The Craft of Whittling Our Wooden Spoons
Home Learning Veranda Vikings Home Learning Veranda Vikings

The Craft of Whittling Our Wooden Spoons

In the embrace of winter's chill, our hearth becomes the cradle for whittling rustic spoons from our woodpile's treasures. Each spoon, from the hazel to the cherry, is whittled by hand, no machines, just knives and the wood guiding us to reveal its hidden charm.

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Baking Yule Tree ornaments
Traditions Veranda Vikings Traditions Veranda Vikings

Baking Yule Tree ornaments

In our household, the magic of Yule extends beyond the feasting and the gathering—it weaves its way into the very decorations that adorn our home. This season, we're taking you through the delightful tradition of baking Christmas decorations using our cherished fermented honey-dough.

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Baking Lucia Buns for December 13th. Scandinavian saffron buns or lussekatt.
Traditions, Farmhouse Fare Veranda Vikings Traditions, Farmhouse Fare Veranda Vikings

Baking Lucia Buns for December 13th. Scandinavian saffron buns or lussekatt.

In our celebration of Lucia Day, the saffron-infused Lussekatter buns take center stage. Our recipe, steeped in tradition, begins with an overnight rest for the dough, allowing the flavors to deepen. The next day, we shape and bake nearly a hundred of these golden treats, each imbued with the rich aroma of saffron. While there are countless regional variations of this recipe, ours is a cherished family favorite. On December 13th, as we enjoy these warm, fragrant buns, we are reminded of the enduring light and warmth that Lucia Day brings to the heart of winter.

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Signs of winter
Veranda Vikings Veranda Vikings

Signs of winter

In the heart of winter, our world transforms into a kingdom of frost and light. From the first snowfall to the cozy glow of the woodstove, each sign of the season tells a story of quiet beauty and cherished traditions.

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Northern Lights in the Winter Night
Childhood Moments Veranda Vikings Childhood Moments Veranda Vikings

Northern Lights in the Winter Night

In the heart of our northern home, where the sun shyly retreats in winter, we are occasionally graced with one of nature's most awe-inspiring spectacles: the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. Living further north and close to the coast provides an expansive canvas for this celestial dance, but within the embrace of our wooded sanctuary, it transforms into a rare and eagerly awaited event.

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Pancakes with raw blackberry filling
Farmhouse Fare Veranda Vikings Farmhouse Fare Veranda Vikings

Pancakes with raw blackberry filling

Our homemade freezejam whipped cream blackberry filling transforms our pancakes into a culinary masterpiece. The stability provided by xanthan gum allows us to use a piping bag, creating elegant, cake-like swirls of berry-infused whipped cream atop each pancake. This method not only adds a visual flair but ensures a perfect blend of sweet, tart blackberry in every bite, turning a simple breakfast into a delightful, berry-filled experience.

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Old-timey danish “apple cake”
Farmhouse Fare Veranda Vikings Farmhouse Fare Veranda Vikings

Old-timey danish “apple cake”

Our Danish æblekage is a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. It begins with a base of oats, candied in honey and butter, providing a crunchy contrast to the spiced apple sauce layer, rich with cardamom and vanilla. Topped with a cloud of whipped cream and a sprinkle of festive decorations, this trifle is a celebration of tradition with a personal touch.

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“Frozen jam” - Raw blackberry preserve
Farmhouse Fare, The Edible Garden Veranda Vikings Farmhouse Fare, The Edible Garden Veranda Vikings

“Frozen jam” - Raw blackberry preserve

In the heart of summer, when the blackberries at our secret spot are at their juiciest and most bountiful, we embark on a new culinary adventure with "freezepowder," also known as xanthan gum. This modern marvel allows us to create a kind of jelly preserve, a "frozen jelly" that captures the essence of fresh berries without the need for extensive cooking or heaps of sugar.

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Candied orange and lemon peel
Farmhouse Fare Veranda Vikings Farmhouse Fare Veranda Vikings

Candied orange and lemon peel

As autumn embraces Scandinavia, we welcome the citrus season with a cherished tradition—making candied orange and lemon peels. Sourced from Spain's bountiful orchards, these vibrant fruits, once rare Yuletide treasures, are now a staple of our festive preparations. In our cozy kitchen, we transform the peels through a gentle, slow boiling process on our wood stove, culminating in a sweet syrup bath.

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Red pickled beets
Farmhouse Fare Veranda Vikings Farmhouse Fare Veranda Vikings

Red pickled beets

In our Scandinavian kitchen, pickled red beets are a staple for winter feasts. We boil the beets until tender, let the children join in by slipping off the skins, and then slice them up. The pickling brine, a harmonious mix of vinegar, sugar, and spices like cloves and cinnamon, gives the beets a delightful sweet-tangy flavor.

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Norwegian salmon
Farmhouse Fare Veranda Vikings Farmhouse Fare Veranda Vikings

Norwegian salmon

Norwegian salmon, a staple of our Scandinavian fare, finds its way to our table with the promise of sustainability. In our kitchen, we cook it with buttery, sesame-seed-studded crusts, roasting it to crispy perfection. Our family gathers, each savoring their preferred doneness, from the juicy medium at the head to the well-done tail.

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Sunchokes in the crisp autumn air
The Edible Garden Veranda Vikings The Edible Garden Veranda Vikings

Sunchokes in the crisp autumn air

In the soft light of autumn, our garden's sunchokes offer a lesson in nature's resilience. These sunflower-like invaders, with their charming blooms and vigorous growth, are a forager's delight and a gardener's bane. Our youngest, Bear, delights in digging for their sweet tubers, a perfect addition to salads or a subtle twist in our hearty soups. We've learned to harvest them in moderation, especially after the first frost, when they're at their sweetest and kindest to our bellies.

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Nordic Wild Asters
Floral delights Veranda Vikings Floral delights Veranda Vikings

Nordic Wild Asters

As we wander through the fields and meadows, collecting these wild Asters, we’re reminded of the enduring legacy of our ancestors. Their tales and traditions live on, even as we create our own modern rituals, intertwining the old with the new, the sacred with the everyday, and finding beauty in the simple, wild blooms that have witnessed the passing of countless autumns.

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