KKK: Koffie, Kruidkoek,en Keane

Somethings you keep a secret and some things you just have to share! So I was eating a slice of kruidkoek with my coffee this afternoon, and I decided that this must be shared. At the end of my last visit in Holland, my oma quickly biked to the bakery to get me some packages of speculaaskruiden, so that at any time I could make my own pepernoten or kruidkoek. I am not baking very much, usually because if I make it, I will be most likely to eat it which does not help my goal of keeping my waistline in check, but today was an exception.

Anyways to prepare a kruidkoek in your English kitchen (which uses cups, hence English) you proceed as follows:

Mix 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of brown sugar, 2.5 teaspoons of baking powder and 1 tablespoon of koekkruiden. Subsequently add 200 mL of milk and 1 egg. Mix well, note that a mixer may not be so handy in this case. You bake this in a loaf pan at about 305F for approximately 45 minutes, although you might want to keep an eye on the time. Being raisinless is a condition I am known to have, so I did not add raisins this time. But to make the loaf a little bit more moist and awesome I would add approximately 1 cup of raisins which have been soaked in water for a while (make sure you drain them before you add them to the dough right before baking). Et voila.

Now I know not everyone has a grandmother who visits the local bakery to obtain the key ingredient for you, but as with anything in life after your grandmother the internets know best! So the mixture should include cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, white pepper, ground cardamom, ginger of sorts. This blogger offers some recipes. So, if you want to try, I say don't delay, start today. Interestingly, I had thought about that line to end a cover letter: "don't delay, call today!" but I may be considered a bit of a chicken.

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Even though I have a disappointingly low number of friends in Ottawa who are Senators fans - I don't mind celebrating on my own. Now that win last night was something boys, quite something!

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Today I also remembered how much I love Keane, and almost all of their songs.

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OFFICIAL COUNTDOWN to the 2010 World Cup: 70 days.

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The updated FIFA ranking has also been released today, and the Netherlands continue to occupy the #3 spot. Whoot! Ole, Ole! Can I get a what, what!

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Keane - Bedshaped

Every Once in a While

That is the title of the song I was listening to, and it typifies my recent blogging habits since I finished school, which has been quite a few months already. Since then I have learned that time flies - even when you aren't very busy. My full-time job continues to be finding a full-time job, which has its up and down moments just like any job. My lack of success, despite my low expectations, would make any person depressed: luckily I am not there yet.

Since it has been such a long time since I have finished a post (finished is the key here), it will be another mish-mash of happenings and musings from the last few weeks:

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OFFICIAL COUNTDOWN to the 2010 World Cup:

75 days

And to celebrate here is a great historical moment from the 1998 quarter-finals:

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I recently came across this article that shared a new perspective on measuring the economy, or GDP. From space.

I am sure that image would look a little bit different during Earth Hour. Which reminds me, today is Earth Hour day. I think I might try to find some candles - even though that will contribute more carbon dioxide emissions. It is the idea, right?

On the Next Nature site I also came across this Essay titled "Real Nature is Not Green" that may be worth a read.

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SENATORS-RANGERS Game - March 2

Just before Maya would leave Canada for her hometown in Slovakia we had the chance to attend a Senators game (or a Gaborik game if we are talking from her perspective). This was the first game after the Olympics, and while we had hoped that the pre-Olympic streak would continue - it didn't. It definitely didn't. With a 4-1 loss for the Senators, and a missing Gaborik we were pretty disappointed. Nonetheless, any game is a good game! Right?

Either way, it looks like the team will make it to the playoffs. And after three recent wins, I say bring on the Panthers tonight! GO SENS GO!

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I love, love. love this website: Tastespotting. So many fun recipes and pretty pictures - it is sure to make you hungry!

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I was watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution last night and it reminded me of this blog that I had come across. I have to admit that I had no idea that elementary kids got breakfast/lunch at school. When I was in elementary school we were fortunate enough to be able to go home for lunch every day, and if we couldn't it was quite special to bring a lunch to school. Nonetheless, lunch was always a whole wheat sandwich with cheese. And I still LOVE sandwiches. Yum!

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I have been listening to Paolo Nutini (again) lately, and am loving his new album Sunny Side Up! I also found this tribute. It is available on iTunes to raise funds for research in the detection and treatment of cervical cancer. A worthwhile cause for sure!

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There is a million more things I could share, but I am off to make a birthday cake for my lovely roommate. Even though I have not yet decided on a theme, I am sure I can come up with something between now and when I make it down the stairs? Hope so.

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Paolo Nutini - Worried Man

Kurt Nilsen - Every Once in a While