Unless you are a newbie to Lindsborg, Kansas you know that last year a film crew was in town for a couple weeks filming actors and scenes in and around Little Sweden for an independent film titled Au Pair, Kansas.  The storyline follows a young Norwegian man who comes to Kansas to work as an au pair for a single mom.

Since I haven't seen the movie yet, I don't know a whole lot more than that.  But, the opening credits not only look familiar, but entertaining!  Can't wait to see the completed film. 

I hope you enjoy this video from Ben Wallace about luxury products and determining value of exclusive items.  I would like to see Lindsborg area artisans and business do a better job of positioning ourselves as Kansas' ultra-premium marketplace.  We might have to overcome the oft-assumed attitude that Swedes are uber-thrifty, and replace it with one that Swedes are discriminating and appreciate the finest things. 

After all, the bed featured in the video is Swedish and is over $60,000!  Maybe what I mean is that I would like to see Lindsborg embrace a modern Swedishness, with it's cutting-edge technology, clean design, and sophistication and deemphasize the 19th Century Swedish identity that, though romanticized today, was a time of great hardship, trial and extreme frugality.

via http://danielhumphries.typepad.com/coffee/2010/04/eating-coffee-beans-in-business-week.html

Kansas State Senator Jay Emler and Representative Clark Shultz gave over an hour of their time to field questions from local citizens about a variety of topics that all centered on one thing - the  current economic crisis.  Both Legislators shared their perspectives on what's happening in Topeka that will help not only the state's economy, but the economy in the Smoky Valley. 

Surprisingly, there weren't as many locals in attendance as were expected. But that just meant more coffee for those who were!

             

The following is a 9.5 minute excerpt of a 7.5 hour nonstop recording of the rail journey between Bergen and Oslo Norway filmed November 2009 and shown on NRK2. Based on this movie, I can only wonder why my Great-Grandmother would leave Norway 90 years ago. Get the complete trip download here.

In honor of the 2009 Svensk Hyllningsfest, next weekend here in Lindsborg, here's a nice lesson on how to make Kanelbullar or Swedish Cinnamon Rolls:

How to Bake Swedish Style Cinnamon Rolls (Kanelbullar)

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Swedish cinnamon rolls (Kanelbullar) typically contain the spice cardamom, and are not as sweet or heavy as other types of cinnamon rolls. They are traditionally topped with pearl sugar. This particular recipe omits the cardamom, but is still delicious!

Ingredients

Makes 15 rolls. Dough

• 1/3 cup dry milk powder
• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, rounded
• 1/8 pound unsalted butter, (1/2 stick)
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup water
• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon yeast, 1 packet

Filling

• 1/8 pound unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 egg, beaten
• Pearl sugar or crushed sugar cubes

Steps

1. Add dry ingredients to a 12 to 14 cup food processor bowl. If you need a primer, read How to Use Measuring Spoons and Cups.
   • If you don't have a food processor, you can make the dough by hand. See How to Knead Dough
2. Pulse to mix.
3. Add soft butter to dry ingredients. Pulse to mix.
   • If you're ever in a pinch, you can make your own butter from cream.
4. Heat water until it reaches 110 degrees F for regular yeast or 120 degrees for instant yeast. To understand why the water needs to be this temperature, read How to Work With Yeast in Bread Making.
5. Turn the food processor on and add water until a soft dough forms.
6. Knead by pulsing the dough until a soft dough forms. To prevent over heating the dough, stop the processor, let rest a minute or so, then pulse again until the dough is smooth.
7. Spray a large mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray.
8. Add dough to prepared bowl.
9. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rise about 30 minutes or until doubled.
10. Roll out dough into a rectangle.
11. Spread soft butter onto dough and sprinkle with cinnamon.
12. Roll up dough so that it looks like a jelly roll.
13. Cut dough into 3/4-inch slices. There should be about 15 rolls.
14. Place rolls onto a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.
15. Cover dough lightly with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
16. Turn oven to 425 degrees F to preheat.
    • If you have an old oven, you might benefit from reading How to Cook Food in a Bad Oven.
17. Remove plastic wrap from the risen rolls.
18. Beat the egg in a small bowl. Brush beaten egg over cinnamon rolls.
19. Sprinkle pearl sugar or crushed sugar cubes over cinnamon rolls.
20. Bake the rolls until golden, about 15 minutes.

Video

The following video shows the steps needed to make Swedish-style Cinnamon Rolls. Notice the pearl sugar and parchment paper.

Tips

• Pearl sugar can be found in most baking catalogs or at IKEA. Crushed sugar cubes can be used instead.
• Use whole dry milk powder such as Nido, if you can find it. The whole dry milk powder adds richness to the recipe and makes a softer roll.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Food process although you could make this recipe in the mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Parchment paper
• Baking sheet
• Cooling rack

Related wikiHows

• How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Bread
• How to Bake Monkey Bread
• How to Make Dinner Rolls
• How to Bake a Cinnamon Coffee Cake
• How to Work With Yeast in Bread Making

Sources and Citations

• Gretchen's Cookbook - This recipe was adapted from Cinnamon Rolls (Kanelbullar) found at Gretchen's Cookbook. Her recipe calls for 1 teaspoon cardamon and is made using a mixer.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Bake Swedish Style Cinnamon Rolls (Kanelbullar). All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

On Saturday, Lindsborg was alive with the sound of loud V-Twin motors and the sights of black leather, colorful tattoos and American flags as the Thor's Roar motorcycle rally came off without a hitch.  The last two years were both rained out, so everyone was relieved to wake up to bright sunshine and the prospects of a busy day. 

Though estimates of 3000-5000 bikes were mentioned, it appeared to me that we probably had 700-1000 in attendance.  It's a bit challenging to guesstimate numbers like this, but there's no way we had more than a 1000.  Regardless, there were a lot motorcycles, riders, and enthusiasts enjoying the event. 

Interestingly, the merchants I've spoken with didn't experience the kind of business they were expecting from a large gathering of this magnitude.  An assumption could be made that bikers don't necessarily go toa rally to shop, but to participate in the biker events, to congregate, to mingle and see the bikes. 

The business lesson I learned was that numbers on the sidewalk, don't translate into numbers in your storefront.  As most of our customers know, we primarily do wholesale business, with occasional retail events from time to time.  However, on Saturday we decided to be open for the day and placed a sign on the sidewalk announcing free coffee samples and free shipping.  The logic being that motorcyclists aren't going to have a lot of room for trinkets or breakable items like a Cona vacuum brewer. In spite of this logical assumption, these efforts didn't translate into immediate sales. 

Actually, the few people that came in were more interested in looking at the building, seeking some cool A/C relief from the heat, or looking for a bathroom.  Of course, hot coffee on a 100 degree day isn't the first thing that interests most people.  However, other merchants experienced similar results too.  I think the outdoor vendors did better, as to be expected. 

Bottom line - I would still call the event a success because it showed what a great place Lindsborg is.  Even for the merchants who've complained about the lack of sales during the Thor's Roar, the long-term benefit may result in many of these bikers will coming back to Lindsborg in a car, with a family - and more focused on the community as opposed to an event.  I'm just glad that all the roasting we did in advance is going out to our new grocery accounts this week!  More info on our new grocery stores coming soon! 

I like web apps. PicNik is probably my favorite browser-based photo editor at the moment and they've just offered a preview of a new slideshow creation tool to premium members. It took me about 5 minutes to create one featuring some of my favorite Blacksmith Coffee Roastery images.

The only thing I wish you could do with this would be to attach a link to each image so that if a viewer wanted to click through to a product listing for example, it would be easy to do. Also, it would be great to be able to stop or pause on the last image of your show.

Overall though, I really like this simple slideshow creator!

Coffee is Really, Really Good for You!

(This article can also be viewed from it's source - http://blacksmithcoffee.com/blog/about-blacksmith-coffee-roastery/on-the-health-benefits-of-coffee)

I wrote a post about the health benefits of coffee a few months ago, and continue to hear the media reporting what an awesome elixir coffee really is! Here's an update on the various benefits of coffee consumption on health. The only caveat, according to the WebMD report I referenced is......don't boil it! In other words, no percolators, cowboy coffee, turkish, etc. Other brewing methods which do not result in boiled water - such as drip, french press, vacuum, are great, healthy ways to brew your coffee.

According to scientific research coffee is effective at:

Reducing Strokes

According to several studies, coffee can prevent strokes. This UCLA study indicates that drinking more than six cups is very beneficial for reducing strokes.

Reducing Cancer

Drinking at least 2-3 cups of coffee a day may reduce or delay breast cancer according to this study from Lund University and Malmo University in Sweden

Coffee consumption may reduce risk of liver cancer according to Japanese study

Coffee may reduce risk of skin cancer according to this Australian study.

Women who drink 3 cups of coffee a day are less likely to develop cancer of the uterus according to this Japanese study.

Pain Reliever

As a pain reliever, University of Georgia scientists discovered 2 cups of coffee is more effective at treating muscle soreness after exercise than common pain relievers can. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/eatthis/33979/8-perfect-fitness-foods/

Prevention of Dementia and Alzheimers

Study Reveals that Caffeine Can Help Prevent Dementia & Alzheimers

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