Garden Update

Got picture of my garden without snow. Garlic is coming up. 4 out 8, not too bad as I wasn't sure if it was going to work. 

My Winter Garden

My garden after the snow

Haha! I thought I'd get a picture of my garden before the snow to show you the garlic. Oh well, I'll try and get it when the snow melts.

Surprise, surprise! My garlic is coming up. I pretty much forgot about it when the other day, I look out my window and I see little hints of green coming and remembered that I planted them. Doesn't look like much now but let's see when happen in the spring. 

The flat leaf parsley and scallions also don't seem to mind the cold and snow. 

My indoor garden seems to be putting up with my sporatic watering schedule. Did lose my poinsettia [waited too long to bring inside, never recovered] and the celery stalk [couldn't handle me going on vacation--WG is not a gardener]

My Hens and Chicks are tolerating it's location in the bathroom but I decided to move them with the rest of my indoor plants right in front of window in my dining room. Hope it like there better. 

Starting off my New Year

With roasting a chicken, cleaning my plasticware and starting some baby shower gifts. I hope this energy continues throughout this year. Have A Happy New Year!

On my walk

I decide to start walking [maybe some running] to work out my stress. So I thought I'd take pictures of something on my walks.

Today was beautiful for a walk. Here's a couple shots.

I finished it . . .

on Christmas day. Weaving in all the ends, now just to send it out. I need to make one more item for the package and then off it goes. 

It started out looking like a mound of garter stitches. 


It got bigger and bigger 


Till the finished product. I think the picot edging adds some fun to it.  100% cotton bath mat. Handmade and washable. The pattern Muriwai Bath Mat is from Knit 2 Together by Tracey Ullman/Mel Clark. I didn't block this piece. If I did, they wouldn't get till who know when.

Cookie Butter

or Speculoos. Seems like all the rage. It's a bit sweet for me but used up my bottle making some cookies for my holiday baking. Adjusted recipe from one of my old favorite cookbook. A friend wanted the recipe so I thought I'd share with everyone. They make a real sturdy crispy cookie good for traveling or sending in a care package.

Cookie Butter Cookies
adapted from Favorite Island Cookery Book II, Peanut Butter Cookies

Bake 325º

Time: 15–20 minutes

3 c flour

2 t baking soda

1 t salt

Sift together dry ingredients and set aside.

1 c butter, soften

1 c light brown sugar

3/4 c granulated sugar

1 t vanilla

2 eggs

2/3 c cookie butter

Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla then eggs, one at time till blended well. Mix in cookie butter. Then add dry ingredients, do not over mix. Make 1" balls and place on cookie sheet, lined with parchment, 2" apart. Use a fork to flatten cookie, making a crisscross pattern. Bake until light brown.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies. Store in air tight container.

My, oh my, I'm so busy!

And I haven't posted for a month. Thought about it . . . hmmm, should I post or watch continue to watch Homeland . . . hmmm. 

That's what happens when you learn how to use your cable box and see what kind of free stuff you can watch. Now, I'm suck into Homeland and I need to make it stop. If only Homeland would make want to exercise at the same time. You know like a combination Homeland and Insanity workout. 

I've been really busy and not with baking stuff. Been working late at my job-job. Thank goodness, I was smart enough to ask if I could work from home Thanksgiving week.  On Monday and Tuesday, I put in 12 hour+ days only stopping when WG came home from the restaurant. But I have been making . . .

"WHAT?" you asked

Lilikoi Tea Cupcakes with Lilikoi Jelly filling and cream cheese frosting

that lilikoi filling peaking out under the frosting

Using stuff that I got and made from Hawaii--Lilikoi tea and Lilikoi Jelly. The jelly looks a bit scary--like an experiment gone bad. A dark almost black color. But don't let that fool you it is soooooo good. {see my post on the making of the lilikoi jelly} Found some frozen passion fruit at my supermarket and will be testing out some lilikoi [now do I really call it lilikoi if I got it from the frozen food section my suburban supermarket?] curd next. Maybe I'll try some lilikoi bars. 

All filled with goodness

So these cupcakes are version of my earl grey cupcakes with orange marmalade filling. The jelly was a little loose so I heated it up and add some cold butter to thicken up. Tested out at work first, it was a thumbs up. Then made a batch for the restaurant.