These should help with the winter blues

It's cold.  All of a sudden.  A week and a half ago, it was 80 degrees. Now it's barely 40 and has rained for 2 days straight.  It's not even December yet and the winter blues begin!  I hate the winter when we don't see the sun for months and I'm just cold all. the. time! 

So I dug up some pictures that I took in my garden this past spring.  I had just planted these poppies and the colors are so stunning and the frilly petals are so delicate.  One of my all time favorite flowers! 

I hope they come back next spring.  But if they don't, at least I have some pics of them in all their brilliance!

Shot with a Sony alpha 77 and 50mm macro.

Playin' hooky!

 

 

 

Yes, I am playing hooky from work today.  I just needed some down time and some creative time.  I also need to finish laundry, do the floors, clean 2 more bathrooms....yeah, none of those chores have happened yet today!  But I'll get some of them done - while I wait for my paint to dry!!  Got to do what you got to do!

To run or not to run?

I finally got in to see De Omotola yesterday.  He is the Orthopedic Surgeon that I wish I had seen prior to my knee surgery.  But his calendar was packed and I was a new patient (technically.  I did see him several years ago for something else but it's been too long.) 

My knee is better.  I ran 2 1/2 miles this past Saurday and 2 1/2 Monday evening.  There was some pain during the run and minimal swelling after the runs.  SOOOOO much better than 6 weeks ago!!!  But swelling is swelling and it shouldn't be happening at this stage, 4 1/2 months post op.

Dr Omotola is honest.  And upfront.  And brutal, to be honest.  But those are qualities that I value highly so I will take his advice, weigh it, add in my need for a competitive but solo sport and decide if and how much I will run in the future.  But he is absolutely right.  I am 44 so no spring chicken - although I still feel young, I know that I am aging.  I am overweight, but working on it.  (Always working on it!! I will never be one of those skinny little twigs - it's just not in my genes!)  But running at my current weight is hard on all my joints.  Add in the fact that one of my meniscus has been removed so there is no shock absorber left.  And the fact that I have a bone spur in each knee and the beginnings of arthritis (both of these were identified yesterday.)  NOOOOO!!!!  I am NOT OLD ENOUGH to have arthritis!  I don't seem to notice the arthritis that is starting to set in.  But if I keep running, it will get worse.  If I keep running at this weight, it will get worse faster.  Dr Omotola recommends that I "find a new love".  Swim, bike, elliptical.  Blah, blah, blah. 

If I am stuck working out in a gym, I will stop working out.  That's just inevitable.  I am not now nor will I ever be a gym rat.  I hate working out on a machine, watching myself in a mirror, in a row of people that look like hamsters on a wheel.  Smelling other peoples sweat - breathing in the musty, nasty smell that is a compilation of years of people taking turns in the hamster wheel.  I want to be outside in the sunshine, fresh air, looking around, seeing different scenery on each run!

Of course, the doctor did say that I can run as much as I want - because that is job security for him!  Ouch!  But he recommends that I only run for races and take on the shorter distances.  And that I lose weight.  ALOT of weight.  And so the journey begins again!  Weight Watchers works but the new program is a lot harder than the old pointsplus system.  They used to say that you could eat whatever you want as long as you have points for it and have it in moderation.  But under the new system, anything with sugar or carbs is SO HIGH in points, it's prohibitive.  But it's healthy and will help in more ways than just weight loss.

So the bottom line is that if I want to run, I HAVE to lose the weight.  OK, here goes nothin'!!

I have a book problem...

 

   This very large stack of books is the stack that I am currently working on reading through.  Yes, I guess you could say that I have a book problem.  I can never just read one book at a time.  I tend to get bored and, if I have limited myself to just one until it is done, my mind will begin to wander while I read and I will get through several pages or sometimes an entire chapter before I realize that I haven't retained a single word. 

   Do other people do this?  Jump from book to book and genre to genre?  You'll notice in the stack that there are several non-fiction history books, which puts most people to sleep but for me is stimulating.  I see stories in the characters and can't wait to find out what they do next!  (Side note:  In addition to reading all of these, I have written short stories based on events and/or characters in these History Books.  Jamie says I'm a nerd.  I guess that is a nametag I will have to learn to wear proudly since I am unable to escape it!) 

   There are also Cookbooks in this stack.  Some are just basic cookbooks full of recipes but most of them are also full of technique and are my own little Culinary school on paper since I can't attend a REAL school.  I read cookbooks from cover to cover, just like a novel.  The science of baking is amazing and I read, mull over and test out the techniques in these books.  One of my favorites is 'The Bread Bakers Apprentice'.  Most people just buy their bread at the grocery store during their weekend trip to Walmart.  That's all well and good, except for the fact that I want to create the perfect loaf!  The timing, the technique, when the ingredients are added in relation to each other; all of these play a role that most people don't think about or even realize.  So I practice and practice...and even the loaves that don't turn out to be technically perfect are still delicious!  I mean, who doesn't love a slice of fresh baked, slightly warm bread straight from the oven??

    My tower of books also contains several books about or relating to Scotland, of course. This is an ever-present, never ending obsession of mine. I won't elaborate here since anyone who knows me well, knows of this obsession and anyone who doesn't will soon learn if they read my blog often.  Scotland is, to me, home.  I spent a mere 3 years of my 44 year existence living there but I will never leave it and it will never leave me.

   Last but not least, you'll notice instructional books on Writing.  I have been attempting to put the ramblings in my head down on paper for the last few years.  I never thought I could or would before.  I think because I was told that I had no imagination, and had a logical and linear way of thinking, that I neglected to allow the stories and characters and visions in my head to take shape.  I have also been intensely afraid of being judged for the thoughts and ideas that I do have.  I've been told that I'm crazy.  That my dreams, my sub-conscious thoughts that wander and converge unhindered by fear of judgment, are scary and slightly unhinged.  Well, yes, they are!  I could've told you that when I wake up with extremely vivid recollections that even include smells and sounds so vivid they seem real!  I used to try to ignore them but now I try to write them down and see where they go.  I have found that this helps me remember even more detail and who knows where those ramblings will go?  And the stories and scenes that emerge while I'm reading my nerdy history books?  I'm writing those down too.  Maybe someone other than me will read them someday!! 



And THEN...

I make cupcakes, cake and other yummy treats all the time.  But I usually make typical, quick American Buttercream.  It's good and rich and I love to like the extra bits off my fingers but it really can be sickly sweet.  I have heard that Swiss and Italian Meringue Buttercream are smooth and silky and sooo much better than American Buttercream.  But they do take a bit longer and that word 'meringue' just scared me off.  I have never made a meringue and never thought I would attempt to. 

Now I know!  Meringue is not hard!  I did want to be very careful with the egg yokes because I am always worried about contamination.  By using the candy thermometer and whisking constantly, I got the eggs and sugar to 150 degrees over low heat.  Once I got to the mixer I dipped my finger in for a little taste. OH MY HEAVENLY GOODNESS!  This stuff is to die for!  Silky, creamy, smooth, not too sweet decadence!

Swiss Meringue Buttercream does take a little longer, have more ingredients and several more steps.  But it so worth it!  I flavored it with Almond this time and may try something different next time.  I'm thinking strawberry puree!  It is a much different texture and flavor than American buttercream so we'll see if the kids like it.  Jamie has said "Ooooh, no THAT is DANGEROUS!".  I think that means he likes it!  So here is the recipe (which, by the way, went on Vanilla Cupcakes that I am taking over to our new neighbors!):

Almond Swiss Meringue Buttercream:
3 egg whites
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 teaspoon almond extract

In a bowl set over, but not touching, a pan of simmering water, whisk together egg whites and granulated sugar until well combined. Whisking constantly, heat until sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed. (To test whether the sugar is melted, rub a bit of the mixture between your fingers. It should feel smooth, not grainy, and be warm to the touch, but not hot. If testing with a thermometer, it should reach 140-160F.)

Pour the mixture into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat on high until the bottom of the bowl is cool to the touch and the whites have formed stiff peaks.

Add the butter, a tablespoon at a time, beating until each is well combined before adding the next (about 15 seconds in between). If the mixture looks soupy after adding the butter, put it in the refrigerator to chill for about 5 to 10 minutes before continuing to beat.

Once the butter has been added, switch to the paddle attachment, and beat on high until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. (The mixture will probably break and look curdled at one point—don’t worry it’s totally normal. Just keep beating away. It’ll come back together.) Once the buttercream is fluffy, add almond extract and food coloring, if using, and beat until well combined and fluffy. Pipe immediately onto cooled cupcakes.

And since the oven was on...

I continued to bake.  I didn't get the chance to make shepherds pie or anything else Irish for St Patricks Day last week so I decided to make it tonight.  While the oven was hot, I went ahead and made some Irish Soda Bread...best bread ever!  I went ahead and cut a chunk out of it for breakfast.  A little butter, and a slather of blackberry preserves on warm soda bread?  Yes, please!

Here is the recipe for my Irish Soda Bread:
INGREDIENTS 4 cup Flour
4 tbsp Sugar
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tbsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 cup softened Butter
1/4 cup melted Butter
1 1/4 cup Buttermilk
1 Egg

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375.
Grease a baking sheet.
Mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Add 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup buttermilk and egg to dry ingredients and mix until combined.
Flour work surface.
Turn out dough and knead briefly.
Shape dough into a round shape and place on prepared sheet.
Whisk together 1/4 cup melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk.
Brush loaf with buttermilk mixture.
Cut an X in the top of the loaf.
Bake 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Brush with buttermilk mixture every 15 minutes or so while baking.

It snowed...so I baked!

Well, the title of this post may be a bit misleading.  I bake almost every weekend and during the week if I can squeeze out the time.  But this weekend I decided to try out a few things that I have not been able to get around to. 

I started yesterday with a Poppyseed Bloomer Bread and Dinner Rolls, a recipe from the Great British Bake-off Cookbook that I got a few weeks ago.  The texture was lovely and the dought was so easy to work with but I have to admit, I'm not crazy about the flavor.  Kael liked the rolls but I sliced the loaf and froze it, to be used last in bread pudding or a French Toast Breakfast Bake. 

I also whipped up a loaf of Cinnamon Roll Bread from the same cookbook.  This one was, of course, much more popular!  It is basically cinnamon rolls cut in half (before baking) and thrown into a loaf pan then baked.  The recipe doesn't call for icing but it is a must in my household!  Needless to say, the loaf DID NOT last very long!

Today was a bit more experimental.  Martha, a lady from Jamie's office, brings us DOZENS of eggs to keep my baking going!  I send in baked goods to Jamie office often but I wanted to make something just for Martha and her husband, since they care for the all those chickens!  They both apparently like rolled cookies with nuts so I looked up some recipes.  I found one for Rugelach, a traditional Jewish desert with tons of different varieties for fillings.  I made some with a pecan and cinnamon filling, one batch with a cinnamon and sugar filling (for Adam, Mr. Picky!) and one with a blackberry jam filling.  And I can now say that I LOVE Rugelach! 

The dough is made with tons of butter, cream cheese and sour cream.  It is soft and rich and yummy!  I will definitely be making it again!

The second half of my creative writing exercise.

After completing a creative writing exercise below (my last post) to write a poem using 20 words that I had previously written based on an image or idea, I moved on to the last part of the exercise.  I was to use the same 20 words (listed in my last post) and write a short story using all 20 words.  At first, I had just a scene from a longer story but than realized that was not the assignment.  The exercise wanted a short story - so a beginning, a middle and an end.  An actual story.  And I was supposed to accomplish this in less than 300 words.  Hmmm.  Well, if I could write a poem, which is NOT something I ever thought I would attempt, than I could do a SHORT short story.  Not publish-worthy - please remember that this is an exercise!  Don't be too hard on me! :)

He was the only one left.  Of the forty families that were tenants for more than 400 years on this land, only Collum remained.  It was his home, this tiny, white, thatch cottage at the foot of the mountain.  As he wandered along the low stone wall, he remembered the days with her, spent roaming the fields.  SHE was his home as much as this place was. 

But with her gone, he felt lost.  He longed to walk amid the fields of straw with her, talking of future plans, lie amid the yellow blooms and watch the sky as it turned from brilliant cornflower blue to dark royal blue to midnight black. 

Now she was gone, as were the rest of them.  They left slowly at first, one family at a time.  Then the laird had forced them out to distant shores and replaced them with long-horned steer and herds of sheep. More profitable, he said, than people.  Collum was asked to stay on to tend the animals and mend the dry stacked stones in the wandering walls.  With her here with him, it was peaceful and he felt he could live this life forever. 

Than the illness came.  It hit her so hard and took her so fast that he scarcely had to time to grasp the lonely reality that awaited him.  In this great expanse, he looked for comfort and freedom from the constant ache in his chest but found only emptiness.

He knew it was time. 

At the bottom of the field, near the sharp turn in the stone wall, was a tree.  Her tree.  She had waited there for him after his long days in the field so they could walk back to the cottage together.  He lay down under the tree, bid farewell to Alba and closed his eyes forever.

My first poem - not a masterpiece but mine, nonetheless!

As I am working through some Creative Writing exercises, one of the exercises had several parts that built on each other.  First, write down three creative ideas - either a story, an image, an idea, a 'truth'...whatever comes to mind.  Then take one of those 3 ideas and write down 20 words that come to mind.  I was not reading ahead to the next portion of the exercise yet (if I had, I may have chosen a different idea from step 1!).  Once I had 20 words, I was supposed to first write a poem (less than 16 lines) using those 20 words then write a short story of less than 300 words.  This exercise is designed to help you understand your strengths - should you write poetry or prose?  Well, I don't even like to read poetry normally so I almost skipped writing a poem!  Kinda' glad I didn't though.  While the finished product is rough and not technically correct, I like it!  I don't even know the 'rules' of writing poetry!  But the result describes exactly what I saw in my head in the 'image' that I chose from step 1!

What do you think??

Step 1.  The 3 ideas I wrote down were:
1. Spirituality is part of human nature, despite our differences.
2. A white thatch cottage, a filed of rape seed flowers and a hi'lan coo. (essential the pic of Scotland that I carry constantly in my minds eye)
3.  Searching for the source of images from the past that invade my mind.

I went with idea #2 and wrote 20 words:
1. Cottage  2. white  3. yellow  4. expanse  5. steer  6. horns  7. roam  8. peace  9. home  10. sky  11. straw  12. field   13. stone  14. wall  15. distant  16. mountain  17. Alba  18. free  19. longing  20. wander

Now like I said, I didn't look ahead to the next step of the exercise.  If I had, my words may have been different.  Even my idea may have been different.  But the next step said to write a poem with 16 lines or less using all 20 words so I gave it a shot.  Here is what I came up with.

Longing for Alba
My home of field and stone.
Yellow expanse to wander and roam.
The sky so near, the mountain distant,
The golden straw blowing proves peace existent.
Cottage of white and wandering wall,
Steer in the meadow, watching over all.
Powerful horns but docile in nature
Traits of the natives who've born past invaders.
Through struggle and strife, strong will remains
The valiant will triumph and FREEDOM will reign.

So, there it is.  My first poem.  I don't normally share anything that I write.  Since no one reads this blog, that's not an issue!  But I still feel like it's 'out there' now and I'm getting over my fear of people seeing things that I write!

Follow your gut

I remember when Kael was a baby (or it may have been just before he was born) I mentioned to Jamie that I wanted to open a Gourmet Cupcake shop.  I could experiment with flavors, offer seasonal specialties, and be creative while also being happy with my job and making other people happy.  Because, honestly, that's what a sweet treat does!  It makes people happy!  That's why I bake! 

But he told me that a cupcake specialty shop would never take off.  No one would go to a shop for JUST a cupcake.  A full bakery with breads and cakes and cookies, etc., sure.  But not just cupcakes.

At the time, I had never made homemade bread and I knew I wasn't a well rounded baker.  So I ignored the idea and went to work for the Air Force in Communications.  Am I good at my job?  Hell, yes.  I am awesome at it.  I manage a vital mission for the entire base and I rock it daily.  But I don't enjoy it.  There is no creativity allowed.  And now I spend my free time baking and watching baking shows and learning more and more about all aspects of baking.  One of the most common shows on TV?  Gourmet cupcakes.  And specialty cupcake shops have opened nationwide for the last 7 or 8 years.  I was ahead of the curve.  I honestly thought of this BEFORE the cupcake craze began.  Had I followed my gut and my heart, I could be a successful shop owner.  I could have also fallen flat on my face because I know nothing about business.  But I could've said that I tried.  And that I pioneered in an industry that I love. 

The point of the story?  Follow your heart.  Don't let others kill your passion, creativity, and drive.  You have an idea for a reason!!  Don't ignore it!  Explore it!

Some of my fondant work over the last few years

 

You can definitely tell which ones were my first attempts.  I only do these cakes for fun and for immediate family.  They are just far too time consuming and detailed to do all the time!

 

One hour Cinnamon Rolls

When I find a new recipe that I want to try, I usually pin it to one of my many food boards on pinterest until I have time to try it.  I had saved a recipe for One Hour cinnamon rolls quite a while ago and finally used it about 6 weeks ago. My first attempt was OK but I didn't get those ooey-gooey, buttery sticky cinnamon rolls that I love and was wishing for.  So I made it again today and amped up the butter, sugar and cinnamon content.  Low carb, low calorie they are NOT!!  But I think I got just right mix of dough to filling. 

Of course, the reason I decided to make these again today was because I made my famous Melt in your Mouth Pumpkin Cookies the other day for a potluck.  How does that bring about Saturday morning Cinnamon Rolls, you ask?  Well, I had leftover icing from the cookies and didn't want to waste it so I made a cake.  Again, how does this require the baking of ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls?  Well, I made a two layer round cake.  I didn't have quite enough icing for the cake so I was going to make just a bit more.  But I poured in too much milk.  So I had to add more icing sugar to get the right consistency.  I iced the cake and still have a ton of icing left!!  So, cinnamon rolls were a necessity, you see.  Besides, it's November and the cold has set in which makes me want to bake!  But the good news is that I made SO MANY cinnamon rolls that I will be sharing with my neighbors in order to reduce the caloric intake of my household!  You see, the pumpkin cookies, spice cake, and cinnamon rolls are not the only things that I have baked in the last week. There were also butter cookies, puff pastry and focaccia bread.  OK, I'll admit it...I have a problem.  A slight addiction, maybe.  I just love a good, homemade baked treat, both savory and sweet!!

Back to the Cinnamon Roll recipe.  The recipe is from here:  http://tacpaskett.blogspot.com/2014/01/1-hour-cinnamon-rolls.html .

I followed her recipe to a T for the dough!  I love this dough.  It is easy to work with, soft and just a touch of sweet in it. The only problem I have is not really a problem but it makes a LOT of dough.  The bowl for my stand mixer is not big enough for this dough so I use my favorite HUGE mixing bowl and hold it and constantly rotate it by hand during the 10 minute mixing portion of the recipe.

To make the dough:
Mix and let sit for 15 minutes:
3 1/2 c. warm water
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. oil
6 T. yeast (4 1/2 Saf-Instant)

Then add:
1 T. salt
3 eggs, beaten lightly
10 1/2 c. flour

Mix together for 10 minutes, than let it sit for 10 minutes. Oil countertop and dump out the dough. Divide in half. Press one half out into rectangle.

This where I changed the recipe.  I use a lot more butter, sugar, cinnamon and I added a dash of nutmeg.

Cinnamon-Sugar
2 c. sugar
4 T. cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg

Mix together and use half on the first piece of dough that is rolled out and use the other half for the second piece of dough.

About 1 1/4 cup Butter

Spread with 6 Tbsp melted butter and then with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Sprinkle nutmeg very lightly.  I then added MORE butter (about 6 Tbsp) by cutting it into small pieces and spreading over the sugar mixture.  Roll up along the long edge. Divide into 12 rolls and place on greased cookie sheet. Repeat with other half of dough. Let rise until desired size (about 30 minutes for me). Bake for 12-15 minutes at 400.

 

Now, Camille and Shanna have a great icing recipe at the link above, but as I mentioned, I had left over icing from my pumpkin cookies which I like even better on cinnamon rolls! 

Here is the icing recipe I used:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 milk
1 tsp vanilla
3 3/4 cup icing sugar (powdered sugar)

Melt butter in a small sauce pan and stir in brown sugar until smooth and mixed.  Remove from heat and stir in milk and vanilla. Using stand mixer on low speed, mix in icing sugar until smooth.  Spread over cinnamon rolls once they are cool.  Oh, my oh my!  These are perfect! 

I write because I am afraid to speak.  I paint because I have no words.

A few pics from our trip to Big Cedar.  Should've shared earlier!