Children start first grade here when they are seven. And it might be even a little more exciting if you happen to have a birthday in the same month. Most people have returned from their summer vacations and there is the anticipation of the new school year, new friends, riding your bike to and from […]
Tag: dessert
A Princess Torte for a Prince
The day before the baptism I baked and filled the cake. One of our girls came in the kitchen and asked what I was making. I said that I was making a Princess Torte. “A Princess Torte for a boy?” was the next question. I had to explain that it was just the name of […]
A Moment in time
I often think that time just slips by a little too fast. The summer flowers bloom and then they wither away. This sunflower was a Mother’s day gift. It had a tall thin stem, and to tell you the truth I was a little concerned how it was going to make it. As the air […]
Gramma Reeni’s Rhubarb Tart
Last weekend we enjoyed this Gramma Reeni’s rhubarb tart not once but twice. Earlier in the week my Grampa Jim sent me the recipe and some photos to go with it. You could call this tart a family heirloom. It is from my Great Grandma Irene, or as we called her, Gramma Reeni. She used […]
Midsummer and Crepes
During midsummer it seems as if our internal clock goes into a summer mode. Usually the kids are in bed at 8.30 pm and the wake up is at 7 am during the school year. But once school is out it takes about three days to go into summer schedule where bedtime is closer to […]
Brita Torte
This torte symbolizes summer to me. It is so easy, needs no fancy decorations and the flavors can be easily adjusted according to what berries are in season. Summer has arrived in full force and it is hard to believe that just a few short months ago we were skating and skiing on the lake. […]
Grampa’s Banana Cream Pie and a Gluten-free version
During one of their trips to Finland, Grampa taught me how to make Banana Cream Pie. It is one of those recipes that I know by heart. I’m not sure if I have the actual written version anymore. It has been a well-loved recipe that has been made many, many times. This past weekend we […]
A Cupcake Birthday Party
As I’ve mentioned sometimes before, we get to celebrate birthdays quite often. Our birthday season starts in March, then we have another one in April, May, June, July, August and then the last one of the year comes right before New Year’s in December. We finally had the official birthday party for the Niner! As […]
Happy Easter!
Last week on Palm Sunday, the children visited the houses in the neighborhood bringing them decorated pussy willows. In return they received chocolate eggs. The tradition is actually a cheerful mix of two traditions. In Eastern Finland the pussy willows symbolized the palm leaves on Palm Sunday and a blessing for the new year. The […]
Gone fishing!
A week ago on Sunday we celebrated our nephew’s and God son’s birthday. What a fun day we had and the time seemed to fly. Spending time with siblings and close friends is always special. My sister had done such a good job making things for the party that I asked her if I could […]
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