Research & Development

I've never had what I consider a 'great' recipe for Zucchini Bread.  A zucchini bread with great texture.  The bread must be moist and loaded with zucchini & nuts.  O' and with just the right amount of vanilla & cinnamon.  To that end - I've been 'auditioning' recipes for Zucchini Bread for the past few months.  

This recipe is the latest contender - baked last night.  We are half way through the first loaf and so far, it's checking most of the boxes.  Expanding the research, I'll deliver a loaf to my daughter's house tomorrow - to see if it passes the 'taste test' with the grandbabes. 

Zucchini Bread

(Take 4)

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

3 tsps ground cinnamon

3 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2-1/4 cups granulated sugar

3 tsp vanilla

2 cups grated zucchini

1 cup chopped nuts 

Grease and flour 2 loaf pans (8x4 inch).  Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a bowl, mix together flour, salt, soda, baking powder, cinnamon, set aside.  Beat eggs, oil, vanilla and sugar together in a large bowl.  Add dry ingredients to egg mixture and beat well.  Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined.  Pour batter into prepared pans.  Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes.  Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.

How does 'My' garden grow . . . .

No cockle shells, silver bells and pretty maids all in a row I'm sorry to say.
And, even though my name is not 'Mistress Mary' - 'my' garden does grow. 

 

I do have hosta plants with green leaves all bordered in white --

Just love the texture they add to my garden.

And, I've finally found a way to keep the pesky gopher away -- 

plant them in sunken terra cotta pots, and he can't nibble at the roots.  

The begonias are so pretty this year -- they are a garden stand-by for me --

I never grow tired of those glossy leaves and delicate flowers.
Although, Willie Jay, would tell you have way too many at the moment! 

 

Thank you again LB for this sweet old-fashioned basket.

Like so many things in my garden (and in my life) --

 the imprint of your love and generous heart are every where. 

Good Read: 'Shelter Me'

'Four months are her husband's death, Janie LaMarche remains undone by grief and anger.'

The above is the first line I read on the back of the book 'Shelter Me' by Juliette Fay.
I was drawn to the book because of the cover - a picture of a woman & child, on a porch, wrapped in a colorful hand-made afghan. 

After picking up the book and reading that first line - I immediately put it back on display table, thinking 'not another tragic widow's story'.  No thank you -  not in the mood.  Moving on down the aisle in Barnes & Noble, I searched for something else to read that was light and entertaining.  If I'm correct, I believe this is about the time I got sucked into the world of 'Game of Thrones' (all 5 books in 4 months).  FYI - the Game of Thrones series is filled with beheading, pillaging, dragons, and evil villains - not 'light'  but, entertaining all the same.  But, this post is not about Game of Thrones is it ?

I must confess that I started reading it expecting not to like it at all -- and, you need to know, the book it is filled with grief & sadness.  But, it's also packed with characters I really felt at home with - that I didn't want to leave at the last page.  Janie, the young widow, a fierce personality who loves deeply and grieves even deeper.  And, then there are all the people who come in/out of her life - some are permanent - some are short term - but all important.  Shelly, her sassy neighbor, Cormac, her big lovable brother (the baker), her wacky & 'always there for her' Auntie Jude, her children, Carly the baby & Dylan the pre-schooler, and Tug, the capenter (all flannel and big heart). And, that's just a short list of the characters -- all of them touch Janie and in big/small ways, helping her navigate her way through her grief.   Yes, it was a little 'Lifetime Movie'ish - but, in a good way.   I did not want the book to end and I think that's a good recommendation. 

Now I'm onto working my way through this pile of books on my bedside table -- hope they are all 'good reads' too.

Note:  Can't believe I almost forgot to mention one last thing from 'Shelter Me' -- 'pology cake'.  It has magical powers to right wrongs, dry tears and cause an out-break of spontaneous smiling.

Battles, Birds, & Ballerinas

Joe and I scored big on a Saturday garage sale run:  lots and lots of Lincoln Logs.  Which, of course, led to the purchase of tiny Cowboys, Indians & Pirates for an epic battle at MoMo/Papa Bill's house. So worth the $2 price tag.

I've always wanted a bird bath for our backyard - but, the really nice ones are very dear. After a little internet search, I bought a large clay planter saucer, sprayed it with a couple of coats of  clear spray paint -- our neighborhood birds have a little 'splash park'.   It took them almost a week to get used to this new addition to the back patio - but, now it's in full use.  I like to think they know the value of a dollar and appreciate my thrifty effort -- or maybe they just like my terra-cotta chicken!

A tired little ballerina, after her first performance as one of a troup of mice in the ballet 'Peter Pan'.  She had an entire row of family cheering her on and we all agreed she was excellent (and so cute in ruffles, velvet, & tail). 

Yes, May has been a busy month - can't wait to see what June has to offer !

Today: May 24, 2012

outside . . .  cloudy skies with winds blowing  down the plains at  25 to 30 mph, definitely a ‘bad hair’ day

cooking/eating . . .  lots of salads and fresh fruits --  would be healthy if I didn’t love Thousand Island dressing so much

creating . . .  little  knitted baby hats -- and with luck, this weekend will start a baby girl quilt

remembering . . . to slow down and enjoy the little things that truly make my life sweet

reading . . .  so many books, (a Terry Brooks series, ‘Shelter Me’, ‘Lost & Found’, ‘The Choir’).- between my Kindle  & the Better World Books website, there's usually 3 books in rotation, with many more waiting their turn

hoping . . .  for a quiet long holiday weekend – filled with family, food and some sewing/knitting (and maybe a movie too)

hearing . . .  the birds in the mornings – we have a Mockingbird  in the neighborhood and his songs make me smile

home . . .  enjoying our new carpet – as my youngest grandbabe said ‘it’s soft & fluffy’ on our bare feet   

tonight . . . .  spending time with two grandbabes (rumor has it that we might make a run to Braums for ice cream)

from my picture journal . . .  flowers for the front walk - Million Bells & Broom

Everyone has a story . . . some stranger than others

Sometimes I see people here in the City and wonder 'what's their story?'  Because you know, in a lot of cases,  it's got be doozy.  For example: Monday night on my drive home I saw a car with all sorts of bumper stickers, all inviting Aliens to come to Earth.  That was strange enough, but the owner of the car (for the record - the driver was male) had drawn alien pictures all over the back glass -- Aliens jumping around, waving, smiling -- very odd indeed.

You have to wonder about the gentlemen driving this vehicle - and his story.
Is he a big SciFi fan?
Is he promoting a business dealing in Alien memorabilia?
Perhaps he is an Alien and wants to go home?
All these things went through my mind as I was smiling at his Alien art-work.

But what really made me laugh was the 'Obama-Biden' bumper sticker tucked in among all the Aliens.  I'm sure this isn't what the Obama-Biden volunteers pictured when they were passing out bumper stickers?!! 

Note:  Sorry no picture of the 'Alien Car' - by the time I thought to take a picture -  the Aliens made a right turn and were gone. 

It's a puzzle

Why is it that I can putter around the garden, making things all neat and tidy --

but, have little interest in folding the laundry that's piled on top of the dryer ?