18 February 2007
I hate the feeling of having wasted an entire day by sitting on the sofa (or similar), wondering what to do. Even worse is having ideas, but no spark to get started. But then there are days like today, when you kick back as the evening draws near, and you realize how much you accomplished with hardly any effort
I love Sundays, because Sunday is when I do my grocery shopping. I enjoy restocking the shelves and planning out the week ahead. And there's nothing better than slowly making my way around the shop, knowing I have nothing else to do. After I returned, I decided to make peanut butter bread, an idea that had been kicking around my head since, well, yesterday (some things gestate fairly quickly!).
It's alright, but slightly disappointing. I cut back on the sugar, figuring the peanut butter was sweet, but the bread really could've done with that extra quarter cup. Oh well, you can't win 'em all on the first go. I'm thinking it'll still be pretty good warmed up/toasted with a little butter. I'll have to try that, in the name of cookery science.
My parents came over just before noon, dropping off the last of the boxes that had been living at their house. Several of them contained model horses, including this one:
That's my very favourite one -- has been since I got him ages ago. I collected Breyer horses far past the age where it stopped being cool. The china hutch that's now in my kitchen used to stand in my bedroom and housed the collection. They've lived in boxes for quite some time now, but I think this one will have to stay out. Every time Alicia posts about her own collection, I have to e-mail her, because I like to think the model horses are a link that knows no distance.
Moving on, then -- I joined my parents in visiting my grandmother. I had another milk carton for her; she turns them into planters for starting her seeds each year. I like when I can pretend my rubbish is a lovely gift for somebody else. It's so easy!
I spent this afternoon making soup. Half a batch equals seven servings for me; I freeze some and then have a bowl with my dinner each night. I also boiled some eggs for the next few days. I really like hard-boiled eggs, but I usually want one now rather than twenty-five minutes from now. So now I've got three in the fridge, ready to go at a moment's notice. I like the idea of Sunday as preparation for the coming week.
I basically used the same recipe as last time, except I added an extra cup of vegetable stock and half a cup of water (I added the water near the end, because the soup seemed too tomato-y/salty). I also left out the potato and macaroni and added lima beans. Soup! It's very satisfying to know there's nothing but vegetables, herbs, and water in there. I had the first bowl for dinner tonight, along with a piece of the 'no knead' bread my mom left for me. Yum!
And it's only 6:00pm. I wonder what ELSE I'll do before the day is out!
If I didn't know better, I'd thought that bowl of soup next to your bread resembles bruschetta! I think your bread will go down well with some. Now I'm hungry.
posted by Amy at February 19, 2007 04:01 AM
how about jumping on a plane and coming to my place in Australia and motivating me? I have a craft room that needs cleaning out and I would love to try the peanut butter bread!
posted by Miss Dot at February 19, 2007 10:56 AM
A so lovely blog, to watch every day...
g.
posted by g. at February 19, 2007 01:43 PM
Your blog is so inspiring! And the food always looks delicious. Besides the bread book and soup book, what are some of your other must-have cookbooks?
posted by Jen at February 19, 2007 05:25 PM
I made semi-disappointing peanut butter "cupcakes" the other day. More like muffins. Once I put jelly on them, it turned into more of a p.b. and j. situation. Greatly improved! I used the recipe from an old Joy of Cooking cookbook.
Your posts are always so lovely and inspiring.
posted by ursula at February 20, 2007 05:03 AM
Tasty. I'm having trouble eating my food, because I want to keep taking photo's of it!
Can I post a picture of your blue bedroom (from your blog) on my blog this week... it's all about blue colours. x
posted by cally at February 20, 2007 04:56 PM
Cally -- Yes, of course you may! xx
posted by Anna at February 20, 2007 05:09 PM
Why thank you Anna!
And may I say, your variety food post was brilliant. I am exceedingly taken with your panini pressed tofu!
posted by cally at February 20, 2007 05:14 PM