baking, baking, baking

It feels like this week has been all about baking and cooking. Mostly baking. When I was younger and lived at home I always started baking when I was bored or did not have anything to do. I guess it is that habit I have picked up again. It keeps me busy and I love it.

After baking the focaccia, I felt like baking something more. I was also in this mood for something sweet, it is Friday. Although, it seems like I have been in this mood the whole week. During weekend I baked semlor, a few days ago I baked an apple crumble pie, and tonight some New York fudge brownies (although I skipped the nuts).

Delicious.

another focaccia

Did another batch of the delicious focaccia today, however it did not turn out as great as the previous. This time I used sun dried tomatoes marinated in herbs and garlic and used the oil in the dough to get all the flavors of the herbs (instead of olive oil), feta, and sunflower seeds. I should try with less filling next time, I think the problem was too much filling, it was a bit compact and not as fluffy as the previous. And I forgot my favorite part, the flaked salt on top. The bread was good, but have to try again another time to see if I can get it just the way I want it.

The sun dried tomatoes from Ridderheims must be my absolute favorite. They are delicious to eat just how they are topped on a brie sandwich, or mixed together with Philadelphia cheese and spread on piece of bread, that spread is also great to fill chicken fillets with and wrap them with Parma ham. Yummy.

the nanny

I am reliving a piece of the old days. I rediscovered The Nanny and have started watching that again. I always watched the show when it was airing. I must say, it is one show that still works for me.

tonights dinner

I love cooking, especially when I just look what we have in the fridge/freezer and then make up my mind. I found some fresh pasta in the fridge, tortellini filled with sun dried tomatoes. Some frozen beens/vegatables mix (ICA Selection Grön Delikatess wich I love), leek, garlic, cocktail tomatoes, pesto, sun dried tomatoes, cream, and topped with sunflower seeds. Good mix.

delicious focaccia

I made the most delicious bread yesterday. I finally tried to make some focaccia, I have eaten it in cafés and restaurants and always loved it. So yesterday I made it happen. Focaccia filled with green olives, topped with some dried herbs and flaked salt.

I love how both the top and bottom of the bread becomes so crispy of the olive oil and the flaked salt on top. We one half together with dinner and the other half was gone the next morning. I will definitely try it again, perhaps with different fillings. Perhaps one with sun dried tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese. Cannot wait.

skinny tuesday buns

I just realized that Fettisdagen (Shrove Tuesday) has a connection with Mardi Gras and Carnival, when trying to find the English translation. Something new I learned today. Strange though, that the semla we eat that day are called skinny Tuesday buns when Fettisdagen is derived from the Swedish words 'fat' and 'Tuesday'. But that is some wikipedia facts so who knows how factual it is.

Anyway, Fettisdagen was last Tuesday and I never managed to get a semla so therefore I decided to bake some.

My yummy and fluffy semlor. Bite size buns.

first interview

I actually made some progress in my job hunting this week. I had my first interview. About time. My first interview since I started sending out applications. (Well, I had a chance to an interview to a job I did not want but I was in Taiwan.) I was at E's and watching Scrubs when getting a call from an unknown caller with the country code of +47. I had my suspicions and it was for the Management Trainee position in a Norwegian company.

It was a phone interview with easy questions and I might here from them within a week for some news. It seems quite interesting, I just need to get some more info about the position if I would happen to progress. You also need to be careful with trainee positions in smaller companies, so that they are not just trying to hire someone for a job for less pay. There has to be a clear plan for the trainee position.

It is funny though, I have a possibility to end up in Oslo and remembering what my friend said about me touring the Nordic capitals.

snow, snow, everywhere snow

I did a good job as a nurse (I hope) but probably not my new calling. But I did the best I could and helped E after her eye surgery, with all kinds of eye drops according to the long schedule. First day was not fun for her at all and I tried to occupy myself  even though the internet died just that day. Of course. Instead I watched Scrubs and did some reading and made the hours go by. I made the days go by and helped E when necessary, with eye drops and food.

Friday I decided to make my way back to the country side. Looking back it was both good and bad. A storm was coming in and I made it home with barely any delays, can you believe it? The next day was worse and there was windy and snow flying everywhere closing the roads out here. Although I seemed to have missed a great party on Saturday by going back home and not being able to get out of here. Next time.

But now for sure I think the winter should stop. Like that will happen any time soon. I need to get a job and move somewhere warm.

new career path?

Tomorrow I am starting my new job.

As a nurse. Maybe something for me?

Well, probably not. And I would not call it a job but more of a volunteer.

Actually I am helping out a friend. She is having eye surgery and I will stay with her for at least two days. Being unemployed with plenty of free time and noting important to do, of course I will help her out.

And maybe a change of location will help me get my ass together and become a bit more productive. I started February well with hunting and some applications sent out. I have a list of government and company sites I need to check out for jobs. I just need to get crackin. Otherwise I might end up as a nurse somewhere.

lazy brain

I have been postponing the practice tests that I have to do after applying to a trainee program. Today I finally did them, the induction test went very well and I know I am good at that stuff. It is a test with five pictures and then you are supposed to pick out the following sixth from five other pictures. But the second test is another matter...

I also did the numerical test, where you get questions with tables and graphs to help you. Here you need to be fast at understanding the question, reading the graphs, and the math. I know I am good at math, but it is the speed that is my problem. I need a few extra seconds to be sure that I am understanding everything correctly and doing the math right. I had one minute for every question and in the end it was not enough. At least it is good with a practice test because then I know what to expect and can try to be quicker.

So know I keep on postponing the real tests. Now I am anxious that I will not do well. I should just do them.