Ingrid – February 5, 2019 I recently returned from a trip to Seattle to see my brother, Luke. He lives in the now-trendy Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. Ballard is not only where many Nordic immigrants came in the late 19th century to find jobs such as loggers, fishers and boat builders, but also where a…
Liam – December 17, 2018 I recently signed up to run the 2019 Chicago Marathon. It’ll be my first. My wife Kim, who is my most fervent supporter, said to me, “Are you out of your mind? You’re going to die, you know. That’s the whole point of marathons—run until you die.” “It’s not the…
Liam – October 29, 2018 I’ve always been a superstitious person. It goes against all reason, I know, but I can’t help it. I’m so superstitious that I would not be opposed to outlawing all ladders and black cats. I’m kidding, of course. My in-laws have a black cat named Smokey, and while I can’t…
Lili – July 2, 2018 I’m never quite sure what my friend Britta has been up to when I pay my now weekly visit to her at The Danish Home. Sometimes it’s baking; other times it’s a trip out for ice cream or, last month, a highly competitive game of bunco. When I arrived last…
The hunt begins! Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s six massive wooden trolls at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, are on display and ready to be hunted by visitors searching for the colossal creations throughout the property’s sprawling forests. Made of reclaimed wood by artist-in-residence Dambo, the trolls are 15- to 20-feet tall (with the exception…
Liam – May 7, 2018 My wife Kim and I recently lost our dog. Lost, as in he died. Pets, as you probably understand, can be as important to the family dynamic and hold as big a place in your heart as your actual human children. Maybe more, depending on the age of the human…
Lili – April 23, 2018 Although April can still be a little chilly here in Chicago, it’s always exciting to know that warmer days are just around the corner. When I went along to The Danish Home to help with a flower arranging class earlier this month, it really felt like spring. It’s an especially…
Mia – April 9, 2018 I’ve got quite a collection of storks, thanks to my mother. The first, in celebration of my birth, was a china figurine of a stork carrying a baby girl. Over the years, more storks followed, tucked into my Christmas stocking or posed atop my birthday cake. Stuffed storks, wooden storks,…
Ella – March 26, 2018 Decorating is one of my favorite ways to get everyone excited about the upcoming holidays. I love pulling out the storage bin filled with memories and moments from last year or decades-old items passed down through the generations. One of my favorite items tucked away among our Easter decor is…
Ella – March 19, 2018 I am drawn to The Danish Home, not just because my great-great grandmother, Anna Mikkelsen, is one of the founders and part of its history, but because when I visit, I am always deeply warmed by its comfortable feeling. Decor is contemporary, but many residents have their own unique touches…