Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Beauty and the Baguette


Last weekend, Colette took a class entitled “Beauty and the Baguette” at the King Arthur Flour Baking Education Center.  The class’ specific goal was to teach how to make beautiful baguettes in your home oven.


This was her classroom for four hours. I knew she would love it as soon as we walked in. She had her own little wooden countertopped work station complete with all the measuring cups, spoons, scale, etc. that she would need.  Colette’s a hands-on kind of learner, and if she just had to sit and listen to someone tell her how to make baguettes, she’d be bored stiff. But…oh the joy of having everything to keep her hands busy! (I did not take the class with her, but someday I’d like to take their brick oven baking class and get to use that giant brick oven over there in the corner.)


While she was in class, I went antiquing nearby, explored a fabric store, and enjoyed exploring the King Arthur Store.  It was full of all kinds of wonderful things: aprons, wooden spoons and cutting boards, whisks, cookbooks, and more.


Naturally, the bakery had to be explored.  We highly recommend their raspberry bars and their brownies.



Four hours later, she emerged smiling and bearing baguettes!  Wow!  That girl can bake!  But then I already knew that.









She chattered happily nearly the whole way home in a seemingly foreign language. She now talks about poolish and fougasse and bread having ears!


Looks good and tastes even better!









Thursday, May 26, 2011

Colette Finishes

Today, Colette finished high school! She is thrilled! A celebration dinner at the Cheesecake Factory will be forthcoming! She has plans to continue her baking and farmers’ market booth, take classes in her areas of interest, and work on her homekeeping skills with me. We are so proud of her!




(That dress she’s wearing?…well, it was once made and worn by her Grandma! It’s ivory wool. The workmanship is exquisite!)

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Life's Delicious Pleasures

Yesterday, we headed to the coastline to treat my in-laws to some sunny weather.



They've been here for a week and this was the first prolonged sun sighting we'd had.  They come from a sunny place and were feeling a bit lacking in vitamin D.  And a trip to the coast is a great opportunity to scout out an, as of yet unknown to us, ice cream stand.

This place boasts of 78 flavors of ice cream!  Decisions, decisions...


"Death by Chocolate", we were told, contains chocolate in seven different ways: ice cream, fudge sauce, brownie, etc.


Colette found it amazing!







Friday, May 20, 2011

Fishing Season Has Begun

The weather was warmer. The days are longer. And sporting new fishing equipment from Grandpa and Grandma (gifts from Christmas and his birthday), Max took to the woods last week. Wandering to the shores of the pond, he spent the late afternoon fishing, only to emerge from the woods disappointed and empty handed…but just in time for dinner!




But a few days later I took him to the lake in a neighboring town, and he caught a 14″ catfish!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

A Mother's Day Stroll

We're actually celebrating Mother's Day this Thursday, but on Sunday we went for a lovely stroll around a coastal town.  Here's a glimpse at what we saw as we strolled.









It was a lovely day!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Fresh and Local Lunch

For science this year, Colette's been studying "food science".  She just finished reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.  To keep it all fresh on her tongue mind, I took her out to lunch at a local restaurant that features a fresh, local, and seasonal menu.  A chalkboard in the entry noted the local farms from whom they get their food...for produce, cheeses, pasta, and more.

Cuttings from my favorite bulbs were on the table.


The menu was quite extensive and everything sounded soooo tempting.  In the end, Colette chose a caesar salad with all natural chicken.  Vintage Vera scarf?  Gift from a dear friend who knew Colette would be just the girl to appreciate it.


And I chose the Apple Salad with: baby spinach, local apples, roasted apples, candied walnuts, cranberries, and goat cheese, served with Poached Apple Dressing.  Wow!  Delicious!


We’re definitely going back to that restaurant!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Triple-Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake

For Easter I made Triple-Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake.  Delicious!  You can read the recipe here.  One of the aspects of this recipe that I liked the most was the beautiful yellow and blue that delighted the eyes at every step.





A full cup of blueberries in each of the three layers!  Be still my heart!  And the frosting is ooohhhh so light and fluffy!  Amazing!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Easter

Egg dyeing.


Baby cuddling.


Target practice shooting in the woods.  Part of every Easter celebration, right?  Uh...yeah.


Freshly sauteed leeks spread on the Potato Leek Gratin.  Recipe can be found here.  You'll want it!  it's delicious!


The table was set for springtime and feasting.


I hope those you love were gathered about your table, and that joy for the debt paid by Him on your behalf filled your heart this Eastertide.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Easter Menu

Planning and forethought have gone into Easter food...no actual work yet, other than grocery shopping.  Work will come later, but this is the plan.

Breakfast:

Quiche with farm fresh eggs, asparagus, and Vermont cheddar
fresh strawberries
croissants with butter and homemade jams
orange juice
coffee

Dinner

honey glazed ham
roasted red potatoes with chives (from last summer's garden), sea salt, and pepper
leek gratin
hard-boiled eggs
fresh fruit salad
homemade dinner rolls
Lemon-Blueberry Layer Cake

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Birthday Celebration

A birthday celebration for Felicity today!  The menu for the celebratory dinner was: pasta with grilled chicken in a garlic-cheese-cream sauce, ceasar salads, baguette, and Chianti.


Presents were wrapped in pretty, gentle, springtime colors.


God provided a lovely blue-pink sunset.


Chocolate cake with a filling of fresh raspberries and chocolate ganache, made with much love by Colette for her sister.  Zippy, striped candles added the finishing touch.


And the last candle goes out.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Time Well Spent

Lending a hand this week...dusting, laundering, tidying, lunch making, diaper changing, and of course plenty of this!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Grandbaby

Last Saturday, Felicity and Walter were here for dinner, and Colette snapped this picture of her radiant sister.  Carrying that baby all out front, she was.


By Monday, she was carrying the baby in her arms!


It's a boy!  Mother and baby, Theo, are doing fabulously!  And quite frankly, there are just not enough hours in the day for baby holding.


"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!"
--Psalm 127:3-5

Monday, March 14, 2011

Banana Oat Muffins


This is our family's favorite recipe for banana nut bread, although I eliminate the nuts and I never make it in a loaf pan.  I always make the recipe in muffin form.  They are moist and delicious! Not sure what makes the difference, but this is not your average banana nut recipe.  It's a cut above!  It's definitely worth trying!  A small army of them stood at attention, cooling on the counter today.


1/2 c. butter
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. mashed bananas
1 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 9 x 5 pan, or a muffin tin (yields 12 muffins).

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; then stir in the banana and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.  Beat into creamed mixture.  Stir in oats and nuts (optional).  Spoon into prepared pan or muffin tins.

Bake for 50-55 mins. (for loaf), or 25 mins. (for muffins).

*Recipe can be easily doubled, tripled, or quadrupled.  Freezes very well.

Beauty and the Baguette


Last weekend, Colette took a class entitled “Beauty and the Baguette” at the King Arthur Flour Baking Education Center.  The class’ specific goal was to teach how to make beautiful baguettes in your home oven.


This was her classroom for four hours. I knew she would love it as soon as we walked in. She had her own little wooden countertopped work station complete with all the measuring cups, spoons, scale, etc. that she would need.  Colette’s a hands-on kind of learner, and if she just had to sit and listen to someone tell her how to make baguettes, she’d be bored stiff. But…oh the joy of having everything to keep her hands busy! (I did not take the class with her, but someday I’d like to take their brick oven baking class and get to use that giant brick oven over there in the corner.)


While she was in class, I went antiquing nearby, explored a fabric store, and enjoyed exploring the King Arthur Store.  It was full of all kinds of wonderful things: aprons, wooden spoons and cutting boards, whisks, cookbooks, and more.


Naturally, the bakery had to be explored.  We highly recommend their raspberry bars and their brownies.



Four hours later, she emerged smiling and bearing baguettes!  Wow!  That girl can bake!  But then I already knew that.









She chattered happily nearly the whole way home in a seemingly foreign language. She now talks about poolish and fougasse and bread having ears!


Looks good and tastes even better!









Colette Finishes

Today, Colette finished high school! She is thrilled! A celebration dinner at the Cheesecake Factory will be forthcoming! She has plans to continue her baking and farmers’ market booth, take classes in her areas of interest, and work on her homekeeping skills with me. We are so proud of her!




(That dress she’s wearing?…well, it was once made and worn by her Grandma! It’s ivory wool. The workmanship is exquisite!)

Life's Delicious Pleasures

Yesterday, we headed to the coastline to treat my in-laws to some sunny weather.



They've been here for a week and this was the first prolonged sun sighting we'd had.  They come from a sunny place and were feeling a bit lacking in vitamin D.  And a trip to the coast is a great opportunity to scout out an, as of yet unknown to us, ice cream stand.

This place boasts of 78 flavors of ice cream!  Decisions, decisions...


"Death by Chocolate", we were told, contains chocolate in seven different ways: ice cream, fudge sauce, brownie, etc.


Colette found it amazing!







Fishing Season Has Begun

The weather was warmer. The days are longer. And sporting new fishing equipment from Grandpa and Grandma (gifts from Christmas and his birthday), Max took to the woods last week. Wandering to the shores of the pond, he spent the late afternoon fishing, only to emerge from the woods disappointed and empty handed…but just in time for dinner!




But a few days later I took him to the lake in a neighboring town, and he caught a 14″ catfish!

A Mother's Day Stroll

We're actually celebrating Mother's Day this Thursday, but on Sunday we went for a lovely stroll around a coastal town.  Here's a glimpse at what we saw as we strolled.









It was a lovely day!

Fresh and Local Lunch

For science this year, Colette's been studying "food science".  She just finished reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.  To keep it all fresh on her tongue mind, I took her out to lunch at a local restaurant that features a fresh, local, and seasonal menu.  A chalkboard in the entry noted the local farms from whom they get their food...for produce, cheeses, pasta, and more.

Cuttings from my favorite bulbs were on the table.


The menu was quite extensive and everything sounded soooo tempting.  In the end, Colette chose a caesar salad with all natural chicken.  Vintage Vera scarf?  Gift from a dear friend who knew Colette would be just the girl to appreciate it.


And I chose the Apple Salad with: baby spinach, local apples, roasted apples, candied walnuts, cranberries, and goat cheese, served with Poached Apple Dressing.  Wow!  Delicious!


We’re definitely going back to that restaurant!

Triple-Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake

For Easter I made Triple-Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake.  Delicious!  You can read the recipe here.  One of the aspects of this recipe that I liked the most was the beautiful yellow and blue that delighted the eyes at every step.





A full cup of blueberries in each of the three layers!  Be still my heart!  And the frosting is ooohhhh so light and fluffy!  Amazing!

Easter

Egg dyeing.


Baby cuddling.


Target practice shooting in the woods.  Part of every Easter celebration, right?  Uh...yeah.


Freshly sauteed leeks spread on the Potato Leek Gratin.  Recipe can be found here.  You'll want it!  it's delicious!


The table was set for springtime and feasting.


I hope those you love were gathered about your table, and that joy for the debt paid by Him on your behalf filled your heart this Eastertide.

Easter Menu

Planning and forethought have gone into Easter food...no actual work yet, other than grocery shopping.  Work will come later, but this is the plan.

Breakfast:

Quiche with farm fresh eggs, asparagus, and Vermont cheddar
fresh strawberries
croissants with butter and homemade jams
orange juice
coffee

Dinner

honey glazed ham
roasted red potatoes with chives (from last summer's garden), sea salt, and pepper
leek gratin
hard-boiled eggs
fresh fruit salad
homemade dinner rolls
Lemon-Blueberry Layer Cake

Birthday Celebration

A birthday celebration for Felicity today!  The menu for the celebratory dinner was: pasta with grilled chicken in a garlic-cheese-cream sauce, ceasar salads, baguette, and Chianti.


Presents were wrapped in pretty, gentle, springtime colors.


God provided a lovely blue-pink sunset.


Chocolate cake with a filling of fresh raspberries and chocolate ganache, made with much love by Colette for her sister.  Zippy, striped candles added the finishing touch.


And the last candle goes out.

Time Well Spent

Lending a hand this week...dusting, laundering, tidying, lunch making, diaper changing, and of course plenty of this!

Grandbaby

Last Saturday, Felicity and Walter were here for dinner, and Colette snapped this picture of her radiant sister.  Carrying that baby all out front, she was.


By Monday, she was carrying the baby in her arms!


It's a boy!  Mother and baby, Theo, are doing fabulously!  And quite frankly, there are just not enough hours in the day for baby holding.


"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!"
--Psalm 127:3-5

Banana Oat Muffins


This is our family's favorite recipe for banana nut bread, although I eliminate the nuts and I never make it in a loaf pan.  I always make the recipe in muffin form.  They are moist and delicious! Not sure what makes the difference, but this is not your average banana nut recipe.  It's a cut above!  It's definitely worth trying!  A small army of them stood at attention, cooling on the counter today.


1/2 c. butter
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. mashed bananas
1 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 9 x 5 pan, or a muffin tin (yields 12 muffins).

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; then stir in the banana and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.  Beat into creamed mixture.  Stir in oats and nuts (optional).  Spoon into prepared pan or muffin tins.

Bake for 50-55 mins. (for loaf), or 25 mins. (for muffins).

*Recipe can be easily doubled, tripled, or quadrupled.  Freezes very well.
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