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As a student majoring in Nordic Studies at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, one of the “requirements” was to spend a semester in Norway. I have ‘requirements’ in quotes, because it was more of a golden opportunity, as I had longed for a Norwegian experience for as long as I could remember.

According to godt.no, sveler were first made on board the ferry company Fjord1's routes in Møre and Romsdal in 1971. Originally, the sweet griddle cakes were made on a voluntary basis by the employees, but over the years the tradition developed into an expected service offered to the passengers. Sveler became associated with ferry rides so much, they are also referred to as fergesveler, ferry pancakes. 

Breakfast is considered an important meal of the day in Norway. A 70% majority eat a daily breakfast, and only 5% of the population report that they never eat a morning meal. According to godt.no, Norwegians eat the following foods for breakfast at least once a week:

In the Sept/October issue of Viking magazine, Emma Enebak covers the Whimsical World of Norwegian Folklore, and some of the fairy tales collected by Asbjørnsen og Moe.

There is peace in a dog yard. It’s paradoxical, but it is there. You feel it while chopping raw meat, the rickety table covered in ice and deep gouges from persistent swings of cleavers and axes.

Not really a cheese, and looks and tastes a bit like a caramel. What exactly is gjetost? It’s just delicious.

The July/August issue of Viking featured an image of an intriguing unnamed carving in the article “Tales from the Orkney Islands.” The ornate piece is not made of wood, but is a Viking whalebone plaque discovered in a late 9th- or early 10th-century burial in Scar, on the island of Sanday, Orkney.

The Norwegian language has a tendency to sprinkle word pairings throughout conversation and writing, like bits of linguistic spice. These phrases are fun to say and add a poetic flavor, since they often appear in rhyming and or alliterative pairs.

Kleppmelk (dumpling milk) is a creamy soup commonly eaten in Northern Norway, Trøndelag and Møre og Romsdal. It consists of thick dumpling dough formed into balls, simmered in milk and topped with cinnamon and sugar. Despite its light sweetness, this is no dessert, but is considered a main dish.

Kleppmelk (dumpling soup) is a creamy soup commonly eaten in Northern Norway, Trøndelag, Vestland, and Møre og Romsdal, with each region having a slightly different recipe.

The 2023 edition of the Arctic Race of Norway took place August 17-20. While this race always twists across Norway’s Arctic terrain, the course varies from year to year.

It seems almost daily there are reports of exciting new discoveries from Norway’s landscape. Let’s dive into two recent news stories!

Try this delicious recipe to clean up your fridge. It is a great use for leftover potatoes and is also tasty adding in leftover meat.

In the past few years, fertility rates in Norway have been fluctuating. Prior to present day, 2020 marked the lowest registered rate at 1.48 children per woman. A proposed explanation for this decrease was that more women in Norway were postponing their first birth.

2023 has a been a special year for Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 2nd in line to the Norwegian throne. While finishing her final year of high school, Ingrid Alexandra already had an office in the Royal Palace.

When my great-grandmother and seterjente Anne Berta Pedersdatter left behind family and home in Norway, her last residence was Helsæt gard in Sunnylven kommune. The site of that same farm was recently the landing pad of the latest stunt in Tom Cruise’s movie Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1.

Strawberries are a staple ingredient in many Norwegian summer desserts. Try this delicious recipe for something light, refreshing, and sweet!

Norway is a wonderful place to take a family vacation as it is safe, welcoming, and full of activities for all ages. Not to mention, its beautiful scenery lends itself to a plethora of outdoor family adventures

Since 1973, Norges Bedriftsidrettsforbund (the Norwegian Business Sports Association) has encouraged citizens to commute by bicycle and choose green trips when running errands. As a result of this initiative, over a million Norwegians have taken part in their bike to work program

Norway is adding yet another architectural attraction to its landscape with the opening of its new whale-watching museum in the Arctic circle.

Rhubarb comes up early in spring and makes for a delicious variety of bakes, especially for Midtsommer. This zippy fruity cake is baked in a long pan, so there’s plenty to share at your summer grill party. Makes 20 portions.

Thank you to all who submitted entries to our Syttende Mai Coloring Contest! Artists from age 2 to 90 participated, filling the festive drawing with vibrant color.

Sons of Norway’s new Bunad Map of Norway is a tribute to the largely unsung bunad makers, who brought forth the traditions that are so revered today. Click on each costume to learn a bit about the bunads of Norway!

Bunads are garments worn for Norwegian celebrations and holidays such as weddings, baptisms, graduation, confirmation and May 17th, Constitution Day.