Nissen Explore Gardens "Nisse gutt " Hans and "nisse gutt " Jens had always been interested in gardening. TheyThrough the centuries the Vikings, Greeks and Egyptians and many others had raised and had used garlic for health benefits. Hans and Jens laughed about the folklore that told that wearing a garlic necklace would keep vampires away! Garlic was said to increase strength to have helped pyramid builders and soldiers going off to battle. Nissen had learned that there are some 300 strains of garlic grown worldwide. The plant produces small bulbs known as cloves that can be long or stubby; the colors range from white to purplish. Common garlic, of the lily family, is related to onions and chives. It has quite an odor so Mama Nisse would usually remove the green sprout in the center of the clove. To get rid of garlic breath, nissen would chew parlsey or a coffee bean - they wanted to smell clean! Hans and Jens like the elephant garlic, too, because it was milder - in fact, not garlic! Of the leek family and larger in size than garlic, nissen didn't think it looked at all like elephants they had seen while traveling! Hans and Jens had a favorite spice, cardamon, an exotic import that Mamma Nisse used in fancy bread baking. Pappa Nisse had told them that Viking sailors brought the spice home from the Viking voyages or raids of over 1,000 years earlier. "Kardemomme" pods would give off such a sweet fragrance when roasting in the oven. With their tiny fingers they helped with the shelling and crushing of the tiny seeds. They, too, had learned to bake holiday breads. "Stor bror" Tor and "Stor bror" Sig were learning about herbs that they would plant in Scandinavia. The cat "Nodros" would be especially happy with catnip! Some herbs were unfamiliar, as "Epazote" and "Echinacea" but others, like Licorice Root, Basil, Sage, and Parsley were easier to grow. Nissen said they had to have Rosemary because that was good for the memory! Mint and Chives were favorites. Nissen had so much fun hanging around in the cold frames and hot houses! They took measurements and filled little notebooks with notes and sketches - using tiny, tiny pencils! Nissen were very environmental conscious; always protecting the welcome ladybugs, too, and never used bug sprays. They practiced composting and observed the same methods - but on a tiny scale! Nissen loved gardening! Back home, nissen would often start out as a large group and then scatter to different hillsides to pick Rose They always sang folksongs and had such fun! Later, Swedish "Nyponsoppa" Rose Hip Soup was enjoyed - a favorite. On "the 'Loaf", nissen found a small patch of Raspberries and Strawberries - but birds and the wildlife had already cleaned almost all berries. It had taken Mrs.Tubs two hours among the prickly branches and thorns to pick one half cup of Gooseberries (Stikkelsbaer)for a pie filling - so dessert was delicious! Wild Chokecherries bushes were plentiful on "the 'Loaf" and nissen climbed up high to get a better view of the They snacked on tiny Currants and tasted Thimbleberries. There were little treats everywhere! Back home, Cloudberries and Lingonberries were found in their own deep northern forests. The American Cranberry and the Scandinavian berries were said to be berry cousins! Other desserts that nissen were fond of were Marion Blackberry Pie and Huckleberry. One nisse heard that it usually took four hours to hand pick a gallon of berries in the Northeast of United States. Nissen sampled all berries wherever they were lucky enough to spot them! They had to be careful as they roamed around the Yucca plant because those swordlike leaves were sharp. didn't find out if the spire of creamy white flowers had a fragrance! The prickly pear Cactus has spines that keep animals from eating the cactus; nisse saw the pretty flower of the plant which bears a pear-shaped fruit that makes delicious jelly. Nissen liked to climb up the the Hollyhock stems to look at the delicate flowers! too. After all of this exploring of the forest near "the 'Loaf", Nissen planned the next morning to follow Mr. around as he did watering and weeding in his beautiful garden. Maybe they could learn some good gardening tricks that they could use back in Scandinavian countries - especially how he had such good luck with his luscious red Cherry (Sweet 100) Tomatoes. Time was going so fast here on "the 'Loaf" so it was going to be interesting when Hans, Jens, Sig and Tor would check all their notes - each had his own little notebook! During this time that the guys were exploring gardening, the other nissen had the best of times, Solfrid, Alvhild, Svanhild and Solveig had been riding carousels, made sandcastles and next, they were excited to learn about the lovely dolls and toys here. Oh, they knew time was running too fast ... but they had a few things yet to see and do! Their notebooks and little purses were filled with big ideas! What a vacation!.