Farvel 2010

That is to say, Goodbye 2010.

A highlight of experiences and accomplishments, both personal and professional, but mostly personal:

1.  Served as editor for Danish author Charlotte Peyk's soon to be released Scandinavian Baking without Eggs (an updated English version of her book Allergibagebog).

2.  Worked as a freelance editor for GridManager, a Danish environmental engineering company.

3.  Firsts in the kitchen:  graham crackers, creme brulee, olive oil cake, crystallized ginger, orange tian, lefse, coconut custard pie, lemon tart, pandkager kage, hindbær snitter, kiksekage, gooseberry clafoutis, strawberry basque cake, æblekage, graham nuts, pistachio fudge, buckwheat fig scones, and knækbrød, among others.

4.  Experienced record snow fall in Denmark and skied the hills next to the fjord in our town.

5.  Read books by Mark Bittman, Molly Wizenberg, Kim Boyce, Jim Harrison, Uwem Akpan, Jeannete Walls, and Anne Lamott, among others.

6.  Enjoyed our second annual Easter ski trip in Norway.

7.  Weaned our 3 year-old son from his pacifier (April) and diapers (August); and transitioned him from day care to pre-school (also August).

8.  Spent many wonderful afternoons over lunch with friends.  As they say in Denmark, tak for sidst!

9.  Trips to Legoland, Berlin, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, France, Italy.

10.  Hiked the French Alps and spent time with friends and family in France.

11.  Spoke at the Hobro Efterskole about life in the U.S.

12.  Toured the Danish islands of Livø and Samsø, and biked to Skagen, the northern most tip of Denmark.

13.  Experienced a truly delightful and memorable visit with family and friends in Oregon.

14.  Shared my love of cooking and baking with my son, who always is an enthusiastic helper.

15.  Spent precious time with my 88 year-old grandmother, with whom I lived every summer during college.

16.  Enjoyed a gorgeous, colorful fall and terrific Halloween party, Danish style.

17.  Attended a Juletamtam (Danish Christmas party) at our son's pre-school where we ate æbleskiver, drank gløgg, and crafted different homemade decorations.  This inspired me to make a tree skirt and several Danish decorations, such as the jul hjerte (Christmas heart) and nissemand (gnome-looking figures).

18.  Hosted girls' night out in the spring and attended an auspicious girls' night in November, which leads me to number 19...

19.  Secured a part-time job as a teacher of English Literature in the International Baccalaureate for Struer Statsgymnasium, scheduled to start February 1.

20.  Took guilty pleasure in Mad Men (seasons 1-4) and Project Runway (season 8) as well as the occasional issue of People sent by my lovely mother.

I hope that 2010 has been a year full of adventure, joy, good health, and peace and wish you all the best in 2011!  One of my goals for 2011 is to laugh more...but more on my goals next time, when we check in with each other in the New Year.