still. Maybe after the wind up of end of school dance is done I’ll be back with a brain. That’s’ if the god of Chaos will stop signing my dance card.
Until then…..
Dancing with chaos…
Jun 11th, 2009 by Kristen
Rush, rush…
Jun 3rd, 2009 by Kristen
The ingredients flew from the cupboards like a strong wind stirring up trouble. I pulled down the bowls, selected a size and started assembling.
In went flour, baking powder, and salt measured by hand. From the fridge, out came butter and milk; from the drawer a fork and a spoon.
Unwrap the butter after measuring what is needed, grab the paring knife and slice, slice and slice into the flour combonation. Hands oily, mind racing. No calm to be baking but what the hell. All speed ahead. What can it hurt?
Use the fork, smash the butter and flour into a messy look. Slop in milk, remove fork, in go hands and growl, smash, mangle, work the dough.
Flour stove top, dump dough, grab rolling pin and steamroll the dough as if it’s the answer, or the cause of all potholes.
Clean hands, grab butter again, slap on dough. Scrub hands of slippery slimy feel before looking for brown sugar. Toss on and give it the hmm, is that enough or more look. Away goes the brown sugar, back into the black hole of my baking past. It screams neglect. I don’t listen and shut the door.
Cinnamon, where is it? I grab paprika and move it and shove chili powder and cumin around until I shove the oil out of the way. Damn cinanmon is not where it’s supposed to be. The spice cupboard is jumbled, a mess, a place of haphazard who gives a crap organization. Locating the damn spice, I sprinkle it on the dough.
Biscuit dough gets rolled, sliced with the buttery paring knife and for once I had the baking pan ready to go. Except for the baking spray I totally forgot to use.
Into a preheated oven, 15 minutes later out come godzilla’s revenge. They aren’t pretty and the aroma through the house is amazing. I can’t wait to chomp, the inhale and enjoy something so tasty.
And the biscuit could qualify for a puck. A hockey puck. A stone. A masterpiece of overworked dough that should never have seen the inside of an oven.
Obviously I’ve forgotten a gentle hand is key to making a nice dough/biscuit.
Maybe I’ll try again today as a nice treat for Boy. It’s his last day of high school.
Where in the hell did the years go? I know, they ran off with my baking skills.
Happy Wednesday!
Sunny days…
Jun 1st, 2009 by Kristen
The wind is gentle in the trees beyond my back fence.
The long grass that didn’t get whacked by Girl bends and waves. It beckons to the dogs. Expect urps later?
The Girls, the two Dutch Bantam chickens, wander through their run, soft talk from one, from both as they hunt bugs and scratch.
Rogue sunbeam hit a few cats. Sprawled in warmth, they twitch and dream with feet and whiskers dancing to music they only hear.
Big dogs wait for Minions to come home. Sad faces, sad eyes, no wait, it’s just the way they are. See the tails wag when spoken too? They have the lazies and who can blame them when sun is toasting their toes?
Alien Love Child, the papillion puppy, is curled up in her bed, still but for the soft rise and fall of her chest as she sleeps. The sedatives kick her small ass when her focus is not strong. Dreams and sighs of what she thinks she is doing. I know those dreams. Ears upright, tail flagged straight, she’s running with the grace of her breed as she heads to the Girls. Or around the Boys lazing in the sunny grass issuing come get me as she slows before them.
All that is needed is a nice glider/rocker for the back porch, a bit of shade and no damn mosquitoes trying to drain me.
Ah, yes, sunny days when the urge to be lazy outside only equals the size of welts later that night.
Who took my bug repellent?
Sudden craving…
May 31st, 2009 by Kristen
While growing up, my grams would make bread, cinnamon rolls, and dough bellies (fried bread dough then rolled in sugar– to die for) but sometimes, when short of time, she’d pull out a few items from the cupboard and whip up biscuits.
Mmmm, butter, biscuit and jelly. I was, and still am, in heaven over those biscuits.
Watching her make them is a lesson in a long time cook who has all the information in her head. Unlike me.
I didn’t get the scones made. Too much happening but damn, I can whip up biscuits and be happy with the mm factor.
A found recipe for biscuits:
Baking Powder Biscuits
(from a 1933 Recipe)
Ingredients:
2 cups sifted flour
2 tsp. baking powder
4 tablespoons butter or shortening
1/2 tsp. salt
about 3/4 cup milk
Sift Flour once, measure, add baking powder and salt, and sift again. Cut in shortening or butter. (this is where I use my hands by rubbing the butter into the flour). Add milk gradually, stirring until soft dough is formed. Turn out on slightly floured board and lightly “knead” for 30 seconds, enough to shape. Roll 1/2 inch thick and cut with 2 inch floured biscuit cutter. Bake on ungreased sheet in a 400 degree oven for 12-15 minutes. Makes 12 biscuits. You can also make tiny tea biscuits that are only 1 1/2 inches wide with a small cutter or glass bottom. These are great served with tea, jam or honey. Makes 24.
But I’m going a step further. I’m making them into biscuit cinnamon rolls.
Instead of cutting the biscuit dough after rolling it out, get some butter, lay some on that lovely dough. Yes, that’s the approximate measurement. Grams doesn’t measure that part either. After that’s coating the dough, grab brown sugar and toss it on. Not too close to the edges. Then dash on some cinnamon to taste.
Roll up, slice, place on pan and follow the directions to bake.
Then dive in and enjoy.
That’s before the hoover that is Boy finds them and inhales the batch.
Favorite family recipe? I’m dying to know.
Favorite night…
May 29th, 2009 by Kristen
Last night was my favorite night of the whole year. Why? It was recognize the scholars at the high school night.
From freshman to seniors, the kids shine with hope and pride. Seeing each child step up, accept their award(s) and hear the thundering of applulause just makes my heart swell with joy.
Seeing the happiness on a student’s face when they receive recognition for being the best in a class, or on a test is worth any admission cost. Hearing the cheers, the clapping, the voices call out woot, yay or others from their peers made those kids smile bigger, if possible.
The Army, the Marines and the Air Force also showed their support for these children becoming adults.
Two were handed awards from the Air Force for Outstanding Math and Science Awards. Wow. My Boy told me who smart these two are and his smile at them getting it was so sweet to see.
The Army ROTC program handed one young man a scholarship for $150, 000 to Gonzaga University. You should have heard the cheers/applause for him. His smile was high wattage.
The United States Marine had three awards for this high school.
Semper Fidelis Award for Music. . The young lady is one fine, talented flutist and the young man, I’m rather partial to, is a fine bassist and flutist. I think his dad and I were shocked and amazed at that recognition. I know his great grandma was beaming like a halogen lamp.
Distinguished Athlete Award went to a fine musician and excellent athlete. She was away competing so I can image what the noise will be like once she returns.
Scholastic Excellence went to two great kids. One I know as a talented drummer and Boy tells me he’s a great athlete. The young lady, I’m unsure about but am pleased like crazy she was noticed.
Those weren’t the only awards, there were more– from State Honor awards, principal awards, distinguished SAT awards, and excellence in all education department awards.
I loved seeing the honor cords go out and hearing the names of the graduating seniors receiving scholarships and to what colleges.
The principal had some great words, how he wished the news would show up for these nights, not just when tragedy strikes or for the team sports. Why not showcase the brains of tomorrow, the kids with futures wide open and dead ahead? It wouldn’t be bragging, it would be celebrating the skill and talent of these children. How great would that be?
This was Boy’s last honors night and once again I thanked him for not taking all the awards.
Oh, and would he please give me back my brain? I find I might need it for some things like knitting and… oh hell, I guess I’ll have to wait until he finishes college and perhaps med school.
Twirling….
May 28th, 2009 by Kristen
A wishlist in my head.
I’ve been gathering items and going ohh, ahhh, that’s so yes, I would like, hell, I need that.
Like this. In red. Followed by this becuase it’s just too damn cute. No clue what I’d do with it but just give me the chance, Retro Man.
I’ve become addicted to Le Creuset. It’s bad. I see no cure. I don’t want one either. And I’ve yet to own a single piece of it.
Don’t get me started on the knives that keep whispering to me. Or the cookware that isn’t warped, scratched, sticking and oh so frustrated to use at times.
I’d forgotten how much I love to cook. It’s easy when half the family is slightly I won’t eat that. Or that! Having one who will eat anything (omg, how can you eat that couscous? The dog won’t even touch it!) is a blessing and a curse. Of course, now he’s going to college this fall so I’ll be outnumbered.
The scones…they aren’t made yet. I’d forgotten how busy life can get at the end of school year. Then add in the pre-Grad stuff, the oh crap, the niece is graduating today moments and you have a recipe for a neglected recipe.
Which leads me back to bakeware I’ve been eyeballing. Sheets that aren’t older than me (and trust me, that’s old) and and.. I’m blinded by the possibilites of new pieces. Of creating just because.
This afternoon is looking good for baking. Only 80 outside. Now to find the recipe (I put it in a safe spot, should have remebered where that spot was….) and crank out some yummies.
Omg, where's the nest?
Aren’t they just cute?
The girls gave us their first eggs yesterday.
Tiny, slightly on the brown side (Girl called them yellow) and I think Retro Man has plans for them.
Happy almost Friday. I think I need a weekend. You?
One of those…
May 27th, 2009 by Kristen
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
ALC would like one of these on her side right now. Someone to kick her restrictions and newest rules to the curb and let her do as she’s done for the past 11 months.
That’s right, Alien Love Child is not a happy puppy.
Her bestest friend, her wonderful Vet, has laid down the law on what Madame I Just Had My Knee Done and Should Be Resting But Can’t Because I’m INCAPABLE of Being Slow/Quiet/Dainty needs to do now.
All that I has no problems, I be fine, really came to a screeching halt yesterday.
ALC is on bedrest for the next 30 days. Alien baby meet your new crate and small play circle. And your sedatives because go warp speed and be a mountain goat is frowned upon.
Running… that’s out, as well. Leashed walks. No racing circles around Two-Toes or Diggy-Doo.
I know. I know. No dashing off the porch, high tailing it over to the Girls and having your early morning, late afternoon, whenever the hell time chats about the differences between Dogs Who Are Silly and chickens who cluck and refuse to comment on the situation. They’ll still be there in a few weeks. Honest.
No leaping off the couch to chase a Jellybean, or three or play tag with Cosi-moto. They’ll wait.
Not. Until. June 30.
Not that the pin in your little knee will straighten out but maybe, just maybe, that gap you put in the area of repair will actually snug up and heal correctly.
It’s almost like baby-proofing the house again.
Head. Desk. Meet.
I need coffee.
Anything fun in your world write now?
Meet the girls
May 26th, 2009 by Kristen
cluck? Cluck?!
Hopefully tomorrow I can sneak up on the new hens and take their picture, here is what they look like. My girls, Carmel and Butterscotch, have quite a bit more black speckling on the necks. They are sisters and are around 7 months old.
The Andalusians are no longer with us. They found a new home with someone who wanted a bigger hen than I wanted.
The Dutch bantam is tiny, the females weigh around 21 ounces. I can imagine what the eggs will look like once they get comfy in their new home and start production
The voices are so soft and sweet and it’s nice to be greeted each morning by them.
Pictures soon, I hope.
What’s happening in your world?
Wishing all…
May 25th, 2009 by Kristen
A safe and memorable Memorial Day.
Scratching up words
Alien Love Child awards baking biscuits Blogging after a break cat chaos chickens cinnamon rolls dinner dog dog tricks dust bunnies dust bunniez dutch bantams eggs end of school foods furbots gaming haz owie high school Holiday humor kitten laughter lazy days Life mosquitoes music peaches pictures pie Pup reading Retro Man scones sleep summer sun Writing yardHatched ideas
- my 'read' shelf:
Keys to the Coop