Daring Bakers January

It is Lemon Meringue Pie, hosted by Jen at the Canadian Baker. I have never made a meringue, cornstarch pie, or even a pie crust from scratch before so this was all new to me. The crust came out really good, the filling leaked a little, but tasted great and the meringue tastes great!

chili

I made chili from scratch for the first time Sunday. It came out pretty good. Monday I went and pressure canned it. I have 5 quart and one pint jar with no chili in that pot left over. I had to put some of the spicy chili in the freezer, I did not have enough of the cooler parts to make it then. That and I ran out of room in the pot. The nice part of pressure canning it is that if I just do not want to cook all I have to do it open the jar and heat it up. This also works well for lunch, I tend to keep at least one jar at each of my work's. Normally I just take some calls of no bean chili and add more meat and lots of beans.

Spice Pantry

Tasting Spoon was showing what her spice rack looked like and was wondering what other peoples looked like. Here is mine Saturday morning. When I got home that evening I had gotten a box from Penzeys and expanded what I have.

I am looking for a small closable cabinet that I can put all my spices. Right now I have a little here and there. I do like the under the cabinet thing but it is just not big enough.

Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Well that is what I made for dinner last night. The chicken tasted good but because I used thighs with the skin on there was a lot of fat in the pot. Next time I do this I will take the skin and as much as the fat off as I can. It was good over pasta.

Sewing projects

Finish table cloth for my mother's friend

Finish lap quilt for my mother's friend. My mother got most of the top done I just need to add the borders, backing and quilt it.

Finish toucan's

Make some more small knitting bags

Make some more tote bags

Make 2 tote bags for each of my grand mothers

make some small gift bags

make some aprons for me, I would use them now.


Well that is the list as of now, this is sure to change.

Knitting projects for the year

Thummed mittens, it is cold here right now.

Socks for my Aunt, this a PHD graduation gift

Socks for my sock pal, due by March

socks for my niece

some wash cloths

finish mystery stole 3

make a stole for my mother

make socks for me, I tend to make they for other people.


I am sure that this list will change but today these are the projects I want to get done this year.

Free Book from EOS

Shaman's Crossing: The Soldier Son Trilogy by Robin Hobb

As part of their 10 year anniversary Eos is giving away some books. This is their first one.

Best Drop Biscuits

The first biscuits that I remember I had at my grandparents when I was 4 or 5. My granddad made them. They were drop biscuits. Ever since then I have like that kind a lot more than the other kind. That and drop biscuits are easier to make.

I made Best Drop Biscuits from Culinary in the Country.

I did make some changes. I used soy yogurt instead of the buttermilk, margarine instead of butter, used 1 tablespoon of sugar instead of 1 teaspoon. I am lactose intolerance so I needed to work around it. This came out very good and very buttery. They are not going to last for long. 3 have already have been eaten.


Best Drop Biscuits (Adapted from Cook's Illustrated)

For the biscuits
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon table salt
1 cup cold buttermilk
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

To brush the biscuits
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

To make the biscuits

Preheat oven to 475

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt.

In a medium bowl, add cold buttermilk and melted butter - mix together until butter forms small clumps. Pour mixture into the dry and stir just until combined.

Scoop out the mixture using a large cookie scoop (about 1/4 cup worth) and drop onto parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing biscuits about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake until tops are golden brown and crisp, about 12 to 14 minutes.

To finish the biscuits

When they come out of the oven, brush the tops with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Move the biscuits to a wire rack and cool about 5 minutes before serving. Transfer to wire rack and let cool 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 12 biscuits

goals for the year

Cook at least on item from one of the web once a week

Cook at least one item from a cook book once a month

Try to finsh a quilt a month, or at least a top.

Only buy fabric NEEDED to finsh a quilt, use what I have

Only buy Yarn NEEDED to finsh a project, use what I have.

Watch a sunrise or sunset at least once a week

Put $50 aside a month

Finsh setting up the front yard

figure out what I want to do in the backyard

put tiles down on the steps in the house

park my car in the garage more



I am sure that there will be more but this is a start.

Surgery, TMI

Well, I am feeling a lot better now. I had breast reduction surgery on the 17th of Dec. That week I slept a lot and did not do much of anything. The next week I felt a little better but I was still in a little bit of pain and could not do much. This is the trid week and I feel a lot better but I can not lift heavy items or reach much. I went back to work yesterday, I set it up before I left that I would have paperwork to do for the first few weeks.


Well that was where I have been.

names

What Michelle Means

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want.You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way! You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind.A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out.Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia.Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?