Lefse!

Lefse: (sometimes spelled lefsa) is a traditional soft Norwegian flatbread made out of potato, milk or cream and flour, and cooked on a griddle. Special tools are available for lefse baking, including long wooden turning sticks and special rolling pins with deep grooves. There are significant regional variations in the way lefse is made and eaten, but it generally resembles a flatbread, although in many parts of Norway, especially Valdres, it is far thinner.

This Norwegian delicacy was a Christmas tradition in both mine and Mark's households when we were growing up, as we both come from strong Scandinavian backgrounds. Well, Mark has been in a near panic for the past several years, because he's afraid the tradition is going to pass away with our grandmothers. My 100% Norwegian grandma is already gone, so sadly I can no longer learn from her - but thankfully the Roisum lefse tradition has been passed to Mark's aunt and uncle, so after several years of discussing it, we finally had a lefse-making lesson from them early on Thanksgiving morning. It was so much fun!! We now feel prepared to take on this massive project ourselves in future years. Funny how when you get older, these little traditions you used to take for granted become really important.

Here's Mark, learning how to roll it out . . .

And Uncle Marty, flipping it on the iron . . . .
My extremely focused and driven husband even developed a rolling "stance" . . .
Mark with his aunt and uncle (the experts) -

Nancy, are you proud?? :)

We had a great time and a really nice Thanksgiving. Lots of time relaxing, reading and doing a little Christmas shopping. Tomorrow we head home. And get this - the boys start PIANO lessons on Monday! They are really excited. The ultimate goal is eventually guitar lessons, but we have to start with piano first. Should be interesting.

Here's a rare picture we got of Mark's family. I think we've all been in the same picture maybe once?