Hurra! May 17th, The National Day of Norway

Hand crafted silver brooch.

Cufflinks to fasten the linen blouse.

Wool embroideries.

Gratulerer med dagen:-)

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Congratulations:-)

Custom-built details of the my national costume - the Nordlandsbunad. It represents the northern part of Norway, and the blue base indicates it is from a city by the sea. The countryside one has green base color.

Fiskesuppe med Fløtepudding - Classic Cream of Fish Soup with sliced Fish Pudding

Min fiskesuppe til hverdag er mild på smak, og lukter råkost. Enten lager jeg hjemmelaget base til suppen selv av béchamel saus ( melk, mel og smør) blandet med buljong, eller så bruker jeg pose med ferdiglaget halvfabrikert fiskesuppe fra leverandør. Det som er viktig, hvis det er ferdigkjøpt suppebase, er at det brukes vesentlig mindre vann enn fortalt fra leverandør. For å gjøre suppen ekstra fristende for ungene er det lurt å tilsette revne rå gulrøtter, samt en boks mais m/kraft (Dette regnes inn i væskemengden)! Det enkle er ofte det beste, så i dag trenger du ikke fange fisken til suppen selv. Ha i biter av ferdig kjøpt fiskepudding. Vips, mettende middag på en, to tre. Servéres med hjembakt brød eller flatbrød.

Ingredienser:

4 pers.

Pose med Fiskesuppe med mye mindre væske enn forklart fra leverandør.

4 små rå gulrøtter - rives

1 boks maiskorn m/kraften

Litt purre eller vårløk

1 Fiskepudding i biter. (eller, bytt fiskepudding med ca 300 gr. fersk fisk i store biter)

Citron er bestevenn med fisk, så press gjerne litt frisk sitronjuice i. Frisk dill er pynt, lukter og smaker godt. Tilslutt en spiseskje rømme.

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Norway´s number one holiday cake is called "Bløtkake". "Bløtkake" is basically a layered cake with whipped cream and fruit or berry puree. And, beside oil Norway is known for it´s production of fish. Naturally, there are many fish dishes to choose among. A particular one that is used, both to trick somebody as entertainment, or as a healthy choice of fast food is a winter white cake made of fish and cream (photo) called "Fiskepudding". It is made of minced fresh fish blended with spices and cream. Lovely. Bescause of it´s design similar to "Bløtkake" people use "Fiskepudding" to perform a joke. They decorate the fish pudding like a festive "Bløtkake" with whipped cream etc., and make people believe it is the sweet version; "Bløtkake". Amusing.

"Fiskepudding" or Fish Pudding is the main ingredient in my fish casserole. Earlier this week I said home baked bread is the best way to start a soup dish. Hope yours is done? Here is the recipe for a very quick, easy, peasy and very tasty fish soup:

Ingredients:

(Makes 4 servings)

Buy one ready to mix package of fish soup from the store. Use less water/liquid than the supplier suggest.

2 shredded carrots. (normal size).

1 can with sweet corn. (Add the juice too)

Sliced spring onions

1 Fish Pudding cut in slices. (Or fresh fish of the day from the market)

Lemon and fishes are best friends. Add some fresh lemon juice. Decorate with fresh chopped dill. Finally, one tablespoon of sour cream.

This is not the recipe to present at "Grüne Woche" in Berlin, or Bocouse d´Or in France, but it is a nice choice of fast food.

Enjoy!

Knuste Pepperkaker og God Gammeldags "Trollkrem"- Gingerbread Biscuits/Cookies and Fresh Cranberries

Cranberries; small sour red berries that grows on a small bush in Northern Europe and Northern America!

Pepperkaker til overs etter jul? Med pepperkaker i smuler, fløte og tyttebær kan du lage en enkel, men kjempe god søndagsdessert.

Slik gjør du:
Knus pepperkakene, og fordel i porsjonsskåler. (For ekstra smak, smelt litt smør og bland sammen med pepperkakesmulene.)

Tyttebærkrem:

Ingredienser:
ca. 4 porsjoner
4 dl. fløte
ca. 400 gram rørte tyttebær (lingon)
4 ss melis
1/2 ts vaniljesukker
Behold noen tyttebær til pynt. Visp fløten stiv, og ha i tyttebærene.
Legges lagvis i porsjonsskåler med pepperkakesmuler.
Serves iskald.

eller,

GAMMELDAGS "TROLLKREM":
Dette er barndomsminner, og gammel norsk mattradisjon fra naturens eget kjøkken. Håndplukkede tyttebær! Kjempe godt!
Ingredienser :
1/4 liter tyttebær
1 1/4 dl sukker
litt (1/2 ts) vaniljesukker
1 stk eggehvite
Bland alt sammen, og visp med mikser til alt sukkeret er oppløst. Kremen skal være som skum. Serveres nylaget med knuste pepperkaker og vaniljesaus.

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Crumbs of Gingerbread Cookies?

Do you have leftover Gingerbread Cookies after christmas celebration?

With Whipped Cream and Cranberries, you can create a simple, but very tasty Sunday Dessert.

Here´s how:

Make crumbs of ginger biscuits and place in serving bowls. (For extra flavor, melt some butter and mix with cookie crumbs.)

Tyttebærkrem - Whipped cream with Cranberries:

(4 servings)
4 decilitre whipping cream
ca. 400 grams fresh sweetened cranberries(lingon)
4 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoons powdered vanilla sugar, or Vanilla extract
Save a few berries for decoration. Whip cream until done, and add the cranberries.
Serve layered in small serving bowls together with crumbs of gingerbread cookies. Serve cold from the refrigerator.

or,

Norwegian dessert of past times; "TROLLKREM":

("Trollkrem" is Norwegian and means a dessert made of whipped cream and,fresh from the forest, hand-picked cranberries, which reflects the creature and being of the Norwegian forest Troll. Troll = certain beings in Scandinavian mythology and litterature, dwelling in the interior of hills and mounds. - Webster -)

"Trollkrem" is childhood memories. An old traditional Norwegian dish from nature's own kitchen. Hand-picked cranberries! Tasty!
Ingredients:
Serves 6.
5 decilitre fresh Cranberries
150 grams sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla sugar or vanilla extract.
2 egg whites
Blend all ingredients and beat with mixer until the cream is like powder.
Serve with gingerbread cookies and vanilla custard.

Skigenser for barn fra 60-tallet - Nordic ski sweater for kids

Bildene er hentet fra Den Store Håndarbeidsboken fra 1964. Tror det er Setesdalsmønsteret.

A nice hand - knitted Nordic sweater of the 60´s. Inspired by the old traditional Norwegian pattern called Setesdal.

Skigenser fra 60-tallet - Wool Sweater from the 60´s

Do you plan to go skiing? The photo from 1964 may inspire you to start knitting your own sweater?

(Bildet er hentet fra Den Store Håndarbeidsboken fra 1964)

Toothpick = Knitting Needle

Et par Selbu-votter i ministørrelse fra Stavanger Husflid. Kun 47 mm lange, men med tommel og "selbumønster" på plass!

Miniature Selbu - mittens.

Håndplagg til Bunad - Pulsvante til Festdräkt - Fingerless Gloves with embroidery -Handschuhe zum Feiern Kostüm

Broderi etter Lølandmønster - Rogalandsbunad Husfliden

Broderi etter mønster fra forkle til Vestfoldbunad.

These Fingerless Gloves are perfect to match my national costume at the 17th of May when waving my flag, or to use just about anywhere when it´s a bit too cold to work without something covering your hands. The yarn brand is Norwegian Rauma yarn. 100% wool, and can only be purchased at certified dealers. The color off-white is perfect to match anything. After reading the direction, I decided the easiest way to really learn this would be to translate it to English. It forced me to think through every stitch and row. I´ve designet the gusset so there is one seeming stitch involved. I prefer to knit the first stitch on every row of the thumb in purl (P). Also, I´ve tried to give instruction so that there is absolutely no holes to speak of when adding stitches. This is the first knitting pattern to translate from Norwegian to English and I´m sure there are a few mistakes, please do not hesitate to drop a comment. I then will be able to correct the mistake, and prevent others from making the same. Thanks, and good luck!

KNITTING INSTRUCTION - NORWEGIAN FINGERLESS GLOVES (First photo from the top - 1st place in a local knitting competition issued by The Norwegian Association of Arts & Crafts ):

Materials: 100% wool, Rauma Yarn, Off-White, 2 treads, 50 gram

1 set double-point needles size 2,5 mm, and 1 set double-point needles size 2 mm.

Stitch holder or waste yarn

Small tapestry needle to weave in ends.

Stitch explanation:

p = purl

k = knit

psso = pass stitch slip on to next needle, or slip 1 stitch as if to knit

K2 tog = knit 2 stitches together

1YO = cast yarn between two stitches.

Start as follows: On double pointed needles cast on 66 stitches. Place loops on 4 separate needles size 2.5 mm.

Work in the round as follows:

Row 1 : P1, K 10 - Repeat to the end.

Row 2 : P1, K2 tog, K2, 1YO (cast yarn between to stitches), K2, 1YO, K2, 1psso (slip 1 stitch as if to knit), K1 and slip the psso over the last K1. Repeat this pattern in the round.

Continue row 1 and row 2 until piece measures 7 cm.

On last row bind off as follows to 54 sts: Knit row 2, but do not 1YO (cast), and the row will adjust to 54 sts.

Knit one round. Change to double pointed needles size no. 2 mm.

Start thumb gusset:

K1, add a sts. (Without getting a hole just knit into the loop made by the stitch under the next stitch and then knit the next stitch on the left needle).

K3, add sts.

Repeat this round on every fourth (4) row until 15 sts are added.

(Tips: You may place a marker before and after the K3 in the middle).

Place the 15 sts for thumb gusset onto waste yarn, or stitch holder. Replace the ten (10) slipped stitches from right needle back to left needle. The round now has 61 stitches.

Continue knitting round until you have reached a comfortable lenght (5 cm) after the thumb. P last row and bind off all stitches.

For thumb:

Pick up stitches from waste yarn and using working yarn pick up two stitches from the sides. 22 stitches. K in the round until the thumb measure 2 cm. P last row, and bind off.

If you have trouble understand my directions you may try:

http://www.knittinghelp.com

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And the winner is..Marie Østråt Søndervik. Konkurransen "Håndplagg til Bunad" Husflidslaget hadde før jul i fjor.

Oppskrift Pulsvante med broderi av Marie Østråt Søndervik.
Vinner av Rogaland Husflidslags håndplagg-konkurranse i 2010, i kategorien stas-håndplagg.

Garn: Rauma Gammelserie, 50 g naturhvitt nr. 401.
Pinner nr. 2, 5 (mansjett), 2

Legg opp 66 m og strikk 1 omg. vr.
Strikk bølgemønster ca. 6 cm, eller til ønsket lengde.

Bølgemønster:
1. omg.: 1vr, 10 r, gjenta ut omg.
2. omg.: 1 vr, 2 r sammen, 2 r, 1 kast, 2 r, 1 kast, 2 r, ta 1 m løst av 1 r, trekk den løse over. Gjenta ut omg.
Gjenta omg. 1 og 2. På siste omg. sløyfes kastene, det blir nå 54 m rundt.
Strikk 1 omg. (Bytt til pinner nr. 2)

Begynn økning til tommel:
Strikk 1 m, ta opp 1 m, strikk 3 m, ta opp 1 m.
Øk på hver 4. omg. til det er 15 m (medregnet de 3 i midten). Sett maskene på en tråd. Legg opp nye 10 m, 61 m på omgangen.
Strikk til passe lengde på pulsvanten, ca. 5 cm etter tommelen. Den siste omg. strikkes vr, før en feller av.

Tommelen strikkes ca 2 cm før den siste omg. strikkes vr. og felles av.

Broderiet er fra broderiet på Husflidens bunad, og sydd med garnet som hører til. Mønsteret kan overføres ved å tegne det på matpapir, og så trokle etter tegningen, plukke vekk papiret og så brodere etter tråklingen. Eller en kan tegne det direkte på med tusj eller blyant.

Lykke til!!

Norsk skigenser - Nordic Sweater - 100% wool

Lenght: 66 cm, wide: 57 cm, Arm: 53 cm

Nordic sweaters have an interesting history. Originally, Nordic sweaters only came in black or white. These were the natural colors of sheep´s wool. Soon sweaters became high fashion, and people began combining other colors. Next knitters began experimenting with patterns, but usually on the very top of the sweaters because Nordic people tucked their sweaters down into baggy pants. Later, more intricate patterns emerged as people decided to combine function with fashion and wear their Nordic sweaters to events such as church.