Living a Nordic Life

Welcome to Living A Nordic Life, helping you live a Nordic Life, wherever you are.

From my home in southern Norway I'd love to share my Nordic lifestyle, cooking and surroundings with you, and show you how I have discovered that you don't need to live in Norway to enjoy and embrace a Nordic lifestyle and way of living.

What is Kristi Himmelfartsdag?

I don't usually like writing about religious and holy days but in Norway they are entrenched into normal day to day living. It's got...

Fiona McKinna

May 252 min read

14 April is Sommerdag on the Nordic Primstav

The 14th April is a significant day on the Nordic runic calendar. It's the time to turn to the summer months and look forward to warm days

Fiona McKinna

Apr 132 min read

The Quirky Traditions of Scandinavian Fastelavn: What You Didn't Know

Fastelavn is a joyful and fun celebration throughout the whole of Scandinavia. It's a time to embrace joy before the start of Lent

Fiona McKinna

Feb 175 min read

Blåsmesse, a very strange day that marks windy weather

One thing I learnt when I first moved to Norway was that people here rally like to celebrate any special day that comes along. This has...

Fiona McKinna

Feb 32 min read

Pålsmesse, a Special Day on the Runic Calendar

The Nordic primstav or calendar stick is a special part of Norwegian culture with important days still marked today

Fiona McKinna

Jan 263 min read

Dinesmesse & a Recipe for Karrisild (Curried Herring)

Dinesmesse is not only St Denis' day but also the time when the herring is at it's fattest. I am sharing a delicious and unusual recipe

Fiona McKinna

Oct 9, 20213 min read

Britemesse or Kåldagen & a Traditional Recipe

Britemesse is the day on the ancient primstav to commemorate St Birgitte. But it is also a known as Kåldagen (Cabbage Day) for good reason

Fiona McKinna

Oct 7, 20213 min read

Bringebærdessert (Raspberry Dessert) to Celebrate Olsok

29 July is a day when we commemorate the Viking King Olaf the Holy. To celebrate I have a light and delicious raspberry dessert to share

Fiona McKinna

Jul 29, 20213 min read

Gauksmesse and a Meal of Nordic Simplicity

Gauksmesse is a day that is celebrated on 1 May in Norway and is still a public holiday even now. The celebration dates back to pagan times

Fiona McKinna

May 1, 20212 min read

Sommerdag and a Recipe for Fløyelsgrøt

Sommerdag, or Summers Day on 14 April, is considered to be the first day of the start of the Nordic summer half of the year and is a...

Fiona McKinna

Apr 14, 20213 min read

Marimesse om Våren, and a Recipe for Rullekake

Marimesse om våren (Mary's Message Day or Spring Mass, also known as the Annunciation) is a holy day on the primstav commemorating the...

Fiona McKinna

Mar 25, 20213 min read

Gregorsmesse, The Primstav Day When We Look for Spring

Gregorsmesse is named for Gregor the Great

Fiona McKinna

Mar 12, 20211 min read

Blåsmesse on the Primstav

Blåsmesse is a special day on the Nordic Primstav that falls on 3 February

Fiona McKinna

Feb 3, 20212 min read

Rømmegrøt and Tjuendedagen on the Primstav

Rømmegrøt is a delicous sour cream porridge that is very typical of Norwegian cuisine. It is usually served with cured meats.

Fiona McKinna

Jan 13, 20213 min read

Midtvinter, Midwinters Day

Midwinters Day on the primstav is marked by the symbol of the bear. You must be cautious not to wake it!!

Fiona McKinna

Jan 12, 20211 min read

Bløtkake, Norway's Celebration Cake, For Brettemesse

Bløtkake is a light sponge cake filled with cream and berries that is seen on almost every Norwegian dessert table at celebrations

Fiona McKinna

Jan 11, 20213 min read

Lågen Valley Bread for Eldbjørgdagen

Lågen Valley bread is a hearty and rich loaf from the Lågen Valley in Vestfold, Norway. It's perfect for cold days. Here is the recipe

Fiona McKinna

Jan 7, 20213 min read

The Primstav and a recipe for Riskrem

Riskrem is a comforting and easy Nordic recipe that is perfect hot or cold.

Fiona McKinna

Jan 2, 20213 min read

Living a Nordic Life

What is Kristi Himmelfartsdag?

14 April is Sommerdag on the Nordic Primstav

The Quirky Traditions of Scandinavian Fastelavn: What You Didn't Know

Blåsmesse, a very strange day that marks windy weather

Pålsmesse, a Special Day on the Runic Calendar

Dinesmesse & a Recipe for Karrisild (Curried Herring)

Britemesse or Kåldagen & a Traditional Recipe

Bringebærdessert (Raspberry Dessert) to Celebrate Olsok

Gauksmesse and a Meal of Nordic Simplicity

Sommerdag and a Recipe for Fløyelsgrøt

Marimesse om Våren, and a Recipe for Rullekake

Gregorsmesse, The Primstav Day When We Look for Spring

Blåsmesse on the Primstav

Rømmegrøt and Tjuendedagen on the Primstav

Midtvinter, Midwinters Day

Bløtkake, Norway's Celebration Cake, For Brettemesse

Lågen Valley Bread for Eldbjørgdagen

The Primstav and a recipe for Riskrem

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