Monday, April 26, 2010

Who needs two Kitchen Aid mixers?

Exhibit A: Crisco Container


Exhibit B: Two Kitchen Aid Mixers in use, at the same time. They said it couldn't be done.


Exhibit C: Kitchen Disaster Area. Call FEMA.


So, who needs two Kitchen Aid mixers, really? 

Apparently I do. 

It started so simply, I was just making chocolate chip cookies for hubby's Guys' Golf outing to Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Following the advice of Janice Smith, mother of bff Kaye, I was to substitute butter in the Toll House recipe with butter-flavored Crisco. I know, I know, hydrogenated oils...I'm always naysaying them, but her cookies really are amazing...

So a double batch of Toll House cookies needs two sticks of butter. That means two sticks of Crisco, right?

WRONG.

That's actually enough for FOUR batches. Luckily I caught my error before baking and was able to supplement with four times the amount of flour, which left me with nary enough chocolate chips in the dough for a proper cookie. So what did this wifey do? Certainly not send off her husband with a paucity of chips in his cookies...no, he'll be stressed out enough with his putting. Instead, she cut up all the leftover Easter candy to supplement. Off with those chocolate bunny heads!
 
Next, I pulled out my OTHER Kitchen-Aid mixer, the industrial strength, lawn mower engine-equipped version from M-I-L Teri, and I baked off four big batches of Toll House cookies. 

And then I cleaned it all up before dinner. Jeremy says, "They were a hit!" If they only knew...





Nieces and Niceties

This weekend I hosted my darling nieces, Halle and Emi, in Columbus. Frankly, its the calm before the storm at the Perrysburg Rindler house. See, baby #3 is on its way any day now, Mark & Kelly needed some R&R, and Suessical the Musical was in town here at the Columbus Children's Theatre. Reason enough to plan a weekend full of polka-dot nail polish, picnics, cupcakes, and playgrounds. Grandma Schafer, aka my mom, was nice enough to help with all the shuttling around Ohio, and to make sure there were enough chicken nuggets around to keep everybody satisfied.


I was too busy smiling to take any more pictures than these. Plus those girls move too fast for my shutter speed.

Many thanks go to my dear roommate, AJ, sister of beloved old roommate, Carla, for hanging out and helping us carpool. You are the best! 

We wouldn't have had nearly as much fun without you! And, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel looks so much better on your awesome TV. You ROCK, friend.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Le Sigh.

Sunflowers for an unsunny day. 

Mentally, physically, emotionally unsunny.
I'm watching my favorite show, Barefoot Contessa, and just can't help but feel burdened by bad news. Should be happy. Am not.
Nothing too personal. Nothing too close to home. But so many tragedies have permeated my bubble lately. Seems the older I get, the more I realize the unfairness of life, what everyone was talking about. Hmph.  Life isn't fair; it is random and often seems cruel

And we can never begin to understand His plan. 

Happier posts to come...I am sure.






Saturday, April 3, 2010

More DC!

Had a few more pictures from DC to share! Here are some lovely orchids!



Homa and I in front of the Capitol...Cherry blossoms in full effect!



In honor of Easter, the National Cathedral!

Gorgeous orchids...note spots and stripes on the same plant!

The Capitol on a perfect blue sky day.


The Washington Monument. I'd like this picture so much more were it not for the potties...hindsight is 20/20!


What a great week! Miss my girl Annie already!