Lucia in Batavia

For more information---https://www.facebook.com/swedechoir/

The Swedish American Children's Choir is having their Lucia on 12/3/16

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  Saturday, December 3 at 3 PM - 6 PM

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  Bethany Lutheran Church Batavia IL 8 S Lincoln St, Batavia, Illinois 60510 Celebrate Christmas Swedish Style. IL largest choir of its kind for Children, the Swedish American Children's Choir presents its 18th Annual Swedish Christmas and St. Lucia Festival. Concert, Swedish Sweet Table, Swedish Baked Goods for sale and so much more, even a visit from Jul Tomte (Santa). All included in ticket price. $15 Adults, $8 Children 6-12 years, Under 6 free. RESERVATION REQUIRED - 630-414-9700

Swedish JulMarknad

*SWEDISH JULMARKNAD*
Christmas market;
Hand painted Scandinavian Folk Art
sponsored by the
Rockford Swedish Historical Society

Trinity Lutheran Church
200 N. 1st Street . Rockford

Saturday, December 3
9am-2pm

Cottages in the Woods 2016

Every year we take a drive out to Geneva for the Cottages in the Woods. This year was ok. I do not thing we will go out there again. We saw some darling Stugas, met Tomte---but there was no Swedish meatball lunch. And get this....I couldn't find one thing to buy. We instead left and went to the Gift Box in downtown Geneva and did some damage there. 

American Daughters of Sweden

This past weekend my mother, daughter and I, attended an American Daughters of Sweden luncheon. It was lovely. It was at the Elks Club in Des Plaines and the food was very good-swedish style. 

If you are interested in joining American Daughters here is the link. 

AMERICAN DAUGHTERS OF SWEDEN WEBSITE

Swede Town Chicago

How did Swede Town come to be, back in the ole days?
Read about it here--

Chicago Swede Town History

2016 Cottages in the Woods

http://www.goodtemplarpark.org/events/2016/4/25/cottages-in-the-woods

Information on Scandinavian Holiday event at Cottages in the Woods.

LulaRoe Swedish Leggings!

I have recently discovered LulaRoe (amazing soft leggings). And of course, I found Swedish insipired....Gnomes (I see them as..... Tomtes) and Dala Horses!

H and M Shirt

H and M has an adorable shirt for your little swede.

http://www.hm.com/us/product/49502?article=49502-C#article=49502-C

Proverb

Swedish Days

This weekend is Swedish Days in Geneva! 

http://www.genevachamber.com/swedish_days.php

Dala pillowcase

https://www.gearbubble.com/swepillow

Des plaines Swedish Pancake breakfast

Which Scandinavian....,

Do you identify with!? (Quiz) 

http://pinetribe.com/which-scandinavian-country-do-you-belong/

Call Sweden

Call Sweden anytime and connect with a swede! 

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/04/12/hey-you-folks-in-sweden-i-ve-got-your-number.html

Haha a yoke!

Welcome Analisa!

Our little swede baby! Analisa! In her Swedish bonnet with mormor! 

How to be Swedish

This is a cute article! 

http://www.scandikitchen.co.uk/how-to-be-swedish/

Nordic Fest 4/16/16

Cardamom cake

Last night my oldest son (3 years) wanted to make his favorite Swedish Almond cake-see previous blog post for recipe. Well, we didn't have anymore Almond extract. Instead we substituted cardamom (1 tablespoon-more or less for your liking) and did a vanilla glaze (2tablespoons butter with 1/4 sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla-melted). 

And WOW. It is fantastic!!!!!!! 

Swedish Bakery Easter

The Swedish Bakery in Andersonville has the best Limpa. And the Vort Limpa is back in time for Easter. 

(Vort has the fruit)

http://www.swedishbakery.com/#

Little swedes

Look what popped up on Zulily! Viking tee's from Hannah Anderson. Adorable for the little Swedes! 

Summer Fest at The Danish Home

The Danish Home in Chicago (5656 N. Newcastle Ave.
Chicago, IL 60631 (773)775-7383) has an annual Summer Fest. The SwedestLife's favorite bakery---Iverson's will be there! The festivities start at 12noon on 6/26/16 at the Danish Home.

http://danishhomeofchicago.org/upcoming-events/

Swedish Inspired Home for Sale

Swedish Inspired Home in Madison, WI for sale. For a mere 3 million dollars, you can be the owner of a beautiful Swedish style home.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-swedish-style-mansion-in-wisconsin-for-almost-3-million-1433952138

Target Garden TOMTE

Mormor and I love, Asa's Tomtebod Tomte's (http://tomtebod.com/).
Imagine my luck! Stumbled upon this gem at Target!!! Reminiscent of Asa's Tomtebod!

Vintage Swedish

We have a resale shop by our house that I wander around some nights, when I need to get out of the house. Lately, I have been finding Vintage Berggren pieces and a Pukeberg candleholder. So random!!! But so wonderful! It is hard to find Swedish authentic décor.

Vasa Park Fundraiser Dinner Dance

Swedish American Children's Choir Spring Season 2016

Swedish American Children's Choir Spring Season begins on March 18. Join the largest choir of its kind in the Midwest! Call the choir office for details (630)414-9700 or leave a message on Facebook. 
https://www.facebook.com/Swedish-American-Childrens-Choir-243187184607/

Pancakes with Pippi March 12th

Come have pancakes with famous Swedish girl Pippi Longstocking on March 12th from 9am-12noon at the Swedish American Museum in Andersonville.
Join Pippi for Swedish pancakes, crafts, singing and dancing. This is a unique opportunity to meet Pippi and learn how to make pancakes Pippi-style! All ages are welcome.


To register---http://www.swedishamericanmuseum.org/museuminfo/news/event/pancakes-with-pippi-5/

The Swedish Baker on Etsy

I just discovered a Swedish Baker that ships Swedish food. We have not yet, sampled anything. So we are not sure how it is, but the concept is wonderful!!! Stay tuned for a review.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSwedishBaker

Mariano's Park Ridge

Mariano's in Park Ridge, Il. Now carries Bondost cheese with caraway! Go get your Swedish on with this delicious cheese! 

Mazariner--Swedish Bakery vs Iverson's Bakery

I am almost 8 months pregnant and this pregnancy I LOVE mazariner. I can eat them non stop!!!! Mormor and I decided to do a taste comparison between the Swedish Bakery's Mazariner vs Iverson Bakery's Mazariner. Here are our findings.

Iverson's Mazariner are larger. They are also $1.49 each. Iverson's Mazariner have a cherry on top and inside have a small layer of jelly (YUM). The crust is perfect with a moist and almondy center.

Swedish Bakery's Mazariner can be ordered in two sizes Small (pictured below) for around $2.25 and Large for $ 2.80. Swedish Bakery Mazariner were disappointing. The crust and center were dry and bland. I personally, would not recommend.

Iverson's wins the award for the "Swedest Life's" most delicious Mazariner Award!!!!!


Iverson's Information:
https://www.facebook.com/iversenbakery/?rf=111588545546737

Address: 12948 Western Ave, Blue Island, IL 60406

Phone:(708) 385-3410

 

Swedish Almond Cake Recipe

This well-loved traditional Swedish cake makes the perfect dessert.

1 ¼ C granulated sugar
1 egg
1 ½ tsp almond extract (I tend to put in more, depends on how "Almondy" you want the cake)
2/3 C milk (whole)
1 ¼ C cake flour
½ tsp baking powder 1 Stick of butter

Beat together sugar, egg, almond extract and milk . Add flour, baking powder
and add to mixture. Fold in melted butter and blend until smooth.
Prepare the pan by wiping lightly with oil or butter and dust with flour.

Bake at 350F  45 Minutes
(Toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean and cake should be brown around the edges)
My mom and I like it with a butter almond glaze.
2 tablespoons of butter
heat in a pan, melt. Stir in sugar (1/4--1/3 C to taste) and then add 2 tsp almond extract.
Pour over cake once de-panned but cake should be still hot.

Use the  Classic Almond Cake Pan...
For a deliciously tasty idea...  Substitute 1½ tsp Pure Cardamom Extract for the almond. 

Swedish Flicka's in Andersonville 1/8/16

Today was a special day! My mom and I had a girls day down in Andersonville (Chicago, Il.).
We explored the Swedish American Museum, Swedish Bakery, The Sweden Shop and had a delightful lunch at Tre Kronor.


Swedish Museum: Loved the Children's Museum on the 3rd Floor. The last time I was there was a Lucia years ago, prior to the renovation. The gift shop is still full of Swedish treasures. The second floor has so much history of Swedes and it was fun to peruse. The Children's Museum was my favorite. Children can dress as "Swedes", play in a stuga, travel to the new country and "farm".


Tre Kronor: Delicious. Meatballs on Limpa toast, potatoes, Stockholm Omlet....just wonderful!!!!


The Sweden Shop: Now has a freezer and a fridge. There is Swedish cheese, potato sausage, meatballs, etc.

Nationwide Casting Search- Allt for Sverige

Are you Swedish? Want to learn more about your ancestry on a new TV show? 

Requirements- never been to Sweden and Swedish decent. 

Learn more--https://www.shortaudition.com/application.php?jid=176&noflash=1

http://www.greatswedishadventure.com