Yesterday I cooked gluten-free chicken fillets in the Airfryer, with fresh salad from the greenhouse and my fluffy Afghan rice. Down in the basement, our worlds coexist. He with his order, me with my creative chaos. Yesterday it was chicken in the Airfryer, salad with greenhouse tomatoes, and Afghan rice – a dinner as simple as it was good. Today it is the same basement, the same us, yet the day carries something more: longing for Alfred and the afternoon ahead.
Yesterday I sat here in the basement. Our little hobby room. We both have our desktop computers down here and sit back-to-back. He in his chair, me in mine. He with WoW, sports and horses, me with pencils, painting, knitting and writing. We may not say much, but still, it is togetherness. At the same time, it is comforting to be close, even if we are doing completely different things. This room was once a storage room, but now it has become our space to play and create.
You will have to excuse the mess. But the mess is mine. I spread out. Brushes, paints, yarn and paper all over the place. That is why it feels alive, and not stiff. Maybe it is also my ADHD that makes the mess grow so fast – yet at the same time, that is where creativity lives. Here lie the ideas that turn into colors, words, and sometimes into food on the table.
Min målarhörna i källaren
My painting corner in the basement
Min skriv- och datorhörna
My writing and computer desk
Vårt gemensamma källarrum
Our shared basement room
Yesterday – Dinner on the Table
And yesterday I cooked, as usual. I take care of weekday dinners, while my husband cooks when he is off work. Gluten-free chicken fillets in the Airfryer. A salad with tomatoes and cucumbers from the greenhouse. I also mixed in the shredded carrots left over from the day before, plus alfalfa sprouts, red onion, lemon, oil and vinegar. Fresh and good. I have also shared my recipe for homemade pizza salad – simple, fresh and perfect as an everyday side dish.
Glutenfria kycklingfiléer på väg in i Airfryern
Crispy chicken with corn flour and panko
Gluten-free chicken fillets ready for the Airfryer
The chicken turned out crispy: corn flour → egg → gluten-free panko. Six minutes on each side in the Airfryer, and then into the oven for a while. It is important that they do not lie too close to each other. Alongside we had a cold sauce made of sour cream, mayonnaise, sambal oelek and chili sauce. And peanut sauce. Yes – you can easily make it yourself, and then all the flavors come through even more clearly. I link to an ICA recipe at the end, and I also include my own quick version.
Afghan rice – a family favorite
Perhaps not everyone’s favorite – my husband is not too fond of it. But my eldest son loves it, and that is mostly why I make it.
I cook it my own way – a twist on Afghan rice. I have said it before and I will say it again: rice must be washed! For a long time. The water must be clear. Then it needs to soak for a few hours.
Afghanskt ris i blötläggning
Afghan rice soaking in water
When I cook it, I use plenty of water, broth, curry, chili, garlic and onion. When it is done, I drain it and put it back in the pot with a paper towel under the lid. In this way the rice becomes fluffy and light.
Today – Longing for Alfred
But that was yesterday. Today is a new day. Still, I sit here in the same basement. The same mess, the same chairs. But not quite the same us, because my husband will soon leave for work – so we are no longer back-to-back. Today my thoughts are elsewhere. With Alfred.
I am already longing, even though the day has barely begun. Later this afternoon I get to pick him up from school. That thought makes me warm inside. To see him, to hear what he wants to tell me, to be a part of his afternoon. That is exactly what I am looking forward to.
Between the Lines
Yesterday was all about food and flavors, even about quiet togetherness back-to-back. Today it is about waiting. Here between the lines lies closeness: it is about having a place. But it is also about sharing everyday life. It is about longing for someone you love. And maybe this too is part of living with ADHD – that everything happens at once, that the mess becomes part of the whole, but also that joy often hides right there.
Now I am curious about you – how is it for you? How does your everyday clutter look – neat and tidy, or creative chaos?
Reflection
Maybe it is right here that life feels most real – in yesterday’s dinner, even if it is also in today’s longing. In the mess down here, and at the same time in the silence back-to-back. Here I experience, even while I see the small moments, which together shape everything in our lives. It is here we can feel within ourselves – in those everyday moments that, therefore, become life in its purest simplicity.
Yesterday has already settled into history, tomorrow waits further ahead. But right now – this is where life happens. – Carina Ikonen Nilsson
Frequently Asked Questions about Gluten-Free Chicken Fillets in the Airfryer
How do you cook gluten-free chicken fillets in the Airfryer? Place the seasoned chicken fillets in the Airfryer basket and cook at 180°C (350°F) for about 18–20 minutes. Flip halfway through for even cooking.
Does chicken stay juicy in the Airfryer? Yes, the Airfryer gives the chicken a crispy outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
What spices work best for chicken in the Airfryer? A simple mix of salt, pepper, paprika, and a little olive oil always works well. You can also add garlic, chili, or herbs depending on your taste.
Can I cook frozen chicken fillets in the Airfryer? Yes, but it takes a little longer. Plan for 22–25 minutes instead of 18–20 minutes, depending on the size of the fillets.
Keep warm in the oven until all are done (place them with space between).
Serve with:
Cold sauce: sour cream + mayonnaise + sambal oelek + chili sauce. Taste your way – I often do this with all my cooking, letting the taste buds decide.
Peanut sauce: see quick version below or follow the ICA recipe.
Peanut Sauce – Homemade (Quick Version)
100 ml peanut butter
about 100 ml water (adjust for consistency)
1–2 tbsp soy sauce
1 small garlic clove, grated
1 tsp grated ginger
chili flakes or sambal oelek to taste
1–2 tsp lime juice or a splash of white wine vinegar
a pinch of sugar or honey
Heat gently in a saucepan and stir until smooth. Taste and adjust salt, heat and acidity – homemade usually gives more flavor because you decide the balance yourself.
(ICA recipe link: add here)
Afghan Rice – My Version
Wash the rice thoroughly until the water is clear.
Let it soak for a few hours.
Cook in plenty of water with broth and spices (my twist: curry, chili, garlic, onion).
Taste – when done, drain.
Return to the pot with a paper towel under the lid.
Result: fluffy, flavorful and the perfect side dish.
New glasses again. Hello and welcome to all of you who read my posts here on Malix.se. Today I’m sharing a post about something as ordinary as glasses. You might wonder: can you really write a whole post about glasses? Oh yes – at least I can.
Here I am again, sitting on the sofa. Yesterday was a slow day – no surprise, since we came home late after a magical evening with Thåström in Karlstad. The concert was larger than life, and the tiredness the day after almost felt like part of the memory. If you want to read more about that night, you’ll find it here: Thåström concert Karlstad – a magical night in the spirit of music.
Still, despite the tiredness, we managed to get a few things done. One of them was picking up my new glasses at Synsam. I have a subscription where I rent glasses for a monthly fee, and when my husband was there last time it suddenly became very favorable for me to add a fourth pair. Yesterday was the day I picked them up.
As happy as can be
I was really happy! The glasses feel light, sit perfectly, and they’re stylish too. While I tried them on, I joked with the assistant: “Now I have so many glasses I feel like Elton John.” She smiled and replied: “It’s wonderful to feel that way.” And yes, it really is. Even though I only have four pairs, it’s such a joy to be able to switch depending on mood and situation.
Synsam subscription – smart for me
Synsam has a concept I really like. You rent your glasses and can update them year after year. I pay monthly for one pair of sunglasses, one pair of regular glasses, and one pair of reading glasses – that’s the foundation. A few weeks ago, they had a special offer, and that’s when I decided to get a fourth pair.
An everyday moment from the sofa where my new glasses rest on the laptop, with the blog post open on the screen.
These new ones sit so comfortably that I barely notice I’m wearing them. And while it’s fun that they look good, the most important thing is of course how I see with them. The world is suddenly clearer – what used to be blurry is now sharp and full of detail. If you sign up for a Synsam subscription through my referral, you actually get two months for free. I get one month as a thank you, but you benefit even more. Worth knowing if you’re considering new glasses yourself.
The Oskar series – next chapter
Today I’ll continue working on the next post in my little Oskar series. Tomorrow I’ll publish part two, and there will also be a part three and four. This subject is close to my heart, so I want to take my time and include as much as possible in each post.
The text itself was written many years ago, but the thoughts are still alive and relevant. The series gives me a way to gather them once again. If you haven’t read the first part yet, you’ll find it here: The Oskar series – meeting children with neurodivergence in school.
Between the lines
What does this post say about me? Maybe that I like glasses and that I enjoy variation. Maybe also that I tend to write long posts, so long that I sometimes have to turn them into a series. But perhaps it also says something about care – I want you as a reader to actually have the energy to follow along.
Reflection
Sometimes it’s clarity that makes all the difference. The right glasses can change everything – suddenly details that were blurry come into focus. Life works the same way. When we pause and adjust our view, we can notice things we’d otherwise miss: small joys, a new tone in a conversation, or a feeling waiting to be seen.
What becomes clearer for you if you look with fresh eyes today?
Afterword
Thank you for joining me in today’s post, even though it was about something as ordinary as glasses. Everyday life often contains more than meets the eye.
“Yesterday has already settled into history, tomorrow is waiting further ahead. But right now – this is where life happens.” -Carina Ikonen Nilsson
This morning, I wrote a long post about Ozzy Osbourne – a tribute to a living legend. But now I’m sitting under our awning, outside our motorhome, with a cup of coffee by my side. The air is still, and it finally feels like I can breathe.
We’ve arrived at the campsite where we’ll spend the weekend. Getting here, though? Well… let’s just say ADHD and packing don’t always mix well.
Cleaning Chaos and Tomato Distractions
This morning started with a mission: clean the motorhome. It hadn’t been properly cleaned since we got back from our long trip to northern Sweden. The floor definitely needed some love. But I got sidetracked – something that happens more often than I’d like to admit.
I was working on my blog, tweaking things, writing about Ozzy. Time flew. When I finally looked up, hours had passed, and it was already late morning. So I grabbed the mop bucket and started organizing the motorhome.
But then… I remembered a TikTok video I saw. Something about tomato plants and how pruning them gives a better harvest. So off I went – into the 40-degree (Celsius!) greenhouse, sweat pouring down my face. I trimmed leaves, cut off branches, tied up straggly stems, and made a giant pile of tomato scraps for compost.
And that’s when I remembered: Oh, right – I was in the middle of cleaning the motorhome.
There were cleaning supplies everywhere, half-packed bags, and tools lying around like a scene from a mild domestic tornado. That’s ADHD for you – jumping from task to task, all with great passion… but very little completion.
From Mayhem to Markis
Just as I stood in the middle of it all, my husband called to say he was on his way home. Cue: panic mode.
Throw everything back in place. Shower. Pack. Breakfast – kind of. Take my medication. Get dressed. Grab the laundry. And then – finally – get into the motorhome.
We stopped by a shop for the last few things, and then hit the road.
And now, here I am. Sitting still. Under our awning. Coffee in hand. Nothing more to do but write… and soon, grill.
ADHD – More Than a Buzzword
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) isn’t just about being ”distracted.” It’s often about having a fast brain, full of ideas, impulses, and emotional reactions. It can feel like living inside a pinball machine – one bright idea leads to the next, and everything seems equally urgent.
For me, it means diving headfirst into projects, then forgetting what I was doing 10 minutes ago. It’s messy. But it’s also part of who I am – and sometimes, it leads to moments of surprising joy. Or tomatoes.
Callout – What about you?
Have you ever started cleaning and ended up gardening instead? Do you also have a brain that jumps from idea to idea? How do you handle everyday chaos when your thoughts move faster than your to-do list?
Reflection
It’s probably not the smartest idea to leave everything until the last minute. And it’s probably even less smart to forget that I have ADHD while doing it. But most of all, it’s just… life. My life. A little chaotic. A little sweaty. But somehow, it works.
A Little Tip! I’d love to share something sweet from my neighbor. She runs a YouTube channel where she creates short, educational videos for children – playful, fun, and perfect for early learning at home or in preschool settings.
Click the image below to go straight to the video!
What’s on your mind?
Do you recognize yourself in the moment where cleaning turns into greenhouse gardening? Do you also have a brain that sometimes runs its own race? How does your everyday life respond when everything happens at once – structure or chaos?
Carina Ikonen Nilsson
”Live today, right now. Yesterday rests in history, and tomorrow waits out there in the distance. Right now is what matters.”
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Introduction: Today I’m sitting outside under the pavilion, writing. Breakfast is beside me, and the last cup of coffee for the day serves as a drink for my sandwich. A sandwich with avocado and cucumber from our greenhouse. That cucumber really tasted like cucumber – not like those watered-down green sticks from the store.
In this moment, life feels simply delightful and beautiful. The sun is shining, and the sky is clear blue. It’s been so long since it was this blue. I don’t even feel the slightest breeze – everything is just still, lovely and full of flavor. At least the sandwich is.
My plan is to spend this day in the slope at home, in the garden. We’ll see how much energy I have. I’ll do what I feel like, and then I intend to enjoy this sunny day in my own way – by just being and doing almost nothing more than soaking up the sun.
Hanging laundry is, of course, a must on a day like this. As soon as my husband got out of bed, I went and removed the bed linens. They’re drying in the sun – which is where linens truly belong, at least in my world. They smell so wonderful after being hung outside, and it’s such a lovely feeling to be able to hang laundry in the fresh air.
The Right to Sleep Clean and Safe
That – hanging sheets outside, smelling their freshness, and going to bed in clean, sun-dried linens – should be a human right.
There are children, even here in Sweden, who don’t even have proper bedding in their beds. Children who have never experienced the feeling of being freshly showered, then crawling into a clean, freshly made bed with duvets that have aired or dried in the sun.
It should absolutely be a parental responsibility to give a child the opportunity to feel those things. To feel clean, safe and cared for. That sense of security often lives in the smallest details.
Garden Evening Vibes
Already yesterday evening, the weather showed signs of what today would bring. It was warm and light outside. My husband and I both got into the mood. We spent some time walking around the garden.
He worked on his things, and I removed overgrown lettuce, picked some freshly harvested carrots and hung another bouquet of oregano to dry. I checked on the tomatoes and cucumbers – something has happened, because the flowers that were supposed to become cucumbers have withered and died.
The cucumber flowers have started to wither before turning into fruit – any idea what could be causing it?
Education for the Little Ones – with Joy and Care
While sitting here in the sun with my coffee in hand, my thoughts turned to my neighbor. She’s one of those people who truly make a difference – quietly but meaningfully.
On her YouTube channel, she creates short educational videos for children. Small clips where she talks about the body, the environment and animals – always with a pedagogical intention, aimed at young children.
What’s especially wonderful is that she includes questions in her videos – questions children are meant to answer. It’s thoughtful, playful and inspiring. You can feel the care and genuine intention behind it. A channel made for the little ones, with a big heart.
Click on “Video” to watch the films she creates.
I’m going to continue this day right here – with the sun on my back and the scent of freshly dried laundry in the air. That’s enough. That’s more than enough. I wish you a beautiful day, where you get everything you need from your hours.
Carina Ikonen Nilsson
“Live today, right now. Yesterday rests in history, and tomorrow is waiting somewhere in the distance. Right now is what matters.”
Reflection
It’s in the small things that the big ones live. A sandwich with cucumber from the greenhouse. The scent of laundry in the breeze. A child’s voice answering a question in an educational film.
It may not look like much to the world – but to someone, it’s everything.
Question for you
What does your perfect summer day look like – the kind where nothing really happens, but everything feels right? Feel free to leave a comment below – I read every single one. And if you prefer, you’re welcome to contact me privately.
Here are a few things you might reflect on:
What everyday moments mean the most to you right now?
Can you remember the last time you climbed into sun-dried sheets – how did it feel?
What simple luxuries do you think all children should experience?
How do you create a sense of safety in the small things – for yourself or others?
What gives you that true summer feeling?
Do you have a quiet place of your own where you can simply be?
The day started well before five, with a cup of coffee and some bread baking. Since I had prepared the dry ingredients the night before, it only took five minutes to get the dough ready. Baking bread is something I truly enjoy – the little extra effort is always worth it. That smell of freshly baked bread filling the kitchen sets the tone for the entire day.
There was no morning swim today, since we had to leave early. If I had thought ahead, we might have traveled the day before and stayed at a hotel, which would have made the morning easier. But that thought only came to me as I was heading to bed. Well, sometimes you just have to take things as they come.
Along the Road to Stenungsund
In the early hours, after many miles on the road, we finally stopped for a much-needed coffee break in Stenungsund. That cup was essential for keeping my energy up, and with a sandwich in hand, things felt a little lighter. Although, to be fair, the sandwich wasn’t for me but for our little one.
After that, the trip went smoothly, and we arrived on time at our destination. Right now, I’m sitting in a spacious lobby filled with small sofas and lounge chairs – the perfect environment for writing and reflecting. My body is still a bit sore after yesterday’s massage, with small bruises here and there, but that usually fades after a day or two.
Living with Dyslexia and ADHD
Now, I want to share something close to my heart – living with dyslexia and ADHD in everyday life.
You know, that difficulty with reading and writing. Sometimes, I notice that there’s a sense of shame tied to dyslexia. I don’t usually talk about it openly, and I think many others do the same. Reading aloud is something I tend to avoid, but writing – that I still do, in my own way.
I often replace words with others, simply because I don’t know how to spell them. In a way, that has expanded my vocabulary, since I’m always searching for words that are easier to spell but still say exactly what I mean. The computer and its tools have been a lifesaver for me – especially AI programs that help me keep the red thread in my writing. ADHD makes my thoughts jump between topics, and here AI has been a great support.
Dyslexia in Daily Life and Work
For me, dyslexia is a disability – or, if you prefer, a functional impairment. It affects so many situations, like when I’m expected to read aloud or take notes in meetings. That’s when it feels like a real obstacle.
But in some contexts, it can also be a resource. With children who haven’t learned to read yet, I can adapt stories and tailor them to their level. Storytel has also opened a whole new world for me. Listening to books instead of reading them allows me to enjoy literature in a way that works for me – I’ve finally discovered authors and works without feeling left out.
Instructions, however, remain a challenge. Shorter, spoken directions would probably work better – but my high pace often makes me skim past details.
Closing Words: Understanding and Support
Dyslexia isn’t always visible to others, but for those of us living with it, support from the people around us is invaluable. Understanding the challenges and using the tools that exist can make a huge difference in how we manage daily life.
So, as I write these words, I hope more people gain insight into what dyslexia means – and that it’s something you can live with and even find strength in.
Now, the tiredness is starting to catch up with me, and I feel the need to go outside for some fresh air. Thank you for reading – and have a wonderful day!
Between the Lines – My Voice
This post says something deeper: about the courage to show vulnerability. About how shame often hides behind silence – but also how strength can grow when you dare to share.
Reflection
Living with dyslexia and ADHD is not only about struggle. It’s also about finding new ways. Perhaps our challenges hold the seeds of our unexpected strengths.
Afterword
Question for you as a reader: Do you have personal experience with dyslexia or ADHD – and what strategies have helped you manage daily life?
A morning on the move, bread baking, dyslexia and ADHD. Different pieces of daily life – yet together they form a whole.
A day by the water – sunglasses and summer vibes
Yesterday has already settled into history, tomorrow is still waiting. But right now – this is where life happens.
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