Monday Mania ~Here’s What’s Happening on the Home Front ~And a couple of Minor Inconveniences

I haven’t made homemade Yeast Bread 

since I last demonstrated for my Basic Foods Classes.

Lately, I’ve had the urge to get my hands in the dough again.

This is a no-knead bread, baked in my small Dutch Oven.

I added fresh Thyme and Rosemary.

I’ve started a Bread Board on my Pinterest Page,

and I’m looking forward to trying other recipes.

Our last snowstorm was a doozie!

It was so bad that even hubby’s office was closed...

He’s worked there for 31 years, and this was a first.

It was so bad that even Twist Cone 

postponed their season opening.

We cannot complain about our snow.

Cities and States to the south of us received rain.

Those folks have experienced devastating floods.

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

As the blizzard blew in, 

our refrigerator gave out.

I reached in the freezer to get some ice, 

And found water in the trays!

Everything in the freezer had thawed.

I am thankful for our trusty old fridge in the garage.

It comes in handy when our family is home, 

and during the holidays.

And I guess, when our kitchen refrigerator fails.

So we cleaned this refrigerator out..completely.

Hubby took three large garage bags to the dumpsters.

I browned all the ground beef and braised all the chicken breasts.

After the weather calmed down, and the streets were cleared, 

an appliance expert made a housecall and delivered the diagnosis.

Repairing the refrigerator was the best option.

So today, for the first time in 13 days, 

things are chillin’ in our kitchen!

When it rains it pours...later that afternoon,

I was heading out to an appointment and my car didn’t start.

Seriously? On the same day??

Again, I am so thankful for hubby’s big pickup in the garage,

and his willingness to drive me to where I need to go!

And here’s what’s even better...

Good friends who help us out in a time of need.

Thanks, Alan, for working with Hubby 

to get the vehicle towed out for repairs.

This week, things are looking up.

The warm sun is slowly melting the snow.

And, I saw a robin in the tree just outside our kitchen window...

a sure sign of spring!

Take care,

~Natalie

This Retired Teacher's Road Trip to Colorado ~Boulder's Pearl Street ~Denver, our Final Destination ~Day Four: My Report

A morning stroll along Pearl Street,

the Happiest Place in the US.

(according to CBS Sunday Morning)

No Bison fan could walk past this sculpture without taking a photo.

Remember, Hubby was not on vacation...

he was there for work.

He found a place with wifi so he could particiapte in a

Tax Managers conference call.

I enjoyed the shops along the Pearl Street Mall.

I found a great sale on some sandals...

but my favorite was this awesome kitchen store.

photo courtesty of Downtown Boulder webpage

I could live in that store!

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After a visit to one of Boulder's local brew houses,

we had some lunch and were on our way.

Our final destination,

Denver, Colorado.

So much to see and do...

We spent the evening at the

Cherry Creek Shopping Center.

Hubby got his phone repaired at the Apple Store...

which totally made his day.

We also found this...

A reminder that we have some

pretty lonesome cats at home!

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mail Call ~Gourmet Kitchen Gadgets Galore ~This Cook's Dream Package

Upon returning home from one of our family outings,

we were welcomed with a special delivery.

What could it be?

To our tremendous surprise,

a box packed full of gourmet kitchen gadgets!

Brand..New..Kitchen..Gadgets!

So many cool gadgets...

My college friend, Debra,

a representative with K & A Enterprises,

shared some of her company's gourmet gadgets with me.

Look at these knives...

almost too pretty to use!

Most of the items were from Kuhn Rikon.

They look fun, but are also so functional.

Check out their site (click here)

you will want one of everything!

From one of her newer companies,

Joseph Joseph: Innovative Functional Kitchenware,

were these two specialty knives.

One for chopping our fresh herbs,

and one for those times we just need some cheese and crackers!

My dearest Debra,

how can I thank you enough!

I love everything and have used several gadgets already.

Now I can retire those knives that were wedding gifts

(36 years ago)

and organize my kitchen with the new and improved.

Thank you, Debra.

I love my surprise box of kitchen goodies!

Take care,

~Natalie

Cleaning up a Career ~Finishing a Job I Started ~~Oven Cleaning Tip of the Day

Whether you are cleaning one oven at home, 

or multiple ovens in a foods lab...it is not an easy task. 

You need to be down on your knees, 

reach way in, over the oven door 

to wipe out all of the black and gray ashes.

It just doesn't feel like you have enough hands!

To make it a little easier,

use a measuring cup or coffee mug to prop up

the lower heating coil when you wipe out the oven floor.

That was the easy part.

The inside of the oven doors presented a bigger challenge.

That brown stuff was baked on...really baked on.

I used the cooktop cleaner...

and a super strong scratch pad to tackle that job.

Thank you to the students 

that left this carton of ice cream in my freezer.

I couldn't have finished the job without it!

Six ovens...done.

Time to go home.

(My hands felt raw.)

I was ready to enjoy some sunshine out on our patio.

Happy Weekend, everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

What'cha Workin' on Wednesday ~Preparing the Foods Lab for the Fourth and Final Term

Spring Break for the students started yesterday at 3:20.

You can see that by 3:24, the hall was clearing out.

Teachers were on duty today.

Faculty Meeting,

Department Meetings,

and Staffing Meetings.

Between meetings, I cleaned the student kitchens...

All seven of them.

The custodian provided a vacume cleaner 

so I could get all of the crumbs out of the drawers.

Equipment has been inventoried, organized, and arranged.

We are ready for Monday!

I teach 10 sections of Intro to Foods.

That is 280 students...

most of the Freshman class!

This term...sections 8, 9, and 10.

I'll keep you posted on our progress.

We are making memories that I will take with me

into my retirement!

...and, I will be looking back with much fondness.

Happy Spring Break!

Take care,

~Natalie