Jump Into A Book

Sista April or Last day of April

So here we are the last day of April. In Swedish it is known as Valborg or Sista April. Large bonfires are lit and everyone sings songs of spring. Before this festive occasion,however, is the sighting of the first spring flowers. For those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere that is March or April. They are known as Blue Anemone. The book Linnea's Almanac came to mind. Do you remember her from Monet's garden. Here she has a nature activity for every month of the year. We consult her often and really enjoy ourselves. Linnea's Almanc is written by Lena Andersson and Christina Björk

                     

             

             

What could be better after a long, cold and dark winter here in the north, than the first days of spring? When you can be outside without winter clothing and you won't freeze. When you feel the warmness of the sun and you even may need sunglasses. You walk around, take deep breaths and smell a new scent, the smell of spring. Butterflies are waking up and flying all around in the bushes that are just starting to get their new leaves.

       

Best of all is the Blåsippa (Anemone Hepatica). They are so beautiful and they often grow in big groups and color the green grass blue.

      

All Swedish children know the song about Blåsippan and it is sung at day nurseries and schools all over Sweden.  They will sing the song to celebrate the arrival of spring. 

 

Blåsippor

Blue Anemone

Children's Song

(Swedish)

Blåsippan ute i backarna står,
niger och säger att "nu är det vår".
Barnen de plockar små sipporna glatt,
rusar sen hem under rop och skratt.

"Mor, nu är våren kommen, mor!
Nu får vi gå utan strumpor och skor!
Blåsippan ute i backarna stå,
har varken skor eller strumpor på!

Mor i stugan hon säger så:
"Blåsippor aldrig snuva få.
Än få ni gå med strumpor och skor,
än är det vinter kvar", säger mor.

 

 

Children's Song

(English)

The blue anemone blooms now,
Curtsies and says "spring is here".
Children merrily pick the flowers,
And rush home, laughing.

"Mom! Spring has come now, mom!
Now we can go without socks and shoes!
The blue anemone outside
Wears neither sock nor shoe!

Mother, in the house, says:
"Blue anemones never catch cold.
You must still wear socks and shoes!
It's still winter", says mother.

 
    

    

    

    

Everything on a Waffle

Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath

       

Who was to know that the results of a typhoon which hit the coast of British Columbia would have such an impact on Primrose Squarp's life.

Her father, a fisherman, was late bringing in his boat so her mother went out in a skiff to find him.  They never returned but only Primrose still believes they are alive.

It is from this place that "Everything on a Waffle" begins and Primrose is placed in the care of Miss Perfidy, her old babysitter, who by the way smells of old mothballs and has lost her marbles. Trying to help in this devasting situation is the school counselor who talks only about herself and her own travels.

The Coal Harbour town council tracks down her Uncle Jack and appoints him as her guardian. Uncle Jack, a navy man, is not prepared at all for raising a child.

There is some hope for Primrose however, and that comes in the form of Kate Bowzer, a local restaurant owner, who serves everything on a waffle(fish lasagna etc.) because"she liked to give the customer a little something extra." Kate teaches Primrose to cook. At the end of each chapter there is a great recipe. Many things happen to Primrose as the story continues but I will leave that for you to discover on your own.

Until then I will share my recipe for waffles and show you all of the things I place on them. Sometimes I put syrup on my waffles but at other times I put shrimp, salmon,dill,onions,and sour cream on them. We refer to these as dinner waffles. I also like berries and cream ....yum! You see......everything does taste better on a waffle.

What do you like on your waffles? Just leave your answer in the comments section.

This is my families recipe for traditional heart shaped waffles. You can use a traditional waffle iron as well but honestly I need my heart shaped waffle iron when I make waffles.

                      

2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of ground cardamom
3 eggs
¼ cups of sugar
2/3 cups of sour cream
3 tablespoons of melted butter
Butter for brushing the waffle iron
Powdered sugar
Jam and fresh berries to serve with your waffles

Mix flour and cardamom together and set aside. In a small bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar together at a high speed for 10 minutes until the mixture is forming ribbons when you pick your beaters up. Take your flour mixture and sprinkle it over you sugar and egg mixture. Stir the sour cream until it is really smooth and then add it to your flour and egg mixture until your batter is smooth. Take your melted butter and fold it into the batter.

                     

Heat your waffle iron on a medium heat until a drop of water sizzles on the waffle grid. Brush the grid with butter and spoon in the batter. Close the waffle iron until golden brown. Please read your waffle irons manufacturer’s instructions for length of time until done.

Serve immediately.