Tuesday, November 6, 2012

This and that

Hello Folks,

It’s hard to believe that it is November already. This year has zipped by. Our temperatures are very nice. The past two days it’s been cloudy all day, tonight we may get some rain. Haven’t had any in over a week and I had to hand water some things today.

I hope those who have been hurt by Hurricane Sandy will have some relief soon, my heart goes out to all who are having to deal with the aftermath of this awful storm.

It is catastrophes like these that make you appreciate all that you have in life.

I follow a great blog about farm life and gardening in the Ozarks. Glenda is a wonderful baker and she posted a recipe for Oatmeal bread the other day, and I gave it a try on Sunday in my bread machine and I love it. It is the best oatmeal bread I’ve made. You can find the recipe here on her blog.

Here are pictures of my loaf.

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Side view.

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I lay the bread halves cut side down and then cut slices, if that makes sense to you, giving us more slices. This bread was really delicious, especially lightly toasted and spread with butter.  I used Craisins.

Yesterday I drove to Bed Bath and Beyond to get a set of 4 small pie tins, for pot pies,  made by Caphalon.  I called the store after seeing online that they did have them, because I didn’t want to drive that distance if they weren’t. The person I talked to said yes they did have them. So off I went to do errands and that was going to be my last stop before heading home.

I had decided I was going to buy a couple of nice votive candles if they had them and I wanted to see if they had a donut pan too, as I’ve been wanting to bake doughnuts.  There was a small selection of candles as I walked in, and I fell for Mistletoe’s scent. It smells like Christmas pines. Then, I saw the doughnut pan made by Wilton. I already have some of their cake pans. So, these things went into the shopping basket I was carrying. I then proceeded to look for the pie tins. Well, I found the Caphalon baking pans, but NO set of pie tins. I asked three different people, and they said we don’t have them. Finally one of the managers looked them up and said we don’t carry them in store. I told him I had called the store and someone had told me that they were here.  He said well, we can order them for you, have them shipped to your home and no shipping charge, since you drove here and they weren’t here. I told him thank you and that that would be fine. I had a 20% off coupon too for one item, and used it on that since it was the most expensive item, and what I intended to use it for anyway. He then asked me if I knew the person’s name who I had talked with on the phone, I told him, and he had this person write up the order, and probably gave him the what for, afterwards.  I look forward to using these little tins I just have to wait a bit longer. I had the chicken pot pie ingredients cooked and ready so was a tad disappointed that I didn’t get to use them this time.

Here is my first batch of baked doughnuts made this morning. These were delicious and easy.  I found the recipe here. There are other recipes I’m going to try as well, plus I found one or two for baked yeast doughnuts. Morning’s Minion got me wanting some doughnuts after she mentioned her husband making a batch the other morning. You can read her post here.

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I’ve about got three more embroidered and beaded, framed hearts almost ready to go in my Etsy shop. They were fun to make.

This one is ~ 5 1/2 inches wide x 5 1/4 inches high, overall size.

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This one approximately 5 1/4 inches square. outside dimensions.

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This one is 4 1/2 inches wide by 4 inches high.

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Not much in the way of blooms right now.

This is a dwarf poinciana.

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I was washing dishes looking out the scullery window the other day when I spied two mockingbirds in the bath in the secret garden area. I watched for a bit then got my camera hoping they would still be there. They were.

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I like his reflection in the water, and his serious look. He was watching the other bird bathing.

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This guy was having a ball. I don’t know how many times he jumped in and did his thing. He made me feel happy just watching him in the afternoon sunlight.

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Miss Tork decided to jump into my clothespin basket when I was finished hanging out a load of laundry, earlier that morning. Smile

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That’s it for now. Wishing you all a great week.

FlowerLady Lorraine

***

We can only be said to be alive in those moments

when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. 

Thornton Wilder

32 comments:

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Hi FL,

I like your this and that and glad that the bread and donuts are on your side of the computer! That's what I call a diet! Always love your embroidery and stories! Have a great week. I see the birds are having a great time. xxoo Nancy

Sunray Gardens said...

Love the blooms but I see you've been very busy with baking. Looks good too. My fave though is that adorable cat photo.
Cher Sunray Gardens

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

The bread looks yummy.
Sometimes, even planning ahead doesn't help. My guess is the clerk you talked to didn't know what you were talking about. A lot of stores do the order and ship to you thing at no charge now. Always good to ask.
Your donuts look delicious. Made me want one off the computer screen. :-)
The wee shell on the one beaded heart is so sweet on there. Beautiful.
I love watching birds bath too. That one is really going at it. Can hardly tell what he is in all that motion.
Take care.

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Hi dear Lorraine,

Well, I could SURE use some of that home baked bread! It has been such a long time since we've tasted homemade food, but by next week we should be back in California and I'll be cooking (and gardening like crazy) again.

Sending fond thoughts your way,

Sharon

Kit said...

Such a great post! I never knew they made donut pans. I will have to look into that. Your new creations are lovely. You are so talented. :) Hope your hubby's neck is better. Kit

Nancy J said...

Your flowers, bread, birds and cat, and specially your quote have made my day . The reflection in the birdbath is super. Did you hide so he didn't fly away? Greetings from Jean.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Wonderful images,
make my early morning.
I use to bake bread
but have not in ages.
I can smell your bread
and taste the donuts
over the miles...
Your handwork
a work of art.
God is Good....

Annie said...

LOVE that pussy cat photo!

Leslie Kimel said...

What a great post, Lorraine. Your doughnuts look delicious-and so cute with the sprinkles. I love your birdbath too, with the seashells--so pretty! But Miss Tork in the clothespin basket is my favorite picture. This whole post was just lovely.

Lona said...

Your donuts look so yummy! I have been wondering about those donuts pans and baking them.I may have to try it now. LOL!
Your picture of the bird taking the bath is so cute. I love watching them because they can really get into that splashing. It always makes me smile and laugh.
Have a wonderland week.

Gayle said...

I have a donut pan. Thanks for the recipe and reminder. I think it's been 4-5 years since I used it!

Marti said...

Your bread looks yummy. I had to go look at that blog because I know a lady named Glenda who lives in the Ozarks. Wasn't her. lol

Good for you for talking to the manager and getting the little pie tins. I've done that before and that is so frustrating.

I adore your cat in the basket. Such a cute picture.

Andrea said...

Your recipes look yummy, and your header is just exactly the flowers sent to me by my US blogger friend from Illinois. It is still flowering till now though not very healthy with very long stalks.

Skeeter said...

Homemade doughnuts Yum! I find it funny the punishment of the clerk that did you wrong on the phone. I bet he was thinking about that all day long and I also bet, he will not do that again! I like the shells you used in the hearts. They really add a nice touch. I get such a good feeling inside when watching the birds splash around in the birdbaths. They seem to be having such a great time dont they? Oh Miss Tork, you mess you! Cant sit a basket down with a kitty near by in my house. May God Bless those with storm damage...

Autumn Belle said...

You are certainly a great homemaker, being good in this and that, baking, needlework, crafts and gardening. Wow, what able hands indeed! I went to buy some baking trays too but got the wrong size, lost the receipt and went again to buy more. They were of the wrong size too :(

Amrita said...

Love that bread and donuts. I will check out the recipe.

A glimpse of your garden is so refreshing

Rebecca said...

Your hearts are incredibly lovely! Detailed, well-designed...just beautiful, Lorraine.

I'm going over to see the recipe for oatmeal bread. I wonder if it's anything like the one I make with buttermilk powder? (Was a recipe from my sister-in-law, and the only one I make in my bread machine.)

What can I say about the donuts, except "Yum!" I didn't know there was such a thing as a donut pan.

I hope your weekend continues to unfold nicely. We have a very busy Saturday. I'm catching my breath now and will probably let it out at the end of the day.

gld said...

I am so glad you all liked the bread. I know what you are talking about in slicing the bread. I am going to do that with my next tall loaf. Sometimes one slice is too tall for toasting and about 1/3 isn't! Good idea.

Guess what DH and I were talking about yesterday morning.....home made doughnuts!! I have never tried the baked ones though. Interesting thought.

His blood sugar was a little high so I better be good about my baking.

Have a super weekend.

PS Love the Mocking Birds bath pictures. Ours may not stay for the winter; I need to check that out.

Friko said...

What a wonderful home maker you must be. I hope you are appreciated.

RURAL said...

Oh where to start, oatmeal bread, and doughnuts, now I want to make both of those....

Great customer service in the end, pretty amazing that they will ship it to you, not like that here.

Gorgeous kitty....

Jen

Unknown said...

I need to buy a bread machine.I love homemade bread!My mother always made fried donuts.I have her recipe.I should get it out and give it a try.
Loving this weather!

Shirley said...

So that's what a mockingbird looks like! I will definitely look up the bread and donut recipes you referred to here. I love to use my bread machine!

I hope all is well with you and yours. Were you affected by the hurricane last week?

sweetbay said...

Oh my, those baked doughnuts look good. Dangerously good. lol The oatmeal bread too! Tork is so cute. :)

jerilanders said...

I've never made donuts, you are a marvel! You're needlework and beadwork are so lovely and stitched with perfection.

L. D. said...

Everything that you shared is just fantastic. The oatmeal bread looks great and the idea of turning it on it's side is a great one. The baked donuts sounded good and your bead work is beautiful. I am jealous of your flowers right now and the kitty in the basket is over the top. Thanks for sharing all these great things.

GRACE PETERSON said...

Miss Tork looks so much like our Taz. I just want to put my hand through my computer screen and give her a hug. So precious! Your birdbath with that sweet mockingbird cracks me up too. I love this kind of entertainment!

Your Poinciana is as gorgeous as your needlework. Seriously beautiful.

Those baked donuts, hello? Yum! The bread looks tasty too.

I feel badly for the clerk who screwed up. This is the kind of thing I would do. :) Hopefully s/he will think twice before answering phone calls in the future.

Great post! Thank you for your encouragement on my back cover copy. You mean the world to me.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Lorraine, Great post... Your oatmeal bread looks delicious --and so healthy! I like oatmeal and eat it quite a bit for breakfast.

Your doughnuts look delicious also. Making me hungry..

I always love seeing your projects. You are a talented lady...

Cute picture of your kitty in the clothes basket...
Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Lorraine, you never fail to make me smile.

What sweet beaded and buttoned pictures you make.

And what a cuddly-looking kitty. Isn't it funny how they love to snuggle into enclosed spaces like that?

I have a donut pan.... somewhere.... I tried baked donuts once and the recipe I used made hockey pucks. I'll try the one you linked to, they look wonderful, and much lower in fat, I'm sure!

I made my oatmeal bread with craisins as well. This bread freezes well. I slice it at pack it away in the freezer so I can take a slice out when I need it. Homemade bread hasn't all the preservatives of store bread and turns moldy quickly. Good idea about the slicing! I have a feeling Hubs will be eating my homemade bread more as we go along, thanks to a couple of good recipes from Glenda, and the fact that the bread outlet is closing thanks to Hostess going bankrupt.

That's too bad about the mis-information. But it turned out well, anyway, and sounds like you had a nice day out. Much as we love our homes, it does us good to get away every now and then.

Hugs, Ilene XOXOXO

Sandra said...

So much goodness in this post, from the yummy bread to the yummy donuts, to the gorgeous needle work and then the flowers :)

Love it :)

Hugs,
Sandra

sharon said...

lorainne, you would have been the perfect grandmother....you need to find a nice little girl that doesnt have one...

Karen said...

Lorraine, blessings to you and DH on this lovely Sunday. I love, love, love your gorgeous needlework designs. So perfect. And the bread and donuts, oh, how delicious! I'm glad you were able to have the dishes shipped to your home for no extra charge, how frustrating otherwise.

And who could resist sweet Tork in your basket? Give her a special pat from me.

tina said...

Those embroidered hearts are so special. Cute cat! I hope your mockingbird watches for her. Happy Holidays to you!