Semla Day

Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday is a day in February known in Sweden as “Semmeldagen” (the day of the Semla). This is the national day of Sweden’s most beloved pastry, the semla. The semla (semlor, plural) is a small, wheat flour bun, flavored with cardamom and filled with almond paste and whipped cream. The holiday… More Semla Day

Legend of the Nisse and Tomte

A nisse (usually Norwegian) and a tomte (usually Swedish) are similar characters. They are both solitary, mischievous domestic sprites responsible for the protection and welfare of the farmstead and its buildings. Tomte literally means “homestead man” and is derived from the word tomt which means homestead or building lot. Nisse is derived from the name… More Legend of the Nisse and Tomte