Adding A Little Danish Tradition

Ages ago we attended the
Oktoberfest in Mt. Angel, Oregon
and ate aebelskivers for the first time.
In just 4 days the festival begins again and I think it would be so fun to be there
...not happening for me though.
Several times I have seen the aebelskiver pans at thrift stores but just passed them by. . . until this week. With my trusty 20% off coupon I brought one home at the cost of $4.00. I looked it up online and saw that mine was a NordicWare and sold through Williams Sonoma.

I've been doing some studying online and think I'll be making a "batch" soon.
It sure seems simple enough.

NordicWare Ebelskiver Pan (here's a link)
and here's a tutorial. No excuse for failure.

Ebleskiver or Aebleskiver Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 egg whites
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 egg yolks
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 cups buttermilk (or soured milk)
  
• 1 cup vegetable oil for frying (I think I'm using a bit-o- butter instead)
  
• 
  
• Directions (these are a bit different from the video)
  

1. In a clean glass or metal bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until they can hold a stiff peak. Set aside.
2. Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, sugar, egg yolks, melted butter and buttermilk at one time and beat until smooth. Gently fold in the egg whites last.
3. Put melted butter in the bottom of each aebleskiver pan cup and heat until hot. Pour in about 2 tablespoons of the batter into each cup. As soon as they get bubbly around the edge, turn them quickly (Danish cooks use a long knitting needle, but a fork will work). Continue cooking, turning the ball to keep it from burning.

Do you have any aebelskiver stories or experiences? I'd love if you'd share. My research tells that these were eaten in Danish homes on Christmas morning and New Years eve and day. May be adding a new tradition in my home since I have such a strong Danish heritage.

Wishing you a "god dag" . . . good day in Danish.

Thrifting Finds This Week . .

Lest you think I have a "problem" and do nothing but shop thrift stores constantly . . .
wait, maybe I need to do some reflection here. . .
NO, I am helping others feather their nests or boutiques and adding just a tad to my own.
Are we okay???
Here we go with some of the latest treasures/finds.

I've really been drawn to copper lately. Here is a hand hammered pitcher.

It's smaller size will make it perfect to tuck into a setting or use as a vase. I've already tucked it on my kitchen counter. The sunburst mirror is also a find...just $2.99!

Here's a metal tray with pierced edging and colors that I knew would rock my kitchen. I think that pheasant is gorgeous. Well, maybe it's not a pheasant but close to it at least.

I put it up right away.

A little close up for you.

I've long been a fan of these types of caddies. Not only are they great for taking silverware, plates and napkins outside for a picnic they work so well to organize a desk or even bathroom. You can tell I didn't "stage" these photos for today's blog but you get the idea.

Little silver elephant I thought was just waiting to be either a bookend or paperweight. What do you think? I'm planning on it residing in a certain doctor's office.

It's hard to go wrong with a 99 cent frame especially when it's a shell frame. And I liked the little country scene also for 99 cents. It reminded me of our time living in Joseph.

I would have wanted a close-up too.

Lamps.

Baskets. I've always loved baskets and find them practical to use and very decorative. Previously I was collecting old suitcases to use but just can't find them - at least at a price I will pay - so am on the hunt for good looking, sturdy picnic baskets now.

Heavy duty wok. Look out veggies.

I think this is a mission style lamp. One of the two sockets isn't working so I'm planning on trying my hand at replacement. I'm guessing I'll just unplug...very important to remember I'm thinking...then unscrew and remove the non-functioning socket, take it to HD and ask one who knows to tell me what to buy and do. I'll let you know how that goes.

Two counter chairs. I think these are really sharp looking and will go with a variety of styles and any color theme.

I added 3 blue and white ceramics to my collection that now needs to be redone. I've just gathered them here for the photo shoot.

Pop of red, heavy metal book-stand. Won't this be a fun kitchen addition with a favorite, beautiful or just well used cookbook propped on it!

I'm gathering just a small assortment of amber for a fall display. Here are 2 of 3. I really like to change an entry table decor with the seasons.

As Porky Pig would say. . . Th, th, th, that's all folks!

Thrifting Treasures

I found this sofa table and bought it not sure who in my family would want it. I just liked it and at $17.99 PLUS my 25% senior discount I purchased it and hauled it home. You can see the "old" one I just scooted out of the way.

I cleaned it up a bit though it needs some very minor touch-ups.

Someone painted it with love. I thought what it would look like if sister Cindy had painted it . . . she's really a fantastic decorative painter, stenciler (is that a word) etc.

Tea pot and great, large platter. I can envision pasta dishes, piles of watermelon, vegetables and more being served on this beauty.
Look for the tea pot at The Painted Porch.

I instantly loved this heavy, sturdy handled tray. In fact, I used it the very day I brought it home to cart a 9X13 cake to our ward dinner and Olympics. Now I've got it in the family room where it replaced the footed, silver tray. This is more casual and I like the look better. I've also been buying vintage books if on a good sale (we're talking CHEAP) for using in the decor. This little stack of books elevated my darling, cast iron rabbit that Linny and Jared got me at a Utah thrifty store for my BD last year.

I had my eye on this pear print that was a reasonable price but passed it up and decided to check back on Senior discount day and buy it if still there. . . my blessing.

And closer. . .

and closest. See why I was smitten by it. A little lovely.

And now for my favorite.
I have a pig in my kitchen!!!
A terra cotta pig that is.

Smitten again.

I hope I've encouraged you to be
thrifty,
have fun decorating,
and remember to be patient.
Hey folks, at 63 I'm just getting this nest feathered.

Thrifting Finds This Week . .

A great pie plate originally from Cost Pl*us and a footed trifle bowl.
I LOVE to make pies
(I love to eat them even more)
and a trifle can be such a fun and varied dessert.
Did you notice the pretty pattern on that pie plate, made me smile.
I'm already wondering and hoping how many of the kiddos and grands find there way here for the holidays and I'll stuff them with yummy pies and such.

Baking is just a bit warm this time of year if I can help it - especially when pies take quite awhile to bake. . . did you want to know that Tuesday we matched a record temperature of 112* that was set back in 1905 and we are headed for 113* today.
Yup, we really do heat well here in the summer
but our winters are delicious.
Don't you think a very chilly chocolate brownie trifle would be good
to test out this new trifle bowl???
I found this recipe and photos over at Gluesticks.

And here's her recipe in case you too need to cool off
by diving into some chocolate loveliness.

Chocolate Brownie Trifle

adapted

1 (19.8 ounce) package brownie mix

1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix

1/2 cup water

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (I use Fat-Free)

16 oz. whipped topping (I use Light or Fat Free)

1 (1.5 ounce) bar chocolate candy

Make the brownie mix according to directions. Cool and cut into 1" squares.

	In a large bowl, combine pudding mix, water and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth, then fold in 8 ounces whipped topping until no streaks remain.
	In a trifle bowl or glass serving dish, place half of the brownies, half of the pudding mixture and half of the whipped topping. Repeat layers. Shave chocolate onto top layer for garnish. Refrigerate 8 hours before serving.

I found other treasures and maybe I'll share them next time.
Wishing you a great day regardless of weather!

Home again . . .

. . . home again, jiggity jig.
Is that how that old diddy/ditty goes?

I'm falling in love with Los Alamos, NM.
Already madly in love with my family that moved there.
Pictures to share.
Can't find my camera.
So me. Embarrassed.

Sharing this great saying Trevlyn put on FB today. L O V E it!!!
I may have to print this and post it on a wall somewhere here.

I got home Monday night and after several trips Tuesday morning: car repair shop, grocery store and Tessa's dance recital
I just found myself
at Good*will for Senior Day.
I brought this chair home for $7.49.

This one put me out $4.49. I think it has a mid-century modern feel.
What's your call . . . really, I want your comment.
After I reupholster it, it will be a knock-out!

I may have to re-evaluate just how many chairs I want to tuck
into the living room but for now this is how it is.

Sending you wishes that you/we make it a great day.

Thrifting Finds This Week . .

Pretty, little girl bust on a marble base. She spoke to me and I thought she might sell at the boutique and if not I knew of 2 places she might grace my home.

Red, wooden bowl. Sooo many holidays, occasions call for red and I could use this often:

Valentines
July 4
Christmas . . .
and anytime I want to fill it with popcorn, crackers, bread, you name it.

Large, hand-painted salad bowl.
I may take this cutie back.

Orvis fish creel and "bark" candles still wrapped.

This was totally an emotional purchase and I didn't even consult with my brain.
Soft, old, mellow leather.
You can see one of several holes that are spaced around the top to cinch it closed but missing the leather drawstring. Can you believe I only spent $3.00 for it. I know, I hear you . . . now what are you going to do with it???

Triple wooden candle sticks.

First I tucked her into the living room book shelves
but then moved her to the entry table. Not sure yet.
You can't see much detail on her but it's there and pretty.

Here is the wall leading upstairs. I keep reworking it but maybe I'm finished. See the bronzie sconce that I shared with you last week. I'm really pleased with it here.

Above the sconce is a cherub I purchased yearssssssssss ago at a Renaissance festival and below it is the precious watercolor original SLK and I purchase while in England in the 1983.

A today's thrify is the square, hand-painted plate from Italy.
I think my spacing is a bit "off" and I may be tweaking. One of my treasures is the watercolor fish Linny painted while in grade school . . . love it-and to it's right is the loved photo of red poppies Tyler took and sent me from Portugal for mother's day.

That's enough for now. Love cheap, fun treasures. I just read an article on Lara Spencer in the June House Beautiful about how she loves yard sales and thrifting. I actually loved every page of that issue and probably drooled on several pages.