The Lifeys 2013!

Yes friends, it's time once again for that most hallowed and anticipated annual event--the Lifeys!  Where the Daring Duo (C doesn't get to vote yet) gives awards to the best things in the year.  With no further ado...

Best Trip Abroad--bringing C to her ancestral homeland, March/April  (we wanted a picture right at the "Welcome to the US" sign at customs, but apparently that's not allowed).

Best New Danish Destination--Sandbjerg Gods, Sønderborg, Denmark  (seriously, do a Google Image search for this)!
      runners-up-- Vejle, Denmark and Ry, Denmark

Best Meal Out--lunch in Tucson at the Tucson Tamale Company, March
      runner-up-- dinner in London at Nakhon Thai, August

Best New Thing to Cook--Red Lentils and Spinach Masala
       runner-up-- Almond Butter Cups

Best Books--The Help, by Kathryn Stockett; and
       Island Beneath the Sea, by Isabel Allende

Best Accomplishment--tiny C learning to walk!

Best Month--July

Best New Game--Citadels

Happy New Year!

December 24--Advent at ADAFT 2013!

Merry Christmas from Denmark!  The Daring Trio wishes you all a very God Jul!

 

December 23--Advent at ADAFT 2013!

Sure, everyone plans out Christmas dinner in loving detail.  Everyone knows "a turkey and some mistletoe help to make the season bright."  (Not for the turkey, mutters the Scandinavegan darkly).  But how many really consider Christmas breakfast?

Consider it considered, darling readers! 

I love oatmeal, and B often tells me that my morning bowl is an astounding thing to behold.  True, but I'm not going to take pictures of my oatmeal and put them online.  That's going too far, although I am not joking when I tell you there are whole blogs devoted to oatmeal.  But what is does mean is I am eminently qualified to tell you about a certain festive bowl of oatmeal I'm planning. 

Here's the deal--Americans think Christmas is all about cranberries, maybe pumpkin, and fruitcake.  While those things might make good oatmeal, Danes are ahead of the game because their favored Yuletide dessert is rice pudding with stewed cherries and almonds.  Just replace "rice pudding" with "rolled oats" and voila, breakfast is served!  I will admit to wavering--while I've got the oats and cherries ready to go, should I stir in almond butter?  Or sprinkle toasted almonds on top?  Or both?

Eh, it's going to be tasty and festlig either way!

December 20--Advent at ADAFT 2013!

It's another delayed post, I know.  I thought long and hard before writing this, because, sad to say, there is some Grinch-iness to report.

I love the Union Square Christmas decorations in San Francisco.  And there is no better way to admire the lights on the square than by riding the glass elevators at the St Francis Hotel.  A very reliable source has informed me, however, that it is now possible to board the elevator only with a key card--and only one that corresponds to a "special" hotel room.  St. Franciscans, have you lost all your holiday joy?  Generations of Bay Areans are devoted to your elevators. 

Since I can't be there, even on ground level, I've been poking around for more pictures of the tree and decorations.  Enjoy!

December 19--Advent at ADAFT 2013!

This is the last week of classes at the ballet school and there have been many special little festive touches.  Yesterday one of the modern teachers gave Christmas cookies to her students at the end of class.  One of my kids noticed, and, knowing that I'm American, took it upon herself to act as a cultural ambassador, saying,

"Look, E, these are brunkager.  We have them at Christmas."

Couldn't have said it better myself, kiddo.  So, these are brunkager, and yup, Danes eat them at Christmas!

December 18--Advent at ADAFT 2013!

You may recall that we have a tree now.  Well, tiny C is pretty much amazed by this tree--for one thing, it's by far the biggest thing we've ever brought home from the farmers' market.

Even this bunch of kale can't compete.

We don't have any tree decorations, but we did buy a string of lights.  C is awed.  We say, "awwww."

December 15--Advent at ADAFT 2013!

We bought a tree!

December 14--Advent at ADAFT 2013!

Remember last month when we talked about licorice?  I thought I'd seen it all, licorice-wise. 

Well.

Now there is this.

Yup, that's licorice flavored marzipan!  I'm both thrilled and terrified.  I want it, and yet I don't know what to do with it.  Licorice... and marzipan... hmmm....

Fortunately, a while back I bookmarked a little konfekt recipe and I think that with a few tweaks, this stuff might do the trick!

Photo credit: Clemmensen and Brok

It's no peppermint bark, but when in Denmark... right?

December 13--Advent at ADAFT 2013!

The comic artist duo that is Wulffmorgenthaler is super-popular in Denmark--and, I often think, super-funny as well.  Here's an oldie but a goodie.

Sorry about the language, but it's pretty typically Danish too!

December 12--Advent at ADAFT 2013!

For a little while I was feeling guilty about how we didn't post yesterday, and imagining all the sad ADAFT readers wondering what happened to us.  But then I thought, "No, no, it's much more like that time when you forgot to open the little door on your Advent calender, and then the next day you had TWO pieces of chocolate!"

Yeah, just humor me on that one.

Today I was thinking about how often Christmas is associated with sleepy children.

Like the ones with "visions of sugarplums" dancing in their heads.

Then there's Bing Crosby telling us about how he "pictures curly heads; and one by one [he] counts them as they slumber in their beds...." 

And what about how "tiny tots, with their eyes all aglow, will find it hard to sleep tonight?"  That's more in line with our experience.

But even if our tiny one is not so sleepy, I've still got a soft spot for this Christmas song by Roger Whittaker.  

Tiny Angels

December 9--Advent at ADAFT 2013!

I know you're all waiting for a cookie recipe, but I'm worried this year's Advent calender hasn't been Danish enough.  That's why today I'm bringing you a "cake" recipe--that's Danish style apple cake, which is kind of like a crisp or crumble.  I got this recipe from Danish E who credits the Danish Heart Association with this tasty vegan concoction.

I've adapted lightly and changed the units for my American readers.

Photo credit to Hjerteforeningen

Danish "Crumblecake" with Apples, Pears, and Cranberries

2 apples

2 pears

 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries

3 T granulated sugar

50 grams marzipan (I know, but usually you buy this in grams anyway).

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

3 T coconut oil

pinch salt

Combine the sugar and cranberries in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.  Remove from heat.  Mash the berries a little bit.  Peel the apples and pears and chop them into small pieces; then stir them into the berries.

Chop the marzipan finely.  In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, coconut oil, salt, and chopped marzipan.  Scrunch it around with your fingers until it's all crumbly.

Pour the fruit mixture into a shallow tart pan (or several small ramekins), adding a splash of apple juice if it seems too dry.  Top with the crumble mixture.  Bake at 390 F for about 25 minutes.  Let cool before serving.

December 7--Advent at ADAFT 2013!

It's December; it's cold-- you're hungry and you need to get warm.  And yeah, Christmas means cookies, but you have to eat something else first.  (Do I sound like a mom or what?)

Well, the Daring Duo has the solution.  (It really is only the Duo because while C is an adventurous eater who loves spicy food, this one's just a little too hot for her.  So be forewarned). This is one of the greatest things I made and ate this year.  It's in the running for a Lifey.  Plus, it's red and green--automatically festive!  Thanks, Naturally Ella!

Red Lentils and Spinach in Masala Sauce

Photo credit--Erin Alderson of Naturally Ella

 

December 6--Advent at ADAFT 2013!

B's been away in Leipzig all week, but he's coming home today!  He says the Germans are pretty serious about Christmas, and that even the Leipzig train station is festive!

I can't take credit for these photos, but enjoy the holiday decorations from the south!

December 5--Advent at ADAFT 2013!

One of our favorite songs to sing together is "Leatherwing Bat," which B and I both recall fondly from the "Peter, Paul and Mommy" album.  There's some great stuff on that album, but this track just isn't as well-known. Here's a sweet claymation video, set to Noel Paul Stookey's song "Christmas Dinner."

December 4--Advent at ADAFT 2013!

Today your peacenik hosts bring you a lovely Christmas carol sung by Simon and Garfunkel.  No, it's not the famous recording of "Silent Night" with the 7 o'clock news.  It's the "Star Carol," and I think it's S and G at their best-- utterly pure, clear, and sweet. 

Simon and Garfunkel singing "Star Carol"