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FEATURE
48 SHOWCASE
Living at the lake is a peaceful scenario and rewarding to experience. Take a tour of our showcase lake home where architectural beauty, tranquility and family gather as one.
DEPARTMENTS
12 GARDEN
Our landscape is showing splashes of new colors so enjoy nature’s stunning spring showing. See and learn about the early-to-rise bloom varieties that gardeners everywhere have been waiting for!
22 COLOR
Inspired by space, Blue Nova, is an intriguing blend of blue and violet. This alluring Benjamin Moore Color of the Year balances depth and intrigue. Learn thoughtful and beautiful ways to use it.
28 PETS
2024 ADDITIONS
8 Musings
10 Contributors
62 Wine Wisdom VOLUME 4, ISSUE 10
It’s that time of year again! Fresh spring rains bring on irresistible mud puddles attracting everyone, including our lovable dogs. Consider creating an attractive bathing station in your home.
38 ELEMENTS
Warmer weather conjures up colorful thoughts of pretty pink, buttercup yellow or Robin’s egg blue. With a deep connection to nature, pastels have the innate power to calm and add elegance.
56 CUISINE
Two of Chef Granville’s favorite foods, lamb and potatoes are most definitely Irish. Just in time for Easter, his love of the Irish gives us a bit of Celtic history and a lot of flavorful traditional food.
66 INGREDIENTS
Scandinavians celebrate the return of Spring with a traditional dessert enjoyed by Norwegians at Easter. Chocolate, orange and cardamom mingle harmoniously to create flavors your guests won’t forget.
Say hello to a season that we welcome wholeheartedly. Albeit a merciful winter, we look forward to colors and activities that define our spring and our Midwestern lives. Life in our community is being greeted by Mother Nature’s latest round of accomplishments. We begin to witness the beautiful display of her ambitious designs. In this issue of Inspired Home, we explore new growth on multiple levels from readying our gardens to designing welcoming and highly functional living spaces.
Enjoy reading about early-to-rise flowers that appear as the earth begins to warm. From the Dakota Prairies to our backyard gardens, there is exciting new life and it is all here in the pages of Inspired Home. Inspired by spring colors, read how pastels announce their arrival as they transform our homes with year-round calming elegance. A stronger, yet extremely palatable hue, “Blue Nova,” is also coming on strong in its beautiful way. Read how this extraordinary color began its journey in outer space and at the Blue Origin Aerospace launch site. Fascinating!
From space back down to earth — we love our pets and they adore spring mud puddles. Read Bathing Bliss, which gives animal lovers everywhere, beautiful reasons to incorporate functional and attractive bathing stations in their homes. Also on earth, we’ll explore living in Minnesota Lake Country as we traverse our healthy obsession with it. You’ll enjoy seeing what a talented crew of professionals accomplished for a grateful family.
At the lake or home, you can’t experience spring without great food. From Chef Granville’s love of the Irish to Lauren Carlson’s love of Scandinavia, entertaining with heritage-rich food is a delicious choice.
Finally, in this chaotic and crazy world of ours, it’s important to simply be. Inspired Home invites you to sit, take a deep breath and get comfortable. Relax as you enjoy reading our Spring Issue. We do it all for you!
Terri Ferragut Associate Publisher Editorial Directorterri.ferragut@gmail.com
terri@inspiredhomemagazine.com
Inspired Home Associate Publisher
Terri Ferragut
Phone: 701.866.4405
Email: terri@inspiredhomemagazine.com terri.ferragut@gmail.com
Editorial Director
Terri Ferragut
Creative Director
Terri Ferragut
Director of Operations
Scott Drzewiecki
Contributing Photographers
Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss
Lauren Ferragut Carlson
Sarah Dolyniuck
Chelsey Malstrom
Kensie Wallace
Contributing Writers
Lauren Ferragut Carlson
Terri Ferragut
Chelsey Malstrom
Granville Wood
Copy Editor
Keri Guten Cohen
Social Media Director
Bailey Hovland
Production representative
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Every issue, we take great pride in presenting this beautiful local home and lifestyle guide we call Inspired Home. From design to great food our goal is to provide you with relevant information you value. Truth of the matter is, without the heart and dedication of this talented and professional team, this publication would not be possible. Issue after issue, their creativity brings Inspired Home to your doorstep or area business. They inspire me.
ASHLEY F. JOHNSON
Ashley Johnson loves her home city of Fargo. She works as a registered nurse at Sanford Medical Center and shares her happy home with her husband, 2 children and a rescue cat. She loves traveling with her family, cooking, entertaining and good wine. She can’t wait to show her children the world.
JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS
Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss is a photographer for architecture and interior design. Her clients range from designers and builders, both commercial and residential. When she's not working she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, traveling and entertaining.
recently moved back home to Fargo with her husband and daughter after living in Upstate New York for 8 years where she worked at Cornell University as a research technician. There she worked with hemp for CBD/grain/fiber and willow for bioenergy. After having a baby she took some time off to be a mom. She loves knitting, running, cross-stitch, and of course, Scandinavian baking.
SARAH DOLYNIUK
A career in the interior design world, along with a genuine interest in connection, led Sarah here to Inspired Home Magazine. She loves date nights (or days) with her boyfriend, nature photography (iphone style), walks with her dog, kissing on her rescue kitties, listening to podcasts, reading, yoga, antiquing, getting lost in a good television show, and enjoying a citrusy IPA or glass of wine.
BAILEY HOVLAND
Before earning an English writing degree at Concordia College, Hovland dreamed of being an interior designer. Now, serving Inspired Home Magazine as a writer and social media director, she has the best of both worlds—pairing the power of words with innovative interior design.
CHELSEY MALSTROM
Born and raised in Detroit Lakes, MN, Chelsey enjoys all things lakes country. Finding her love for wine working at Epcot Food and Wine Festival in 2012, she was thrilled to move back to Detroit Lakes to help run the family business. Today you can find her at Seven Sisters Spirits, planning events and helping people find the perfect wine.
KINSEY WALLACE
A licensed real estate agent and photographer based in the FM area, Kinsey can wholeheartedly say she found her calling and has met amazing people along the way! Obsessed with interior design and home renovation, she is, by her own admission, a true introvert that enjoys spending her free time traveling, reading, and enjoying the outdoors with her dogs, Finley and Murphy.
GRANVILLE WOOD
Wood is an international chef who worked in London, Stockholm, Toronto, Vancouver, Palm Beach and Houston before moving to Fargo with wife Susie, a doctor with Sanford Health. Most recently he operated The Blue Goose Café in the Plains Art Museum.
Crocus (Crocus sativus), pasque flower, the Hebrew word for “Passover” or prairie crocus are all names for this herbaceous plant, the first bloomer each spring on the North Dakota prairie. Plant the crocus korm (its tubular bulb-like structure) in your fall garden before the ground freezes for blooms in the spring. Tulips, daffodils and grape hyacinth make great garden companions and after blooming their foliage will quickly disappear making room for other later floral displays.
pring! This is a season of rebirth that beckons us once more to venture outdoors to spend more time in our gardens and our woodlands. We aren’t the only ones being welcomed by the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Birds fly back from their annual fall trek south, and bees and some butterflies emerge from their hibernation in search of the nectar they crave. Rabbits and deer may also make their reappearance in your yard, although for some of us, it may feel like they never left! Personally, I am in awe of their graceful beauty, all year long.
Flowering trees, shrubs and vines begin to sprout their verdant buds, and bulbs send up tender green
“ ”
Each year you rediscover in a garden the magic of life. A flower arrives and it is a miracle.
— Hubert de Givenchy, French fashion designer
Sky-blue petals with sunny yellow centers are the crowning glory of forget-me-nots, early perennials that dot our gardens.
Snowdrops, a member of the amaryllis family, have distinctive dangling flowers with green markings and are regarded as a symbol of hope.
Known for its charming heart-shaped delicate flowers, the viola adds a touch of elegance to our early spring gardens.
Splashes of much-awaited vibrant colors begin to dot our landscapes.
shoots to greet the sun as it warms the earth. Splashes of much-awaited vibrant colors begin to dot our landscapes. The fresh, raw scents of warmed earth and the subtle fragrance of snowdrop blooms begin to fill the air. The pleasing mix of early textures in a well-designed garden invites a closer look for any feathery, fernlike foliage or the petite beauty of johnny-jump-up petals.
Enjoy nature’s spring showing and keep your eyes open for any of these beautiful early-to-rise bloomers. Consider how to incorporate a few of these Inspired Home favorites into your garden — whether it be for spring planting or next fall’s bulb planting season. Get outdoors and enjoy the special gifts spring has to offer!
Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are members of the amaryllis family and have been grown in gardens for hundreds of years, often recognized as a symbol of hope and renewal. What better way to celebrate the warmer season than spotting their young green shoots emerging from frosty ground? One of the first bulbs to bloom, their distinctive flowers with green markings dangle like charms. Stunning in large groups, they grow best in cooler climates and die back naturally when blooming is done.
Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis asiatica) are small clustering perennial flowers noted for their skyblue petals with sunny yellow centers. Long revered for their sentimental value of humility, remembrance and loyalty, they are one of the most recognizable flowers in the spring garden. A powerful ground cover at 5 inches tall at maturity, they quickly reseed and enjoy partial shade. Although early to rise in the spring they will bloom through the summer season.
Viola (Viola odorata) is comprised of over 500 species collectively including annuals and perennials. They prefer partial shade and are known for their charming heart-shaped delicate flowers that come in various shades of purple, blue, yellow and white. Their blooms and compact growth habit add a touch of color and elegance to gardens and create beautiful borders. All pollinator-friendly, sweet violet has edible flowers and leaves that can be used in salads, desserts and teas.
Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) paints the early spring landscape in stunning shades of blue, purple, white or yellow and offer the sweet scent of grape bubblegum. Symbolic of forgiveness, joy and sincerity, they are frequently massed-planted, full-sun to part shade, and are a showy low-sized companion for the taller blooms of tulips and daffodils. These fall-planted, easy-togrow bulbs spread in well-drained soil, provide beautiful ground cover, are deer resistant and loved by butterflies and bees.
Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilus) are beloved for its dangling heart-shaped pink flowers with a protruding white petal “dropping” from long arched stems. Shade-loving yet suntolerant, these woodland plants bloom in the cool of spring. A perennial, its attractive blue-green foliage emerges as one of the first in spring as a welcoming sign of warmer weather to come. Bleeding hearts will perform best in cool, welldraining, rich soil. They make delightful additions to fresh bouquets!
“For
Iris (Iris germanica) is an elegant early blooming flower named for Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Over 300 species and thousands of cultivars exist that exhibit every color of the spectrum. These large spring bloomers, endearing perennials and a subject of poetry, paintings and photographs grow from rhizomes, a fleshy root. When they unfurl their stunning fleur-de-lis style bloom, their fragrance is magical in the garden from floral, spicy earthy scents to gardenia and rose.
Forsythia (Forsythia suspensa) is a bright, cheerful deciduous shrub that belongs to the olive family. Their four-petaled, brilliant yellow flowers bloom in early spring, before its leaves actually appear. The arching stems can grow up to 10 feet and root wherever they touch the ground. They may be grown in a border hedge row or as a graceful individual bush as a centerpiece in your yard. Bees and butterflies love forsythia and their long branch of endless flowers look lovely in a spring bouquet.
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“ ”
Mere color, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand ways.
— Oscar Wilde
nspired by the brilliance of a new star formed in space, Blue Nova beckons us to unknown places in search of new experiences in color exploration in your home. The Benjamin Moore 2024 Color of the Year, Blue Nova 825, is a nod to the term given to the explosion of a white dwarf star that appears so bright as to be a new star or “nova.” The Color Trends 2024 palette takes inspiration from the hues experienced through space travels and moments that span beyond everyday routines.
Leaning into an exciting galactic theme, Benjamin
Moore announced the new 2024 Color of the Year at Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin, at its Orbital Launch Site in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Benjamin Moore also partnered with Blue Origin and its nonprofit Club for the Future to help reimagine design at the local community hospitals, create space-themed experiences at upcoming events and to inspire and encourage future younger generations to pursue STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math) and careers in the space industry.
This intriguing blend of blue and violet is a versatile
balance between traditional and modern design, an alluring midtone that balances depth and intrigue. Easy on the eyes and darkdenim saturated, this vibrant color is, “a statement color, but it’s dialed back. It’s comfortable, and can be used on all four walls. It encourages people to dabble in color,” says Andrea Magno, color and marketing development director for Benjamin Moore. “While we still see people being more confident with their colors, Blue Nova hits the right note. It’s not a shy color and it stands on its own. But it’s a color that people can live with because it’s a mid-tone.”
This bold yet comforting shade of blue is incredibly easy to use. Drench an entire room or highlight architectural features such as a kitchen island, cabinetry, fireplace, windows or doors. Pair it with light white oak or darker walnut and it will shine. Metallic finishes like chrome, matte black or hardware in brushed or antique gold will absolutely beam in its complementing presence. Magno suggests another design tip for this blue inspired by the night sky: Combine Blue Nova with colors you can find naturally in the setting sun sky. Think oranges, peach, raspberry, yellows, even light blues.
With Blue Nova also comes the Color Trends 2024 palette — literally a world-wide journey for the Benjamin Moore color team. From their travels, they zeroed in on finding “color memories” to help create
a new balance of hues in our homes with new color experiences. From the coastal hues of the Mediterranean to sun-drenched pigments from South America, the palette painting their mood board was filled with bright, upbeat color. Inspired by the notion of opposites attract, the chosen nine tones and pastels create sumptuous colors to complement the celestial new star, Blue Nova.
Partake in the joy of color this year with variations in shade, tint and contrast. Play with the moods they create while blending traditional and modern styles to find the right balance of paint colors for you. Embrace dark hues with a moody edge or create design-drenched rooms with spirited pastel walls. Consider Blue Nova, inspired by the deep blue colors of the evening sky. Have fun, experiment and incorporate the contrasting hues of Color Trends 2024 in your home.
Visit Hirshfield’s in Fargo at 100 36th Street South, Suite 130. (Butler Business Park at Main Avenue & 1-29) Call 701.235.0549 or order online and pick up your paint at the store. Visit us at shophirshfields.com
Spring rains bring on exciting new adventures, especially if you are a dog. Romping, rolling and digging by our family pets is a sought-after activity, but the bathing aftermath can be somewhat challenging.
t’s that time of year. Dreaming of dancing in the fresh spring rain? Splashing in an irresistible mud puddle? So is your best friend, your family’s lovable furry member — your dog. Showers at home are going to the dogs and helping pet owners with easily accessible pet care. After a walk spent romping in the mud, digging through last year’s slimy leaves or finding something perfectly smelly to roll in, dogs need an immediate (if not sooner) sudsing down after their ultimate spring walk.
Popular with today’s homeowners are washing stations for their pets that can be attractively tucked into a room and include extra features to get your pets cleaned with minimal fuss or stress. A well-planned accessible space to bathe your furry friends is often planned for an area of a garage, laundry or entry — a place where the dog can easily walk up and into the shower. You can customize the space by adding these little niches similar to what you have in your shower with cabinetry storage and more. Here’s a little bathtime inspiration!
A wide ledge on the surround for pet parents to sit on is a wise consideration for bathing your dog. A shower ledge raised 12 to 24 inches higher than the floor, depending on the height of the dog, puts the owner side-by-side with their pet, providing more control over the bath in case they are not exactly thrilled with the idea of water. The leverage created will also help avoid bending over, preventing back strain during the process. Built-in stairs can be designed right into the bath for easy entrance or no-slip surface portable booster steps or ramps are also available.
Washing stations for our furry friends are becoming popular additions to our homes. This well-planned accessible space is often tucked into a portion of a garage, entry or laundry area. With thoughtful planning, they blend seamlessly and are attractive additions to the room.
A handheld sprayer to reduce splashing is ideal for dogs that might not stand still. A hand-held thermostatic sprayer will alleviate annoying water temperature fluctuations. The freedom of being able to move around your dog’s body with a handheld option instead of moving the dog will simplify the washing and rinsing during bath time. Look for adjustable flow heads that will adjust easily when cleaning your pet’s more sensitive areas. Many hand-held sprayers come with an option to pull off the shower head for a close cleansing. An optional deep sink is a great asset to consider for the bathing area. It may come in handy for spot cleaning your pet in case they just have dirty paws and you’re not planning to do a full bath. It’s also great for laundry, like handwashing your pup’s favorite sweater or for soaking a dirty leash or harness. Incorporating a high gooseneck faucet in the basin will leave plenty of room for cleaning larger items like a pet bed or travel crate.
Simple, yet thoughtful design creates a bath station not only efficient but aesthetically pleasing. The charming apothecary storage cabinet, shelving, tiled surround, slip-proof rug and convenient storage areas complete the space.
Safety comes first so, if your shower floor gets slippery, add a non-slip mat. If your dog is not 100 percent reliable with the word “stay,” use a safety harness. If you need to secure your dog, drill a tether anchor into your tile or suction options are available to have a place to latch your dog’s leash. Wipeable surfaces like tile or rust-resistant stainless steel are bonus materials for keeping your pet’s room fresh and clean.
Thoughtful storage for your dog’s gear is an important consideration. Base cabinets are easily accessible for items you need quickly, such as towels, shampoos, toothbrushes, flea and tick treatments or dog food. Combs and brushes can be placed in nearby baskets and wall-mounted hooks are great for items like leashes used every day. Another good idea is to have a waterproof jar filled with treats with an easy-access lid that you can use to reinforce your dog’s good behavior
in the shower.
Bathing tricks and tips can make bath time easier for both parties. Put a small dab of peanut butter on the shower wall where the water can’t get to it — it can keep your dog busy. Or try a small stick-on wall lick pad to help soothe your dog and relieve any anxiety they might initially feel. Suction cups provide easy removal and they are dishwasher-safe. The little reward will prove to be a bath-time motivator. Waterproof
Beautiful cabinetry surrounds this bathing station. The easy entrance, splash guards, and tiled surfaces on walls and floors keep the area clean.
Bath tip: To keep your dog busy, put a small dab of peanut butter on the shower wall where the water can't reach it.
pet grooming gloves that feature rubber nodules on the fingers and palm will create a massage your pet will look forward to.
Handling dog hair means hair heading toward your drain. Use a smaller-sized tile for the bottom shower floor and pitch it so it drains toward the center drain. Adding a screen over the drain will also help catch dog hair.
Add a cozy custom kennel as a safe space to help comfort them from overly energetic children as a refuge from thunder or fireworks. From countertop level to floor-toceiling cabinetry of a room, you’ll be able to accommodate differentsized pets. These quiet areas are great for cats, too. Integrating the kennel into cabinetry that flows with the room will add a pleasing overall design aesthetic.
armer weather conjures up colorful thoughts of lilac, pretty pinks, robin’s egg blue, buttercup yellow, periwinkle or pistachio — light-hearted and airy shades of color with a deep connection to nature. Pastel colors represent a welcomed break from the dark and moody colors often favored in wintertime. This in turn has long given pastels a strong affiliation with the spring and summer months.
Pastel colors are white-softened versions of primary or secondary colors. As a result, they combine both the character of the original color and the purifying, cleansing mood of white. Pastel pink can be achieved by mixing vivid red with a quantity of white. Pastel lemon combines the bright optimism of yellow with the freshness of white. Adding white to green plays down green’s natural warming tendencies, creating pistachio-like green, which emits a fresh and vibrant feel.
Psychologically, pastels are a strong, positive color group with dual personalities. Adding white alters the psychology of a hue. They are generally considered delicate, sophisticated and clean. Pastel colors represent neutrality; they are peaceful, soft and innately calming to those who view them. Their soothing nature is often incorporated into the interior design of hospital rooms as well as nurseries and surgical floors. Fresh pastels, with their power to evoke emotions, are often used in calming marketing themes in the design of cleaning, sanitation, health products and fragrance companies to name a few.
There are countless ways to use the power of pastels in your home. They are perfect for one of the busiest places in the home — your kitchen. The use of minty green, soft gray and bright white combined, create a calming kitchen environment. For those more adventurous, try a pastel pink, soft lemon yellow or pistachio green to create a fresh and airy retro-inspired theme when teamed with colors of gray, white or black. Appliances, tiles and retro cookware come in an abundance of pastel colors to complete your kitchen with sophistication.
CASUAL RESPITE
For a more casual feel, incorporate pastels on larger pieces. Shiplap walls give a space a beachy lakeside, vintage feel. Create a cottage-inspired theme by painting furniture pieces with a pastel paint shade, then create a handmade patina by sanding the paint for a welllived look. To achieve a more relaxing room, soft colors will provide a sense of serenity. Rest in rooms year-round that utilize pale hues for a tranquil feeling morning, noon or night. Bedrooms, baby nurseries, reading rooms — all are great candidates for the peace and calm pastels provide.
“ Pastel colors represent a welcomed break from the dark and moody colors often favored in wintertime.”
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A color statement is made here by the contrast of pastels melding as one unifying theme.
Create a comforting color scheme of soft analogous colors, which are colors very closely related to each other. The key to this look is keeping the colors within the same color palette, but differing the shades just enough that they aren’t matching. To really play up this monochromatic pastel color scheme, add black and white in your décor for clear contrast in the space. Note: Pastels will offset any black or dark wood finishes beautifully.
When combined with stronger or more formal colors — pastels lighten the mood, creating complex, balanced schemes that feel at once both lighthearted and chic. Incorporate pastel elements with earth tones — like mustard, saffron, gray, midnight blues or forest green — for a balanced and sophisticated palette. One of the best reasons for incorporating pastel colors into a home’s design and décor is the sheer relaxation factor. Softer-hued pastels are a perfect way to introduce a vibrant color into a space without that color drawing too much attention to itself. Incorporate a natural jute rug, bright white seating or crisp molding to immerse your room in sophistication. Little pops of color on pillows and wall art will add dimensional interest throughout your pastel décor theme.
This is an understated and powerful example of a kitchen surrounded by pleasing pastel hues.
This is the epitome of pastels playing nicely together in one cohesive interplay.
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Experiment! Check out unusual sources to spark your creativity. Take note of candy colors, produce in your local market or notice colors in your garden. You will be surprised how many natural pastel colors are all around you. Determine what room in your home you want to tackle, visit your paint store and get to work! Next? Simply sit back, relax and enjoy your personal paradise of pastels.
“ ”
Revered throughout history, the restful and healing attributes of “lake country” have been a thing of ethereal calm and peace for those fortunate enough to experience it.
pproximately an hour from Fargo, spanning acres upon acres of glistening water, lies one of nature’s finest achievements — the serenity of Minnesota lake country. Revered throughout history, the restful and healing attributes of “lake country” have been a thing of ethereal calm and peace for those fortunate enough to experience it. Those who do realize the solace and tranquility that a summer day at a lake has to offer — the ability to chase the world away, to have cares and stress dissipate. Your breathing slows to a relaxed rhythm as you gaze contently across rippled waters. It is, in one word, heaven.
The homeowners of this stunning lake sanctuary relied upon the trusted experience and collaboration of respected area professionals to create their heaven of graceful beauty and inherent airiness. Custom home builders, Tomlinson Schultz, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; architecture and engineering firm Widseth, Perham, Minnesota; and Christen Anderson, owner and principal designer of Christen Joy, all played important roles in the detailed processes that carried this project to fruition.
One thing that remained a constant in the mind of interior designer Christen Anderson was that she wanted the home’s aesthetic to be representative of her clients. The home was to feel “well-designed in terms of its flow, cohesiveness and functionality.” At the same time, when the homeowners are in their space, she wants them to feel the home reflects them. Anderson’s penchant for flow carries into the kitchen. “We wanted to emphasize the beautiful view while having ample space for friends and family to sit up at the island. We tucked
Integrating home and yard is a well-designed concept of this home. A relaxed flow of traffic in and out from the upper deck to the ground-level gathering space to the firepit area is seamless.
A better look at this outdoor living area reveals the linear grace of the deck and stair railings.
appliances away in ‘garages’ to keep the space clean and aesthetically pleasing.”
The comfortable openness you feel as you move through the home speaks to its thoughtful and planned success. From the kitchen to the living area to the outdoor kitchen and gathering areas, it is a seamless stroll. Tony Stoll, principal architect at Widseth, adds, “The homeowners really wanted to focus on how they entertain friends and family. We tried to focus on how the design/layout of their new home was specifically designed to work with their lifestyle.” With those prerogatives in mind, he set out to create just that. Stoll elaborates, “There are a few elements of their house design that stand out to me. One is their lake-level entertainment space and how it ties in the interior and outdoor space. The second is the exercise space with direct access to the exterior and the functional use of the space. And, finally, how the kitchen and great room space flow together with
great views of the lake.”
A favorite family design element of Anderson’s was the “Pub,” a relaxing TV/media/bar area of the home that she partnered closely with the homeowner to create for her husband. Allowed “free rein” in its design journey, the space came together from tile, stone, metalwork and great furniture to create a space the homeowner truly appreciates — especially on game day! Anderson says, “This space was designed to be more handsome and masculine — the place to watch college football, grab a cold one
with friends or play games late into the evening with family. It flows seamlessly with the three-season space, including an accordion window to create a space perfect to belly up to.”
Whether it’s Tug, the family’s new puppy, cuddling up for a movie with the family or their plethora of friends enjoying a cocktail on the deck, it makes Anderson proud to say that they designed and executed a space that functionally works as the homeowners had hoped for. And for architect Stoll, the completed goal, in his words, was to “have fun, and enjoy the process! And to that, Inspired Home says, “Well said and job well done.”
General Contractor, Builder: Mark Schultz, Tomlinson Schultz
Architectural Design: Tony Stoll, AIA, Widseth
Interior Design: Christen Anderson, Christen Joy
Cabinetry: Wendt Custom Cabinetry
Countertops: Spaluding Stone
Furniture and Decor: Christen Joy
Windows: Marvin | Lighting: Christen Joy
Landscaping: Lakes Area Landscaping
here are two holidays in March — Saint Patrick’s Day and Easter. Every year we tease ourselves into believing that spring is right around the corner. The spring equinox falls on March 19 this year, supposedly ushering in milder weather, rain and longer days. One sure thing is we will celebrate two distinctively different holidays that share two striking similarities — religion and food. Believe it or not, Saint Patrick’s Day is named for the patron saint of Ireland as a religious celebration that eventually evolved into parades and revelry with the Irish immigration to the United States. Easter celebrates Christ’s rebirth, which is what the bunnies and colorful eggs represent — life and rebirth.
So, what is the food connection, you ask? Two of my favorite foods, lamb and potatoes, are Irish. Spring is lambing season and potatoes have been the lifeblood of the Irish for centuries. Ireland is the largest potato producer in the world at 455,000 tons a year. With the Irish migration during the devastating Irish potato famine, thousands settled in Boston and New York, bringing with them their religions, traditions and food.
Easter menus feature roast leg of lamb and creamy scalloped potatoes. As the American palette is different, baked ham was also introduced to the holiday table. Traditional Irish shepherd’s pie made with ground lamb became cottage pie substituting ground beef for the lamb. Somewhere along the way, corned beef and cabbage found their way into the conversation, becoming the iconic dish of St. Paddy’s Day in pubs throughout the United States. Travel to Ireland, and you would be hard-pressed to find it on a pub menu anywhere on the Green Isle.
So, what was once a sober day of obligation and mass celebrating Saint Patrick and his deeds (one of which was ridding Ireland of all the snakes), has morphed into a day of parades and revelry with green beer, Guinness and Irish whiskey. You would think the Irish founded Fargo and not Norwegians as you enjoy the parade and pub crawl that takes over downtown on March 16.
Potatoes reign supreme in traditional Irish food: Bangers and mash, Colcannon (Irish soul food), Guinness beef stew, shepherd’s pie and roast lamb with rosemary potatoes. Here are two of my favorite recipes.
Taitneamh a bhaint as! Enjoy!
And as the Irish like to say, “May the wind always be at your back” (not that it’s windy in North Dakota)!
Colcannon, a mixture of mashed potatoes and sauteed cabbage is served as an accompaniment with pretty much anything. I like to fry it up in the morning to serve with eggs and slices of thick-cut bacon. This soul food of the Irish is particularly delicious when served with lamb chops, roast lamb or thick slices of pork belly.
INGREDIENTS:
3 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled and cut into large pieces
1 small head of cabbage, cored and thinly sliced (makes about 5 cups)
4 green onions, chopped end-to-end
1 cup of warmed milk
1 stick of butter, cut into eight pieces Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
METHOD:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes, reduce heat and cook until tender. Drain and keep covered loosely with foil to keep warm. Return the pot to the stove and add four pieces of butter. Add cabbage and cook until wilted and tender. Add potatoes to cabbage along with the warm milk and remaining butter. Using a potato masher, mash until coarse and a little chunky. Fold in green onions and season with salt and pepper. (Never use a mixer to make mashed potatoes)
This easy process of making bangers and mash begins with thinly sliced onions fried in oil until golden brown. This popular Irish side dish became popular after World War 1.
Like any gravy, make a roux by dusting flour over the onions and cook until a bit brown. The secret ingredient to add next – is Guinness stout.
Guinness beer may be the “Luck of the Irish” ingredient added to this gravy for flavor and its deep brown color coupled with beef consommé.
In all its final rich and savory glory, served over mashed potatoes and sausage, this onion gravy is a historical food shared by the British during World War 1.
Bangers and Mash are sausages served with mashed potatoes and fried onions or onion gravy. The term bangers came from the British in World War I. Meat was scarce, so they added fillers to sausage, in particular, water. When the sausages were cooked, the water would expand and pop with a bang, hence the name bangers.
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound of your favorite sausage, about the size of brats (not skinny ones)
1 yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. flour
1 bottle of Guinness stout
1 can beef consommé
Salt and pepper to taste, serve on mashed potatoes or with colcannon.
METHOD:
Peel and thinly slice the yellow onion. Sauté in a neutral oil until golden brown. Add a knob of butter and continue cooking, stirring occasionally. Do not burn the onions. Dust the mixture with a little all-purpose flour and stir in well. Cook until the flour browns a bit. Pour in a bottle of Guinness stout, stirring until smooth. Add a can of beef consommé and cook until smooth. Grill the sausage. Place your grilled or fried sausage/brats next to the plated mashed potatoes. Spoon the onion gravy mixture over the sausages. Place a generous dollop of the onion gravy on the potatoes. Season with salt and black pepper.
Look for more…
I have a few other delicious dishes to share. Find them on Facebook.
Cheddar-Topped Cottage Pie: smooth creamy cheddar cheese mashed potatoes top this well-seasoned beef and vegetable casserole.
Guinness Beef Pie: braised beef, mushrooms, pearl onions, horseradish and more in a rich sauce made with Guinness stout ale wrapped in an Irish cheddar cheese pastry.
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Say hello to Spring with this bright selection. This Sauvignon Blanc delivers all the classic characteristics of New Zealand wines, without overwhelming the palate. Experience its juicy citrus and delicious stone fruit with structured minerality. Try it with citrusmarinated shrimp on the grill!
Dampfwerk Aquavit
The history of this aquavit liqueur dates back to 15th century Scandinavia and was known to cure illness with its spice properties. This expression of aquavit is made in the German style by an amazing family distillery in the Twin Cities who have ties to our lakes area. Still very true to the herbal traditions, this aquavit has added notes of anise, brown sugar, with a light essence of lavender. Carraway, however, is the signature ingredient in this elevated aquavit. Delicious and easy to sip over ice. Since we are on to warmer weather, here’s a great cocktail idea.
The Nordic Summer
Recipe: 2oz Aquavit, 1oz Aperol, and ½ lime squeezed. Shake, pour, enjoy.
Add all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake for 20 seconds or until well combined. Strain into champagne coupe or martini glasses. Serve with a fancy orange garnish. Enjoy!
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Nordic Ware
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Pin
This high-quality beech rolling pin features 5 sets of removable rings for creating different pastry thicknesses.
Marcato
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Chocolate, orange and cardamom mingle in this traditional Nordic treat.
STORY ANDPHOTOGRAPHY
BY LAUREN FERRAGUT CARLSONA few months ago, I set a goal to make a yeasted bread per week. Recipes have ranged from rich, eggy challah woven into beautiful shapes to a simple honey loaf perfect with a shmear of softened butter. Without a doubt, flettekrans, or “braided wreath” in Norwegian, has become my favorite.
Flettekrans make their spring appearance around Easter in Norway. Their signature trademarks are delicious swirls of chocolate and cardamom punctuated by sweet, chewy bites of candied orange peel. Oranges have been in Norwegian kitchens for more than 100 years when they were first imported. In 1956, oranges and other citrus fruits were classified as free imports from the Mediterranean. When the citrus fruits were ripe in the Mediterranean, it was winter in Norway. Citrus imports lasted from Christmas time through early spring, thus explaining an abundance of citruscentered recipes like this one. If you enjoy baking, try flettekrans whether it’s Christmas, Easter or a Thursday afternoon.
First, make the candied orange peels. The recipe suggests making them one or two days in advance, which gives them time to dry out. I did not do this, and it worked out great. The original recipe noted candied orange peels tend to burn if you don’t tuck them into the dough. Because I made them the same day, I did not have this problem. The orange peel was sweet, chewy and perfect. The process is very simple; and a quick note: Save the orange syrup when you are finished. It will add great flavor to a cocktail or brush it over a pound cake. It will keep in the fridge for about four weeks.
The dough calls for both whole wheat and all-purpose flour. I was a little hesitant because whole-wheat flour tends to make things a bit dense, but it created great texture and hearty richness. Realize this recipe makes two
10-inch to 12-inch wreathes. I didn’t think it would all fit in my stand mixer 12-cup bowl, but it did! I wasn’t able to knead on medium-low for 8 minutes consecutively because of the volume so I did it a minute or so at a time until the dough would creep up the dough hook. I then just cleaned the hook and worked the dough back down in the bowl then resumed. After kneading, I divided the dough into two equal portions before the first rise and let each half rise in its own greased bowl.
The fun (and beautiful part) is braiding the dough, which is simply twisting it together. It’s easy and looks very impressive. Roll the dough out into a very large rectangle, about 18 by 22 inches. It does not have to be perfect. After spreading the cocoa, cardamom and butter paste over the dough, sprinkle with oranges and chocolate. Roll up the dough lengthwise and cut completely through it lengthwise to create two halves. Twist them together, pinching their ends. Take one end and begin to roll inwards creating a swirl. Let them rise and bake.
My favorite thing about this bread is its appearance. At first look, the wreath looks burned, until you take a bite and realize it is delicious chocolate. Next, you’ll taste an unexpected bright bite of orange with flowery cardamom undertones. This will become your favorite flavor component of this bread. It won’t be long before this Scandinavian treat wins you over as your favorite treat — like it did me. Enjoy!
A Norwegian Traditional Easter treat
Makes 2 large wreaths (each serves about 8 to 10)
CANDIED ORANGE PEEL:
13 large oranges
½ cups water
1½ cups sugar
DOUGH:
1 stick plus 3 Tbsp. butter
2½ cups milk
2 ounces fresh yeast or 2/3 ounces active, dry yeast
¾ cup granulated sugar
2½ cups, whole wheat flour
5 cups all-purpose flour
1½ tsp. cardamom, fresh ground
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. freshly grated orange peel
CHOCOLATE FILLING:
1 cup sugar
½ cup cocoa powder
2 Tbsp. cardamom, fresh ground
¾ cup plus 2 Tbsp. butter, room temperature
7 ounces good-quality dark chocolate, chopped finely
TO FINISH:
1 egg, beaten
METHOD:
Make the candied orange peels one to two days ahead. Start by cutting the ends off each orange. Cut the peel of each orange into vertical sections. Cut the sections into long thin strips about ¼-inch. Place in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes over medium-high heat. Drain the peels and rinse thoroughly with cold water. In the same saucepan, heat the sugar and 1½ cups water over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until dissolved. Lower the heat, add the peels and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, or until translucent. Remove the peels with a slotted spoon and place on a cookie rack to dry out completely for 24-48 hours. When dry, chop the peels into small pieces, set aside.
Make the dough by melting the butter in a small saucepan, add the milk and bring to lukewarm, about 110° F. Pour into a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. Add the yeast, sugar, flours, cardamom, salt and orange zest. Knead on medium-low speed for 8 minutes. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a tea towel and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling by combining the sugar, cocoa powder and cardamom in a large bowl. Add in the room-temperature butter and combine to form a smooth paste (a food mixer with the whisk attachment works wonders for this or use a fork and combine by hand).
When the dough has finished rising, divide it into two equal pieces. Take the first piece and roll it out into a large rectangle approximately 18 by 22 inches.
Spread half of the filling using a rubber spatula evenly across the dough and to the edges. Take half of the
chopped dark chocolate and sprinkle on top, followed by half of the orange peel pieces. Roll the dough lengthwise, and with a sharp knife cut the log in half lengthwise. Braid the two halves together and pinch the ends together to seal. Take one end of the braid and roll it inwards tightly, creating a circle shape. Tuck the other end under the dough and pinch to seal. Repeat with the other piece of dough, using the remainder of the filling, dark chocolate and candied orange pieces.
Divide them among two prepared baking sheets. Let rise 40 minutes, covered.
Heat the oven to 375° F.
Push any candied oranges that are on top down into the dough before baking since they can become hard or burned. Brush the tops of the dough with the beaten egg. Place in a preheated oven at 375 degrees and bake for 27 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and cool slightly. Serve while still warm and the chocolate is cool but melted.
To store, place in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature for up to two days or in the freezer for up to two months. If serving after freezing, allow to defrost at room temperature then place in the oven at 400° F for a couple of minutes or until warm throughout.
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