Farm Life in Bergen

A fireplace, a cozy blanket, fresh banana bread in the oven, and 5 generations of family history.  It is all too surreal to fully grasp yet.  Since moving into Bogetveit, things have just gotten better and better.  In the last 10 days since moving in, we have had more family visits than months of living in Edvardsens.

My two Aunts and cousins looking at pictures

There are so many aspects of living in the "country" of Bergen that I didn't realize I would love.

First off, the people are different than in the city.  Everyone is so friendly and happy.  I was shocked when a woman smiled and said hello in the grocery store parking lot.  The neighbors are always coming over for a nice chat and there are loads of hikers and visitors that walk by and smile.

It isn't far from the city and is very close to a big shopping center, but when i'm here, I feel like i'm ages away from anything.  It is quiet and still and at night you can see every star in the sky.  There is a calmness in the air and you can't help but feel relaxed.  I can't help but think this might change once we have animals to feed and berries to pick!!

Relaxing in the sunshine with my morning coffee

The kitchen.  Oh, how I love the kitchen.  I think the boys do too, because I can't seem to stop cooking and baking tasty treats (My cousin is up 4kg since moving in...oops).  Some of my favorites so far....well, I will have to make a list with pictures.

"Inside out" iced coffee = frozen coffee cubes topped with milk

Goat cheese and date stuffed chicken breasts wrapped in proscuitto

Homemade Chicken Broth

French toast with berry syrup and homemade yogurt

Taste tester

Banana chocolate crunch muffins

I have lived in many places, but can easily say this is the most beautiful.  I can't get over the view from my bedroom window every morning when I wake up and from the front door when I leave every day.  It is like the Taj Majal.  The view of the mountain changes depending of the time of day, and each time is so amazing.  And yes, I did just compare my front yard to one of the 7 wonders.  I just think it is that beautiful!!

A snowy morning

Evening

Sunny daytime

The most amazing thing about living here is the history.  The house feels like a home because you know what and who has been here.  My Aunts came over for dinner and talked about living here as kids.  My Great Grandpa left his initials all over the place, as we've found "NB" scratched into the wood. I talk to my dad on Skype and he was telling me the different names of each room.  I think if a house had feelings, this one would be overwhelmed with joy.

The cousins checking out an old picture of polar bears that used to scare us as kids when we used to visit.

Baking my way through the rain and cold

Fall is here and the chill is in the air.  We even got some snow this last week.  I can't think of a better way to cozy up and stay warm than to bake delicious treats.  I grew up with 3 sisters and a mom, all of whom love being in the kitchen.  I learned from a young age how to bake and cook.  There is something about baking a loaf of bread or a nice chocolate cake that calms you and puts a smile on your face.  I seem to think it's the smell of it baking in the oven, then the taste of it after its done:)  No matter what it is, it's always tastier when it's fresh!!!

I have a mini kitchen in Norway with minimal baking supplies (that means, no bread pans, no measuring cups and no thermometer). To add to that, as I have mentioned, groceries are expensive.  Therefore, it is a difficult hobby.  Or, I suppose you can call it a challenge and great experiment. Almost everything came out amazing.

What did I try???

Homemade yogurt (my new favorite)

This was really very simple.  Basically, you heat milk on a double boiler until it is nearly boiling (180 degrees), then cool it to 110 degrees.  Then you add some yogurt with live cultures, mix and let sit for 8 hours.  In the morning...yogurt!! And to make it more greek style, you can strain it (I used coffee filters) and all of the whey drains out.  It was the most delicious yogurt I've ever tasted.  Ok, thats a lie..but only because of Noosa at home, which is the most delightful thing ever.  But, my yogurt with a little honey did come in second!!

Milk cooling to 110 degrees before I added the starter

Getting ready to strain the yogurt into greek yogurt using coffee filters

Fresh, homemade yogurt. yum, yum!

Sea Salt and Rosemary Bread

I tasted this bread in North Carolina at a farm I visited.  It was so delicious that I just had to try and duplicate it.  I found a bread recipe online and manipulated it to have fresh rosemary topped with sea salt.  It was so delicious!!!

Letting the dough rise

Done! 

Raisin bread with a cinnamon swirl

This was my one disappointment.  It was tasty with juicy raisins throughout and a yummy cinnamon swirl that was sweet and gooey.  But, the bread was just a little too dry.  I'll have to try that one again soon!

I forgot to take a picture when it was cooked, but this was before:)

Honey Whole Wheat bread

Ok, my new favorite.  There is a store in Colorado called Great Harvest and they have the best bread ever!! Fresh, warm bread they give samples of with some butter on top...best ever!!  I wanted some of this.  So, I tried to make it.  I found some whole wheat at the grocery store and a basic recipe, spiced it up a bit and omg, delicious!!!!!  I had to bring it upstairs to the boys or I was afraid I'd eat it all!  And, forgot to take a picture.  No worries, I'll make it again:)


Bagels

One thing I miss from Colorado is being able to stop for a fresh, warm bagel with cream cheese on your way to work.  The closest you get to this in Bergen is Bollers at 7/11 or Narvessen...sorry, but not the same.  The only bagels I have found in Norway are frozen ones to re heat and they just don't taste the same. These were also pretty easy.  You basically make a quick yeast bread dough, let it rise and then form it into balls, then bagel shapes. Then, boil them.  Then bake them.  I put cinnamon and sugar on some and sea salt on others.  MMMMMmmmmmm.

Fresh bagels.  topped with either sea salt or cinnamon and sugar.

Mayonnaise

I had to have my sea salt and rosemary bread sliced warm with some homemade mayonnaise and a nice ripe slice of tomato!! So, whipped some up.  It's just egg, egg yolk, lemon, and olive oil.  Simple, yet delicious!!!!

Rosemary and Sea Salt bread with homemade mayonnaise and fresh tomatoes

I have so many other things on my practice list...but I think I will have to visit IKEA before any of them can turn out perfect!!  Just some things to look forward to (especially if you live with me):

- Pumpkin muffins filled with sweet cream cheese and topped with walnut streusel.
- Another raisin and cinnamon swirl bread
- Jalepeno and cheddar bread
- Cheese, yes...cheese!
- Coffee cake
- Pie pasteries
- Oh, so much more...