As the granddaughter of immigrants on both sides of my family tree, I find myself drawn to the immigrant experience, and often include their stories in my books either as a main or secondary character. So, when I decided on Lefse, a Norwegian flatbread as my recipe, I realized I had some serious research ahead of me, as I knew very little about the Norwegian culture, foods, or people.
It was Mother's Day weekend when I began plotting my book, and one of my favorite movies, I Remember Mama, the story of a Norwegian immigrant family in 1910 San Francisco, was featured on TCM. There was a scene when the oldest daughter wanted a modern hairdressing set instead of her grandmother's sølje (sol ya), an antique brooch. This was just the type of tidbit I enjoy adding to my books.
The Legend of the Sølje
A sølje is a style of silver jewelry that is distinctive to the people of Norway. And in Nordic folk lore, magic resides in every piece.
As the story goes, a family living in the land of 10,000 lakes gave birth to a beautiful little girl. But near their home on Eagle Mountain, an evil troll dwelled. One night when all were asleep, the evil troll snuck into the house and inched his way toward the baby.
But as the troll unwrapped the blanket, a small silver dangle brooch peaked through. Pinned onto her pillow was a shiny sølje. So, instead of taking the baby, the troll took the pin.
The Scandinavian culture always has had a fear of the "hidden folk" or huldra. These troll-like people who lived in the mountains came out and basically exchanged their babies for your babies to strengthen their bloodlines.
So, to protect against that, they parents would pin a small brooch onto the baby's pillow so that if the huldra came in the middle of the night, it would take the pin instead of the baby...sort of like fairies but not necessarily the nicest kind!
Many of the sølje have little disks or spoons dangling down from the center of the pin. Some people believe that if you run into the devil, he's supposed to see his reflection and be so mortified, he'll leave you alone and run away. So, it's sort of a protection against the evil eye, too.
Types of Sølje
Pins and jewelry vary widely across Norway. A solje completes a traditional folk outfit, or bunard as Norwegians call it.
Back in the day before we all had buttons on our clothing, the only thing that would hold our clothing together would be silver pins.
Uncomfortable that her heart was overtaking her mind, she
tried to throttle the dizzying current racing through her. Although she never
mentioned it to Erik, she knew there was something unique about Finn McBride.
“You are a kind man.”
“I think the cold and snow have affected my hearing…are you
sweet-talking me, darlin’?”
With her actions denying her words, Linnea shook her head,
unprepared for his quick strides as he stopped in front of her.
“Don’t deny it, Linney. I’m flattered.” His large, callused hands
took her face and held it gently before he pushed away icy, golden-brown
tendrils from her cheeks. A moment later, he trailed his forefinger along the
curve of her jaw to her chin then down her neck.
The touch of his hands sent a warming shiver through her as
Linnea felt his uneven breathing on her cheek. All of her loneliness and uncertainty melded together and
drifted away, replaced by a longing for friendship, maybe even companionship
hemmed by faith and love.
“What’s this?” He tapped the center of the sølje, causing the
teardrops and circular discs to chime softly.
Unnerved
by Finn’s familiarity, she swallowed around the knot in her throat. “It’s
called a sølje…a
Norwegian keepsake handed down through the generations to the oldest daughter.
Legend says it’s to keep the bride safe so the mountain king doesn’t kidnap her
on the way to the wedding. Others say wearing it helps to deflect evil…or
attract a suitor.”
“A suitor, huh?” There was a flash in Finn’s eyes, like light
caught in water before his lashes lowered and he stepped closer. Suddenly, she
reined in her drifting thoughts.
“Thank you for bringing me home, Deputy McBride,” she
acknowledged but didn’t step away, offering a tentative smile instead of the
kiss she was sure he’d anticipated. “And for rescuing me…a second time. But I
need to dress in some dry clothes, and I assume you have to get back to your
duties.” Even to her own ears, her words sounded dismissive. But she couldn’t
help it. The man’s nearness made her head spin.
Finn sighed. Yet, his mouth quirked with humor. “I guess it’s
for the best.” He reached for her hand. “Walk me to the door, Linney?”
Her fingers tingled when he touched hers, walking—not ahead
or behind—but beside her. It was a small thing, but it was something a friend
might do, and it warmed her heart. “It looks like the storm has passed,” she
announced, pulling open the door. Already, the sky was clearing. And through
the clouds, the sun was dropping shafts of light.
“For the moment, darlin’ Linney.”
By the devilish waggle of his eyebrows, she was certain he
wasn’t talking about the weather. Managing only a smile, she didn’t answer. She
had never come this close to being disloyal to Erik with any man. And
especially not with one who had been her husband’s good friend.
Perhaps I’ll keep my distance but maintain a friendship
with him, she decided but deep in her heart she knew keeping that pledge
might be easier said than done with a man like Finn McBride.
