SHEAVE LUNCHEON. The holiday season is a happy time and the birds are sharing in the joy as they discover the sheaves of grain on the trees in downtown Ballard.

Local resident Kristine Leander has been carrying on this Norwegian tradition over the years. She makes the 300 sheaves, called julenek by Norwegians and Danish people, and sells them for $10 each to businesses and homeowners.

There a fewer sheaves in the business district of Ballard this year. The city of Poulsbo recently bought 50 of the sheaves for their downtown.

Leander's family came to American from Sweden. They settled in Mount Vernon where they became farmers.

Over ten years ago, Leander learned how to make the juleneks.

She visits her family farm during the summer to harvest the wheat and set them out to dry.

In Norway, people believe the sheaves take care of animals and spirits during the cold winter to bring good luck and a bountiful harvest in the summer.

Proceeds from the sales go to Skagitonins, a group in the Skagit Valley that is working to preserve farmland.

Leander says she only has 20 to 30 sheaves left and expects to sell them all. Dean Wong photo.