SPOTS on life’s terms
A Smörgȧsbord
ing of an old tradition with the new, a way of life that I try to keep, cherishing my past with a loving set of parents and the larger y Swedish mother always pre- family that accepted me as a true Swede, pared a large smorgasbord table even though I was adopted, and enjoying the for Christmas Eve, and family and present of being open to new methods from friends would drop in for kippered herring, cooking to technology. kottbullar (Swedish meatballs) rotmos (turWhile I served cucumber salad, eggs, nips and potatoes mashed together) and so cheeses and my guest’s contribution of many other delectables, including glogg (a juicy, oven-roasted Brussels sprouts and my heady Swedish alcoholic beverage) if they housemate’s best-ever scalloped potatoes, I were brave. Forrest Gump proudly recalled missed cooking my mother’s famous ginger his mother’s phrase, “Life is like a box of cookies (pepparkachocolates.” I have kor), buttery spritz decided that life is and moist cakes. I also a smorgasbord. realized how lucky Even though my offerings were I am to have friends On Sunday, December 21, along with who help and local a friend, I spent the not as complete as true smor- stores who can ALday in the kitchen MOST bring back trying to recreate gasbords, the items represented those flavors to me. my mother’s efforts. I also acknowledge Even though my that my life is so many aspects of my life. offerings were not full with communias complete as true ty choirs and othsmorgasbords, the er blessings that I items represented many aspects of my life. mustn’t feel guilty. I do often wish that my First and foremost was the big bowl of Swed- kitchen smelled like hers, of coffee, cookies ish meatballs, a dish I have been cooking and lots of baking! So these last elements on since I was a child. How evocative is the my small table represent my gratitude for smell and succulent the taste, reminding the rich life I lead and have led. What gifts! me always of the times I would stand betws side my mother, helping her roll the small balls of meat and shake the iron skillet so they would turn over by themselves. Even though my mother’s recipe box burned in the fire of my first home as a newly married woman, emulating her zest for cooking and Christmas is always a treat. So kottbullar represents my long life of dear family and friends. My adult attempts to keep good Swedish cooking in my home has included a fish dish I love: gravad lax (gravlax.) This year I cured (with sugar, salt, dill and white peppercorns) a hefty amount of salmon (like lox, only without the smoking.) It’s not the herring of my childhood or the infamous lutefisk, but I am proud of being able to serve and eat such an extravagant dish (and enjoy it later with its mustard-dill-lemon sauce on dark pumpernickel.) Although I miss the limpa bread my mother made, our local JoEllen Collins—a longtime resident of the Wood River Vala teacher, writer, fabric artist, choir member and markets and bakeries can provide yummy ley—is unabashedly proud grandma known as “Bibi Jo.” substitutes. Gravlax represents the blendBY JOELLEN COLLINS
M
Tell our thousands of readers what makes your business unique.
Health& Wellness
The Wood River Valley is an ideal place for us all to enjoy healthy and happy lives. The area is packed with all sorts of opportunities for wellness—from physical activities, health care and nutritous food, to relaxation and rejuvenation.
We’ll highlight those opportunities in a special section on January 21st, 2015 DEADLINE FOR ADS:
January 9th, 2015
sun the weekly
Space is Limited! Contact your sales rep today.
Steve Johnston 309-1088 William Pattnosh 721-0649 brief
Aeronautics Art Contest For Students Students in grades K-12 can express their love for aviation through artwork during the annual aviation art contest sponsored by Idaho’s Division of Aeronautics through Feb. 27. “A love affair with flight usually begins at an early age, and art may be the perfect medium to express that affection,” states a recent news release from Idaho Transportation Department. Submitted art must not exceed legal size (11” x 14”) and must have an aviation theme. There will be three age groups: Kindergarten through fourth grade; fifth grade through eighth grade; and ninth grade through 12th grade. The contest is for two-dimensional color, black-and-white, technical drawings (schematics), or painting (including watercolor, oil and other media.) The student’s name, grade, mailing address, home/cell phone number, school name and address, teacher’s name and contact information, and indication as to whether the entry can be used to promote future contests must be printed on the back of the submission. The first-place prize in each category is a round-trip flight from the student’s hometown to Boise, chaperoned by parents or legal guardian. An award and certificate of achievement will be presented by Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter, and students and parents can tour the Idaho Capitol. Completed art must be received by the Division of Aeronautics no later than Feb. 27, 2015. Art submissions should be sent to: Idaho Division of Aeronautics Aviation Safety and Education, 3483 Rickenbacker Street, Boise, ID 83705. All submitted art will be returned to the student’s mailing address after being displayed at the ITD Division of Aeronautics. Winning entries will be featured in Rudder Flutter, Idaho’s aviation newsletter. Winners will receive a complimentary copy of the newsletter. Announcements also will be sent to local news media. For more information, contact Dan Etter at dan.etter@itd.idaho.gov or 208-334-8777.
Wikimedia Commons photo
T h e W e e k ly S u n •
december 31, 2014
19