You always have A Place at the Table

1. 
If you’re looking for Scandinavian recipes, I’m your woman. My specialty as a food writer is Scandinavian cooking. I was the food editor for The Norwegian American for several years, and I wrote you a cookbook Modern Scandinavian Baking.
   
   
2. Fiction is my literary first love. In 2022 I went back to school to pursue my MFA in creative writing. I’m currently writing you a novel that’s rich with Nordic heart.
   
   
3. As a mom, I put my full-time career on the back burner for a decade to stay home with my children, doing freelance writing and authoring cookbooks from home. While that impacted my professional advancement for 10 years, it was worth it. I’ve been back in arts world for nearly a year and a half and love supporting the marketing and communications efforts of a fantastic theatre company.
   
   
4. People who struggle with mental health have a special place in my heart. I’ve done a lot of intensive work to overcome my own experiences with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and anorexia. I know the pain. I also know the joy and peace that are on the other side of the fiercest storm. I’ll keep telling my story, with hopes to inspire others to keep going and stay.
   
   
5. I wear a lot of hats. I’m a mother, daughter, partner, friend, author, entrepreneur, employee, student… and the list probably goes on. My days are full, but rather than feeling busy, I feel blessed. Nearly two years ago when my life was falling apart, my spiritual director encouraged me with the possibility of there being “another way to be in the world.” It took deconstructing my life and rebuilding it piece by piece to find another way, and now it feels like I have everything I ever wanted. Grateful.

Now it's your turn:

Will you please share something and help me learn more about *you*? Head over to this post and share!

Take care, and I'll be back next week with more.

Much love,

- Daytona

Here's what you'll find inside today's letter:

• A Recipe for a Fika Friday 
• Journal: In Case You Missed It
• and more

A Favorite Fika Friday Recipe

When I launched The Heart & Huset in 2021, Fika Friday was one of the hallmarks of the online membership community. Initially planned as a montly gathering, it became a cherished event for the founding members, and I increased it to weekly. Fika Friday has been a weekly event ever since, with friendships forming between members from around the country. Food is a part of The Heart & Huset too, and back in the day, this Swedish Mazarin Torte with Raspberries was our first "Fika Friday Recipe of the Month."

This version of the classic Swedish Mazarintårta combines a shortbread-style almond crust with a luscious almond filling and a layer of raspberry jam. There's something about the combination of almond, butter, and raspberry that tastes as good as it gets. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

To prepare the crust, cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and beat until light and creamy. Add the flour, salt, and almond meal and mix until stiff. Press the dough into a 10- or 11-inch tart pan with a removable bottom, using your hands to create an even layer across the bottom and up the sides. Spread 1/2 cup of the raspberry jam over the bottom. Set aside while you make the filling.

If you make a recipe from this newsletter, I'd love to see it. Take a photo and post to Facebook and Instagram with @daytonadanielsen!

A Sort of Journal: In Case You Missed It On Social Media or the Blog

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These letters are a gift for you, from my heart. It's my hope that the stories, recipes, resources, and little "gifts" you find within each week will help you to connect more deeply with Scandinavian heritage and culture--as well as with your loved ones.

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