Fresh Air

An Unwelcome Summer Visitor >

Lake Country Journal — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:39:18 -0400

July and August are peak months for Lyme disease. Read more. By Kayleen Larson

Mail Call! >

Tenlee — Sat, 5 Jul 2008 12:39:56 -0400

"Arts in the Park" takes on a new meaning! Read more.

Itasca State Park >

Tenlee — Tue, 3 Jun 2008 21:22:06 -0400

Come see where the Mighty Mississippi gets its start! Read more.

Let it Shine: LCJM’s Annual Photo Contest >

Lake Country Journal — Wed, 2 Jan 2008 14:53:53 -0500

by Kayleen Larson Photography is part technique, part soul work. You follow the light and your heart. As always, there was plenty of heart and soul in the photos that flooded our offices for the 11th annual Lake Country Journal Magazine photo contest.»

Just How Long is a Scandinavian Christmas!? >

Lake Country Journal — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:15:40 -0500

by Cathie Mayr The first Christmas after marrying into my Scandinavian family, my German husband observed with an incredulous tone: "Your family Christmas goes on for weeks!"

Scandinavian Christmas Food (the main thing!)

Lake Country Journal — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:01:35 -0500

by Cathie Mayr For Scandinavians of the past, one of the delights of Christmas was its seemingly endless variety of special pastries.

Santa’s Not The Only One With Elves >

Lake Country Journal — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:49:25 -0500

by Cathie Mayr According to long-standing Scandinavian beliefs, a farm’s prosperity derived from the hard work of elves. In Sweden they are called Tomte (tomp-tah) and in Norway Nisse (nee-sah or niss-ah).

Lefse and Lutefisk . . . Scandinavian Comfort Food >

Lake Country Journal — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:50:53 -0500

by Cathie Mayr Lutefisk church suppers are common in Lake Country and are amazingly well attended.

Proper Preparation for a Scandinavian Christmas >

Lake Country Journal — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:42:47 -0500

by Cathie Mayr Christmas preparations on Scandinavia's self-sustaining farms included one of the most important and difficult tasks:

How Do You Know A Scandinavian Christmas When You See One? >

Lake Country Journal — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:08:19 -0500

by Cathie Mayr Editor's note: Sure you know your lefse from your lutefisk, but do you know your smultringer from your sirupssnipper or your Nisse from your Tomte? Cathie Mayr, owner of Nordic Living, knows and for six days, starting today, she'll gift us with some interesting and fun (yes, Scandinavians can have fun) tidbits about these Old Country traditions and more. So visit our website daily from now until Christmas. Your inner Viking will thank you.