Nine is Fine

Noah wanted Norwegian cake for his birthday.

While browsing through a cultural coloring book, he found a recipe for "bløtkake" and presented me with his request.

This afternoon, I whipped three eggs, added 1 cup of sugar, folded in 1-1/4 cup of flour, poured the batter into a 9x13-inch pan and baked the sponge cake. An hour later, I whipped a quart of cream with a touch of sugar, split the thickness of the cooled cake in half, sprinkled 1 cup of ginger ale on inner side of the two spongy halves, layered sliced strawberries and whipped cream on the bottom, put on the top, spread on the remaining whipped cream and used sliced strawberries plus a few blueberries to form the Norwegian flag.

I then presented Noah with his wish. Dan and Aaron were hunting at Paka's Deer Camp. Tonight Dan returned home for Noah's celebration.

In honor of Noah's flag cake, Dan, Isaac and I joined hands, formed a ring around Noah and marched in a circle around the birthday boy. Meanwhile, I sang the Norwegian Birthday Song: Hurra for Deg - "Skogfjorden" Style.

(Anyone who's worked at Concordia's Norwegian Language Village in Bemidji, MN knows the routine: Adding a "CHING!" at the end of each line, lifting up still-joined hands and reversing the circling march.)

Hurra for deg som fyller ditt år! Ja, deg vil vi gratulere! CHING

Alle i ring omkring deg vi står, og se, nå vil vi marsjere, CHING

bukke, nikke, neie, snu oss omkring, danse så for deg med hopp og sprett og spring,(CHING)

ønske deg av hjertet alle gode ting, og si meg så hva vil du mere. (BOW) Gratulere!

Yes, turning Nine is Fine!

(Click on the pink Nine is Fine for a rendition of Hurra for Deg.)