One or two of you may have read a recent post that mentioned a box of party hats. Rest assured that stock remains intact. However, Mrs J and the B’s did have the occasion to break out some new party hats for a traditional crayfish bonanza.

Here are the little gems in their presentation bowl, on their presentation mat.

Crayfish, in Mrs J’s Scando tradition, are cooked with dill and salt and served cold (or room temperature). It’s a traditional August party, because in the olden days the season didn’t start until a certain date in August. Nowadays you can get them just about any time, but where’s the fun in that?

Part hats are mandatory. Aquavit is ubiquitous, though not mandatory. The little beasts are in equal measures delicious and frustrating. You slurp and crack and scrape forever for a few wonderful bites, and make a mess of yourself while doing it. It may well be that the hats and the bibs and the singing are there to make sure everyone looks and acts like a dunce at the outset so as to avoid anybody even attempting to preserve their dignity while eating. It’s a theory.

Anyway, something with substance is needed to make it a whole meal (and soak up the beer and the aquavit, if you did decided to have some). Mrs B (with the help of Mrs J, who as usual couldn’t stay out of the kitchen) made a “Västerbotten” cheese pie. It hit the spot!

Mrs J then slept for 10 hours dreaming of salty seas and sunburn.