was starting to seriously lag behind. I’m still currently writing it, and so I still don’t know how it’s going to end. The way things are going, this might end up being the longest story I’ve written to date.
If you’ve been following the series, here’s the latest installment in case you need a refresher on what’s happening. If you haven’t started it yet, but would like to, head on over to Death Before Dawn and start the adventure. Good times.
Hi Sara – lovely photo of the King and Queen .. she looks gorgeous …
Good luck with Hazel and Holly – and see you around .. cheers Hilary
Hi, Hilary and thanks! I do love the Queen’s dress. The folk clothing in Sweden is really quite charming. It’s too bad the King isn’t also dressed up in the picture. 😉
That’s a nice picture of the King and Queen. I love the outfit. I’m looking forward to the next installment of Hazel and Holly.
Glad you’re looking forward to Hazel and Holly. 🙂 And the King and Queen are a handsome couple!
I love the outfit!
Such interesting headgear worn by the Queen and those in attendance.
Will you eventually publish Hazel and Holly as an e-book?
Those guardsmen’s hats are crazy! I keep staring at them… The Queen’s hat I think is getting flared out by the wind. I think it’s supposed to be a simple kerchief-type hat, but in the picture it’s kind of flying-nun looking. 😉
I am planning on publishing Hazel and Holly in print and ebook after it’s done and edited. Aiming to have it out sometime next year.
So nice to learn about other countries’ National Day. Italy’s National Day is on 2 June, which is when we became a repubblic with a referendum after WWII (and so we call it Republic Day).
Hey, I like your new avatal. So professional!!! 🙂
Cool about Republic Day. It’s almost like we could celebrate our National Days together! 😉
Hehe, thanks! The photo was done for a writers group I joined, and so I figured why not use it?