11 February 2007
I was recently pawing through my bookshelves, when I came across Feynman's autobiography. It's one of my dad's books which made it onto my shelves for some reason, and I'm loving it.
The animals have been helping me read. Because the bed is officially Booty's territory, he's much bolder, and Minnie is quite submissive when she's up there. Right after this, Booty tried to bite Minnie. Sigh.
Another book recommendation: I heard about Teach Like Your Hair's On Fire when Rafe Esquith was on NPR (or was it MPR?) a few weeks back. Education is one of the many subjects I have an idle (yet surprisingly intense) interest in, and I'm loving this book. I've read only the first few chapters so far, but I imagine it should be required reading for all teachers and highly recommended for parents. And nice if you just wonder how we could arrange it so there are most decent, clever people in the world one day.
Since I'm in a recommendy mood, I might as well mention the BNL album Barenaked Ladies Are Me. The 'second part' (BNL Are Men) was released last week, but I'm behind the times and have just now got the first one. So great. I've been a BNL fan for at least a decade now, and some of the songs on this are already right up there with my favourites.
Okay, last thing -- I couldn't decide if I should just wedge this in here, and now it looks like I'm going to:
I've long had a problem following sewing patterns, preferring to come up with my own designs and methods. And baking has been going that way, lately. Yesterday, I got to thinking about whether it would be possible to make a fruit bread with yogurt instead of oil, so I sat down this morning and came up with a recipe. I wasn't sure if it would work, as it involved a lot of me thinking, 'So, if I use a half cup of sweetened yogurt, I shouldn't use so much sugar. Will I need to cut down on the milk? Hm. Maybe a little less milk.' Despite my experience with sweet loaves (banana bread, graham bread, zucchini bread -- that sort of thing), I still feel it's sort of a miracle this came out.
So I give you apple-date-vanilla-yogurt bread. That first slice was pretty tasty, but I'm going to see how it holds up over the next couple of days before I decide whether the recipe is worth posting. It'll be a tough few days of scientific testing.
I just love Booty, what a gorgeous dog. We had to put our dog Blue down last year. My heart still aches for him.
posted by Maggie at February 11, 2007 10:34 PM
Love your new style blog, and the pretty blue bowl in the picture. Your site is excellent and also love and can not put down the Crafters companion. Keep up the excellent, beautiful work!
posted by CraftyB at February 11, 2007 10:54 PM
That looks so delicious! I'm hoping for the recipe. Good luck with the testing process, these thing are always *such* a burden, right?
posted by Jane at February 11, 2007 10:58 PM
Your pets are so cute! Your house looks so breezy and light...
I never follow a recipe as it is. I do a lot of substituting applesauce for some of the oil and some of the sugar. I don't know if there is a ratio that is recommended--just one of those things that you have to play with.
posted by Kristin at February 12, 2007 03:01 AM
your pet are so cute. I grew up with lots of dogs and totally miss them...
Nice photographs in your blog.
posted by Monica at February 12, 2007 08:43 AM
Thank you for posting about barenaked ladies! I've given up hope of ever hearing them come out with their new album -- I've been a fan for a decade over too! :)
posted by Amy at February 12, 2007 01:26 PM
everything looks so beautiful in your new home, including your gorgeous pets. i can't get enough of your new photos and i love your new design and color scheme!!
posted by lisa at February 12, 2007 07:29 PM
big fan of esquith and his work. his first book "there are no shortcuts" is fantastic. i must pick up this latest - thanks for the recommendation!
posted by tracy at February 12, 2007 08:46 PM
Happy to say - I saw your book has arrived in stores in Melbourne, Australia. Of course, I have had mine for months.
posted by Judy at February 13, 2007 12:06 AM
Just out of idle curiosity, being a teacher, why would you recommend this book particularly?
India
posted by India at February 13, 2007 11:22 AM
Was also wondering, is there a 'Parent like your hair's on Fire'? ;0)
India
posted by India at February 13, 2007 11:23 AM
You should check out “Secrets of Fat-free Baking” by Sandra Woodruff. She has a ton of tips on substituting healthier ingredients for oil, butter, eggs etc to cut down on the fat. Also how to sub healthier flour choices for white flour & lowering the amount of sugar by replacing it with other types of sweeteners. I have found it very helpful in my baking.
By the way your bread looks yummy! Also you have a beautiful home I love visiting your blog to see what pictures you will post next.
posted by MéLisa at February 13, 2007 03:19 PM
I've read that book too, it is really great. It's been a long time, but what I remember was he had a great sense of humor.
posted by robyn at February 13, 2007 03:35 PM
You should have asked me about this experiment, though I'm not sure how you'd have known to do so.
While I was doing my grad work, I couldn't afford anything so whenever someone had a birthday I had to bake with whatever was lying around. Yoghurt was always lying around and it's awesome! It makes things so moist and delicious, and it only goes a little spongy after day three. I got into the habit of always having a pot of Rachel's vanilla in the fridge so that way I wouldn't have to buy any vanilla either.
It's quite nice being able to actually buy proper ingredients now, but I like to keep my hand in.
posted by emmms at February 14, 2007 01:16 PM
Anna -
just wanted to tell you how *fabulous* your book is - I haven't been able to put it down. Thank you, thank you for compiling this treasure.
jill
posted by Jill at June 27, 2007 04:13 PM