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…
Lili – March 12, 2018 Much as my family enjoys celebrating its Danish roots, there’s one day of the year when everyone’s a little bit Irish – St. Patrick’s Day. When the girls were younger, Brad and I would take them into Chicago to see the dyeing of the river. It was so magical for…
Ingrid – February 26, 2018 Norway led the world in Olympic medals with a total of 39 at the 2018 Winter Olympics, which closed yesterday. The United States finished with 23, Sweden took 14, and Denmark didn’t get a single one. But I won’t despair, because for being such a small country, Denmark has had…
Ella – December 4, 2017 While celebrating Thanksgiving with my family gathered around, we began to talk about holiday traditions. We have so many: baking gingerbread men and other decorative cookies, special ornaments on the tree, and hometown events. Several generations removed from my ancestors who immigrated to America from Denmark, I enjoyed listening to…