As soon as i walked in the scent of vanilla and cardamom warmed my soul and cold toes. It was the soft opening of Saga Cafe at The Danish Canadian Museum yesterday, the room was filled with volunteers to sample the good from the menu, conversations about the meal or family life and national pride. Perhaps it was their pride of continuing to bring people together and keep traditions going for future generations. Whatever it was, it was beautiful.
The 'sampling' was an absolute FEAST. The freshest ingredients were on each bite size sandwich, rhubarb mimosas samplers for the Mother's Day Brunch, the flakiest butter cardamom, vanilla cookies, and Danish coffee filled my growling stomach. But it was the staff and Susan's lead that brought it all together.
Everything was homemade and the views were dream like. I know i will be back when the flowers pop up and the sun is out. In the meantime, take a quick mini-road trip to the Danish Canadian Museum. It will transport you to a place of tranquillity, stone bridges, wooden boat houses and an incredible meal.
Thank you to Susan for the invitation and to all that welcomed an unknown guest.
When asking about the sweet little homestead cabin and believing it was a mock up of a traditional home, I was corrected. It is important to know that "The cabins are not mock, and the one is actually a house. The cabin was built and lived in by a family, and several relatives of theirs, over several years in Dickson. The house is a CPR house, which is original, and moved from its original location near Standard. Some of the furnishings of each may not be completely historical, however, the majority of the items, and the layout of these buildings is true to life."
As i sit here with my coffee, I am reminded by a card from Don Miguel Ruiz - The Four Agreements: "Say only what you mean, avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love." Love and Light is found everywhere, if you look for it. ~xo
The Danish Canadian Museum is open 10am-5pm 7 days a week, until October.
Location: Range Road 31 Red Deer County. Just 700 meters south once you are at the Dickson four way stop sign. I found it by using Google Maps but be sure it is just off the sweet little town of Dickson, Alberta.
"Have you ever seen a Viking? You can at the Danish Canadian Museum’s annual Viking Days! Also Featuring a performance by Denmark’s very own Ollerup Elite Gymnastics team! This is our biggest event of the year, typically attracting over 700 visitors who are interested in Viking lore. Through the cooperation of Viking re-enactment groups from Calgary and Edmonton, visitors can tour the Viking encampment, showing living accommodations, cooking methods and crafts. You will also see Viking warriors demonstrate the use of swords, shields, axes and archery. A favorite for everyone is the battle with the Vikings, where children are given “swords” to fight it out with the mighty, fearsome Vikings. This is family-oriented event, with face-painting, Viking costume dress-ups, and telling of Hans Christian Andersen stories. Vendors set up tables around the site to sell their crafts and articles with a Scandinavian flavour. Visitors can enjoy lunch at the Saga Café [reservation required], or have a Danish hot dog, Danish desserts, old time soft drinks or other confections outside."
Vanilla Cardamom Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, cardamom, salt and nutmeg; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into a ball, then flatten into a disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Repeat.
Bake at 325° for 12-15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. The cookies will continue to cook for a bit so do take them out once they begin to brown. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
In a small bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar and milk. Pipe over cookies and sprinkle with coarse sugar and/or glitter. Let dry completely.
Yield: about 5 dozen.