Something You Can Really Sink Your Teeth Into...

I added a new cookbook to my collection: Artisan Bread In Five Minutes a Day. And the first recipe I tried from it today was for bagels. The dough went together rather easily. Then, after the initial rise, I went ahead and made my first batch of ten bagels. They seem...."lumpy" to me, but then I have to remember that they are a different type of bagel than american bagels. I suppose after I make them a few more times, I will find a rhythm to it and I will be a little more satisfied.

Kaitlyn had been in her room and then came out and caught her first whiff of the treats baking and exclaimed, "Oh my GOSH! IT SMELLS SO GOOD IN HERE!" I think everyone loves the smell of bread baking, right?

We all agreed that our favorite part to this whole bread making adventure was in the eating. We smeared a little cream cheese on the bagels when they were still warm from the oven. It was insanely delicious!

Friday Afternoon

I got to hang out with Amanda for a little bit on Friday. We went to Castle Rock and took in a few of the sights on Perry Street. It was a lovely little breath of fresh air. Of course, I had my camera with me.

When we got home, I baked a little cake for my anniversary celebration. I've lived in my little magic cottage for twenty years. When I struck the matches to light the candles, Quincy asked me, "So.....are we singing happy birthday to you? Or to me?"

MMMM!

Banana Bread Recipe for you....

1/2 C. oil
1 C sugar
2 eggs
1/4 C. sour cream
1 t. vanilla extract
2C all purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. nutmeg
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 C. walnuts

Beat oil and sugar; add eggs. Stir in sour cream and vanilla; add flour, baking soda, salt and spices. Stir in bananas and walnuts; pour into greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Makes one loaf.

Let Them Eat Cupcakes!

Today seemed like the perfect day to bake up a small batch of something yummy.

A while ago, my Dad and his girlfriend, Karen, sent us a Cupcake Kit...which turned out to be the perfect solution! So we pulled it out of the cupboard and got started.

Here is what was included in our kit: One bag of Vanilla Cupcake Mix, One bag of Vanilla Cupcake Icing, One pouch of Cupcake liners, and one bag of Cupcake Sprinkles.
Quincy sure had a great time helping to mix up the batter.

He REALLY wanted a taste of the batter. He was a good sport about waiting to lick the bowl and the spoon AFTER we'd filled the cupcake pan with what we needed. Actually, he kept telling me, "Mom! You're gonna use it ALL UP! I want some, too!"

Next, we lined each well of my antique muffin tin with a cute cup liner. The strange thing about this tin is that there are only ELEVEN wells. Whose idea was it to bake one less cupcakes than a dozen??? Whatever the reason, Q and I were having fun. And the unsual number made it easier to fill ALL the cupcake wells.


We then set the timer and placed the muffin tray into the oven....




Fifteen minutes later....and a little time allowed to cool and decorate....this was our finished product:

YUMMY