Home, Hearth & Muffins

My modern hearth, which due to the lack of a functional fireplace, is actually the stove in my kitchen. My dream kitchen does involve an Aga, but so far, that is a long way off. For now, I rely on my trusty stove, a much beloved Christmas gift from my Mother. Today my hearth was put through it's paces.

This morning while browsing Tastespotting I fell victim to a photo from The Teacher Learns to Cook, of some wonderfully yummy looking Bretzel Rolls. Being that I am me, and that today is my day off, I just had to make some up. I somehow managed to forget the milk in the recipe. However they still turned out awesome, everyone loves them. I will definitely be making them again. I am even thinking of trying them bite-sized next time. Who knows, I may even make the actual soft pretzels.



After the Bretzels came a batch of Mini Pink Lemonade Cupcakes. Then, while the chili simmered, I played with my corn muffin recipe and wound up with Cheesy Bacon Corn Muffins. They were also very tasty and went perfectly with the chili.



And my hearth isn't done for the day yet. Tall Child has requested Apple 'n Cheddar Muffins for this week's grab and go breakfasts. Who knows, there may even be a few peanut butter cookies before the night is through.

Here We Go Again

Once again my Foodie Girl has talked me into participating in NaBloPoMo. The theme for June is Home. I'm sure I can find lots to ramble about.

Speaking of home, yesterday my friend Kim hosted an Epicure tasting party at hers. My contribution was sixty deviled eggs. There were lots of tasty tidbits to sample, and some really cool products to have a peek at. I wound up choosing a set of spoons, a couple of fruit dip mixes and two or three seasoning mixes. Kim surprised me by paying for my order as my b-day gift. See why I love her to death, she buys me stuff to cook with, for my home, which I will have to invite her to dinner at, to remind her how much I value her as a friend.

On the knitting front, I have finished the right front on the wee baby hoodie and am about to move on to the back. I love the way it's knitting up and am hoping to have it finished soon.

M is for Monday,

Mac & cheese and more progress. I am almost to the divide for the sleeves on the wee little baby hoodie. Dinner tonight was homemade Mac & Cheese with ham, green onions and a dash of Cayenne.

P is for Progress

and for Purl, Pattern, Panification, and Pirates. All of which were involved in my nice, but sadly nap deficient, Saturday.

Progress was made on the baby hoodie, which did involve purling and a pattern, which I am, of course, modifying a teensy bit.


Panification produced some very tasty buns, from a variation of an Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day recipe. I will definitely be using the buttermilk dough again.


Pirates of the Caribbean III was the movie I watched while I waited for the Marble Bundt cake to come out of the oven. It doesn't begin with 'P', but it does have rum in it, and rum goes with Pirates so I am including it in my list of progresses. The recipe turned out okay, not great, so I will continue to be on the look-out a recipe, more to my liking, to add to my collection.

Best Laid Plans

Quality sleep is something I have been sorely missing of late, and I had planned to sleep as late as was humanly possible today, or at least as late as the cats would allow. Imagine my urge to maim disappointment when the jackasses workmen next door decided to begin grinding and cutting crap for some installation first thing this morning. So much for sleep.

After feeding the cats, so they would stop circling like sharks and a few chocolate covered jubes to ease my nerves I am here to post something I had planned on posting a few days ago. Actual knitting progress. A whole knitted baby bonnet, okay I still have to weave in the ends. Even more of a shocker, the sweater intended to accompany the bonnet is already on the needles. I tell ya, it's damn near a miracle.

For the bonnet, I have used the Fuzzy Brim Baby Bonnet pattern, and converted the fuzzy brim bit into a garter stitch folded brim. I also opted for three stitch i-cord for the ties instead of crochet.



If Satan's minions the workmen continue on their current course, therefore making a nap completely impossible, there may even be bread baking. My Foodie Girl Stumbled me to buns, a variation of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, I'm dying to try.

Quiz Day!

find your inner PIE @ quizmeme.com

Okay, I know it's a cop out, but key lime is dang yummy pie.

Cupcake Porn

Nothing to say today, instead I will share this weekend's cupcakes. Carrot with cream cheese buttercream. I used this recipe for the cupcakes and made the frosting up as I went along. This photo was me being inspired, or my attempt at artsy, whichever. It is also our current desktop.


Cupcakes at Sunset