~~~ A Norwegian Christmas Luncheon ~~~

Hello my dear friends.  Here I am writing about Christmas and we're having temps in the high 80's today!  I'm still not used to being in  California for Christmas.  Last week my beloved Daughters of Norway lodge held their Christmas luncheon.

Our dear member, Gerd, opened up her home to host the luncheon for us.  The tables were beautifully decorated with the holiday theme.

The tree was aptly decorated and we placed our exchange gifts under the tree.

Our hostess had many beautiful Christmas scenes throughout her home but I loved seeing these Nissemen in their holiday finery.

Some of our members wore their Bunads, the national dress of Norway.  Pictured above is Berit on the left along with Carla.  Berit brought Carla her bunad from Norway this past year and it fits her perfect.  I love the embroidered designs and the bag.  The style of the bunad is based on what part of Norway you come from. 

There were more tables set up in the kitchen where all the food and activity was taking place.  We had pickled herring on brown bread for appetizers and it was yummy.

It was soon time to take our place at our assigned table.  Pictured in the glass dish is lingonberry sauce from Scandinavia.  It went so well with the entree.

We sang table grace in Norwegian before beginning our meal.

Speaking of food, here is what we feasted on; Norwegian meatballs with brown gravy, pork sausage, boiled red potatoes, browned cabbage, red cabbage, and a lovely Christmas colored salad with fresh vegetables.  It was delicious.

After our main course, we had dessert and coffee and then departed to the living room to have our gift exchange. 

It was such a lovely afternoon, spent together with dear friends and to continue the experience of Scandinavian customs.  Being Danish, I'm going to have this same menu for my family on Christmas Eve.  It's a tradition that we have had for many years, dating from the time when I was young and my Danish grandma would be in charge of our Christmas Eve meal.  I warms my heart to be able to carry on this tradition for my family and my grandchildren.

If you are of Scandinavian descent and are interested in joining a lodge, please take a look at Daughters of Norway or the  Danish Sisterhood of America.  They have lodges throughout the United States and are most welcoming to new members.

Do you realize that Christmas Eve is two weeks from today?  My home is decorated, the presents wrapped and now I will start my Christmas baking - my favorite part! Have a blessed week everyone and I will be back again to share some more happenings.  And, Lilly, my cat is doing very well.

With my best wishes,

Pat

PS Thank you dear Heidi for my new blog design.  The header photo is from my beloved Gig Harbor, Washington. 

Scandinavian Almond Cake & Snow in California

Our new year started off to a very cold start.....Yes!  we had snow here in southern California in some parts of our county.  I grew up with cold weather and lots of snow but maybe I have become climatized these last six winters in California...Here's some photos of the snow on the mountains near our home:

 These photos were taken from the bedroom balcony.  The "white" on the mountains is snow!

 My little grandson came over and his parents took him to an area about 10 minutes from our home and he was ankle deep in snow!  He was ecstactic and had so much fun.  But this snowfall caused a lot of problems for the people who were on the freeways/highways when the storm hit our area.

During the nights, the temperature dropped almost to freezing.  My succulent garden exploded in color:

We had severe winds one night and it blew over my pencil plant.  Luckily it wasn't harmed.

I ended up taking down all the Christmas decorations on December 29th.  Here's what is left of my poor tree....

It's waiting to be picked up by the recycling people and on it's way to a new life....

Do you recall that I ordered some Christmas goodies from Fortnum and Mason?  Well, they arrived in like four days and I was so pleased with everything.  But, this past week I got a bill in the mail from the delivery company and it showed that I owed $22.00 in customs duty.  I guess it was because my order was over the amount allowed customs free.  I learned my lesson.

I am so enjoying my new Emma Bridgewater teapot my husband gave to me for Christmas.  The teacup and saucer was given to me by my dear Mother in 1992.  It was the last Christmas we ever spent with her.  She passed away in the spring of 1993.  But, we all have wonderful memories of her that will never pass away.

Tomorrow I am hosting a dinner party for some dear friends.  The main course will be "Baghala Polo", Persian style lamb shanks.

 I like to write out my menu so that I know what I need to make ahead of time....

 I always make the dessert first and today I made a Scandinavian almond cake to serve:

It's such an easy, one-bowl recipe and tastes yummy too!  Here's the recipe:

Beat well:
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2/3 cup milk
Add in:
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
mix well and then
Add:
1/2 cup melted butter

Continue to blend until batter is smooth.  Pour mixture into a greased and floured loaf pan (the pan above is called a  “Rehrücken” you can use a regular loaf pan if you wish).  Bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 40 to 50 minutes until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and place cake face down on a wire rack to cool.  You can dust with powdered sugar or frost with a chocolate ganache or icing.

I will sign off for now.  I'd love to hear from you if you have the time to comment.  Enjoy your weekend everyone.

with my best wishes,
Pat