Friday, March 28, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
GUEST POST:
Nordik Folk Historian / Assistant Secretary Shelly Westlund posted to facebook yesterday all about delicious waffles...so I asked her to write a guest post for our blog. Yesterday was Waffle Day in Sweden; and I realize that this is a day late... but you can always enjoy some waffles!
Glad Våffeldagen!
By: Michelle Westlund
Observed nine months prior to Christ's birthday, Waffle Day commemorates Mary's conception. How did Mary's pregnancy become associated with waffles? This day used to be called Vårfrudagen (our lady day) in honor of the Virgin Mary, and due to dialect corruptions became Våfferdagen, and eventually the modern Våffeldagen. Thus, Swedes enjoy waffles on Lady Day.
Another tale reminds Swedes that migratory birds begin returning to their northern homes around the end of March, and cranes were said to carry sunlight in their beaks. "on Annunciation Day the crane carries light into bed," is a Scandinavian proverb meaning that in early spring, there is enough daylight- making it unnecessary to carry a candle to light one's way to bed. Cranes also brought treats and gifts to children (such as dried fruits and oranges) from southern countries, but oddly enough...no waffles.
Traditionally, the waffles are eaten with cloudberry jam and cream. Glad Våffeldag!
Here is a link of recipes: http://www.swedishfood.com/swedish-food-recipes-desserts/93-waffles
Monday, March 17, 2014
The Nordik Folk Winter of...
2014
What a winter we have had! So many meetings and activities cancelled due to ice, snow and the infamous "Polar Vortex." As Scandinavians, aren't we supposed to be hardened to the elements??? I guess that will go down as a myth... but reindeer, sleighs, and snowmobiles would have definitely helped.
We did manage to get the January meeting in with our election of officers. The Minutes of that meeting and the new officer's list will be published here on the blog, as well as the 2014 tri-fold calendar. Our February installation had to be cancelled and was moved to March; so we used email to formulate our delegates list to the May District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8 Convention in Burr Ridge, IL. Thank goodness for technology!
Happy Belated New Year to you all!
And may our Spring, Summer and Fall bring us better weather!
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