April 6th, 2026

Dear Carefree Quail Community,

Well, it’s coming up on an entire month since I heard the hard news that my younger sister Merry lost her battle with cancer. And honestly, the shock is just beginning to wear off, and there is nothing that prepares you for the loss of a sibling.

She was probably the most intelligent of all of us five kids, but she never expressed any need to go to college. There wasn’t anything that she couldn’t learn by just asking, investing, or trying to do it herself.

A good part of her working career was spent in the printing business. If I am remembering correctly, she started with deliveries, then setting type (this was before computers), and working her way to being the person who did all the graphics, typesetting, and layouts for a local Bellingham Printer (Towner). I know I am missing details on this, but what I know for sure is that she became the person at work that everyone could rely on to get the job done… and to provide treats for the staff at every holiday or special occasion.

I also know that her work family became her family. Being single, it was natural for her to care for others, especially when she watched them work, learned their stories, and was the support they needed in the good and the bad times.

This month’s Merry recipe is the favorite breakfast Norwegian treat: Swedish pancakes!

Thanks

Lois

The Carefree Quail

P.S. Swedish pancake recipe down below ❤️

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Swedish Pancakes

Makes 16-18 pancakes

Ingredients:

2 eggs

2 cups milk

2 tablespoons melted butter

1 cup sifted flour

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon sugar

Instructions:

1. Combine eggs, milk, and butter. Beat well.

2. Add sifted dry ingredients gradually, beating constantly.

3. Heat a skillet to medium/high.

4. Use 3 tablespoons of batter for each pancake.

5. The batter will be pretty thin and runny. Pan fry in a large skillet or on a griddle until the

   top is bubbly and edges seem cooked, then flip and cook on the other side.

   When it is done it should look similar to a crepe, our favorite thing to do is top it with butter,

   cinnamon, and sugar.

The original recipe says:

You may fill with jelly, jam, or fruit – roll and dust with powdered sugar. It also serves a wonderful purpose, if it is used to roll up a liberal portion of lutefisk. It is, of course, quite acceptable with just butter and syrup.