tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60416908290958133962024-03-13T17:33:54.463-04:00partly SUNNYlynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-798205540900073472010-02-12T10:03:00.000-05:002010-02-12T10:03:21.893-05:00Winter birthdayFollowing tradition, I made a birthday cake for the most recent big day. I wouldn't put it high on my list of successes, although I did try some different techniques, very basic ones, like using royal frosting and cookies as part of the cake.<br />
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Here it is:<br />
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</div> I used my tried and true marshmallow fondant recipe from <a href="http://whatscookingamerica.net/PegW/Fondant.htm">here</a>, and made twice as much fondant as I needed.<br />
I made gingerbread cookies for the buildings, which worked well, except I did not cool them appropriately, and they were slightly bent! Not good for the overall appearance. Points off!<br />
And I used a royal frosting recipe from <em>The King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion</em>. <br />
The buttercream icing that I used between layers and attempted to use as glue (note the qualifier here, <em>attempted</em>,) was the Wilton recipe. The webs are chocolate. Very easy and good results!<br />
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So I was pleased with the overall idea of the cake, and the individual parts of the cake, but the cake, when put together, was a bit of a failure. Here's why: <br />
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1. I did not realize how heavy 4 layers of cake would be. They smooshed they bottom layer, thereby causing a leaning tower of Pisa look. We had one crash during the construction of the cake tower. I ended up using wooden dowels to keep it steady, but was too lazy to try to add cake to wedge the tower back to straightness. <br />
2. Gingerbread cookies need to cool completely or they will warp. My buildings were all a little bent.<br />
3. I have no idea how to properly attach cookies to cake. Maybe I should have removed the fondant? Or maybe the buttercream was not a good adhesive. Twice with the cookie buildings falling off. Once they crashed into the rest of the gingerbread cookies. Royal icing transfer emergency!<br />
4. Not sure I've got the whole royal icing thing down. Mine stayed sticky for days after it was applied to the cookies! It was so sticky, I tried using it to glue the buildings but no success there, either!<br />
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The birthday boy didn't notice these shortcomings--the crashes were very exciting and funny, and I guess all's well that ends well!lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-31408626750493689472010-01-22T12:01:00.000-05:002010-01-22T12:01:43.295-05:00Couldn't resist.Yesterday I promised I would bake something and nobody would let the promise be forgotten, so I pulled out my King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion and tried a new recipe for us: S'more Granola Bars. I happened to open to the page they are on, and had all the ingredients, so we gave them a shot. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well. They are delicious. And relatively bad for you. In the end we gave some away to various neighbors and piano teachers because I could tell we were going to end up with glucose issues. (By that I mean sugar highs, and crashes and cavities!) But we'll definitely make them again. They do look tremendously sweet, but the oatmeal somehow buffers that. They're good, I tell you. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">S'more Granola Bars, from The King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion (sl. adaptation)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">yield: 48 bars (whoops, my bars were apparently a little larger than recommended.)<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">carbs: 6g complex carbs, 11g sugar, 1 g fiber in one bar.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4 C (14 oz) rolled oats<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4 C (4.5oz) Rice Krispies cereal<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3/4 C (5.25 oz) sugar<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 C (1 stick or 4 oz) unsalted butter<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/4 C (2 oz) water<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 C (5.5 oz) corn syrup<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tsp salt<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3 C (6 oz) mini marshmallows<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1.5 C (9 oz) chocolate chips<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Preheat oven to 425 F. Lightly grease an 18 x 13 inch pan or two 9 x 13 pans.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Place the oats on the pan(s). Bake for 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent edges from burning. They won't brown, but should begin to smell toasty. Remove the pan from the oven. Transfer the oats to a bowl and add the cereal. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, water, corn syrup, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil and boil for 5 minutes, or until the temperature reaches 250 F on a candy thermometer. Remove the syrup from the heat and pour it over the oats and cereal, tossing to combine. Add 1.5 cups of the marshmallows and stir again until well combined. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Place the mixture on the prepared pan, patting it flat. Press the mixture into the pan; using the lightly greased back of another flat pan works well. Sprinkle with the remaining 1.5 cups marshmallows and the chocolate chips. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bake the bars for 4-5 minutes, until the marshmallows have puffed and are slightly brown. Remove the bars from the oven and cool for about 10 minutes on a rack. Cut into squares while still warm. The easiest way to do this is to use a baker's bench knife to cut the bars into long strips while still in the pan, then transfer each strip to a cutting board to cut into bars. (I found that this was the hardest part!)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So give them a try when you need something sweet--they are easy to make. It's not particularly good as a kid-friendly recipe because of the boiling sugar mixture, but kids can sprinkle the toppings on. And taste test, of course!<br />
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</div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-57322205592195158212009-09-25T14:32:00.000-04:002009-09-25T14:32:39.628-04:00summer in REVIEW<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/Sr0GcNAyeLI/AAAAAAAAAiM/Xx3xMLlwgXI/s1600-h/2009_0812peter2bday0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/Sr0GcNAyeLI/AAAAAAAAAiM/Xx3xMLlwgXI/s320/2009_0812peter2bday0020.JPG" /></a>We TRAVELED;<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">we met some real CHARACTERS;<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/Sr0GQvHH84I/AAAAAAAAAh8/v7rEngE_kNc/s1600-h/mickey+hug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/Sr0GQvHH84I/AAAAAAAAAh8/v7rEngE_kNc/s200/mickey+hug.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/Sr0GVv7E9nI/AAAAAAAAAiE/wl9J1rJvrfg/s1600-h/goofy+signing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/Sr0GVv7E9nI/AAAAAAAAAiE/wl9J1rJvrfg/s200/goofy+signing.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/Sr0JlO9KLnI/AAAAAAAAAi0/qZtbnDSMzCM/s1600-h/epcot+japan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/Sr0JlO9KLnI/AAAAAAAAAi0/qZtbnDSMzCM/s320/epcot+japan.JPG" /></a>saw new PLACES;<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/Sr0JTNsX1OI/AAAAAAAAAik/X-2cjuWJZ6Y/s1600-h/teppan+edo+chef.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/Sr0JTNsX1OI/AAAAAAAAAik/X-2cjuWJZ6Y/s320/teppan+edo+chef.JPG" /></a>Ate very WELL;<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/Sr0DdFVDatI/AAAAAAAAAhs/ezBgeWiZbUk/s1600-h/2009_0812peter2bday0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/Sr0DdFVDatI/AAAAAAAAAhs/ezBgeWiZbUk/s320/2009_0812peter2bday0112.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">saw some great ENTERTAINMENT;<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/Sr0JXYF8u0I/AAAAAAAAAis/aarQjP2C1gE/s1600-h/feeding+dolphins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/Sr0JXYF8u0I/AAAAAAAAAis/aarQjP2C1gE/s320/feeding+dolphins.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">made some new FRIENDS;<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">and had an all around GREAT TIME.<br />
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</div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-52000283916703511012009-09-24T13:47:00.001-04:002009-09-25T13:48:40.085-04:00photos to FOLLOWtime to recap the summer--photos to follow.lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-34181388445502347382009-09-23T13:46:00.001-04:002009-09-25T13:47:41.172-04:00ReSTARTAlmost a year without blogging...time to start back up. lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-28931762204839174102008-12-18T09:06:00.000-05:002008-12-18T09:06:00.495-05:00December 18Have some hot chocolate today!lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-18020609855347201122008-12-17T08:53:00.000-05:002008-12-17T08:53:07.563-05:00December 17Today, deprive yourself of some little treat you usually have each day. Instead, use the money from that for a pleasant surprise for someone else.lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-22921925500796221972008-12-16T08:52:00.000-05:002008-12-16T08:52:00.812-05:00December 16Take a moment to remember a loved one. Then make sure your actions honor them.lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-51100530518691704502008-12-15T08:48:00.000-05:002008-12-15T08:48:00.364-05:00December 15Count your blessings: get to at least ten.lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-47673434215372892542008-12-14T20:47:00.000-05:002008-12-14T20:48:28.173-05:00December 14Hold the door for a stranger.lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-39266384145710727022008-12-13T09:28:00.000-05:002008-12-13T09:28:02.002-05:00December 13<div align="center">Give someone flowers. </div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-70865077159569606922008-12-12T09:27:00.000-05:002008-12-12T09:27:01.032-05:00December 12<div align="center">In honor of my 100th post, have dessert today.</div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-7349065750324113702008-12-11T09:23:00.000-05:002008-12-11T09:23:00.687-05:00December 11<div align="center">Light a candle in memory of a loved one today.</div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-77048114922685810542008-12-10T09:22:00.000-05:002008-12-10T09:22:00.394-05:00December 10<div align="center">Give someone an extra chance.</div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-30628976213374830922008-12-09T21:20:00.001-05:002008-12-09T21:22:32.832-05:00December 9<div align="center">Watch a sappy holiday movie.</div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-4738560251558119662008-12-08T21:15:00.000-05:002008-12-09T21:20:02.887-05:00December 8<div align="center">Cut out a paper snowflake.</div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-30440038153139366702008-12-07T08:15:00.000-05:002008-12-07T08:15:00.532-05:00December 7<div align="center">Donate something.</div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-18625177149178646562008-12-06T08:49:00.001-05:002008-12-06T08:49:00.538-05:00December 6<div align="center">Bake some holiday treats; give some away.</div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-10173296551612294342008-12-05T08:46:00.000-05:002008-12-05T08:46:00.693-05:00December 5<div align="center">Write, email or call a friend who's not expecting it. (Christmas cards don't count.)</div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-28548563841342260022008-12-04T08:45:00.000-05:002008-12-04T08:45:01.939-05:00December 4<div align="center">Read a holiday story.</div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-49757643908970094942008-12-03T08:43:00.000-05:002008-12-03T08:43:00.267-05:00December 3<div align="center">Buy yourself a gift for under two dollars.</div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-59344036429540491932008-12-02T08:40:00.000-05:002008-12-02T08:40:00.307-05:00December 2<div align="center">Look at old photos.</div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-58705850983651706952008-12-01T20:39:00.001-05:002008-12-01T20:40:47.253-05:00December First<div align="center">Tell someone they look nice today. </div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-22909979672438443192008-11-29T16:07:00.001-05:002008-11-29T16:09:48.818-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/STGvSJjhM-I/AAAAAAAAAfw/ETRmXkDFcJ0/s1600-h/streetsignmemorylane.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274189364964963298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_btSIWVJtjGs/STGvSJjhM-I/AAAAAAAAAfw/ETRmXkDFcJ0/s400/streetsignmemorylane.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Off to the high school reunion tonight....</div><div> </div><div>Oh boy. </div>lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6041690829095813396.post-87996909174420000252008-11-22T08:00:00.000-05:002008-11-22T08:00:01.636-05:00Check It OutThis is a fun site to check out: test your geography knowledge and donate water. <br /><a href="http://www.freepoverty.com/">http://www.freepoverty.com/</a><br />I need to get me a globe.lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249716936991366975noreply@blogger.com0