School has finally let out for the season, luckily the stomach bug that ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
abeilledeverte and kidlets left with us was over the weekend before finals. I think I only did bad on one final due to lack of being able to study D: but still passed the class.
I've spent the last week recovering from classes and doing some holiday baking as well as celebrating my 30th (gasp) wedding anniversary with the Beloved Spouse (moondancer ).
So far I've baked fruitcake twice, made molasses/ginger cookies, sugar cookies, coconut haystacks, and bark with redhots instead of candy canes over the top. In my experimentation over the past 3 or so years with fruitcakes I come up with a version that is likeable by just about everyone I've tried it out on. My personal complaint with fruitcake is that the texture is kinda gross, it frequently smells like old shoes, and the glace` fruit is just nasty....
My version is closer to a spiced bread with fruit and nuts - made with out any glace` fruits, and instead is made with just assorted dried fruits - this years version has dried cherries, blueberries, currants, dates, figs, craisins, and candied ginger. I've also added more nuts than the recipe calls for, and the last batch has both walnuts and hazelnuts. I upped the spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves) and replaced the shortning with organic butter. I cooked them in individual muffin cups/tins so that each is a single serving, easily heated with a smear of butter for breakfast. We've all certainly enjoyed them here as has the Eldest Spawn's BFF & family. I've debated on the alcohol basting - and have decided against it for the time being as many of my friends are in recovery, though I did rehydrate the fruit in about a 1/2 cup Jim Beam Red Stagg - it's pretty nice.
Today I'll frost the sugar cookies and make pumpkin fudge. I may make regular fudge as well, with and without nuts. I need to pick up more candied ginger to make more molasses cookies as well as maybe some gingerbread.
Hmmmm... I think the kitchen is calling me.
abeilledeverte and kidlets left with us was over the weekend before finals. I think I only did bad on one final due to lack of being able to study D: but still passed the class.FAL11 CHEM& 121 INTRO TO CHEMISTRY 3.5 5.0 FSE 250 FUNERAL SERVICE MGT 3.1 4.0 FSE 256 FUNERAL SERVICE OPTIONS 4.0 3.0 FSE 258 INTO TO REST ART 3.7 3.0 FSE 261 EMBALMING II 4.0 4.0Chemistry was actually the one I was worried about but I am fairly happy with the grades no matter what.
I've spent the last week recovering from classes and doing some holiday baking as well as celebrating my 30th (gasp) wedding anniversary with the Beloved Spouse (
moondancer ).So far I've baked fruitcake twice, made molasses/ginger cookies, sugar cookies, coconut haystacks, and bark with redhots instead of candy canes over the top. In my experimentation over the past 3 or so years with fruitcakes I come up with a version that is likeable by just about everyone I've tried it out on. My personal complaint with fruitcake is that the texture is kinda gross, it frequently smells like old shoes, and the glace` fruit is just nasty....
My version is closer to a spiced bread with fruit and nuts - made with out any glace` fruits, and instead is made with just assorted dried fruits - this years version has dried cherries, blueberries, currants, dates, figs, craisins, and candied ginger. I've also added more nuts than the recipe calls for, and the last batch has both walnuts and hazelnuts. I upped the spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves) and replaced the shortning with organic butter. I cooked them in individual muffin cups/tins so that each is a single serving, easily heated with a smear of butter for breakfast. We've all certainly enjoyed them here as has the Eldest Spawn's BFF & family. I've debated on the alcohol basting - and have decided against it for the time being as many of my friends are in recovery, though I did rehydrate the fruit in about a 1/2 cup Jim Beam Red Stagg - it's pretty nice.
Today I'll frost the sugar cookies and make pumpkin fudge. I may make regular fudge as well, with and without nuts. I need to pick up more candied ginger to make more molasses cookies as well as maybe some gingerbread.
Hmmmm... I think the kitchen is calling me.
