A Simple Nordic Life | Slowing Down with Baking Biscuits & Unique DIY pillowcase gift (IKEA Hack) 🍂

Slow living in the Norwegian coastal countryside 🌊 As the late summer sun begins to soften over the ocean, we are slowly easing into the turn of the seasons. In this video, I’m sharing a cozy, practical update from our life in Norway: reflecting on our old house renovation plans after our first year here, making a gentle hand-embroidered initial pillowcase for my daughter’s upcoming 1st birthday, learning how to dry fresh blackcurrants in a standard home oven, and baking delicious Blackcurrant & Almond Biscuits for quiet autumn tea times.

Whether you're looking for simple DIY gift ideas, beginner-friendly hand embroidery tutorials, seasonal baking inspiration, or simply a peaceful moment to log off, slow down, and disconnect from daily stress, I hope this video brings a warm breath of fresh air to your day. Thank you so much for being here! 🌾✨

🌸WHAT WE COVER IN THIS VIDEO:
• Reflecting on a full year of owning our house in Norway & taking renovation plans slowly
• Simple, meaningful birthday gift ideas
• Step-by-step DIY embroidered initial pillow case using an IKEA base (beginner tutorial)
• How to easily dry leftover berries (blackcurrants, raspberries, or blueberries) in a regular oven
• Easy, healthier home baking: Blackcurrant & Almond Biscuits (perfect for coffee, tea, or edible gifts)
• The mental health benefits of creating with your hands and slowing down

🥣 RECIPE: BISCUITS WITH BLACKCURRANT AND ALMONDS

Ingredients:
200g soft butter
200g brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
200g all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
250g rolled oats
150g dried blackcurrants – or dried raspberries/blueberries/raisins
50g flaked or coarsely chopped almonds (mandler)

Instructions:
1. Beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. Fold into the butter mixture.
4. Stir in the oats, dried blackcurrants, and chopped almonds until evenly combined.
5. Chill the dough in the fridge for about 1 hour.
6. Roll into 3cm balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (press them down).
7. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes, until light golden around the edges.

Let cool on a wire rack to firm up before serving or packaging in a clear ribbon bag for gifting!

💡 HOW TO DRY BERRIES IN A STANDARD OVEN:
You don't need a dehydrator to dry fresh garden berries!
• Line a tray with baking paper and spread your berries out in a single, uncrowded layer.
• Set your oven to its lowest temperature setting (ideally around 50°C–70°C / 120°F–160°F or a dedicated drying mode). If your oven runs hot, prop the door open slightly with a wooden spoon to let moisture escape.
• Bake for 5 to 10 hours (in my oven, blackcurrants took about 5 hours), checking occasionally, until the berries are shriveled, dry to the touch, but still fruity and chewy.


⏱️ CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro - late summer at the Norwegian Coast
1:22 Making a special gift - hand embroidery and tea on the patio
5:07 Drying fruit and berries - blackcurrant
5:51 Baking Blackcurrant & Almond Biscuits
8:52 Slow evening - finishing result of DIY handmade gift

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