King and queen of Norway to visit Iowa

February 25, 2011 | Birthday,Decorah,Family,Iowa,King Harald,Luther College,Norway,Queen Sonja

My son was 3-1/2 in this picture. He was dressed up in a bunad on the 17th of May in Bestemor and Bestefar’s house in Norway. We were there all summer. He wrote a letter to King Harald while we were there. He got the idea from a Gubben og Katten film, based on the Pettson and Findus books by Swedish author Sven Nordqvist.

King Harald and Queen Sonja plan to visit Luther College in Decorah on Oct. 13 to celebrate the college’s sesquicentennial. (We celebrated the 17th of May in Decorah last year.) My son’s birthday is Oct. 15. Wouldn’t it be a cool birthday present to take him to see the king and queen of Norway?

On ice

February 21, 2011 | Iowa,Weather,Winter

Our lights flickered for several hours yesterday. Then they went out. And stayed out. We pulled out the sofa-sleeper, opened up the recliners and camped out in the living room, where the fireplace is. I read by candlelight for a while, then made sure everyone was tucked in, blew out the candles and found a spot under the covers. I’d say I slept, but that didn’t really happen. I was up again at 2 a.m., when the power came back, turning things off again. This morning, we cleared downed branches. We’d heard the trees cracking under the ice all night.

Educated Palate: Panettone

February 15, 2011 | Blogging,Blogland games,Educated Palate: Guiliano & Lael Hazan's blog,Florida,Food,Italy

I entered a giveaway contest in December on my favorite Italian food site, Educated Palate: Giuliano & Lael Hazan’s blog. What makes it a favorite? Beautiful photos. Heartbreakingly delicious food. (And wonderful cookbooks!) They talk about two places I love, Italy and Florida, and two of the things that make life worth living, family and food.

Guess what? I won! I won this beautiful, delicious panettone and a book all about it. Thank you so much, Lael and Giuliano! It was wonderful!

My funny Valentines

February 14, 2011 | Family,Holidays,Valentine's Day

I have the sweetest Valentines in the world.

Another busy night for the Tooth Fairy

February 11, 2011 | Family

Big day for a little girl

February 10, 2011 | Family

If we’re lucky, the Tooth Fairy will remember to stop by Norway for some kroner before coming here tonight.

My last poinsettia from Mom

February 8, 2011 | Birthday,Family,Holidays

This was the last poinsettia I’ll ever get from my mother on my birthday. She and my father had been doing it since I was born. Then, after Dad died, it was Mom.

See, I was born in December. Ten days later, they had me in church for baptism. They had poinsettias on the altar that Sunday. And they sang something about roses … oh, I don’t know. She’s told me the story a dozen times, and she told my children the whole story again last birthday. I didn’t ask questions. Nor did I write any of it down. I just know that my birthday and poinsettias have always gone together.

Now? Not so much.