rdewald's Journal: Yankee Christmas

rdewald is just west of Boston for Christnas Day. I went to a party in Amesbury last night in observance of the Swedish traditions, attended by a variety of Americans of Scandanavian heritage. There were Swedish meatballs, meat pie, this and that kind of traditional bread. It was the same party I attended on Christmas eve last year. There's a family that runs a farm in New Hampshire that attends, the host family is the head of an Episcopal church, I met a guy that makes glass harmonicas. Candles in the all the windows, it was a real Yankee Chrstmas.

It's nice. There's snow on the ground, but not in the way, the weather's been unusually warm. New England at Christmas is beautiful. Be well.

*sigh*

[btlzu2]

that's pretty much all i knew growing up--scandanavian (swedish and norwegian) oriented christmases. i have a great fondness for all the flavors of the baked goods and the cooking (except for lutefisk! *shiver*) sweet rye, jule kag, swedish pancakes with lingonberries, swedish meatballs--YUM!

sounds like a lot of fun.

peace and joy to you richard.

Re:*sigh*

[sparky4]

mom-by-law passed on her swedish pancake recipe for our enjoyment shortly after I married hubby. Da*n could we put away large amounts of them in very short periods of time. I made them for a family gathering two years ago and had nothing but requests for more. One day I will figure out how to make some glutenfree swedish pancakes and make up for lost enjoyment.

Re:*sigh*

[redhead-kitten]

My childhood was very similar, though it was Swedish and Finn. We called the sweet rye bread "Limpa" and the big thing in our family was to make Krumkaka. I have the iron, cast of course, with a ring that fits around the burner. (no electric iron for me!)

God Yul!

^_^

warm

[stoolpigeon]

79 or 80 for the high today. downright hot. but we're having fun. i grew up here so i'm used to it.
 
Hope you have a great holiday and new year. thanks for all the great journals this year.

glass harmonica

[sparky4]

is it for use or just viewing pleasure.

Re:glass harmonica

[rdewald]

It is a musical instrument. I haven't seen one but I understand they do not resemble what is commonly known as a harmonica, they were invented by Benjamin Franklin, and this place this guy works in Waltham, MA is the only place you can buy one. From my googling it seems that it is a glass armonica (that is, no h) and this guy [glassarmonica.com] is into it. The gentleman I met did bring one of the little quartz cups.

From reading the web page this is indeed the instrument to which he was referring.