A few weeks ago, I was doing laundry. Fabric softener and detergent look alike on the bottle. If you saw 0% Fargestoffer, wouldn’t you think that said 0% Fabric Softener? Well, it doesn’t. It says 0% dyes. Sooo numpty over here washed clothes in Fabric Softener and Fabric Softened with detergent. In the end, couldn’t really tell a difference… (if you didn’t tell anyone). I might try making those wool fabric softening balls I learned from Patricia. Then I shouldn’t get confused.
Mistake #1 – Always translate!
The other week, I was shopping for baking supplies with my sister who was visiting. We needed vegetable shortening. I’ve learned to always translate before going shopping because you can’t always see what is in the package, and it’s in Norwegian. Like a good little foreigner, I did my homework and we confidently went to the grocery store.
Mistake #2 – NEVER confidently go to the grocery store with a translated list!
We look for the vegetable shortening in what we think is the usual place. Nope. Maybe it’s cold? Nope. Do they not have it? Let’s ask. The first guy we asked said he didn’t speak English. My bad, I don’t spreka zie Norshk either. He got us another guy who could kind of speak English. We said we were looking for shortening and proudly gave him our written translation… ? … ? … After looking at us like we were crazies, he said, “You want…?”
“What do you want reduced?” We all burst out laughing!!! I got the wrong translation! I didn’t know! I tried! Another woman shopping came over to try to help. She said there is no translation for it (AHA!) and they don’t really have it. She gave me something that might work or said just to use butter. (But I want what I know as shortening!!!)
After a long debate, we left and called HB to help. He brought the thing that might work home that night and… I think it worked! It’s called Kokos Matfett. Hardened coconut oil I guess. Melting it is fine but softening it is a challenge. It’s currently sitting out next to the butter and I’m hoping the butter will encourage it to soften. Maybe I’ll have to grate it? THAT’S IT! I’ll just grate it into the recipe! Then the friction from the mixer will soften it!!!
Now, if only I had a mixer…
Elves Are Never Bored 