God Jul

During the holidays it seems that tradition, nostalgia, and ethnic roots shine brighter than at other times of year, and the Scholl family is no exception. On Christmas Eve our house turns into a Scandinavian stuga. We feast on traditional smorgasbord fare, including limpa (brown bread), bundost, geitost (cheeses), Swedish meatballs, rice pudding, cucumber salad, pickled herring, hard tak, fruit soup, and almond pudding for dessert. When I was younger many of the flavors were repulsive to me, but now, after 24 years of smorgasbords, I look forward to the familiar flavors and smells. Every spoonful of rice pudding and forkful of meatball reminds me of Eves at my grandmother's house, conversations with cousins and siblings, and antiqued photographs of our immigrant ancestors. It is our beloved tradition, our favorite food, but most of all--it is our heritage. God jul och gott nytt år!

December 15th, 2010

It's hard to believe that just over a year ago Peyton gave me a letter eloquently describing his feelings for me for the first time...we have come a long way! After 6 months of long distance while he was in Africa and lots of post-college transitions, including a new job, we are so ready to settle down in Little Rock. And, now that we are officially engaged (I'm still in a dream world!), we can actually start making "settling" become a reality! Here's how it all happened...

This past Wednesday I was up at school working on grading finals and wrapping things up, and Peyton stopped by with a letter and one of my favorite drinks from Starbucks. In the letter were instructions for the night to come, including time and dress, and news that we in fact were NOT going to be attending our weekly financial class at church. The minute I read it I had a hunch for what was in store, but I had no clue what we would be doing that night.

All dressed-up, we headed downtown to eat at Ashley's in The Capitol Hotel. Neither of us had ever experienced a restaurant with multiple palette-cleansers and a wine list that spanned 25 pages, and it was so much fun to explore together. I tried foie-gras for the first time (hated it, actually...tasted like gelatinous brown fat), and he tried rabbit for the first time. I felt like an absolute princess!

After 2 and 1/2 hours of ooing and ahhing, we got back into the car and drove to one of our friend's farms just outside of Little Rock. Peyton had had a couple of his friends go ahead of us and start a bonfire, which was huge by the time we drove up! Next to the fire was a hay bale, a big real Christmas tree donned with 8 dozen red and white roses (like ornaments!), and a large gift box underneath. I was so surprised! We sat down by the fire, and when I opened the box I realized that it was a box that held many other smaller boxes...each of which had a letter with a verse and note from Peyton. As I read through the letters I was overwhelmed. The written word has always been the way to my heart, and I could not stop the tears. Then, when I got to the last box, there was a ring box. I realized that the ring box was empty upon opening it, and at that point Peyton took out the real ring box and asked me to marry him. I said yes, of course!

Still in shock!

We got home pretty late, but both sets of parents were still waiting for us with champagne and an engagement gift. And, as we sat around recounting the story I could think of only one word: blessed. I am so thankful for Peyton, and am humbled by both his love for the Lord and his love for me. We can't wait for our future together. Thanks so much for all of your sweet words and congratulations over the past couple of days!

I will always cherish those boxes!

A sweet engagement gift from my mom



"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."

Psalm 34:8

les macarons

When I was in Paris these cute little almond meringe-ish desserts became my very favorite sweet. Laduree, the famous tea room and patisserie on the Champs-Elysees, has the best in the world. I still talk about them a lot, so much so that all of my French students chipped in and ordered some from the macaron patiesserie Paulette in L.A. They all joke about my ridiculous passion, though I know some of the students secretly love them just as much as I do. I attempted making macarons once and decided that it was going to be my very LAST attempt--8 hours in the kitchen with underwhelming results. So, for now I've decided to content myself with searching for new bakeries in the U.S. that churn out the delicate desserts (they are rare) and browsing Etsy's assortment of macaron paintings, soaps, jewelry...you name it. Apparently I am not the only one in the world obsessed with macarons!

Light and crispy on the outside. Moist and rich on the inside. Prime.

Macarons from Laduree in Paris.

Macarons from Sucre in New Orleans.

Macarons from Paulette in Los Angeles...my favorite so far in the U.S.

here we go...

I realized today how much I truly enjoy looking at the blogs of my friends and family.... I love their pictures and anecdotes and likes and advice...and I was inspired to start one of my own. My real goal is to stay connected to those I love who are so far away, but I have a feeling that I may end up loving posting my passions. On y va!