Scandinavian pride

As I mentioned in my last post, on Sunday I journeyed to Thousand Oaks for the annual Scandinavian Festival held at Cal Lutheran University. It had been ages since I'd last been. The first time (and perhaps the last time? I truly can't remember...) I went was in elementary school. During my sixth grade year I had to do a country report for my history class and of course this half-Dane chose Denmark. The festival was scheduled for right before my presentation so my parents took me for a day of food and fun and research (haha, yeah right!). I don't remember much except that I picked up a floral-printed T-shirt that said "Denmark" in big letters-- and you know I wore it during my presentation! I was so cool back then.

Now, I will admit, the Scandinavian Festival isn't exactly the highlight of the year. But it is a nice thing to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon and it doesn't cost much to get in: just 5 bucks. And my Danish pride just can't resist.

My fave part? The food, of course! (As if there was any doubt.) We had Norwegian Lefse (imagine a potato "tortilla" smeared with a delightful mixture of butter and sugar, all rolled up) followed by moist Swedish meatballs with lingonberries (like you get at Ikea!) and a cup of lingonberry drink to wash it all down.

And then we had what I will with shameless bias call the BEST thing at the festival (and the long line backs up that statement!): Danish Aebleskivers. If you have never had one, we must correct that immediately! (My mom has one of the special pans used to make them, so I can whip some up, promise.) They are SO good. They are best described as a sort of pancake ball. Topped with a sprinkling of powdered sugar and a generous dollop of raspberry jam, they are simply perfection. Definitely worth the 25-minute wait to get them!

Now, my least favorite thing? The lack of vendors selling Danish paraphernalia and knick-knacks. But, I guess at the end of the day that's a good thing on my poor poor pocketbook. Funny enough, though, I did happen to meet a local Etsian named Tracey selling colorful, hand-thrown pottery from one of the booths (me? find an Etsian? hehe).

Well, they say a picture speaks a thousand words so I'll leave it at that and just show you how the day went. Take a peek below for a taste of Scandinavia!

Hope you are having a good week!

xo,



P.S. Do you like my new s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d layout and BIGGER photos? :) let me know! Cuz I can't decide if these X-Large pics are just plain awesome or just plain in-your-face. thanks!