BAKING AND MORE BAKING

 Well here we are, still hanging out on the couch.  I imagine that's going to be my life for these five days I actually have nothing to do at the Elks Lodge.  That should improve my outlook!!

On the other hand, babysitting is not the most exciting thing I've ever done.  In this case however, I am cherishing every moment with my sweet pup.  The good news is he's doing better.  I'm VERY careful where he is and where I step, as well as lifting him up on the couch.  Those red and white checkerboard tablecloths cover the 6" step to make it slip free so he can get down by himself.  He's not limping hardly at all and now trots from the back yard to the door.  SUCCESS!  His leg is healing.

I admit, I'm bored to tears, so I'm trying to make room in my freezer for more loaves of bread.  I know, bread certainly isn't good for the diet, so I have small pieces once a day.  I may even have to give some of it away, as in an entire loaf.  

I followed the directions more carefully this time, giving it another 2 hours to rest up before sticking it in the fridge overnight.  They say that develops the flavor.  And so I baked this one this morning.  Trouble is, my oven does not come to temperature any more, as in 500 degrees to heat, 450 to bake.  

She sure looks PURDY though!  I haven't tasted this one.  It's in the freezer.  I'm waiting for the bread slicer I ordered so I can have more reasonably sized pieces.  I feel bad for whoever will have to clean out my house when I'm gone.

I'm hopeful that the King Arthur starter keeps going and going like the Energizer Bunny, now that I only have ONE to feed.  They say some people keep theirs for 4-5 years.

About 10:30 as Cooper was sleeping, I snuck out of the house to catch my ride to the repair shop.  My Jeep's oil change and tire rotation was done and she wanted to come home.  It needs a new battery, mostly because I don't drive it enough, but she smiled as I pulled into the garage.  I've been really lucky with vehicles ... both the Jeep and the truck haven't really cost me much at all over the last 21 years.  More money to spend on crap I don't need, yes?  I'm keeping them both around because you never know when you will need that second vehicle.

Yup .... still babysitting on the couch.  I'm trying to stay very close for at least three days to keep him quiet and get his leg back in shape, then maybe I can head out for a ride in the van.  

Bored to death, I was perusing Walmart online when I found this.  As you know, I taste these things so you don't have to.  And you don't have to try this one AT ALL.  In fact, I instead found a recipe for sourdough pizza dough that I will try some day soon.

So I rolled it out, WAY too big, and had to cut it down to fit the pan.  It's okay, I like thin crust.  I loaded it up with ham that I never should have bought from Costco, mozzarella cheese and pineapple tidbits.  

It's my fault really, because I used spaghetti sauce instead of thick pizza sauce.  I suppose it was edible.  I at least got two pieces down, but could not taste the ham even a tiny bit.  The crust was AWFUL with a capital A.  More cheese might have made it palatable.  I mean really, I was hoping for the flavor of the pizza Miss Terry made for me many years ago.  It wasn't even close.  I'll try to choke down two more pieces today, but I'm pretty sure it's going on a wonderful airplane flight straight into my trash can.

While Cooper lounged on the floor in my sewing room (one with carpet), I trimmed up two quilts ready for binding and squared up six panels for Veteran quilts.  If I'm going to be sitting around, I might as well be sitting next to my sewing machine.  

Very late in the afternoon, Mr. Cooper began panting a bit.  It's a warm 75 degrees in the house because I have been leaving the back door open so he can get in the grass.  That has worked out VERY well, but it's hot.  

To his dismay, I plunked him down on my kitchen counter (not the side I prep food on) and gave him a haircut.  He looks five pounds thinner.  

And so ended a lovely day of babysitting, baking and brevity.  Okay, there was no brevity, other than me laughing at the horrible pizza I had to eat!  

Let's hope today offers up something better .... like pizza from Dommmmino's!!!  It's all we have in this little town and it's quite good!