Today, I Rest...

Physical therapy went really well yesterday. I little TLC mixed in with the PT. I came home, rested a bit and then baked a double batch of my sister, Diana's bread recipe. My farmhouse bread takes around five hours from start to finish and is completely mixed by hand. This one of Di's (she does other recipes, too) is quicker and easier, using a mixer and less time. Start to finish around three hours.

I'm using one of my old photographs this time because it's getting cooler outdoors already. I had one of the kitchen windows open, and when I scored my beautiful loaves to put into the oven, they all fell and got wrinkly tops. Handsome thought they were cool, but I wasn't as happy with the look of the finished products. They did rise some back in the oven, but not State Fair worthy by any stretch of the imagination.

One cool amendment I tried was adding cheese to one of the loaves. I also made a eight hamburger rolls, and added cheese to three of them. We tested one right out of the oven, and I'll definitely be doing that again! Next time I'll have picture-worthy loaves, too!

After baking, Handsome and I both got on our respective yard tractors and mowed an overdue lawn. With both of us manning the riding mowers, it takes about two hours. Actually, time flies when we do this, and we frequently wave to each other if we pass in the yard. It's kind of cute. As all the foot controls for my smaller mower are on the right side, it's no stress on the healing leg, and quite enjoyable to be out in the sunshine. Nevertheless, I iced my left knee after dinner for a little more TLC.

I forgot to take all my tomatoes out of the freezer last night, so my canning won't take place today. It's just as well. I'm going to take a break, pamper the knee, and try a little needlework today. I think I'm ready to concentrate on that fencing again!

We've got another sunny day and the temperature isn't forecast to reach 70º. Although Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year, I was hoping for more warm weather. This season seems to have passed too quickly. Oh, Summer. We hardly knew ye. sigh I'll be back tomorrow to show you what I actually accomplished. 

Tiny Miracles...

 

 

Yesterday was wonderful. I had my physical therapy appointment and hit my goal of 120º bend in my knee. I still will work toward 130º, which was my pre-operation measurement, but getting to 120º was a huge achievement. 

Jenna (and Nicole) have been monitoring my progress, and because I got to 120º and am walking so well, I was told that I no longer need to use the cane, and we're changing my appointment schedule from three times a week down to two. I was thrilled.

Nicole was my therapist for yesterday's appointment and we went from riding the bicycle to stair stepping to some strength training. I also stood on a flat cushion and she evaluated my balance on both legs. I passed everything with flying colors, and I'm so happy.

Even better was that, although my knee muscles felt tight, there was no pain, heat, or inflammation in my knee like there's been before. The best possible news. Of course, once home Handsome and I sat down and I immediately fell asleep for an hour (or two). I guess it was more of a workout than I thought. 

 

Friends of mine who live close have gifted us with pickling cucumbers, zucchini and potatoes, so today Handsome and I will be canning bread and butter pickles. I have a five gallon bucket-full, but that will be my limit.

I also have bread to make, so it will be easy to work back and forth between the two. I'm going to pace myself so I don't overdo it, but I intend to do more canning this next week as my knee allows. I'm looking forward to seeing the pantry restocked with lots and lots of jars this fall. I've already made a list of what I hope to get canned in the next few weeks, and some things can definitely wait until later (canning my dried pinto beans into refrieds; making baked beans from my dried navy beans. Stuff like that.) You can count on me to show you the fruits of our labors, too. 

 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, dears. I'll be back tomorrow.

 

 

She's A Survivor!...

With my latest work schedule, my usual baking has been on a bit of a hold. I haven't made the large batch farmhouse bread, so we were getting down to the last "heel", and I certainly didn't want Handsome to buy any at the store. So I got out my supplies and resolved to bake up a small batch using my sister, Di's recipe.

Rather than mixing everything by hand as with my farmhouse recipe, Di's calls for adding a simple four or five ingredients to a mixer and letting it do most of the manual labor. I got everything into my KitchenAid and turned it on.

Now, a little bit about my mixer. This was a Sweetest Day gift from Handsome and the boys, and I still have all the attachments and the instruction manual. It's the heavy duty model which weighs about thirty three pounds, so I like to keep it out rather than horse it out of a cabinet onto the counter when I need it. It's been sitting in the pantry on our new quartz countertop. Did I tell you we set that counter height at 40"? 

I was tending the machine until a dang fly started buzzing around my head, so I set the timer for five minutes - per the recipe - and grabbed the hand vac to scoop up that fly while the dough mixed. I was getting ready to go back to the pantry when I heard a terrible crash. My mixer had walked off the counter and fallen onto the floor. I felt nauseous.

In the fall, the cord tightened and unplugged from the outlet, the mixer was on its side, and the dough (thankfully) was still completely in the bowl. Handsome came running to make sure I was okay, and we got the mixer back onto the counter.

There I realized that the dough hook had snapped in the fall, but the stainless bowl was unmarked and undented, and there were no visible issues with my mixer. The old lino tile floor had a chunk gouged out of it, so I'm glad we hadn't had new flooring installed yet. 

First order of business was to take the dough out of the bowl, extricate the broken hook from the mixture (making sure there were no other metal parts in it), and complete my bread preparations. Then, I washed out the bowl, threw out the hook, and gave the mixer an exam. It still ran perfectly when I turned it on, and when I moved the lever to lift the bowl it seemed fine, too. However, it makes a sickening SNAP when I move the lever to lower the bowl.

I got on the internet and found the phone number for KitchenAid and called to find out about sending it to the company for inspection and/or repairs, only to find my machine is "too old and we don't even make parts for it anymore". I even had the original receipt showing that as of October 17th - this week - it was exactly thirty seven years since it was purchased for me. Hearing that they wouldn't even look at it left me in tears. The customer service person was empathetic and apologetic, but couldn't help. She suggested I look for a local small appliance guy who might be able to take a look at it. None of the numbers I called in the area would look at it either.

When I posted about it on Facebook - because why not? - one of my high school classmates contacted me. I was at work when he called, but he suggested that it could be a broken tooth on one of the gears that raises the bowl that could cause the noise. He told me that if Handsome and I weren't confident taking the machine apart, he'd be willing to look at it. I thanked him profusely and said I'd get back to him.

When I got home, we looked at the mixer and the area where the lever resides is completely encased, and the mixer head would have to be removed for any inspection. We aren't brave enough to do that. The machine is working now - even if the lever is noisy on release - so we're not going to tamper with it at this point. I'll let my friend know that I'll contact him if it gets worse, and that I'm grateful for the offer.

I did a little research, too, and found that KitchenAid does manufacture an updated version of my 7 quart bowl, heavy duty model. No surprise that it costs nearly twice what Handsome originally paid for mine, but the good news is that it must be up to the same standards. The new model also weighs in around thirty three pounds and still has metal gears. That's really saying something about the quality of the machine. I may end up asking for a new one, but am thankful it won't need to be on an emergency basis. I will be buying a special mat to make sure this one - or any other - doesn't walk around my countertop again.

The bread was made, the mixer survived it's swan dive, and there's just one more reason to replace this ugly floor. I'm just happy that this sentimental, workhorse, Sweetest Day 1987 gift will be around longer. The thought of having to scrap her really was more than I could bear. Crisis averted. I'll have her for future celebrations, and there are many recipes yet to mix.Yay!

Monday Breadmaking Class...

 

Another result of going for lunch on Saturday was that Mary and Pat wanted to come and watch me next time I baked bread. I told them I was planning to bake Monday, and they were welcome to come on over. We had an informal baking class, and we sure had a great day together.

 

Once the dough was ready, I formed it into four loaves. One goes up the hill to Andy and Shelly, and three go into the freezer or breadbox here. I had reserved enough dough so that the ladies could bake their own once they got back home.

 

 

Mary sent a message to me first with a photograph of her loaf. She formed hers and placed it on a sheet in the oven, rather than using a bread pan. She said she thought her oven might have been too hot, because the bottom of her loaf got darker. I actually wouldn't have noticed had she not told me. We discussed it and I suggested she place her oven shelf up one notch for next time. I think it looks great.

 

Pat's picture came next. I love how she photographed it with one of her autumnal tea towels. She baked her loaf in a foil pan that I sent home with her. I had suggested that I was going to bake my loaves with an egg wash on the top this time, and she did the same. Another beautiful loaf.

 

 

This is how my egg washed loaves looked when they came out of the oven. Mary kept saying she thinks I should do a cooking/canning/baking show. YouTube and Facebook would likely be better venues for me. I told her I'd think about it.

You can tell by the photograph that Handsome is awfully happy to have fresh bread again.That smile makes it all worth it...and visiting with two girlfriends for most of the day wasn't too bad either.

His Hands...

These are the hands I've held for over forty years. These are Handsome's hands, and yesterday, they helped make bread for our family and Andy's family, too.

With my bending and lifting restrictions, my ability to make bread on my own is non-existent until at least eleven weeks from now, so if we're going to have bread in the farmhouse, this ol' girl is going to need help. I got to teach Handsome how I make bread by hand, and he was eager to help.

By mid-afternoon, we had our usual four loaves, plus a half dozen hamburger buns. The house was filled with the customary warm yeasty smell, and I loved watching my dear husband jump in to enthusiastically learn my process. When we were in Florida, he used to make our bread in a machine. Quite a different process from the handmade breads I've been making here. I was happy to be his coach as we worked together - with me taking rest breaks - toward our common goal.

There's a reason I've held these hands for over forty years. Yesterday was just another example of why it's been my honor to do so. I'm smiling as I write this, and I'm hoping you're smiling now, too. See you tomorrow.

Nothin' Says Lovin'...

If you're of a certain age, you'll know that the title of today's post is the beginning of the lyrics for an old commercial jingle for Pillsbury. I'm using part of it today because nothing makes me happier than seeing the expressions on the faces of loved ones when they enjoy something I've created with my own hands.

My husband thinks that my ability to create bread is a magical power. He enjoys watching me combine ingredients that transform into something he deems delicious. He's always grateful for my efforts, and I always feel so appreciated by his reactions.

I did what I said I was going to do today. I put up just over a pint of beautiful black raspberries into a tasty preserve, in between proof segments for the bread. I ended up with just shy of four 4 ounce jars of this beautiful mixture.

I also made four loaves, plus one shy of a dozen sesame rolls. I think there are grilled hamburgers in our near future. 

Everything was finished by 5 pm. I cleaned up and headed to town to watch Handsome's concert in the park, and when the beautiful evening of music was over, ran to the grocery store before coming home. Grocery shopping isn't as much fun lately. I look at the prices, knowing I'll cringe when the total is rung up. Between that and partially empty shelves, well...let's just say I'm looking more and more optimistically at having a garden for a full season next year.

Rather than concentrating on the end of the day, I'll instead happy dance all over the rest of my day. There's always something for which I'm grateful. That's what I'll focus on. 

A Good Day To Bake…

 

Farmhouse Sandwich Bread

The weather was perfect for baking, and making something warm and delicious for dinner. 

I made and baked four beautiful loaves of farmhouse sandwich bread, and then, Handsome 

and I made a hearty beef stew together. 

As we sat down to dinner, the wind was howling against the farmhouse as it was bringing with it a driving rain. The dogs had been fed, the barn cats were fed, safe and warm in their beds, and the house smelled of warm bread and stew.

The changes in the weather make my hands hurt, so yesterday was better spent not stitching. I’ll try that again today. I’m not complaining. I truly love homekeeping and making delicious things for and with my husband. It was a good day. Today will be, too. Living a joyful and creative life.

A Little Road Trip and Then, More Needle Dancing...

Goldwork Project Progress

Handsome and I took a trip up the west side of the lake to Appleton yesterday to a bakery supply store. I hadn't been there before, but they carry bulk supplies, and I wanted to get fifty pound bags of bread and all-purpose flour for our pantry. Actually, they'll be kept in the freezer until they're used, so they don't spoil. I wanted to have them readily available here at the farmhouse.

On our way home, we stopped at my new farm-fresh egg supplier. This lady's hens lay the prettiest, tastiest eggs we've every eaten. I made sure to tell her that, and that we'll continue to make the trip to her farmette to pick them up. She also has duck eggs, saying they're the best for baking, so I think I'll try those next time (as she was out of them this week).

Once back home and settled, I took a cup of tea upstairs with me to the studio and sat down to work on my class assignment. This is my progress so far. 

Now, I'm going to ask you to be honest with me. Do you like seeing daily progress photos, or do you want me to wait until I'm finished with this class assignment's stitching to show you? I don't want to bore you with posts that don't show great areas finished. I will admit, the lower blossoms and outlining on the right side took me about three hours of work, so it's a slow process for me. You know how it is with friends, though. If you're not interested in this, I can find other things to chat about with you. Feedback would be appreciated.

I'm going to bake bread today. I'm attending a retreat from next Monday until Thursday (more about that tomorrow), so I want to make sure Handsome doesn't run out of sandwich bread while I'm gone. The freezer repairman will be here today, too, to fix our upright freezer. I'm glad, because I'm tired of digging in our new chest freezer to find things, and I'm going to use that one for our bread-making surplus supplies instead.

I'll definitely get some needlework in, but I'd like to know whether or not you want me to share my baby steps - or wait until I have big areas done. You tell me, okay? I'll be back tomorrow to tell you about the retreat I'm going to attend. I'm off for my morning cup, and then I'll get to work. See you tomorrow!

Hot French Bread With Homemade Butter

Sunday was baking day this week. I knew I'd be making baby back ribs and twice baked potatoes for dinner, so why not have fresh French bread, too?

The house smelled so good, especially if you walked outside (say, to let the dogs run around a bit) and then came back in. MMMM mmmmm mmmmm! 

French Breads and Yellow Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

While I was at it, I thought a little cake might be in order. I turned on the oven during the last rise on the bread, so when the cake was finished baking, I just upped the temperature on the oven and popped in my loaves.

All the loaves shown are my recipe for French bread. I just formed two in pans (Handsome does love his morning toast, and these fit better), and two were baguette shaped. I'm still working on my technique for shaping them. 

I worked in the studio on Saturday, and really made some headway in cleaning out "areas of concern". lol I managed to move over 22 items out for March as part of my Declutter Challenge, too. How did you do?

Tag will be back tomorrow. I'll see you again on Wednesday, and we all hope you have a great week. Toodles.

Staying Warm On A Cold Day...

 

What do I do when it's bitterly cold (-6º with the wind chill) outside? First, I go out and make sure the kitties are warm, safe and fed. Then, I warm up the kitchen by filling the entire farmhouse with the aroma a freshly baked bread. Homemade bread is a perfect cold weather activity. I'm especially chuffed when the top crust turns out like this.

I'm also working on my second sock. I'll complete it this week, and have a brand new pair of cuddly socks to wear. 

What do you do when it's so cold outside? I'd light a fire in the fireplace if we had one. (It's awkward and dangerous if you don't.) I used to cross country ski (eons ago), but not now. I don't bounce like I used to. It's better I stay mostly indoors. I did go out to make sure there was birdseed in the feeders, and to take warm milk out to the barn girls. I also check their accommodations, clean their litter box, and give them cuddles. Otherwise, I'm perfectly content to hang out in the kitchen where it's nice and warm.

We're supposed to be a little warmer today. That means we'll take care of a few errands, and we have a lunch date. We'll be back home by mid-afternoon so I'm planning to work on those socks again. Coffee first! See you tomorrow.

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.

More Embroidered Roses...

Brynwood Needleworks - Lavender-Colored Roses

Surprise. Surprise. I'm still needle dancing. Soon there will be more Possibles Bags.

There are doctor's appointments this week, along with a day of bread making and laundry, but there's always time to put needle and thread to fabric. I always sneak in some embroidery time after dinner. Busy hands are happy hands.

Claudette and the pups have been fed, so it's time for coffee, and then I'll be off about my tasks for the day. See you tomorrow!

A Kitchen Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - Prairie Flea Bane

It was a productive, long day. I baked bread yesterday, and shared three of the four loaves. The day ended with a concert in the park, with Handsome performing in the percussion section. I sat with my dear Aunty and Mom Grace's daughter, Sis (and her partner, Jim). It was a perfect evening, and we enjoyed the concert together.

I also woke up yesterday morning to find that the Lady's Necessaire was claimed and has been sold. I went to bed pleasantly tired. Hard work, some play, and a grateful heart for the appreciation of my work. I'll be back in the kitchen today, baking bread for our freezer. 

 

I'll be stitching again as I'm able. I can already tell, it's going to be another great day. Know that I'm wishing the same for you.

xo

Busy In The Kitchen...

Brynwood Needleworks - Yummy Cookies

 

I spent all day in the kitchen yesterday. While Wednesday was perfect weather for an outside gathering, yesterday - in typical Wisconsin fashion - the weather was many degrees cooler and raining all day.

 

It was bread making day, so as I waied for the bread to go through four proofing stages, I made a double batch of chocolate chip and hickory nut cookies. I timed it just right, because, as the last of eight dozen cookies came out of the oven, it was time for the bread to be formed into loaves.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Freshly Baked Bread and Rolls

 

I made three loaves and nine hamburger-type rolls (from the same recipe). You may notice there are only eight rolls, but shouldn't one always share a hot, fresh from the oven buttered roll with their sweetheart? I thought so, too! 

You might notice all the birds on the feeder right outside the window. We had cardinals, finches, indigo buntings, Baltimore orioles, four hummingbirds now, sparrows, chickadees, and a couple others I can't identify (yet). It was fun to watch all of them while it rained outside, and I was working inside.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Homemade Chili and Rolls

Once everything came out of the oven, Handsome helped me make up a batch of homemade chili. He cut up the beef roast, while I chopped onions and celery. I browned those ingredients in a large pot, added our home canned tomatoes from last season, and finished with commercially canned (Bush's) chili beans.

 

Everything stewed together until dinner time, when I topped the steaming hot chili with shredded cheese and a spoonful of sour cream. Of course, we each had a roll on the side. We decided this was a great day to end a rainy Wisconsin day. 

I'm running up to Menasha this morning to pick up the current Wool Box. I wonder what Lisa has in store for her subscribers this time? Can't wait  to see. It's like Christmas every two months! Once I get back home, I'll be back in the studio, working on my "Everlasting" quilt. After seeing Karen's on Wednesday, I'm inspired to finish mine now.

The Staff of Life...

Are you tired of seeing bread photographs yet? It's the one thing I've been most motivated to do as I heal. I guess it really is the staff of life.

 

These were a test run for a gift I gave my uncle over the Christmas holiday. I gifted him four loaves of bread a month for the year. The last loaf I gave him was a bit large for his taste, so I wanted to try some smaller sizes. I added a few rolls to the batch (which ended up part of our dinner of homemade cheeseburgers last night). 

 

So, the only issue I had was that I had to put my loaves on two sheets on two separate shelves in the oven. Because I don't like to open the oven door while the bread is baking, the bottom loaves got too brown, and one of the top loaves did, too. They're fine for eating, but not up to par for gifting.

 

I'm going to the restaurant supply store in town today to look for one pan small enough to fit in my oven, but large enough to hold four round loaves like these. Once I accomplish that, I'll be making the loaves for his January installment. I'll ask Handsome to be my driver, so after coffee, we'll be on our way.

The Staff of Life...

Brynwood Needleworks - Baking Farmhouse Sandwich Bread

I'm up to my ears in lovely yeasty goodness. I baked four loaves of Farmhouse Sandwich Bread yesterday, and will be making French bread today. I'm stocking up the freezer for when Handsome gets back home - and I'm planning ahead for my upcoming surgery. I'm going to have a weight lifting limit of five pounds for at least eight weeks, so I'll have to take it easy.

 

I'm going to rest - and stitch or sew - on Sunday. Today, I'm going to enjoy some kitchen time. Handsome will be so happy when he comes home to homemade bread (and other baked goodies).

Baking Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - French Bread

Handsome has been back in the hospital since Tuesday night. His brother and sister-in-law left on Tuesday morning, and we went about a normal day. Late day, Handsome really wasn't feeling well again, so I took him back to the ER, where he was re-admitted. He's been improving since, but the doctor is exercising the highest caution to be sure we don't have a repeat of Tuesday night, or worse, that he'd then need surgery. 

 

I've been very busy since then, not only with the critters, but keeping my hands and mind occupied, too. Yesterday I baked bread. This is actually my French bread recipe, but I like the loaf shape for sandwiches, and Handsome loves it when I make the large boule' (round) loaves. I also made a small baguette, and ate about a third of it with my Friday dinner.

 

We're expecting that Handsome won't come home before Sunday, so I'll get a few more projects accomplished this weekend. I have an order for one of my Fairy Steed (Corgi) wool pincushions, so I'll set that up to stitch, too. 

 

What do you have planned for the weekend? Are you going to be out enjoying the weather? If you're in Hurricane Delta's path, know that you and yours are in our prayers. 

 

Stay Safe and Be Well, Friends.

 

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.

Buns In The Oven...

Brynwood Needleworks - Baking At The Farmhouse

 

Actually, they're rolls. I just couldn't resist the funny title for my post. hee hee I started the day with coffee and baking. I made two loaves of bread for the freezer, and then a HUGE pan of homemade monster cinnamon rolls. The recipe came from my bread making classes at the technical college last year. This was my first attempt to make my own, and all we could say was "YUM"!

I actually mixed up a batch of the cinnamon toast topping that Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) uses on her "Cinnamon Toast, The Right Way" recipe (for recipe click HERE) as the filling. I added Hickory Hill Farm hickory nuts to half the batch, and it was even better.

Brynwood Needleworks - BIG Cinnamon Rolls

 

Handsome and I have been watching episodes of Food Paradise on the Travel Channel lately. We've seen some fabulous places across the country that we'd love to visit (to try their cuisine, too). One of the restaurants they featured made the biggest cinnamon rolls I've ever seen. So, I decided to make my version extra big, too.

 

The restaurant even puts out containers of "just frosting", because they believe a person should be able to top their cinnamon roll with as much frosting as they want. I made extra, too! Half this pan headed up the hill to Andy and Shelly, and of course, I added a container of "auxilliary" frosting to the delivery. I hope they're a hit. 

Handsome and I split one to make sure the quality and taste was up to snuff. There were lots of yummy noises...and someone's beard was delightfully full of frosting. (I'll give you a hint...It wasn't me! He had to scrub up after he was finished!) We really laughed like little kids enjoying a forbidden treat.

My baking took up the morning and into mid-afternoon. We sat a bit, and then went outside to mow the lawn. I'm having a surgical procedure today (no worries. I'm fine), so I wanted to help before I'm sitting around for a while. Did you know I love mowing the grass? I use our small riding mower, and Handsome uses the big mower, so we finish in no time at all.

I have to be at the hospital by 6 am, as I'm the first surgery. I'm probably already out of the operatory by the time you'll read this. They expect I'll be home early afternoon...as soon as I'm out from under the general anesthetic (and not drooling on myself anymore). 

My plan is to take it easy through the weekend, and just stick to working on my new Strawberry Sachets. Maybe I'll even get waited on a little bit! Handsome always takes great care of me. I'll be back tomorrow with an update. I probably won't be cleared to handle needles today, so I'll likely spend more time sleeping and recuperating - and get back to stitching tomorrow. See ya later!