Sievers School of Fiber Arts

Learn, refresh and reflect

Gledelig Jul

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Holiday greetings to you, Scandinavian style! This year we’re sharing some Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Icelandic and Finnish touches, anchored by our Washington Island Stavkirke, modeled after a 12th century stavekirk in Borgund, Norway.

Christmas, Christmas glorious Christmas

Shine over white forests

The crowns of heaven with sparkling lights

Glistening bows in each of gods houses

A hymn sung time and time again

Eternal longing for light and peace…

Shine over white forests

From the Swedish, “Jul, jul, strålande jul“

The idea of building a stavkirke on Washington Island was formulated in the early 1980’s by the pastor and members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. Years of planning, fundraising, obtaining materials and initial work followed and the actual foundation of the Stavkirke was begun in October 1991. Ann’s brother, John Herschberger, was one of the two main carpenters. They were joined by several others, most volunteering their time. There are twelve center staves as well as heavy beamed, ship-like construction throughout the structure. It was dedicated as a house of worship in August 1995 and the tower and dragon heads were added in 1999. The building is open to the public and accessible by a boardwalk or path through the woods.

For a taste from the former Danish Mill, this re-discovered recipe in an old Washington Island Observer reads in part, “This is a family favorite, a recipe passed down from the Petersen side of the family that settled on Washington Island in the late 1800’s. We never remember a Christmas without them. This cookie recipe is so well-used that only the ingredients are listed on our recipe card!”

Thank you Danish Mill family!

Danish Mill Christmas Crisscross Cookies

1 cup butter (softened)

5 Tbsp. white sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350°. Cream together sugar, butter and vanilla. Stir in flour. Form into 1 1/2″ balls and roll in sugar. Use a fork to form a crisscross pattern. In the center, place a small piece of pecan, maraschino cherry or chocolate chip. Bake for about 10 minutes or until just starting to brown around the edge. While still warm, sprinkle colored sugar on top.

In Iceland, Jólabókaflóðið, or “Christmas book flood” is a unique and charming Christmas custom where new books are given and received on Christmas Eve and, by tradition, everyone begins reading the books right away, often while drinking hot chocolate. (We love this!)

If something more than hot chocolate appeals to you, why not try some Finnish Glögi (Mulled Wine)? Most recipes have the same basic ingredients, but with variations on the use of extra wine or red grape juice instead of water, the amount of sugar, using red grape juice only, adding vodka or adding fresh lemon and orange juice. Here’s one to try:

  • 1 1⁄2 cups water
  • 1⁄2 cup sugar
  • 5 whole cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick (3-inch)
  • 1 tsp whole cardamom seed
  • 2 Tbsp. orange peel
  • 750ml fruity red wine (1 bottle)
  • 2 Tbsp. raisins
  • 2 Tbsp. almonds, blanched whole (or slivered)
  1. In a non aluminum mid-size sauce pan, heat water and sugar over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute.
  2. Tie all spices and the peel into a small piece of cheesecloth for easy removal.
  3. Add the spices and peel and wine to the sauce pan and simmer, covered, 5 minutes.
  4. To serve: Evenly divide gogli into each glass. Add a few raisins and almonds in each, or serve separately.

Eternal longing for light and peace…Shine over white forests

Our warmest wishes to you and yours for genuine Scandinavian hygge as well as happiness, good health, love and peace this holiday season and into the new year.

With gratitude for your friendship,

Ann, Butch, Cindra, Carolyn, Barb, Kathleen, Patricia, Kirsten, Ellie, Shawn and Roxanne

Comments

  1. Thank you for your newsletters, stories and memories, recipes and of course beautiful photos all year long… and always, for the connection and friendship. Best wishes to each of you for a lovely holiday season and a very happy new year.

    Mary Dow

  2. I, too, thank you for your newsletters, stories, recipes, and photographs of beautiful Washington Island. I am wishing Sievers a mild winter and a very happy and healthy New Year for all!

    Cheers!
    Eileen Carlton

  3. Thanks for keeping us abreast of the happenings at Sievers and Washington Island. I smile when I see an email from Sievers. You all are such lovely special people. Thank you.

    Best wishes for a Murray Christmas and Happy Healthy New Year.

  4. Thanks so much for your wonderful newsletters with the stories and fond memories of Washington Island. When I need to find that go to place, when I am stress out or cannot sleep, I always think of the Island – mostly the rows of evergreen or future Christmas trees in back of the dorm, I always thought that the trees would move closer in at night, just to give me a hug.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. Love, Linda

    • We love this, Linda! Those evergreens are quite grown up now and all still there where I’m sure they’ll be for many more years. Tree hugs and our hugs are sent to you along with our very best holiday wishes. Love, Carolyn, Ann and Cindra

  7. Reading these posts throughout the year brings a sense of beauty and meaning. I’m grateful for your presence in my story.
    Merry Christmas and A New Year of creation and merriment.

    Mary Ann Clemens

    • Thought you might like the post, Connie! Tusen takk for all you’ve done and continue to do for us and Sievers! Christmas blessings, Carolyn, Ann and Cindra

  10. From Hawaii I send you a Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) and thank you for such a lovely and informatiave newsletter. Remembering the Danish Mill with much aloha and thank you so much for the wonderful cookie recipe. My heart rejoices in seeing that all of you are bringing your Christmas greetings. Thank you for letting me reconnect with the joy and peace that I associate with Sievers at Washington Island.

    With much aloha,

    • We love Christmas greetings from other islands! Thanks for your wonderful, warm words. Our best Christmas and New Year’s wishes to you! Carolyn, Ann and Cindra

  11. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone there at Sievers!! Thank you for your newsletters! It’s like a little slice of Washington Island waiting in my email. Blessings, Love and Joy! Kris Stark

    • We’re wishing you the best this Christmas and New Year’s, Kris! Thanks for your sweet comment about getting a little touch of Washington Island from us. We love sharing! Take care, Carolyn, Ann and Cindra

  12. Thank you for being you ! Your my true Respite for hanging out with like minded friends ! Blessings to you for Sievers

  14. What a beautiful message! (and recipes). I remember when we were in Iceland our guide shared her family traditions of the books ……thank you for reminding me.
    Merry Christmas to all the Sievers family and wishes for good health and a peaceful winter season.

    • Thanks, Peg! We hadn’t heard of the book gifts, but love it so much! Merry Christmas to you and yours and all the best in the New Year. Carolyn, Ann and Cindra