October 31, 2007 @ 07:01

Ubercake for the office today. 

October 29, 2007 @ 17:30

5:00 a.m.  alarm sounds, hit snooze. 

5:06 a.m.  alarm sounds again, damned miserly, uncustomizeable, 6 minute snooze, hit it again. 

5:12 a.m.  aaaiiiggghhh, need to go potty anyway, did I just say go potty?  I need some grown up time . . .  snarl at clock and hit the cold floor. 

5:17 a.m.  wake up in bathroom, where am I?  oh, good morning sink . . .  stumble to kitchen. 

5:19 a.m.  wake up at kitchen island, where am I?  oh, hey apples . . .  begin breakfast by cutting up apples and tossing in sugar. 

5:24 a.m.  pad to the shower and wonder what on earth I’ll wear today. 

5:44 a.m.  emerge fully awake and ready for Word World.  But first finish breakfast. 

Easy Enough for a Weekday Apple Clafoutis Cups

2 cups Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into “bite sized” pieces
1 cup sugar
1/2 veggie oil
1 egg
1 1/2 cups self rising flour

Toss cut up apples in sugar and let sit for at least 15 minutes, half hour is better, full hour won’t hurt.  Tumble in egg and oil until fully combined.  Add flour and stir until awkward batter is formed.  Will be somewhat like pancake batter coated apple chunks.  Drop into cupcake cups lined with paper cupcake liners and bake at 350 F until rich golden brown on top, about 20 minutes.  Don’t pull too soon, you want the browned sugary crispy tops.  Finish getting everybody dressed as they bake. 

Really, they are awesomely easy and good.  Even Bear likes them, and he’s becoming very picky as he approaches his teen years . . .  Saints preserve us . . . 
 

October 26, 2007 @ 17:17

I love Yours Truly, our local consignment shop.  The kid’s side is just outstanding.  Yesterday between Bear and Puppy’s doctor’s visits, I stopped in to see if there might be something we needed.  Checked my account first, had credit available.  Not only did I find great super soft brown suede boots and a wool coat (the coat was $1.20, yeah; you read that right, one dollah!  That’s proof of grown-up-ness, when you brag about how cheap you got it instead of how expensive it was) but it was for all intents and purposes free, all money from my consignors account, not a cent from my pockets . . .  And look how cute! 

Also got the perfect sweater for our Christmas pictures and I actually found Bob the Builder overalls and a shirt for Puppy’s Halloween costume.  Bear has changed his mind on his costume several times, and I can’t say a word.  I still haven’t decided what I’m going to be either.  I thought about Velma from Scooby Doo . . . 

Then thought pirate, but that’s just a cop out because I’ve got the stuff to do that already, and it’s what I was for the last Halloween party . . .  Witch?  Gypsy?  All versions of regular SCA wear . . .  anybody got any good ideas?  What are y’all gonna be for the big day?  Got a great party to go to?  You could always come visit here and come to ours . . .  Jenn’s throwing it, and having lots of fun doing it, here’s a bit of her latest blog entry on the planning:    

“Bleeding Brains and other creepy stuff . . .  So the other day I made my annual visit to the Halloween store in hopes of finding some creepy props to decorate my upcoming party.  I mean, seriously, what is a Halloween party without a severed foot, bleeding brain, or pulsating heart?  And as it just so happens, I took home all three.  The brain, by far, is the creepiest!  When you squeeze the brain, it oozes blood-or at least it’s supposed to.  Mine, of course, does not work properly and so when squeezed, it hurls a stream of blood across the room like you’ve just sliced into the carotid artery of a crack head!  Imagine how nice of a surprise this was to discover in my white kitchen, with white counter tops and floors, while wearing a white shirt!!!  This is how life always goes for me.  So I called the store and once I got off the phone I realized why Halloween is my favorite holiday.  Only during this time of year is the following conversation normal.

 Me:  Hi, okay, so I was just in there and purchased a bleeding brain from your store.
Sales associate:  The one that oozes blood or the one that just looks bloody?

Me:  The one that oozes blood-supposedly.  So that’s the whole point.  It’s actually gushing blood-I can’t get it to stop.  And I’m afraid that it’s going to gush all of the blood out before Halloween. 

Sales associate:  Oh yea, we’ve had a problem with the brains gushing instead of oozing all season it seems like.  Just bring it back and you can exchange it for something else.  We have a really cool severed foot you might want to check out.

Me:  I know…I’ve already bought one.  What else ya got? 

I love this holiday!!!”

I just love Jenn . . . 

October 23, 2007 @ 17:34

Puppy has me setting the alarm early for him now.  Our new favorite show is now our new morning routine.  Because it comes on at 6 a.m. (read oh-my-god-thirty, ’cause for Mommy to be prepared to wake me up at six she’s gotta be up by 5!)  But  Word World!  is so very worth it.  You can watch his very favorite episode on the website, Runaway O! My personal favorite is the one where Pig gets his head stuck in a pot . . . 

 . . .  but Runaway O! is terrific, too.  We now spend a lot of time running around the house in circles catching O’s. If you’ve got a little one, you should check it out.  My favorite part about the kids programming on PBS is that it is all on a child’s level.  There’s no pretense of grown up “sophistication”.  That slick commercial grow up too fast aura you can get on other networks.  Go, watch, then let your kids watch.  Puppy can now spell about a dozen new words after watching for a little more than a week.  And I won’t have to bang my forehead against the wall to get Sponge Bob’s laugh out of there. 

October 23, 2007 @ 07:42

I know, I know, Halloween isn’t over yet, but did you look out the window yet today?  It’s holiday weather.  Dark and drizzly.  Perfect encouragement for hot chocolate and Christmas music.  I took a portion, about 15, of my Christmas CD collection to the office yesterday and loaded up my iTunes.  I listened to it all day long.  Last night, Puppy found the lighted bocce ball set and announced to Bear and I that it was Christmas time! 

I couldn’t agree more.  This morning on the way to school and work, we listened to Vince Garauldi Trio, the Charlie Brown Christmas CD.  There may not be a more perfect holiday song than Christmas Time is Here.  Most people start the “season” the day after Thanksgiving, but a couple of years ago I decided that the day after Halloween is better.  I’ll take any reason for extending the feeling of holiday cheer.  So I say the countdown starts in October.  Only 62  Days, 16  Hours, 18  Minutes ’til Christmas . . . 

October 22, 2007 @ 17:00

So, checked my email this morning, skimming it as usual.  Quickly dashed off a reply to one of Bear’s school committees.  They need desserts for two different events.  Yes, I’ll bake something for those two days.  Skimmed the rest of my correspondence, made coffee (see the mistake? LOL), settled in for the morning, returned a couple of phone calls, began reading emails in earnest.  Went back to the school committee email to get the dates to scribble onto my calendar.  Okay, so I’ll make cookies for the one, brownies for the other, I’m thinking as I reopen it.  What day was that . . .  TOMORROW and then the day after, as well!  Well, looks like I know what I’m doing with that frozen braid thingy I bought for Grandma from Puppy’s school fundraiser tonight.  Tomorrow I’ll bake for real. 

Also, Trixie called me on it, and yep, it’s true, no track for me this weekend.  I worked on Saturday, a book signing.  Cleaned house and felt like crap on Sunday.  Was going to go on my lunch hour today with Tiff but that got bumped.  *sigh*  Not good . . .  but somehow, I don’t really feel guilty.  I’m not going to kick myself over it.  Fine line between encouragement and discouragement.  Plus it’s raining.  Let’s see . . .  can I fit another excuse into the paragraph?  ; ) 

October 19, 2007 @ 17:41

So this morning, I took some left over peanutbuttercream in a little tubby to work and had it smeared on my bagel for breakfast.  My co-workers were not amused.  They regularly accuse me of being a saboteur.  I’m told regularly that I suck.  But, I don’t mean to sabotage anybody.  When I bake, I share.  Didn’t we all learn that as a good thing in kindergarten?  I’m just the baking equivalent of Jessica Rabbit.  I’m not really bad, I just bake that way.  You know Ina Garten, the woman living the life I want, says that a good brownie recipe is the culinary equivalent of a low cut dress.  I do so agree.  Now I’m not recommending that anyone eat liberally frosted bagels for breakfast every day, but it was awesomely delicious and may I remind you all again (and myself as well)  that . . . 

P.S.  if I don’t tell at least one story about the track on Monday, call me on it . . . 

October 18, 2007 @ 17:40

No, really, you won’t believe it.  And it’s really really good with white chocolate chips, that’s my favorite.  Now they don’t last, as in I don’t recommend these for sitting in the cookie jar all week.  But I believe I’ve mentioned this on other occasions, why would they?  They have an almost candy crunch to them and are decadently sweet. 

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup chocolate chips, your choice semisweet, milk, white chocolate

Mix the peanut butter and sugar until completely blended, it will have a very grainy texture.  Add the egg.  Fold in the chips.   Roll into 1 inch balls and bake at 350 F until just brown on the bottom.  You’ll be able to just see the golden brown color creeping up the edges from the bottoms.  Or, if you like the classic peanut butter cookie, leave out the chips and press with the tines of a fork to make cross hatched lines and sprinkle with sugar before baking.  Works great with crunchy peanut butter, too.  Oh and if you love those cookies with the kiss pressed into them, try it with these.  Just bake them in the 1 inch ball form and as soon as they come out of the oven, press a kiss into each one.

October 17, 2007 @ 17:34

Remember Hello Dolly bar cookies?  As easy to make as rice crispy treats and maybe about ten times as good.  I’m pretty sure one of them has as many calories as an entire large pizza with extra cheese and a dozen poor ordinary cookies combined.  But they’re oh. so. good.  I was faced one weekend with having been asked to make a pie.  Do you hate it when people get too specific in what they ask you to bring?  Or are you the opposite?  When I have a gathering, I either ask my guests to either bring nothing, or to bring whatever they fancy.  They’re choice.  Just you know, IMHO, it’s better not to be too specific on the ask.  But, there I was without one ingredient or another to make any pie I knew, but also unwilling to face the supermarket.  I turned to what I had in the pantry.  Says a bit about me that I might be out of other staples, but always have chocolate chips, Eagle brand milk, and butter.  Ah, Paula Deen would be so proud.  : )  So, I decided to make those incredibly decadent bar cookies into a pie.  It turned out so well, it’s now one of our favorites. 

Hello Dolly Pie

1 ready made graham cracker pie crust
8 graham crackers
1 stick of butter (no substitutes), melted
1 cup of shredded coconut
1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup of pecans, pieces or halves, as you wish
1 can of sweetened condensed milk

Roughly break the graham crackers into pieces.  Arrange in the bottom of pie crust.  Pour melted butter evenly over the graham cracker pieces.  Add in layers, the coconut, chocolate chips and pecans over the graham cracker layer.  Pour over all the can of sweetened condensed milk.  Try to coat the filling as evenly as possible.  Bake at 350 F until bubbly and golden brown.  Do not refrigerate this pie after baking.  If you must, you’ll want to microwave your slices for about 20 to 30 seconds before eating them.  Best to let it remain at room temperature.  If it lasts longer than a day or two . . .  well . . .  why would it?  Seriously, why? 

October 16, 2007 @ 17:31

This morning, had a colleague stop by my office to compliment me on a Race for the Cure team meeting cake . . .  She just happens to have recently completed chemo, is a major portion of the inspiration for our team.  She gave me a bit of advice about taking the gifts life gives you and trusting them.  I feel incredibly priviledged to have the opportunity to know this woman.  And several of the other people I’ve met since starting to work in public television.  Let me tell you, there is a spirit in this field that is dazzling.  So it’s been an interesting internal debate I’ve had going on since starting here a little over a year ago.  I love this place.  I jokingly say that if they ever want to get rid of me, they’ll need pitchforks and torches.  I’m not going willingly.  But that has come along with giving up a dream that I’ve nurtured for nearly twenty years.  To own my own pastry shop.  But she said something this morning that rang a little bell in that part of my brain that still wants that dream.  “you just have to take the next step, because if you have been given a gift, you must also have been given what it takes to move forward with it.”  Go forward with the talents you have and trust that you can handle whatever is around the corner.  If you’ve been given a talent or a gift you must use it.  It’s mandatory.  The balance of the universe demands it . . . 

So, do we think I can handle my boys, my job and more cake?  I have to say how incredibly humbled I was to get advice from this woman.  And grateful . . .  so . . . 

I say, CAKE FOR EVERYONE!!!