Food, Glorious Food

If you’ve seen the October issue of Viking, you could guess that our staff has had food on the brain. Comfort food, to be exact. As I was working on our cover feature with culinary expert Scott Givot, I was in an almost constant state of hunger, thinking about the meal we were creating: savory Lapskaus (lamb stew), accompanied by Havregrynsbrød (oatmeal bread), topped off by Tilslørte Bondepiker (“veiled farm girls”—that’s apple trifle for the rest of us).

In my search of the Web for culinary inspiration, I came across a great resource. Kari Diehl, Scandinavian food blogger for About.com, shares her favorite recipes from the Nordic countries. Check out her recent post: “10 Best Back-to-School Breakfasts.” I found some of my old favorites on the list, such as baked Finnish pancake, and some new ideas that I definitely want to try, like September porridge. God Appetitt!

Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minnesota, where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585. Amy is a Nordic folk music enthusiast, and when she’s not working or parenting, she can often be found making music with friends.

More Heritage Sites

In my time working with Viking magazine, no story has generated as many letters to the editor as our July “Hit the Road” feature. I shouldn’t be surprised to learn that Viking readers are passionate about sharing their heritage!

We knew our feature couldn’t possibly include all the Norwegian heritage stops in North America, so we ended the article by inviting readers to tell us about favorite spots in their area. We got a letter about the first Viking settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We also heard about the Kendall Colony in New York, where Cleng Peerson led the first group of Norwegian emigrants to the U.S. in 1825. And we got several letters from readers in Seattle, politely reminding us that their Leif Erikson statue had fallen off our map!

Thanks to all who have taken the time to write. If there are more great heritage sites out there that weren’t featured, I’d love to hear about them. Contact me at vikingeditor@mspcustomcontent.com.


Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minnesota, where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585. Amy is a Nordic folk music enthusiast, and when she’s not working or parenting, she can often be found making music with friends.

Three New Reasons to Love Viking

If you’ve looked at your July issue of Viking, you’ve no doubt noticed the magazine’s new look and feel.

Check out the new Nordic Life department—formerly Nordic Lights—near the front of the magazine. In addition to the news and calendar listings you already enjoy, you’ll find a history column by Jeff Sauve, archivist for the Norwegian American Historical Association. You’ll also find “Spread the Word,” a bite-sized language lesson that introduces a Norwegian word or phrase each month. Nordic Life opens each month with a profile of an inspiring Norwegian or person of Norwegian descent. And who better to grace our inaugural profile page than Leif Ove Andsnes, Norway’s renowned classical pianist?

The Viking staff is proud of the publication’s redesign, and we hope you like it, too! We welcome your input by contacting us at vikingeditor@mspcommunications.com.

PS: If you’re a fan of Andsnes, you’ll enjoy this clip of his performance of Greig’s Piano Concerto at the 2006 BBC Proms Classical Musical Festival.




Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minnesota, where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585. Amy is a Nordic folk music enthusiast, and when she’s not working or parenting, she can often be found making music with friends.

Hilsen fra Skogfjorden

I’m writing from Skogfjorden, Concordia College’s Norwegian Language Village, near Bemidji, Minnesota. I enjoyed working as a counselor at Skofjorden throughout my college years, and it’s been a huge treat to return for a stint as an alumi staff member the past two summers. It’s particularly satisfying to be here with my son and daughter, ages 9 and 11, and to watch them enjoy many of the same experiences that I did as a child at the language village.

The program enjoys a high return rate year after year and the staff encourages youth to participate for ten summers, or gå for ti! In the summer of 2009, 10 participants earned their 10-year awards, thanks, no doubt, to generous support in the form of Sons of Norway scholarships to many Skogfjorden families.

So what’s happening at Skogfjorden this summer? Plenty! In 2010, special emphasis will be devoted to three topics: music, peace studies and folkehøgskoler (folk high schools). Students who spend four weeks at Skogfjorden, earning a year of high school language credit, will be studying the themes of oil and energy. Finally, the staff will give special emphasis to the life and work of Bjørnsterne Bjørnsen, who also is celebrated throughout Norway this year. Of course, at the heart of all the programming is the Norwegian language immersion experience.

Check out this fun video of Skogfjorden staff member Hans Erik with two day-camp participants.


Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minnesota, where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585. Amy is a Nordic folk music enthusiast, and when she’s not working or parenting, she can often be found making music with friends.

Celebrate St. Hansaften

It's that time again! Amy B. has a great post about Midsummer/St. Hansaften!

Midsummer is soon here. I know this—even without the aid of a calendar—because it’s hard to get enough sleep these days. The sun sets later each evening, and my room-darkening shades and Sleepytime tea just aren’t enough to trick my body into getting tired when I should. Do I sound like I’m grumbling? I don’t mean to. I love this time of year, when, despite our schedules, to-do lists and best intentions, we are humbled by the forces of nature. I’m reminded of a favorite song, “Vi Skal Ikkje Sove,” by Auslaug Lygre and Geirr Tveitt:

Vi skal ikkje sova bort sumarnatta,
ho er for ljos til det.
Då skal vi vandra isaman ute,
under dei lauvtunge tre.

We won’t sleep away the summer night,
it’s too light for that.
We’ll wander instead together
under the trees, heavy with leaves.

Midsummer, or St. Hansaften as it is called in Norway, is celebrated on the evening of June 23, with bonfires late into the night. There’s an old custom for a girl to pick seven types of flowers and sleep with them under her pillow, in order to dream of her future husband. Many celebrations include eating rømmegrøt and toasting the summer night with friends.

In North America, many Sons of Norway lodges and communities host midsummer celebrations. Check Sons of Norway event listings or your local community calendars to find a celebration new you. Or plan your own midsummer gathering with family or friends using the recipes in our “Celebrate Summer” feature, found in the June issue of Viking. Skål!

Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minnesota, where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585. Amy is a Nordic folk music enthusiast, and when she’s not working or parenting, she can often be found making music with friends.





Bonfire photo by Doug Bratland

Norway Is World’s Best Workplace

Today we have another post from Viking Editor Amy Boxrud, this time about the great work environment in Norway. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

In May I wrote about how Norway was named the best place in the world to be a mother. Norway was recognized again recently: as the world’s best place to work!

What makes Norwegians so happily employed? According to the European Employee Index 2010, 78 percent of Norwegians feel secure in their job, as opposed the international average of 67 percent. In addition, 70 percent of Norwegians find satisfaction in their work compared to 62 percent internationally. And 62 percent believe they could find another job if they wanted it. If you want to learn more about the study—and you read Norwegian—check out this article on the Aftenposten website.

Photo: Rasmus Andersson

When it comes to great places to work, a commitment to work/life balance can’t hurt either. Check out the July issue of Viking to learn how much vacation time Norwegians enjoy, compared to citizens of the U.S. and Canada.

Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minnesota, where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585. Amy is a Nordic folk music enthusiast, and when she’s not working or parenting, she can often be found making music with friends.

Norway Ranks Top for Moms

Earlier this month Mothers Day was celebrated all across America. Personally, I think every day should be Mothers Day and, according to Amy Boxrud and some recent research, it is in Norway!

Kudos to Norway—the best place in the world to be a mother! A recent study conducted by the international organization Save the Children compared conditions for mothers in 160 nations, taking into consideration health care, nutrition, education and economic status.

As an American mom, the situation in Norway sounds pretty dreamy: a year’s maternity leave at full-pay, as many as 20 paid days off each year to care for a sick child, universal health care and high-quality child care that is heavily subsidized by the government. Is it any wonder that Norway came out on top? The rest of the Nordic countries fared well, too, with Iceland, Sweden and Denmark ranking third, fourth and fifth, respectively, and Finland in a respectable seventh place. The U.S. ranked twenty-eighth.

According to this study, it would seem that every day is Mothers Day in Norway.

Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minnesota, where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585. Amy is a Nordic folk music enthusiast, and when she’s not working or parenting, she can often be found making music with friends.

Syttende Mai Memories

Syttende Mai was this week and I've got a great post from Viking Editor Amy Boxrud about one of her favorite Syttende Mai memories!

One of my most memorable Syttende Mai experiences took place about a decade ago, when my husband and I were traveling in Norway. We had planed to take Hurtigruten, the coastal steamer, to visit my husband’s ancestral home just north of the polar circle. At first I was disappointed to learn that we would be “stuck” traveling by ship on the 17th, but it was the best way to stay on schedule for the rest of our trip.

Little did I know this would be a great way to spend the day: not in one location, but in several—with each port community making us feel that they had been waiting for us to show up to begin their celebration. We woke to crisp, clear weather and the sound of a brass band in the port of Måløy. Two hours later, another lively community band entertained us in Torvik. We continued northward, with champagne toasts on the ship’s deck with our captain. We enjoyed a meal of pølse, sild and is on the streets of Ålesund, after marching in the town’s parade. While we were as dressed up as possible, given our limited traveling wardrobe, we were no match for the Norwegians. From the youngest to the oldest, they were decked out in their bunads, as if the whole town had just stepped off a movie set.

I’m grateful for this unique memory and to the many Norwegians who shared this special day with us.

Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minnesota, where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585. Amy is a Nordic folk music enthusiast, and when she’s not working or parenting, she can often be found making music with friends.

Viking’s Editor Meets The Cheese Guy

Here's another interesting post from Viking magazine editor, Amy Boxrud about her meeting with "The Cheese Guy."

Over the past few weeks, I’ve really enjoyed immersing myself in Viking magazine’s food issue, arriving in June. Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Patrick Moore, also known as “The Cheese Guy.” I first met Patrick went I lived in Minneapolis and did my grocery shopping at Lunds in Uptown (which happens to be right across the street from Sons of Norway headquarters). Whenever I saw Patrick working behind the cheese counter, I always stopped to browse, which inevitably led to samples, recommendations and Patrick’s entertaining commentary. I wasn’t the only person who appreciated Patrick’s advice; he’s now a specialty cheese consultant who also offers classes and tastings.

When I began working on an article about Norway’s cheeses, I knew Patrick would be a great source of information. We sat down over a cup of coffee spent an hour discussing Norwegian cheeses available in the U.S: Jarlsberg, Gjetost, Ridder and Snøfrisk. Now I've got cheese on the brain and I can't wait to hit the grocery store. Look for Patrick’s insights—along with five new ways to eat Jarlsberg cheese—in our upcoming June food issue.

Photo courtesy of Norseland Inc.

Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. The mother of two grade-schoolers, Amy and her family live in Northfield, Minnesota where she is a member of Nordmarka 1-585. Amy is a Nordic folk music enthusiast, and when she’s not working or parenting, she can often be found making music with friends. She is a founding member of Northfield’s Nordic Roots Session and performs with the groups Scandium and Hütenänny.

Scandinavia’s Best in Your Own Backyard

Is a trip to Norway not in your budget this summer? Me neither. But we can still enjoy some Scandinavian culture and learn something new, right?
Here are three upcoming opportunities to learn Nordic folk music and dance in the U.S.

If you live in the East, the Midwest or in the West, there’s an event taking place in your region in June:
• Nordic Fiddles and Feet, June 27-July 4, near Littleton, N.H.


• Nisswa-stämman, June 11-12, in Nisswa, Minn. 

• Scandia Camp Mendocino, June 12-19, near Mendicino, Calif.


All three of these events offer training in folk music and dance from top-notch Scandinavian instructors. As someone who’s attended Nisswa-stämman for the past 7 years, I can attest to what a great opportunity these events are for Nordic music and dance enthusiasts, whether you’re just beginning to explore your musical roots, or you’ve been at it for years.
PS: Look for more ways to experience Norway in your own backyard in the July issue of Viking!
Photo courtesy of Doug Bratland

Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. The mother of two grade-schoolers, Amy and her family live in Northfield, Minnesota where she is a member of Nordmarka 1-585. Amy is a Nordic folk music enthusiast, and when she’s not working or parenting, she can often be found making music with friends. She is a founding member of Northfield’s Nordic Roots Session and performs with the groups Scandium and Hütenänny.

Today we have a short post from Viking magazine editor, Amy B about the 13th Annual Ibsen Festival. If you have unique ways that Norwegian culture is celebrated in your area, share them with Viking magazine by e-mailing vikingeditor@mspcustomcontent.com.

This past weekend marked the Commonweal Theater’s 13th Annual Ibsen Festival in Lanesboro, Minn—a “weekend celebrating Scandinavian theater, visual art, music and dance.” This year’s festival centered around Ibsen’s lesser-known play “John Gabriel Borkman.” The story of a banker who steals from his customers, the play is a timely examination of greed, lust and power. (It’s funny how well Ibsen’s work holds up, isn’t it?)

Next spring, the Commonweal will stage a production of Ibsen’s “Enemy of the People” and will take its production on the road throughout the Midwest. Sounds like a great lodge outing to me!

A Smorgasbord of Nordic Cinema

The Norwegian blockbuster, “Max Manus,” was highlighted in February’s issue of Viking magazine. If you live in or around the Twin Cities, now is your chance to see the WWII thriller, which sold more than 700,000 tickets in Norway. Not bad for a country of less than 5 million movie-goers!

The screening of “Max Manus” will kick off the 28th annual Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival, which runs April 15-30 at St. Anthony Main Theater in Minneapolis. The film will be introduced by Norwegian resistance hero Gunnnar Sønsteby, who, at the age of 92, remains the most highly decorated citizen in Norwegian history.

This year’s film festival includes six films from Norway, plus nearly a dozen other Nordic films. Whether or not you live in the Twin Cities area, if you love the cinema, you’ll want to check out this year’s festival entries and add some to your must-see list.

Fiddling Builds Bridges

In the April issue of Viking, Sarah Nagell credits her study of Hardanger fiddle as the cupid's arrow that began her love affair with Norwegian folk music. Over the past 30 years, St. Olaf music professor Andrea Een has taught Hardanger fiddle to about 50 students at the college, exposing many to a new musical genre and inspiring several to continue studying, playing, and performing the instrument throughout their adult lives.


To see and hear what Een and her students have been up to recently, check out “Bridge of Peace: Swedes and Norwegians Fiddle in Harmony,” a joint concert between The Lars Skjervheim Spelemannslag of St. Olaf College, a group that Een leads; the Twin Cities Hardingfelelag, some of whom are Een’s former students; and the fiddling group from the American Swedish Institute. You can find the archived concert—along with the concert program—on the college’s website. Enjoy!


Photo: David Gonnerman

The Eggs Have Arrived! Can Easter Be Far Behind?

I'm no farm girl. While I was born and raised in a small, rural community, the closest thing to livestock in my childhood was a couple of cats. So when my family adopted seven chickens last summer, I really had no idea what to expect. I learned that chickens lay an egg about once every 26 hours during the summer, but their production drops off dramatically during the winter. This was true of our little flock. We went from collecting our usual six eggs a day to one or two eggs a day this winter. Some days, we found nothing in the nesting boxes.

In the upcoming April issue of Viking, Lene Johansen writes about celebrating Easter in her native Norway. Easter is generally the time when the hens really being laying again. That's why karamell pudding, Norway's answer to crème caramel, is a dessert eaten traditionally at Easter time, and Johansen shares her recipe with readers.

Well, I just happen to love karamell pudding. And Johansen was right: as if someone flipped the "egg switch" back on, our hens started laying in earnest again this week. While there's still plenty of snow in my yard, spring--and Easter--aren't far away. With the sudden abundance of fresh eggs around my house, you can bet I'll be trying the karamell pudding recipe. Look for it in the April issue of Viking, and try it yourself!

Norway: #1 in our hearts and on skis

One of the first Norwegian phrases I learned as a kid was nordmenn er fodt med ski på beina: “Norwegians are born with skis on their feet.” It’s no wonder this old saying has became a truism, since Norway won a whopping 23 medals in this year’s Winter Olympic Games. While the U.S. had a great showing, winning 37 medals, Norway still holds first place in the overall medal count, with 303 hard-earned medals from 1924 to today. The U.S. is currently in second place overall with 254. Heia Norge!

While I don’t normally watch televised sports, I’ll admit that I watched as much of the Winter Olympics as I could make time for. My kids were interested, so viewing became great family time. The competitions sparked conversations about the many sports, languages and cultures represented at the Games. Of course the kids followed Team USA closely, but they were also interested in the Norwegians, particularly those profiled in the February issue of Viking magazine. On the final night of the games, during the Men’s Cross Country medal ceremony, it was fun—and a bit surprising—to hear my kids singing along to the Norwegian national anthem, thanks to their time spent raising the flag at Norwegian language camp!

Take a Two-Minute Vacation

My last post was about embracing winter. I was inspired by writer Stephen Regenold’s article, “Valhalla on Skis,” featured in the February issue of Viking. However, I realize this suggestion might be too much for battle-weary readers in northern climes, who have shoveled far too much snow and driven on way too much ice this season. This week I’m offering an easier alternative: check out this gorgeous two-minute video of sunrise in Sunnmøre, Norway. No mittens or boots needed.

Winter: You can’t beat it. Enjoy it!

As a Minnesotan, I see only two viable options for getting through the long winter each year: Escape it or embrace it. For practical reasons, I’ve always taken the latter approach. I remind myself that winter provides different—but equally gorgeous—scenery, and that February’s lengthening days mean the snow and ice will eventually be giving way to green grass. In the mean time, I count my winter blessings: cozy evenings at home, a break from yard work and plenty of snow for cross-country skiing.

Someone who seems to have perfected the notion of embracing winter is writer Stephen Regenold. Instead of escaping to a warm, exotic destination, he and his friends traveled to Molde, to explore Norway’s Romsdal Alps. Stephen shares his adventures in “Valhalla, on Skis,” in the February issue of Viking. Check it out! I bet it will inspire you to get out there and enjoy the season—no matter where you live.

What does Sons of Norway membership mean to you? Viking magazine wants to know!

Here’s what my membership means to me: As parents of two grade-schoolers, my husband and I feel that sharing our Norwegian heritage with our children is important. Being members of Sons of Norway helps us tap into a wealth of cultural experiences and resources. Our lodge sponsors Syttende Mai festivities, a community midsummer celebration and a festive Nordic Breakfast in December, all of which my kids look forward to each year.

Last year they received Sons of Norway scholarships to attend Norwegian language camp. My kids are growing up as part of a larger Norwegian-American community, with an appreciation for their heritage, which, I believe, makes them more apt to appreciate other cultures as well.















What does your Sons of Norway membership mean to you? Share your thoughts by emailing us at: vikingeditor@mspcustomcontent.com. Selected responses may be featured in an upcoming issue of Viking!

The Nordic Siblings: Rivalry and Respect

In this month’s issue of Viking, I’m especially fond of our “Nordic Sibling Rivalry” feature. Writer Sarah Asp Olson did a great job researching the similarities and differences between the Nordic countries, as well as highlighting a few of the countries’ idiosyncrasies.

Asp’s article also details how the “siblings” work together in the Nordic Council, promoting cooperation and goodwill among the Nordic nations. I saw a wonderful example of this same spirit of cooperation last weekend, when I attended the annual Twin Cities Nordic Ball. The area’s Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Finnish folk dance groups take turns hosting this gala event of music, dance, food and Nordic finery. I know that the Twin Cities Nordic community isn’t unique in this way. One glance at the Viking “Up and Coming” event calendar reminds me these concerts, workshops and festivals, celebrating our shared Nordic heritage, are held routinely throughout the U.S., Canada and the Nordic countries.

It’s gratifying to see people of Nordic heritage working together, following the example set by the nations themselves. As Sarah Asp Olson so aptly reminds us: Ultimately there’s more that unites than divides.

One Travel Mistake You Won’t Need to Make

While editing “Get on Board!”—Viking’s cover story for January—I was reminded of a Norwegian travel adventure of my own. Actually, a misadventure. To avoid it, I have just three words of advice: Beware Kristi Himmelfartsdag! Not familiar with it? That’s Ascension Day to you and me. And while you might live your whole life unaffected by this day, that would not be the case in Norway.

My husband and I had invited my in-laws to join us on a trip to Northern Norway. We planned the trip using the schedules and resources we found on the Internet, but I missed the crucial fact that public transportation provides limited service on religious holidays--many of which are also federal holidays.

Kristi Himmelfartsdag was the day my husband and I parted ways with his parents. Our bus to Sweden ran as expected, but my in-laws’ bus to the train station didn’t. They missed the only southbound train that day and were left scrambling to find an alternative route back to Oslo. A “memorable,” if not relaxing, experience for them, thanks to my mistake. Good thing they don’t hold grudges.

Just so you aren’t caught unaware, Kristi Himmelfartsdag falls on May 13th in 2010.