Busy Monday...

 

Cracker Toffee

I got a lot done yesterday. I baked a loaf of bread and a half dozen hamburger buns. I canned five pounds of organic beets I purchased from Azure Standard, and I made a tray of cracker toffee. 

I call the candy "cracker toffee" because the base is saltines. (I have also made this with a Graham cracker base, which is the same technique and equally tasty.) The second layer is a simple boiled mixture of butter and brown sugar poured and spread out over the crackers. Once that's been in a 400° oven for seven minutes, it's topped with chocolate chips. Once melted, the chocolate is spread over the toffee and topped with pecan pieces. It's not difficult, and no candy thermometer is needed.

Beets are out of the canner and were under cover overnight. I'll clean the sealed jars before going to work. I'd better get cracking!

And, Then This...

The Farmhouse Smells Heavenly

All the hickory syrup I made Tuesday was sold by midday yesterday. It was all either shipped or picked up. Then, I made bread. Homemaking keeps me grounded, sane and happy. 

I'm working on my list for the craft show. It's going to include hickory syrup this year. I'm going to make more on Saturday, but then I also need to build my inventory of wallets, handbags, and totes for my booth. I'm also adding fanny packs (I've heard them called "bum bags", too. lol) and backpacks this year, too.

Today, I'm going to list up some of those fabrics and kits I promised last week. I'm not going to let another day go by without doing that. Right after my coffee.

Baking Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - He Rests When He Can

 

That puppy wears him out, so while she was taking a nap in her kennel, Tag wanted to catch a quick forty winks, too. He knows there's nothing for him in the kitchen when I'm baking bread, so he doesn't even bother. Well, not until it's baked anyway.

I cleaned the house from top to bottom first, dusting, vacuuming, putting things away that have a tendency to end up on a table or chair...that sort of thing. I no sooner rearranged and cleaned the living room that Tag didn't jump right into this chair.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Sandwich Loaves Today

 

I didn't start this batch of bread until after 2 pm. It was so hot outside, that I really had to force myself, but Handsome reminded me that he needed bread for his lunch sandwiches, so I just dawdled until mid-afternoon.

 

These beautiful loaves came out of the oven around 8 pm, and this picture was taken right before I put them into bread bags.

 

I'm going to process the last 18 pounds from the bushel of tomatoes I got over the weekend. I'm going to turn them into salsa. I went downstairs to check my stock of canning lids, and sighed a sigh of relief that I'd actually bought enough at the end of the season to be able to can what I still want to put up this season...applesauce, more stewed tomatoes, and pears from Shelly and Andy's tree between our yards. You do know about the shortage of canning lids, don't you? They're nowhere to be found this season, because all the Covid gardeners are canning their bounty. If I plan to do anything once my lids are gone, I'll have to freeze, rather than can, but according to my calculations, I should be just fine this year.

 

I contacted Shelly yesterday to ask if I could have some of the pears from their tree, and she graciously said yes. Are you surprised that one of these loaves is going up to their house today? Sharing my baking with them is the least I can do.  

Well, I'm gonna run. Coffee, and then canning. At least I can enjoy a clean kitchen (and house) while I play. 

I've been thinking about all those in the path of Hurricane Laura. I hope you're safe and sound, and you're constantly in my prayers.

 

Making Flannel Blocks...

Brynwood Needleworks - Flannel Quilt Block Components

  I accomplished two things yesterday...
Making block sets for the baby quilt on my agenda, and...  

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse French Bread

 

baking bread for Handsome. One for the bread box, and one for the freezer.

That's all I managed to get done, but I'm happy with my results and quilt progress. I'll work on the quilt again today.

Miscellany...

Brynwood Needleworks - Rascal (front) and Rocket (back)

Today's post will be as varied as my Friday was. I had a busy day, but also had a little fun. It began with a trip out to the "habitat" to pull my SD card. I wanted to see what my trail cam captured over the past few evenings.

In addition to Biggie, Squirt, and Ralph (the three resident opossums), I've seen these two bandits visiting in the wee hours of the morning. They've got names now, too. The cutie in the foreground I named Rascal, and the furry one up on the snowbank (with a couple fur scars seen on its backside), I named Rocket (like the feisty, talking raccoon in "Guardians of the Galaxy").

This image was taken at 5:08 am, so I'm really curious about what has them on alert. They're actually looking toward the farmhouse. Either way, seeing them here on their hind legs earns them the "Cutest Pose" award for the night.

Brynwood Needleworks - Fresh Bread Friday

I made another double batch of Farmhouse Sandwich Bread yesterday, too. One loaf will stay in the kitchen, and the other four will go into the freezer until we need them. I won't have to worry about baking more loaves next week when I'm back in the studio.

Friday night dinner was steaks on the grill, baked potatoes and salad. Yes. Even in the middle of winter, Wisconsinites light up the grill for a tasty evening meal.

Brynwood Needleworks - Scissors, Snippers And Clippers

Someone in one of the Facebook groups asked how many pairs of scissors each of us has. On a lark, I pulled out as many of mine as I could easily locate (I'm sure I missed a few), and took a picture. I have different projects in process, so I usually have a pair of the appropriate scissors with that project. I also keep favorites in my sewing box, travel tote, and next to my machines.

But, let's face it. I've been sewing since I was eleven. I've accumulated more than a few pairs, and many of them have specific purposes, too (sewing, machine embroidery, needlework, travel, etc.). That helps explain it, right? I'm going to go with that.
 

My Girls Are Busy...

Brynwood Needleworks - Doxie Bella Tote

 

I would have completed this bag today, but I'm waiting to hear back from my client about a fabric preference for the back of her tote. She purchased one of my Bryn Clutch Wallets featuring the dachshund, and decided she wanted a tote to match. I've got two doxies featured on the front, and will finish this up as soon as I hear from her.

 

I'm also working on a Corgi tote and wallet set, and that will be my last commission for pre-Christmas. I'm running the machine embroideries on Destiny, while Jane does all the sewing. We're three busy bees.

 

 

Our new range arrived on Tuesday afternoon, and I'm just itching to get back in the kitchen, too! I'll be baking bread, and six dozen cookies for this year's Cookie Exchange that my niece hosts every year. This year, it's on Sunday, along with another open house about two hours away. I'll be on the road to make both events!

 

All this to say, I'm going to keep my eyes on my goals for this week. I have lots to do, and it all has deadlines. Photos to follow... 

 

Grandma's Going To School This Fall...

MPTC Class Schedule Cover

 

I'm not going to school this fall for a degree (yet), but I am taking classes to learn how to make artisan breads and rustic soups (three classes total). 

 

I'm so tired of going to the grocery story for a limited selection of "okay" breads. I'd like to create our own breads here at the farm, instead of choosing from Italian, French, sourdough, country, etc., that have no real substance to them. After a while, they all taste the same. I'm taking the bread classes to learn how to make breads with personality (meaning taste, texture, and appeal). 

What goes better with a delicious bread than a hefty, comforting, soup? I'm looking forward to expanding my soup repertoire in time for the cooler weather, too! I think this is going to be fun, and I can't wait for my first class in September.

 

Farmhouse Bread & Butter Pickles

 

Handsome and I put up the last of the farmer's market pickles yesterday, too. These are bread and butter pickles for the pantry. I plan to make more, but I've got other things to do first.

 

Today, I'll be back in the studio (yippee!) to work on setting up more of my Twilight Garden blocks. I have more than a few to get caught up. I'm also going to prepare the weekly minis so I can get those stitched, too. I'm anxious to get a needle in my hand again. I'm happy today's the day.