Tag Archives: Baking

Recipe Repeat

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Thursday I was having a bout of depression and decided to stay home and just veg out on the couch while my mom took care of Scout and Rogue. I wrapped myself up in a blanket and took a nap while “Scooby Doo” played in the background. I didn’t have to do the dishes. And when I had a little spurt of energy I’d check out people’s blogs. And one such blog is Holli. Now, mind you, this isn’t her recipe but she’s an excellent knitter and she does link us to some great recipes one in a while. Such as…

{Blueberry Crumble by Smitten Kitchen}

Ingredients:

1 Cup granulated sugar

1 tsp baking powder

3 Cups flour

1 Cup cold unsalted butter (I ran out and used butter and margarine)

1 egg

1/4 tsp salt

zest and juice of one lemon

4 Cups fresh blueberries (you can use frozen)

1/2 Cup granulated sugar

4 tsp corn starch

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 pan.

2. In large bowl, mix the 1 Cup sugar, flour, and baking powder. Add lemon zest and salt. Using a pastry cutter, a fork or your fingers mix in the egg and the butter. (I cheated and used my Kitchen Aid mixer, made it all the more easy.) Dough will be crumbly. Take 1/2 the dough and pat it in to the greased pan. Reserve the other half.

3. In another bowl stir together the 1/2 Cup sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and blueberries. Sprinkle this mix onto the dough. Top the dish with the remaining dough.

4. Bake in preheated over for 45 minutes (it only took me about 40 minutes to bake) or until top is golden brown. Let cool completely before slicing.

{Bon Appetite!}

Imbalance

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I’ve found it difficult to achieve any type of balance lately.

Chemical imbalanced.

Unbalanced checkbook.

Imbalance when I stand up.

There’s always something going on and right now the list is more like a million little things. I’m immersed in conflict and can’t see my way out. I seek happiness and friendship. I pray that I can go outside and not have a panic attack. I wish to breathe normally again.

And when none of this seems like it’s a realistic goal, I bake.

I bake to avoid loneliness. I bake to cure boredom. I bake to wet my appetite. Sometimes I feel empty like this little cupcake liner. Other days I feel like this:

Filled to the brim with possibilities.

Cupcakes give you a sense of warmth and comfort. Nothing can feel wrong when you have a cupcake.

Simply Strawberry

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With the summer season comes a variety of delicious summer fruits. I love nectarines, grapes, watermelon, and most of all: strawberries. Strawberry ice cream, jam, shortcake, lemonade… You name it, we’ve been making it over the summer months.

Last night I decided to try out a new strawberry recipe which proved to be both simple and satisfying.

Nuff said.

Now onto Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter filling.

Sweet!

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Edited to add swap questionnaire:

  1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been at your craft? I’ve been knitting for 8 years and I crochet, very rarely, (I admit I’m not that good).
  2. Do you spin? What type of spinning do you do? I don’t spin.
  3. Are there any other crafts that you participate in? I make jewelry, (mainly pearls, crystals and seed beads), quilt and sew, and I alter scrapbooks/journals.
  4. What are your favorite yarns/fibers? Some of my favorites include: Koigu KPPPM, Karabella Aurora 8, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Lightweight Sock Yarn, Louet Gems, and Rowan Wool/Cotton.
  5. What are your LEAST favorite yarns/fibers? I don’t like tweedy yarns or novelty type yarns.
  6. Are there any types/brands of yarn that you are dying to work with but haven’t gotten a chance? I’d love me some Sundara, of course. I’d also like to try Blue Sky Alpacas Royal. I’ve never knit with it but I’ve felt it. Yum!
  7. What are your favorite types of projects to knit/crochet? Sweaters and socks.
  8. What are you currently working on? Anything you plan to start this autumn? My second Central Park Hoodie and my own sock design.
  9. What is your favorite FO? (Please, post a picture if you would like.) Right now I think my favorite is the Rib and Lace Tank from Interweave Knits, Spring 07.
  10. What is your oldest UFO? Cabled cardigan from Vogue Knitting, Winter 05. I’d love to have it done by Winter this year.
  11. Are their any knitting/crochet techniques that you would like to learn? I’d like to work on my crochet skills.
  12. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Yes! I have a 9 1/2″ foot circumference. I was born with a wide foot and high instep.
  13. Do you have a yarn winder and/or a swift? No, but I have my eyes on one that’s on Etsy.
  14. Where/how to you keep you needles/hooks? My long needls are in a vase and my circulars in needle holders that my grandmother made me a few years ago.
  15. Do you collect anything? Not currently. I am pining away for a Blythe doll. Once I get one I will collect clothes and probably more dolls.
  16. What is your favorite type of music? Are you MP3 ready? I love bands like Linkin Park, System of a Down, and Fall Out Boy. I also like R&B, Rap, Reggae, Pop… I have an iPod but it’s not working right now.
  17. Do you like sweets? What are your favorites? I love gourmet popcorn. And anything peanut butter chocolate is good too! Oh, and Werther’s caramels.
  18. What is your living situation like? Any pets? Children? It’s me and Shawn and our two kids: Jem, 10 years old and Scout, 19 months old. We also have a Siamese cat named Dalton and a Beta fish named Gil.
  19. Are you allergic to anything? Mosquito bites!
  20. Do you have an online wish list (Amazon, Etsy, Loopy Ewe, etc.)? Please include links for your swap pal. I have an online wish list through Amazon, (using my email address).
  21. Are you having a birthday during this swap? Yes, November 27th. Thanksgiving day I believe.
  22. What is your Ravelry ID? BluEyedPenny