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Events blog

December Nights in Balboa Park 2019

12/9/2019

 
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DECEMBER NIGHTS
By Riitta Stewart


The weather man promised heavy rains  for the December Nights weekend, but luckily no snow! 

Actually the weekend turned out to be  only slightly wet and no major rains.

House of Finland volunteers started preparing for the festivities already a couple days before the event by cutting, peeling, chopping ingredients for salmon casserole, pea soup, beetroot salad with sour cream, Finnish meatballs with creamy sauce, rice porridge with cinnamon sugar.


We have some real pastry chefs among us. The berry pie, gingerbread cookies, donuts, prune tarts were out of this world!
No wonder so many people stopped by.  Quite a few people commented that they always visit The House of Finland because our food is so GOOD and tasty!   The house itself was decorated in a true Christmas Spirit with elegant Marimekko fabrics and other Finnish design items. 

A special area for selling spirits was available for the thirsty! The Finnish Liquor Tent was beautiful with blue and white ornaments. Some of the drinks were quite unique. I am sure many had not tasted licorice-vodka shots before. The expressions on people's faces changed from grimace into pure delight. Buckthorn shot was a true specialty which many enjoyed. Our Finnish mulled wine is delightful! The combination of red wine and spices is just right.

Santa Claus flew all the way from the Finnish Lapland to Balboa Park and enjoyed the photo shoot with visitors. There was a long queue in front of his tent. Many whispered to Santa Claus their last minute wishes. Hopefully he is able to fulfill them. I heard many wishing for Peace on Earth!  I am sure all of us hope for the same!

DECEMBER NIGHTS
Säätiedotus  lupasi sateita December Nights-viikonloppuun. Onneksi ei sentään lunta! Loppujen lopuksi viikonloppu oli vain hieman sateinen ja ihmisi
ä tuli mukavasti paikalle. 

​Vapaaehtoisten joukko oli aloittanut juhliin valmistautumisen jo muutamaa päivää aikaisemmin. Kuorimme, paloittelimme, kuutioimme ruoka-aineksia rosollia, lohilaatikkoa, hernekeittoa varten. Suomalaiset lihapullat kermakastikkeessa ja riisipuuro kanelisokerin kera olivat myös ruokalistalla. 

Suomalaisten joukossa on todellisia sokerileipureita. Niin hyvi
ä olivat marjapiirakat, joulupiparit ja -tortut, kanelipullat, munkkirinkilät. Ensimmäistä kertaa tarjosimme lakkaunelmaa, josta tuli todellinen suosikki!  Eikä ihme, sillä kuka ei pitäisi kun jogurtti, kermavaahto, piparirouhe ja lakkahillo yhdistetään. Nam!

Monet vierailijamme kertoivat aina tulevansa House of Finland-talolle, koska suomalaiset herkkumme ovat niin maittavia. 

Alkoholipitoisia juomia tarjoiltiin erityisesti alkoholin myyntiin rajatulla alueella. Suomalaisten "viinateltta" oli sinivalkoisen kaunis. Glögi oli yksi suosikeista ja monet tutustuivat ensimm
äistä kertaa salmiakkikossuun. Ilmeet vaihtelivat irvistyksestä leveään hymyyn. Tyrnivodka-paukku oli varmasti uusi tuttavuus monelle. 

Joulupukki on lentänyt Suomen Lapista Korvatunturilta paikalle ja hänen telttansa edessä oli jatkuva jono. Ihmiset halusivat samaan kuvaan hänen kanssaan, kertomaan viimeiset toiveensa. Kuulin monien toivovan Rauhaa maapallolle! Sitä me kaikki varmasti  haluamme.





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The House of Finland (HOF) is a social and non-profit organization. HOF is one of the houses organized under House of Pacific Relations (HPR). HOF promotes and cultivates Finnish culture and traditions. It promotes social activities among its members and provides a meeting possibilities for Finnish people and friends of Finland.

The House of Finland is a Chapter of Finlandia Foundation National.


The House of Finland is part of Finland 100 programme.
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