Quiet day — mostly did computer work, but in between, futzed around with little chocolates and yarn hearts for the upper tier treat boxes (“Narnia in love” theme: remember, he’s not a TAME lion…). I was excessively pleased with myself for managing to find a WARDROBE mold. I mean, come on, people! Those are some …
Fresh Strawberry & Ginger Scones
(30 minutes, plus cooling time, makes 16 mini scones) In Sri Lanka, strawberries are an introduced horticultural crop, very popular in the hill country. I have fond memories of eating fabulous strawberries from roadside stands near Nuwara Eliya. Sri Lankans enjoy strawberries fresh, in milkshakes, cooked down into jam, whipped into a refreshing fool, or …
Caramel Loves Passionfruit
“Caramel Loves Passionfruit” — I liked these enough I thought they deserved a name. Passionfruit marshmallows are, I have to say, perfection all on their own. But I wanted to try dressing them up a bit for Valentine’s Day and the winter Patreon treat boxes (details in comments), and I thought the tang of passionfruit …
Luscious Dreams
I made a decadent Valentine’s rose tea for the winter treat boxes: decaf English breakfast, Guittard cocoa rouge, Penzey’s vanilla (beans for steeping AND double-strength extract), rose petals. Delicious, and since it’s decaf, you can indulge in the evening and still slip into sleep filled with luscious dreams…
Valentines for the Kids
We are thankfully past the age of needing to find / create Valentines for an entire class of elementary age students at this point, hoorah, but we do still try to do something for the kids on the holiday, when we remember. Kevin made the brownie breakfast bars; I dipped some strawberry marshmallows in milk …
A Genius or a Fool
When your daughter asks if she can go to a friend’s house tonight, and if you can drop her off at 6 and pick her up much later, and you say yes even though it’s been a long workday at the end of a long workweek at the end of two years of miserably long …
A Very Yummy, Super-Pretty Brownie/Cookie
This was a very yummy brownie/cookie, and also super-pretty. I’m going to put these out at the party tomorrow (locals, you’re invited!), thinking of trying a modified version for the winter treat boxes, adding in some chopped cranberries. What can I say, I love fruit! But honestly, these are great as is, esp. right out …
Gingered Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
More baking for the Winter 2022 Patreon boxes. Kid-approved! Gingered Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies (makes about 60 small cookies) These luscious little bites work equally well for Valentine’s Day or Christmas. Original recipe, modified a bit, from OMG Chocolate Desserts: https://omgchocolatedesserts.com/red-velvet-crinkle-cookies/ 4 T butter, softened 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 egg red food coloring …
Sleepy Slow Morning
Sleepy slow morning, gilding some pomegranate chocolate roses for the Patreon treat boxes, trying to wake up. Teaching day today. I’ve been thinking about how much time I spend on the treat boxes — I think the three times / year schedule is about right for what I can manage without stress right now, especially …
Chocolate Scones with Cherry & Orange
Cherry-chocolate scones or orange-chocolate scones? I waffled for quite a while, before the solution to my dilemma presented itself — why not both? A perfect pairing for Valentine’s Day! Cherry for its sensuous lusciousness, orange for a bit of spring brightness (because spring is coming, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet). Surrounded by …