Homemade toys can be the best kind! This one is made from leftovers: shoe and sweatshirt laces, a strap that was "optional" on a kit I belt on, and drapery tiebacks I have never used. Some rudimentary braiding and knot-tying, and there you have it. I reserve this sturdy toy for special games of tug.
You should know I have not decorated for Christmas at my house. I live in a dog-containment system, and there have just been too many things going on! But I did haul out Frosty the Demented Snowman for cookie-baking season.
You might notice a different background than in years past, and that there are some pieces missing from his ensemble. That's to avoid the possibility of damage to my beloved, quirky cookie jar! He's on the shelf in the family room, which is gated off from Ember.It's a really nice day outside. I took Ember over to the dog park for some exercise and was once again rescued by the kindness of strangers in assisting me to get her back in the car. But she got the exercise she so very much needs and started napping on the kitchen floor when we got home. I suggested a crate nap so that I could bake, and she did not resist.
I am carefully calculating whether I need to pick up another bag of flour to pull off two batches of cookies and my traditional baked olive cheese puffs, so banana nut bread might be putting me over the top to purchase it. Both butter and flour are on sale at HyVee this weekend. I have exactly enough butter for the three recipes, but I might just have to buy flour. I also ran myself out of ground ginger baking the pumpkin pies, and if I purchased it, I can't find it in my pantry now... I'm vaguely thinking they were out the trip I had it on my list. |
| Artistic reflections in these three photos. |
If anyone was wondering if I'm getting any use out of my new toys... er... kitchen tools... the answer is "yes". It may be nice outside, but we had enough of a cold spell to kick in the baking genes!The resultant loaf of banana nut bread was cooled, cut in half, and except for a single slice for me to sample from the middle, for quality assurance purposes, distributed to neighbors.
Sunday morning it was still in the 40's when I got up. We broke the high temperature record on Saturday, December 7th, and that banana bread delivery was made in a sweatshirt, no jacket, hat or gloves required.I'm hoping to have another dog park visit for Ember on Sunday, as that seems to keep her tired enough to stay on Santa's "nice list".
Life is good. Spark on!
I WONDERED if Frosty the Demented Snowman would make an appearance. Yes, I remember Miss Lilly’s first Christmas @ home here and NO tree or ornaments that she could get at.
ReplyDeleteOH have to have banana nut bread and worth the purchase of more flour if needed! Have to make DH’s loved Scotch Shortbread, DS John’s Chocolate Chip Nut cookies, Clara’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and Lemon Bars for Crystal. Now . . . the trick is NO SAMPLING. LOLOL Fat chance. Oh, and do have to have a pumpkin nut bread for Christmas breakfast.
Chuckling, yes, have to taste for quality assurance, as my Mom would say, “ . . . make sure they’re not poison.” LOL
Many traditions begin in the kitchen.
DeleteBusy time for holiday bakers. The artistic reflections are eye catching.
ReplyDeleteWhat a yummy treat for your neighbors!
Just an FYI...Gremlins have invaded Blogspot again. Your post, and a couple of others, did not show-up in my reading list and it was necessary to do a search.
Enjoy the beautiful weather for a Sunday in December. 🌞
Oh dear. I shall be on the lookout for those Gremlins and search for my friends' posts, too.
DeleteIt sounds like you've had a busy and creative weekend! That homemade dog toy is impressive, especially using leftover materials. And good call on keeping Frosty safe from Ember during cookie season.
ReplyDeleteThe dog park adventure sounds like a success, even with the escape (thanks to kind strangers!). Hopefully Ember's crate nap gave you some peace and quiet for baking. Tough decision on the flour - maybe the banana nut bread can wait for another day?
Overall, it seems like you're making the most of the cooler weather and putting those new kitchen tools to good use. Enjoy those warm cookies and relaxing Sunday with Ember!
Have a wonderful day! (((BIG HUGS)))
Haven't made any more cookies yet... and the banana nut bread is in the rear view. I decided to buy more butter and more flour, both, so I'm all set to bake on the colder days in the middle of the week. Which is good 'cause I don't know when the carpenter will be able to fix the drywall and the siding, and I don't want the pipes freezing again!
DeleteBaking to share at the holidays is something I enjoy, but I don't do quite as much of it as in the past ... carpal tunnel limits how much I'll bake at a time. No to mention my inability to resist eating a couple of cookies a day. I bought a stand mixer last year and that makes it much more doable. I'll for sure make my daughter's favorite ginger/molasses cookies; they make a big batch and I'll take plates of them to my near neighbors.
ReplyDeleteLove the cookie jar!
Sorry about that limited ability cutting in on something you so enjoy! I think we all find ways to prioritize what's worth the effort and (in some cases) pain. Hope you have a good holiday season!
DeleteGreat seeing Frosty again. I cut my baking a lot but now I have to get busy on tweeking our eating habits to help hubby. Food that helps the mind is super important now. Huge hugs
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how clear the effects food has on our health become as we age. There are things I just cannot get away with any more!
DeleteLove that goofy cookie jar!
I love your Frosty.
ReplyDeleteThe smells from the kitchen are the rewards for me. Saturday I baked 10 loaves of bread, one for the family party and the others as parting gifts. My right bicep is about 10 times bigger than the right from all the mixing; no electronics in this girl's kitchen! Kneading 5 batches of dough gave me some ab work as well as lunges...I turn anything into an exercise routine.
I had one slice. Go, me.
I found you get what you pay for. My preferred 5 lb bread flour was 6.99 at my usual store. I stopped at another, usually price-competitive, and it was 7.69! I took a chance on the store brand at 4.99. I was disappointed, as it came out of the bag in tiny lumps and I had to work a bit harder. OK for my immediate family, but when I want to gift soft, silky loaves, I'll stick with the higher priced brand. Before anyone mentions...there's no way I'm going to sift 10 lbs of flour!
Great opportunistic workout, Janet. One slice for quality control sounds good.
DeleteWhat?! Not gonna pre-sift the whole bag of flour?
I cheated and bought frozen dough. Turned out just fine for me! Just call me the lazy baker!