A taste of Denmark!

Since I have been serving at the temple, I have met some amazing women. I serve with about 60 angels on my shift each Tuesday. I love them all, however Kathel Howard is one of my favorites. She was born in Denmark and when I told her Mark served a mission there, we had an instant bond. She speaks Danish to me often and is so gentle and loving. She is now 80 years old and faithfully serves each week. She doesn't walk as fast as she used to and there are days when she doesn't feel well but she never complains. She has beautiful soft curls and a cute Danish accent that I love. Kathel and her two sisters became members of our church in high school and came to America after they graduated.

She called me on Wednesday and said she had a treat for Mark. Her sister and brother-in-law live in Denver where there is an authentic Danish bakery called Taste of Denmark. Whenever they come for a visit, the treats from the bakery come too! The so called "Danish" they sell in the stores here are impostors. They can't hold a candle to the ones we tasted in Denmark. I went to her home in Lindon to get the pastries.

Kathel's brother-in-law and sister
Kathel and her husband Ray

The man who owns the bakery in Denver is Ronny Tronoe. He was born in Roskilde, Denmark, about 20 miles west of Copenhagen. We stayed in Roskilde when we went to pick up Mark.

One Sunday when Ronny was a boy he passed by a bakery in Denmark. It was below zero outside and he had frozen toes. The baker asked him if I wanted to come in and warm up by the oven and put icing on some pastries. As fate would have, he started working at the bakery in his hometown, eventually becoming an apprentice for almost four years. He has been baking for over 25 years now. He said that the recipes are all in his head and some are over 200 years old.

Of course butter is an important ingredient in the pastries. He uses Lurpak butter, the best butter in the world. In an average week, he uses about 800 pounds of butter, 1,000 pounds of flour and 60 pounds of almond paste, a favorite Danish flavoring along with cardamom.

Mark was so happy to see real Danish pastries. I could see from the smile on his face that he was transported back to Denmark and the memories of his mission.

How sweet of Kathel to think of Mark. The pastries were delicious, the melt in your mouth kind!

When I went to pick up the pastries, Kathel showed me around her home. She has many beautiful dishes and plates from Denmark, and you know I love dishes.

Mange Tak, Kathel!!