Currently, I am out of town.  Hopefully, when I get back I’ll have some pics and write-ups of a couple culinary adventures.  In the meantime, I leave you with a photo of the Dynamic Hairy Duo, Daisy (left) and Gus (right).

Now, it’s True Confessions time.  I had to crop the pictures to eliminate a large hair ball that found itself in the frame.  You see those white speckles on my kitchen cabinets?  That’s bread dough.  I’m not sure what I did to get it there, and on the walls, and on the window, but I succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.  Do you know how hard it is to get dried bread dough off everything?  Sigh.  An amateur baker’s work is never done!

I’m out of town for the next few days, and won’t have access to my photos, but I’ll be back soon and will post my TWD cookies and my Daring Bakers challenge by Friday. Thanks for sticking around – I’ve been swamped the past few weeks, but things are getting back to “normal,” whatever that is! I’m looking forward to getting back to all of your wonderful blogs to see what you’ve been up to.  I’m leaving you with a picture of sweet little Gus, because that’s all I’ve got at the moment!

I finally figured out how to upgrade WordPress, and of course it’s giving me problems, especially with uploading photos. If anyone has any idea how to fix “HTTP erorr” messages, I’d appreciate some help. Pretend that you are talking to one of the most computer illiterate people on the planet, and if you send me to look up directories and the like, you will have to tell me exactly where to find them and how to get there. And don’t be surprised if at some point in the near future I have to re-direct you to my old blog. Sigh.

On a lighter note, I thought I’d show you how Gus and Daisy help me blog. At the top of this post is a picture of Daisy. She was on my desk, asking for a tummy rub which, of course, she received. I mean, really, even if you are in the middle of blogging, how can you turn down a pup asking for a little love?

Below is Gus. His favorite perch while I blog is on my lap atop an old sofa cushion. He keeps a close eye on what I’m doing.

Here’s another shot of Gus. This little dude is even sweeter than he looks:

Come on in and set a spell. I have some stories to share. Have a bit of tea and a “really exceptional” scone, to quote my husband. I’ll get to these luscious, cheesy scones in just a bit. Continue reading after the jump . . . .
continue reading "TWD – “Really Exceptional” Apple-Cheddar Scones."

One of my friends tells me that my blog is blocked at her job because of “adult content.” ADULT CONTENT?! After I thought about it a bit, I realized that some pictures that appear on this blog, like the one above of Daisy, do involve doggie nudity. I am unrepentant, and will remain so. Gus approves:

On another note, yesterday my area was hit by a series of extremely severe thunderstorms, including tornadoes. We were without electricity for over 11 hours. We are also getting ready to go visit family, and that combined with the loss of electricity, last minute medical visits, etc., has left me unable to respond to all your wonderful comments, and to visit your blogs as much as I’d like to, but I promise that as soon as I can visit all of you, I will!

This week, Tara of Smells Like Home has chosen Traditional Madeleines. They look okay, don’t they, except for the little “foot” around each cookie?

But how they taste is a different matter, and entirely my fault. Forgive me, Dorie, I will try again another day.

You see, I’ve been having a hectic month. Our usual dog care person bailed on us (after committing), and I’ve been researching acceptable alternatives like crazy, so that we can take a long-planned trip. My knees have been giving me trouble, and on Sunday, I mysteriously blew out my right knee, leaving me hobbling and in a lot of pain. Add these little events to my enormous to-do list, and you’ll have to forgive me for having a brain fart when I made these cookies.

You see, I forgot how to read English and used baking SODA instead of baking POWDER. I also had a large amount of batter left over, and filled the molds to the brim, resulting in the little “feet” you see in the picture. Where all this batter was supposed to go, I can’t say, but it would have made more than 12 madeleines!

What I can say, unequivocally, is that these must be the foulest, nastiest baked goods that I have ever made. Master Chow says they’re okay, not great. Taste buds are interesting things, because when I bite into these (and all I could stomach was one tiny bite), I taste METAL, thanks to the baking soda. And egg. Master Chow didn’t pick up the same flavors (metal is a flavor?), but he thought they were blah. When things settle down around here (that sound you hear is my hysterical laughter), I’m going to try these again, and actually use the right ingredients! Imagine that!

For some lovely pictures and blogging on how these little cakes should taste, as well as the recipe, check out the Tuesdays with Dorie blogroll. And I’ll see you next week, when we bake my pick, Pecan Honey Sticky Buns!

Oh, and did I mention that my husband found Gus on our bed? With a poopy butt? Welcome to my world.

Daisy and Gus, snoozing in a comfy lap

“What is all this stuff?”

“My feet are cold!”
“Hmm, I don’t think there will be any grilling tonight!”