Happy Valentine's Day!

Jeff and I are going to check out a hip Norwegian bar in Ballard tonight for our Valentine’s Day date. It is called The Copper Gate and it has a viking ship bar. Don’t worry – I’ll let you all know how it was on Saturday as we celebrate the 30^th Birthday of one of the most special traditions in the Skagit Valley, the Vasa Lodge Swedish Pancake Breakfast. Here is a short story about our beloved pancakes from the Skagit Valley Herald this week:

Vasa Marks Pancake Breakfast Anniversary

Strawberries. Maple syrup. Swedish pancakes. Yum!

Members of the Vasa Order of America Solidaritet Lodge 396 in Mount Vernon serve up the traditional Swedish delicacy about eight times a year. This month marks the 30th anniversary of the local Swedish-American fraternal organization’s successful effort to maintain a community connection through delicious food and raise funds for its programs at the same time.

Lodge member Kris Allen of Mount Vernon said they start preparations on Friday — filling syrup bottles, thickening strawberries, preparing tables and silverware — in advance of cooking and serving the delicate pancakes on the third Saturday for eight months each year.

Saturday, Feb. 16, will mark 30 years almost to the day that the local Vasa members borrowed a grill that could accommodate only six small pancakes at a time. Allen said they are more efficient than they were Feb. 18, 1978. They now use three large grills and can turn out 22 pancakes at a time to feed the 500 to 600 loyal diners.

Fresh milk, eggs, flour and sugar are the primary components of the pancake batter recipe, mixed moments before it is poured onto the hot grill in 8-inch orbs. Each thin golden brown pancake is carefully rolled before it is served. Three pancakes, along with ham, juice, fresh-brewed coffee, and a choice of syrup or strawberries are presented to each diner between 7 a.m. and noon.

Breakfast at the Vasa Hall, 1805 Cleveland Ave., costs $6 for adults and $3 for children age 10 and younger. Most of the proceeds go toward education scholarships, support of the Conway Little League and youth soccer teams, and other Vasa community programs.

The Lodge’s 110 members hail from five countries — Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. The group formed on Dec. 3, 1920.

(I think that they raised the price in honor of the occasion – as the story below says that adults cost $6 now. Uf da! – hey we should take our camera this weekend and take pictures to post on the blog ok!!)