Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1945-12-01
Danish Homes
Enjoy Return
To Peacetil1le

we are a family of glow
Worms!" one Danish housewife
told another during the Nazi &C.
cupation when the members of
countless households crept from
room to room with tiny bits of
candle or pocket lights, saving
their electricity so as to be able
to hear the B. B. c. broadcasts
from London-the big event of
the day!
Although Denmark suffered far
less than other countries during
the Nazi occupation, it is by no
means paradise of normalcy vet,
and the women of the country re-
]oice in the small adjustments
which have come with peace. It
is a relief to be able to speak
again with ones friends on the
telephone without fear of being
overheard by the German watch,
and to be able to go on the street
n safety, without thought of sabo-
tage explosions or air raid alarms.
Many people, on May 4. when
news of the capitulation of the
Nazfs came to Denmark, placed all
the candles and candle ends they
could find in every window and
burned their black paper blinds.
Streets are now fully lighted until
midnight and it is as though one
emerged from heavy cloud into
brilliant sunlight, when one sees
the smiles on the faces of the
young people and hears again their
laughter. When long curfew peri
DDS were in force all social en-
gagements were held in the day
time.
Change Affects Each Family
The sense of uncertainty and
suspense is lifted. This change has
also affected the household ar
engagements of every family. House
wives had been told by the author
tiles that food for at least three
days must be kept in the pantry
in case of bombardment or inva-
sion. Each person was also ad-
vised to keep bag packed with
necessities for evacuation. Many
packed their valuable things and
sent them to banks or put them
down in their gardens. When news
came of the arrival of Montgom-
ery's army at the German bound
airy, it was as though a weight |
had been lifted from the whole |
country and neighbors shook hands
with each other and wished Til
Lykke,' meaning every happi-
ness"
During the past simmer, fuel
was saved in cooking by the use
Of an extra spare oven, the pipe
connected through a hole in the
wall to the main chimney in the
house or to that from the kitchen
stove These little ovens used out
Of doors can burn almost anything
n the shape of fuel so the small T
gas ration can be stretched.
"Charcuterie" (cook ed food) I
stores are a great help, too, for
they now have so many more
1isheS that can be used as they
ire for a dinner. There are many
delicious cold desserts, or fruit, for
me rarely has hot pudding in
Denmark. Some food shops are
supplying hot food, and one takes
| covered dish or can and buys
30 many portions. A favorite dish
S pork and split peas boiled to-
,ether with carrots, potatoes and
celery. There are now no more
alt rations. and instead of quar-
er of a pound each month. one
an buy as much as one likes. The
oap, too, has increased in the
percentage of fat, from 40 to so
'er cent for toilet use Pepper will
gain be available, as well as lem
ms, oranges and grapefruit, we
ear
Trips Being Planned /
The transport planes are now
aking civilians, and a trip to
is the hope of many
cart. The ferryboat between Dem
lark and Sweden is making two
ally trips and the passengers
L., !