Seven Quick Takes Friday Vol. XXI

I.

So we're going to start today with a cute story. I was at Barnes and Noble, purchasing guidebooks for our Family Vacation this summer. I got to the register, and, since I was paying with a check, I had to show my driver's license.

The cashier (who was aobut my age, and cute) looks at it, and says, "This is the happiest license picture I've ever seen."

"I didn't see a reason not to be happy," I said as I slipped it back into my wallet. (Really, I don't. Why do people look like convicts in those photos? Do you really want to be looking at that for years?) But this also sort of sums up my life philosophy--why not be happy, when you can? Even in your driver's license photo.

II.

The Great Thaw is upon us--the snow is melting, I can see my deck again, and it's mostly slush now. I can deal with slush. My car likes slush better than snow (although probably not cosmetically). It's supposed to be....(wait for it)....in the forties this weekend. Forties! Yes!

III.

Since it's going to be warm(er), I really need to do a good pantry stock-up. I get a Trader Joe's gift card every year from my parents at Christmas, and I use it to stock my pantry with essentials (and not so essentials...like the $4 Portuguese white wine....). So I will probably go tomorrow.

IV.

Since it is a long weekend *huzzah!* It is also baking weekend. I bought currants at the North Market last week to use in Irish Soda Bread. I haven't made it yet. That project is for tonight or tomorrow, depending on how the spirit moves me. One of the great things about winter is, as long as your pantry's stocked, you have all this time to cook and bake. Fantastic.

V.

I have an appt. with Dr. A on Monday. I'm going to ask if he's started planning my five year party yet. Really--five years? Wow.

VI.

Books of 2010 update: Laine's Real Adventures, Farmer Boy. I love Farmer Boy, but didn't have a copy at my place. If you want to feel hungry, read it. And if you want to feel warm, read it! The first chapter talks about it being forty below. Forty. Below. How did these folks get anything done? At -40, I think it's time to hibernate. But I suppose the cows won't wait for it to warm up for their milking...

Another: Elizabeth Berg's Never Change. I really enjoyed the character of Myra, but was sort of shocked by the ending.

And: The Good Husband of Zebra Drive, and Blue Shoes and Happiness. I'm sort of re-working my way through Alexander McCall Smith.

VII.

Bit on books and movies, to round up here. I started watching Bleak House last night--I got it for Christmas (The Gillian Anderson version), and my parents watched it first (because my dad loves Gillian Anderson. Old X-Files hold over.) So I just started it last night whilst I was painting my nails. It's really great so far. I haven't finished the book yet, so maybe watching the series will motivate me to finish it.

Another book I'm looking forward to reading: Melanie Benjamin's Alice I Have Been. I just picked it up and the beginning is fantastic.

And gosh, I owe you guys some real bookshelves. This weekend. I promise. I want to do one for La's Orchestra Saves the World, and for Alice, once it's done.

Be sure to visit Jen for more Quick Takes! 

Monday

So, to wrap up the three day weekend:

• movies watched: The end of Junebug, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Hmmm more Christian Bale. 
• Books read: Volume 1 of S&S; more David Copperfield; the Terminator Salvation movie book. 
• iPod updated and charged
• Sewed the hem of a skirt that came undone. Yes, the skirt is beige. Yes, the thread I had was pink. But it's OK.  Also stitched up a hole in the underarm area of a cardigan. 
• Went to Olive Garden w/ Mom, Dad and Mel for dinner. Yummy. 
• Kroger for groceries. Stuff at Target is a lot cheaper, but they don't have produce. Sadly. And the north market stalls were mostly closed today. 
• Wrote letters to far away friends. Yes. Real letters. As in pen and ink. I know, that's a bit archaic.
• Finished the bread. One loaf for freezer, one for now. 
• Coffee ready for tomorrow. 
• Started a short story, which you can read here. Sort of dystopian. 
• Made list of food for the week. 

I am ready for the new week. I think. Maybe. 

The Simple Woman's Daybook--May 25, 2009

For Monday, May 25,2009

Outside my window...
It's almost dark, but it was a very pretty day. HOT though, about 86. 

I am thinking...
That it was a great weekend. Do I have to go back to work? (answer: Yes)

I am thankful for...
My family, days off

From the kitchen...
I finished brioche today. 

To live the liturgy...
Magnificat, Bible reading, rosary, St. Francis prayer book 

I am wearing...

>A raspberry colored tank top, and shorts

I am creating...
A new short story

I am going to breathe deeply ...
And relax--work will be fine!

Bringing beauty to my home ...
the house is clean!

I am going...

to take my pills, have a snack and go to bed. 

I am reading...

Sense and Sensibility, David Copperfield

I am hoping...
For a good, sane week. 

I am hearing...
The Star Trek soundtrack (n the car)

One of my favorite things...
Jane's books :) 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Classes in general...

W: Volunteering at LOOP

Th: Post-tx CF clinic

Sunday report

*Mass at noon

*Lots of movies: finished Pursuit of Happyness, watched Pochahontas, then saw Star Trek at the theater with my dad and siblings. It's been awhile since I'd seen a movie in the theater, so it was fun. The movie was really good; the last Trek movie I saw in the theater, I was about six, and fell asleep about 10 minutes in. I also saw that with my dad (he loves the Trek. Loves it.). The soundtrack is excellent, and so is the acting. J. J. Abrahms does a commendable job resurrecting this franchise for the big screen. I, for one, hope there are more films featuring the young Spock and Kirk. (Side note: I didn't think Spock had a girlfriend! What is up with that?!) After the movie, I went home and started watching Junebug, Amy Adams' breakthrough film (for which she was nominated for an Oscar). 

*Baking: started making brioche loaves (recipe below). Right now the bread is "coming to room temperature" (36 minutes to go there). 

*Read more of David Copperfield. 

Rainy Sunday Baking

Brioche Loaves (from Ina Garten's Barefoot in Paris) 

Makes two loaves

1/2 c. warm water (110-120 degrees) 

1 package dried yeast

3 tbsp. sugar

6 extra-large eggs, at room temperature (I've used large just fine)

4 1/2 unbleached flour (I use King Arthur All-Purpose)

2 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 lb. (2 sticks) unsalted butter,at room temperature

1 egg mixed with 1 tbsp. milk, for egg wash (on second day)

Day One: 

Combine the water, yeast and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix with your hands and allow to stand for 5 minutes until the yeast and sugar dissolve. Add the eggs and beat on medium speed for one minute, until well mixed. With the mixer on low speed, add 2 c. of flour and the salt, ad mix for 5 minutes. With the mixer still on low, add two ore cups of flour and mix for five more minutes. Still on low speed, add the soft butter in chunks and mix for two minutes, scraping down the beater, until well blended. With the mixer still running, sprinkle in the remaining 1/4 c. flour. Switch the paddle attachment to a dough hook and mix on low speed for two minutes. Scrap the dough into a large buttered bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate over night. 

Day Two:

The next day, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for one hour. Grease two 8 1/2X 4 1/2X 2 1/2" loaf pans (regular bread pans). Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and cut in half. Pat each portion into a 6x8" rectangle, then roll up each rectangle into a cylindrical loaf. Place each loaf, seam side down, into a greased pan. Cover the pans with a damp towel and set aside to rise at room temperature until doubled in volume, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. When the loaves have risen, brush the top of each with the egg wash and bake for 45 minutes, or until the top springs back and it sounds slightly hollow when tapped. Turn the loaves out onto a wire rack to cool. 

Testing, testing: Sprinkles Cupcake Mixes

I love cupcakes.
Actually, I take that back. I like anything sweet and cake-like.
Normally I make cupcakes from scratch. Heck, I normally make all my things from scratch, or severely doctored-up.
So last weekend, when I was throwing a get-together at my apartment, I broke a rule.
I bought mixes.
But not just any mixes--Sprinkles Cupcake Mixes.
I had wanted to get Vanilla and chocolate. Sadly--no Chocolate. So I got Vanilla and Red Velvet.
I brought them home, with about 5 hours until party time.
I decided to make the Red Velvet first. Not sure why, just did.
Opened the canister. Inside is the mix, instructions for cupcakes and frosting, and the 'dots', which are Sprinkle's trademark decoration.
I removed all ingredients from fridge, then realized I needed cream cheese for the frosting. Didn't have cream cheese. Ergo, no frosting. Oh well. Frosting is a pain to make anyway.
So, got out the ingredients. Room temperature needed to be obtained for the milk, eggs and butter. (These use at least one stick of butter for every mix.)
So, whilst these were warming, I opened the packet, dumped it into my Kitchenaid mixer bowl, and added the vinegar (I guess needed to active food coloring, or something.)
Whoops. Read the instructions. Apparently was supposed to add butter first. Well, darn. Can't just scoop it out now--the vinegar's in there, turning the mix nice and red.
Plan B: Just add everything all at once, mix it up, and bake. If awful, we have Vanilla back-up, plus other dessert makings in the apartment. We'll try it.
So I dump in eggs, milk, butter (all at room temp). Mix. Mixer sounds like it's going to spontaneously combust, but mixes. I get a nice, thick, very blood-red batter.
Place batter into silicone-lined cupcake tins. While doing this, you will get red batter everywhere. On the counter, on your shirt, on your arms, on your face. And in the tins. You'll look like you're "bleedin' to death", in the words of Steel Magnolias.
Bake.
Twenty minutes later....
They are beautiful. They are perfectly shaped little cake domes, in pastel liners.
Remove pan. Cool.
Eat.
Oh. Heaven on a plate. Red velvet with chocolate undertones....just divine. Moist, wonderful, divine cupcakes! (See! I don't need to follow instructions!)
With the vanilla, I do follow the instructions. Find that every mix has slightly different instructions and ingredients. OK. Remove butter, eggs, milk needed for vanilla.
While the red velvet batter was dense, this batter is like a quasi-meringue. It's very airy, like wet cotton candy (if you can imagine that). It has a very light consistency. Spoon into another cupcake tray. Bake again.
These, instead of being perfectly shaped, overflow the liners. They are huge. Some of them are mushroom-cloud looking. I do not ice these. They taste lovely (if a bit sweet), but they are HUGE.
Red velvet is my favorite, of these two.

Today's experiment: Dark Chocolate and Red Velvet.
Dark Chocolate (above) just came out of the oven. Yet to taste. This batter was more like pudding. Scooped into tins very well (if you use a spatula and spoon combo, it works very well). But, again, overflowed. Not sure if this is me overfilling or if the batter is just, well, overbearing. But I don't object to big chocolate desserts. So I'm OK with this.
Time needed: like a half hour. No mix I have tried yet takes more than 20-25 minutes to bake. Mixing is very simple and takes perhaps 5-6 minutes, depending on if you're using a stand mixer or a hand beater. In about 45 minutes you have finished cupcakes (without frosting).