Christmas from Norway!

Christmas in Norway

My Grandparents Gudrun and Hans were born in Fredrickstad Norway. Han's was the only one of many brothers who Immigrated to the United States. I only remember being told one brothers name as Osbourn. Gudruns brothers were Burger, Svette and Lilly was the sister who also immigrated lived in New York. So many times I wondered what life was like for them and their families in Norway. My Mother has a picture of Gudruns family the Trundsens. Her Mother wore a long dress to the floor and their clothes were very old fashioned as her parents were born in the middle of the 1800's. I remember some of the food my Grandmother made in her flat in Flatbush Brooklyn. Now as we always do I wish I could turn back the pages of time and ask many Questions you don't think to ask as a young girl!

The beloved artist Tasha Tudor once said quoted in one of her books "Mother what was it like when you were little"? And this makes me think of the very well known Nordic artist Carl Larsson. Carl was born in the middle 1800s in Sweden and I think his paintings were so loved because you were drawn into them as he so many times painted someone looking out at you! He gave a wonderful glimpse into his life in Norway.

Kirsti's Sleighride

Now its Christmastime again

Christmas Confetti

Christmas Evening

Brita as Induna

This is Norwegian Jewellery called Solje

My Mother has very beautiful Solje from Gudun

very long earrings similar to these..

Gudrun would make Krumkake a Norwegian waffle..

I remember walking to Halvorsen's bakery to buy some very delicious Limpa bread as pictured here..

This is Fiskeballer or fishballs.

My Grandparents never asked us children to eat this. My father most likely did! It may not look wonderful but by the Recipe I'm sure it's quite tasty!

Here is the Recipe for Fishballs:

* 5 pounds cod or sturgeoun fillets

* 1/2 lb potato flour

* 2 quarts of milk

* 1/4 t ginger

* 1/4 t allspice

* 1 t nutmeg

* 1/4 t mace

* 3 medium onions ground

1. 
   

1. Grind fish five times.
2. Add potato flour and spices [and stir].
3. Add milk gradually, beating [by[ hand.
4. Fry or boil by the tablespoonful
5. Fish Sauce Recipe: Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in sauce pan and then stir in 2 Tbsp. flour and cook for 1 minute. Add 1–1.5 cup warmed milk or cream and stir until sauce thickens. At this point, you can either add some curry powder to make the color yellow as in photo, or instead add some shredded cheese (up to 1/2 cup as desired--experiment with type of cheese you like best or combo of cheeses). Stir sauce until cheese is melted and incorporated. Then add juice from a half of a fresh lemon (more/less as desired. (Optionally, in place of lemon juice, use a tablespoon or two of Dry Sherry or dry white wine.)

Feskepudding....as a child I thought much of their fishy food was something I couldn't eat but the Recipes I have are very good..

A small glimpse of Norway from My Home to yours!

I hope your day is wonderful today!