Lefse and lutefisk, coffee and aquavit, fjords and long summer days. What’s not to love about Norway? Not much (other than lutefisk), I’m discovering, as I explore my heritage as a Norwegian, once-removed from Lillestrøm, outside Oslo.
I started Outside Oslo in September 2009 as an exploration of my Scandinavian–specifically Norwegian–heritage. With a dad who came to America from Norway as a child and a mother who grew up in a Norwegian family in North Dakota, I’m quite fond of all things Scandinavian, from the food to the language to the design.
The more I explore my Norwegian heritage, the more I appreciate the lifestyle, aesthetic, food, and culture of Norway. Won’t you join me in discovering the culture of this beautiful country, through the eyes of one who lives in the Pacific Northwest?
– Daytona
Outside Oslo 
Your blog is really nice! I am enjoying seeing your recipes and insight into Norway. I’ve been living in Stavanger, on the west coast, and am now in Ballard, Seattle – it’s been interesting making that transition. I can tell you that there is a lot to love about Norway, but it can be a real struggle to get through the winters. Anyway, I’m enjoying reading your experiences!
Hello there!
Just found your blog. Very interesting stuff! I love Norwegian food, it was one of the great surprises for me when I moved here a couple of years ago, all the local specialities I had never heard of. I love trying new stuff, so I’ve definitely come to the right country. I even like lutefisk believe it or not!!!! Well, with enough bacon I do 😉
Anyway, keep up the good work, I’ll certainly try some of the recipes… those lefser do look good!
And check this out… A very funny video on lutefisk. Won’t convince you to eat it, but it sure made me giggle! Best
Marie
http://www.elusivemoose.eu/2009/11/never-tasted-lutefisk-dont-watch-this/
I am Indian. Am I allowed to troll this website for hot Scandinavian chicks?
Beware the blonde conspiracy.
(Your wife’s guest post was great, by the way.)
You are an inspiration!! Keep up your beautiful work!
As a Norwegian; My admire for a great blog – readable, informative and representative for Norway, our culture, traditions and habits.
As a local, it’s great to see my country through you’re eyes!
Keep up the good work 🙂
I was searching “brandy glaze” and your blog came up in Google! I am a first-generation Guatemalan-American, newly married to a first-generation Norwegian-American. Just this summer, we went to visit his folks in Norway. Our “home base” was Asker, from which we went various places including Lillehammer and Oslo. Scandinavian culture couldn’t be more different than Latin-American… and that’s just the way I like it! Vive la difference!
I look forward to exploring your blog. God dag and felicitaciones from Chicago!
Hi, do you have the Nordstrom recipe for coconut macaroons? It uses white chocolate . . . if so, could you e-mail it to me? Thanks!
Hi – love your blog. Spent a lot of time in Scandinavia, so all these posts are bringing back great memories. I also remember eating (and drinking) very well in Oslo, althought not so sure that my wallet would agree (I have vague memories of NOK 500 for a bottle of wine somewhere…(!).
Thanks for the link on your blogroll too!
Keep on cookin’
I found your blog by accident trying to find a recipe similar to my mother’s butter cookies. Similar to you, my fathers family moved to Utah from Norway just a few years before he was born. My mother moved to Utah from Norway when she was 23 then found and married my dad. So, we had a very traditional Norwegian upbringing. In fact, my brother and I spoke Norwegian as our first language but before we started school, we learned English and I lost most of my Norsk. However, the saddest loss was losing our parents, most recently our mother and her recipe book.
My sister-in-law sat down with my mother and wrote down her recipes. So, although the photo with the for criss-cross pattern looks exactly like my mother’s, the recipes are extremely different. The only ingredients in my mom’s cookies are butter, sugar, egg, flour, and corn starch. No salt (butter is salted), no vanilla, no almond flavoring.
I look forward to your posts. Oh – I live on Redmond Ridge. I didn’t realize until just now that you are a Seattleite. Another think in common is I moved into a new townhouse just a month before you moved into your new place.
If you ever want to come by and bake…how about some lompe, let me know 🙂
I love stumbling across other Oslo / Norway blogs when I’m looking for something completely different! Great to find your blog and keep up the great writing 🙂