Britta Monson always prepares the Midsummer Strawberry Cake for her family's annual Swedish Midsummer Party. (Donna Erickson)

For the Monson family of Minneapolis, summer officially begins the Swedish way, as friends and three generations of relatives gather annually in their welcoming back yard on June 21 to eat, sing and dance around the maypole — that is, once everyone has made a midsummer head wreath of greens and flowers. "Even the guys," says party organizer and host Ron Monson.

It's a great icebreaker as people arrive. They wander over to the big wood table overflowing with fresh flowers, wire, ribbons, scissors and pliers to create their own version of traditional Swedish flower crowns. (For DIY photos, see the "Swedish Midsummer Party" photo album at DONNA'S DAY Facebook fan page.)

Monson, wife Carla and daughters Kirsten and Britta all pitch in to re-create the midsummer celebrations they've enjoyed several times abroad with second cousins in Dalsland, Sweden.

"The Swedes pick flowers in the countryside for their crowns and for decorating the maypole and then enjoy an outdoor menu of herring, salmon, shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, new potatoes with fresh dill and a strawberry cake filled with fresh whipped cream," says Britta, 19. "The cake is my favorite, and since I love to bake, I make an easy American version for our party using a cake mix."

The celebration goes all night long for many Swedes, since the sun never sets in some parts of Sweden.

"That's where we break from tradition!" says Monson. "For us, the gathering in our back yard is really about stepping

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aside from the routine of our stress-filled lives. Even for just an evening, it's a reason to bring people together, to take our shoes off, to let go of life's frustrations and to have fun! With all the food, fresh flowers and smiles, everyone leaves knowing the joy of summer is upon us!"

Celebrate summer where you live with Britta's mouthwatering four-layer Midsummer Strawberry Cake. Here's how:

Bake cake: Make two 9-inch rounds from a Betty Crocker white cake mix. When cool, carefully slice each layer in half to make four rounds.

Whip cream: Just before serving, whip 1 pint of heavy whipping cream until firm. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons sugar. Mix to combine.

Decorate cake: Place the bottom slice of a cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with some whipped cream. Scatter sliced strawberries over cream. Repeat with remaining layers. Cover top layer with cream. Decorate with big strawberry halves, stems intact.

CULTURE TIP

Enjoy the delightful children's book "A Swedish Midsummer Tale" by Swedish- American author Ewa Rydaker, with illustrations by Carina Stahlberg. For more information about the book, go to aswedishmidsummertale.com.

Donna Erickson's award-winning television series, "Donna's Day," is airing on public television nationwide. Watch it in the Twin Cities at 7:30 a.m. Fridays on tptLife on channels 13 and 17. Her latest book is "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families." Sign up for Donna's e-newsletter at donnasday.com. Visit donnasday.com and link to the new Donna's Day Facebook Fan page.