Happy Halloween!

Today is Halloween here in the US. People put on Halloween costumes and go around to other people's houses to do trick or treat. In recent years, this event has spread to many other countries, and today most Swedes are familiar with Halloween.

I usually just put some pumpkins outside our door for decoration. No scary ghosts or spider webs.

And then we usually head off to a Halloween party where Irene goes trick or treating with friends. Zoe hangs out with friends and they go trick or treating on their own.

This year, Irene will be a bunny and Zoe a smurf. No pics yet I'm afraid.

When I grew up in Sweden, we celebrated All Saints Day on November 1. We would put candles on the graves to remember our loved ones who had passed away. It was thought that the dead would return home after the summer, but before winter, and so the candles were there to guide them home.

All Saints Day is a Christian tradition, but its roots go all the way back to Keltic traditions.

This day is also a day to remember the saints and that is why All Saints Day became a holiday in Sweden.

Tomorrow, I will light a candle for my beloved parents who are no longer here.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!