Cold, Crisp

or f****** freezing

Glorious sun, tho' - Always hopeful when the sun blasts through.

" when you're smiling ... the sun comes shining through

We will run a test today 😃

Grinning like a fool and the day cooperated - so far. TG the wind died and is a wafting breeze after roaring for 20 h

Crisp ! and we segue into the piece de jour...

yes, Yes, YEs, YES  its apple cake again. OK. How does it compare to past issues of the recipe

Good. Delectable. I wouldn't kick it out of bed

I usually add yoghurt and flx seed. Sort of a fibre burst during the day

 

' the Lights Are On

... but you're not home " sang Robert Palmer < R.I.P. >

Ah, the twinkle lights on the garden hose wreath are running as is the ' kaleidoscope on the great wall of Me ' 

The dark was so gloomy looking, I turned on some sparkle. Everyone elese has timers set for 7 PM. These lights are manual timers < as in me >. One candle to light the way

the Sunday Morning Come Down

 but we didn't drink last night

Alabama, the Crimson Tide, won big last afternoon. SEC champions, a ticket to CFB final four, semi finals and reprieve from a dipsy wobbly season.

" roll Tide "

the Bread

is almost gone. Thus, one loaf in this house survived < in fridge > for 4 days. Guess, I'm not baking daily then. The homemade bread toasts up quite nicely. The homemade bread is not as sweet as some from the store. Of course, sweeter and saltier is going to appeal to the greatest % of buyers.

A gray day showing over the trees. Predicted weather is a grab bag of everything, hovering aorund freezing all day

Found on our tree

This year and for the past 20 something

Yes, homemade in the year - the craftsy bug hit

We Cooled Down

 a lot. As in, 10 degrees down. Spotty rain is due, mixed w/ who knows what

My social index goes way up today. I have lunch w/ A. The fare is dim sum or ' little tea '. In truth, there is nothing little about any of it. Lots of green tea, there will be grease and starch. I do insist on a veg dish, however, this step is token b/c everything else is ' super ' tasty which means - salt and oil.

Lunch as advertised. More or less, grease away !. The tea may dilute the damage < please >

Certain people should not shop together. A and I are dangerous, we can talk each other into buying anything. I see bathmats $22 plush and cleaning would be dicey. Instead, I buy a carpet runner for $ 10 that may need cutting into bath mat and sink mat < where you stand >, thus way cheaper. Remember tho' it is a runner, primarily. However, in a guy s bathroom and something easy to clean is Bonus. Then A decides that he'll buy 2.

Really ! we are poison to each other. His problem is worse b/c he would need to convince Grandma that a runner is a good idea.

Update, rain was drops and the wind was brisk but the sun lit up the world, thus not bad for winter.

We Warmed Up

 the birdides love it - the winged ones are frolicing < is frolic supposed to be on land ? >

However, a reprieve from the chill w/ some damp and wind.

A day to get jobs accomplished. Shopping b/c its Senior s day at Shoppers drug mart. 20 % off, regular merch < thats modern speak for stuff >

the un - Cyber Blog

 or the usual drivel. BUT

Important drivel, none the less. The day has promise, bit of sun that penetrated the cloud layer. Ah, the first of Dec - hey ! isn't St. Somebody s day. The patron saint of what do we do today.

It seems, that this is my last day to profit from ' Black Friday ', yes on Wed. That was, just in case that I panicked on Friday in Walmart. I did run the gauntlet on Monday and got the coffee on sale -      Maxwell House " good to the last drop "

I recall, in Florida, that we said we used Folgers and friends guffawed and lamented our choice < as poor, I suppose > Betcha that they use tapwater in their coffee maker w/ the premium blend. That means that are paying $13 / # to brew coffee w/ mineralized or hardish water from the municipal pipes.

They'd be better to spend $8 / # and use spring water. A coffee merchant who travels the world said, when asked ' I manage about three cups of coffee a week. If I don't know the water quality then I don't drink the coffee '.

I have my B.B.C. axiom. I use bacon, butter and coffee. If the doctor says cut out a member of BBC then I'll keep doing BBC.

" Success is counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed "

This adage was at the back of my mind while I gave another try at bread making. Many modifications to the previous try. Way less agony - no esctacy either, tho'. I let the yeast sit in warm water and a tad of sugar < kinda get a start - took 15 minutes BTW >. The rising went well, a ballooning happened. The second rise was also on target. And baking was a solid 8 out of 10. Next time I'll use the thermometer sooner - an internal temperture of 195 - 200 is ' bread done '. My loaf got to 209 F. A smooch too long. 
The taste and texture test- nice soft bread, delicate flavour. Alrighty ! The rating is a 8 / 10. A bit of room for improvement. But I'm on track to becoming good.
We won't kick this bread out of bed. Hey, that sounds ....... kinky, No ?