What a fun morning as Matthew, Suzannah and I left the farm house at 8:45 to drive to a town just 12 miles north Stromsburg that was celebrating midsommar festival. Stromsburg claims to be The Swede Capital of Nebraska! We started by enjoying Swedish pancakes, lingonberries and eggs served all day at the Lutheran church in town. I’m a tough critic and they did an amazing job…though we came at the perfect time, with only 15 in front of us in line, by the time we left it was 3 times as long out the door. If you know me my favorite, Aronson favorite is to have just butter and granulated sugar! I splurged and had lingonberries but then got to the beverage line and found granulated sugar at the coffee stand! So move over lingonberries! I saved my favorite bites with only sugar for last!! When picking up my orange juice I told the lady serving I was visiting from Seattle, she asked where in Seattle, I of course said West Seattle! She said, where in West Seattle?! My daughter lives there!!! Told her I grew up by the Fauntleroy ferry but my house was on 49th. Turns out her daughter lives on 45th in the Admiral area and she is part time secretary at the “Episcopal church” just 3 blocks north of West Side! What a small world! Her name was Caroline from Stromsburg Nebraska, yes of course we had to get a picture taken. From breakfast we went to the town square/park to look at the 30 or so craft booths. We were early enough that there were no crowds, it was still cool and yes the wind was BLOWING! Next stop at the Senior Center where there was a long line for Swedish dinner but we had checked it out earlier for Swedish baked good of cardamom bread, pepperkakor, rusk cinnamon toast. We came to try their Ostkaka, half with strawberries, half with lingonberries! It was really good! You won’t believe but after looking in the town shops we headed to the car to the high school located out of town where they had a Swedish smorgasbord buffet for $20. Well we were pretty full already but bought one plate and filled with a tasting of most everything offered, took it home and shared with small bite sized tastes! I was impressed! Very good! The most unusual for me and a first was pickled beef tongue! Wasn’t bad, I can say I have now tasted it! We headed home for a nap, then made a casserole dish for tomorrow after church potluck, soda cracker cookies, then worked on a favorite that Suzannah and I have shared together several times. The first time we had it was a Hello Fresh meal, we liked it so much we went out and bought the needed ingredients to do it a couple more times! Chicken broccoli salad with chili pepper flakes and ponzu sauce, and cabbage. So good!!!
After supper we headed outside and I was introduced to Suzannah’s garden both produce and flowers! It will be so fun to harvest, some of what is ready to begin harvest now! Then we went hunting for their herd of cows and their 5 littles with the youngest born just a week ago. Maybe even one more that hasn’t been scene yet. “Hunting cuz they were out in the pasture and grove of trees. They were actually close so easy to get sight of.
Best part of the day…cooking together, engaging, encouraging, challenging one another, sharing our lives! Thinking back…two years ago we had just met for the first time at Bekah and Krayton’s wedding reception. Now dear sweet friends and sisters for life!
Ostkaka half and half lingonberries and strawberries! It’s been a long time! Brought back special Iowa memories at Christmas!
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