February 12, 2016 When I was younger, Valentine’s Day was a day I anticipated with joy and elation. After all, who doesn’t like to give and receive treats and gifts of love? Even now as an adult I still love to decorate, make handcrafted cards and bake cookies for loved ones. Additionally, passing along…
DetailsAs any parent will tell you, sibling rivalry is just a part of life. I was reminded of this recently when I visited Mormor one Sunday afternoon at The Danish Home of Chicago. I always love hearing her talk about her childhood growing up in Denmark with her brothers. As the only girl she…
DetailsJanuary 28, 2016 As we’ve all witnessed by now, winter bites. And I’m not just talking about that wind. No one is more familiar with this than the people living on the east coast where winter storm Jonas wreaked havoc. For two days, from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, Jonas trampled along like a hungry…
DetailsJanuary 20, 2016 Shakespeare’s Juliet once pondered this same question, arguing in her famous soliloquy, “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Although she did not concern herself with the origin of a person’s name, or the need for that matter, I, on the other hand, am…
DetailsJanuary 13, 2016 Since my international New Year celebration I have been fortunate enough to keep in regular contact with my “new” relatives over these past couple of weeks. If you read this post, I call them new because I had never even met most of them before their trip here for the holidays,…
DetailsAlthough some may not look forward to the fanfare of NYE night (as I recently read in this article) I really cherished ringing in 2016! I was treated to a true Danish nytårsaften (New Year’s Eve) with fyrværkeri (fireworks), gløgg and, of course, singing all thanks to familiemedlemmer (family members) visiting from Denmark! After the…
DetailsDecember 30, 2015 With the end of another year drawing near what may be on most of our minds, aside from festive New Year plans, are making those New Year’s resolutions. After all, it is the time of year to reflect on the year past and make predictions about the year to come.…
DetailsDecember 23, 2015 Can you believe that tonight is the night before the night?! The anticipation is growing! If you didn’t already know, today is Lille Juleaften, Little Christmas Eve, as our Scandinavian friends know it. This is when things really ramp up on the holiday front! However, if you’ve read previous posts like…
DetailsDecember 16, 2015 Although the real nedtælling (countdown) to jul (Christmas) began weeks ago, last Sunday’s Luciadagen (St. Lucia Day) procession really inspired the holiday spirit in me! Not that I was lacking, but these treasured holiday traditions I hold dear are consistently acknowledged each year as if I am a barn (child) once again! With just…
DetailsDecember 9, 2015 With the end of 2015 drawing near it is only fitting that a bit of time is spent discussing what makes the holiday season so magical. Aside from beloved traditions, the wondrous spirit of giving and the coziness of it all, I believe it also affords us the opportunity to do…
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