Just Stay In Bed

Well hello California.  It's warmed up a tad ... all the way to 37 degrees this morning and just a twinge over 60 during the day.  Sitting on the couch isn't all that fun since my nose turns into an icicle.  That's when I finally, begrudgingly, turn the heat up.  Believe it or not, using the heater is much cheaper than using the gas fireplace.  How did THAT happen???  Yeah, I know the answer to that one.

My foxy twins have turned into FOUR.  I'm not sure the feisty one is mom or dad, but like in some households, the kids eat last.  It's funny how delicately they eat.  One little piece at a time.  This one got lucky with a chicken leg, due to my mismanagement of the leftovers.

It was one of those days.  Sometimes I just can't win.  I was out of bread ... and decided to make the only recipe that called for milk.  I knew it was there and needed to be used up.  I grabbed my measuring cup and began to pour.  PLOP PLOP PLOP!!  What?  

One little whiff told the story.  I looked at the date.  RATS!  I thought I bought this just last week.  Oooweeee ... have you ever smelled this stuff when it's thicker than chocolate pudding?  Into the trash it went while I decided on another recipe.

This one uses water and powdered milk.  Funny how recipes change, which is also why it never tastes like it did in the old days.  We never EVER used powdered milk on the ranch.  Oh it's good ... and useable ... but it doesn't taste like the bread of my childhood one little bit.  I'm thinking I may just dig out my grandmother's recipe and try it instead.

I should have quit while I was ahead.  But nooooo ... let's make some banana bread WITHOUT tiny chocolate chips so Jonathan can have some.  This is one of his favorites.  I'm not sure what went wrong with this recipe.  Okay ... I admit ... I do know.  

First off, you need ripe bananas.  Everything at the store was kinda green.  It will be fine I told myself.  No, no it's not.  Do not use anything but very ripe bananas.  

This is Hawaiian banana bread, with pineapple.  Too bad Dole isn't canning any crushed pineapple around here.  The only alternative is the store brand ... and it's terrible.  

Anyway, ding ding ding ... time to take it out of the oven.  I had a hotpad, but somehow it missed my finger.  It burned so badly I instantly dropped the pan on the floor.  NOOOOOOO!!  The little loaf only fell out halfway under the edge of the counter.  You know, where all the dirt and junk collects.  I brushed it off and went for the next load.

I'll try two this time.  Never EVER try two.  I'm really not that clumsy, but the pan caught on the edge of the oven and went flying through the air.  The loaf came OUT of the pan and landed under the same dirty counter.  I was so mad!!!!  

FIVE SECOND RULE ... I picked it up and brushed it off.  It will be fine.  It's overcooked anyway, so nothing was going to stick to the top.  Big sigh.  

I eyed the last two loaves.  JUST STOP IT!!!  Don't do that again!!  I guess they knew they were in trouble, because they came out just fine and landed on the cooling rack.  Sometimes I should just stay in bed!!

I figured I better thank my lucky stars I didn't set the house on fire.  There would be no more cooking or baking going on.  Remember this tomato soup I got from Walmart?  

I finally ate the last of it.  I got five full meals from this box of soup ... the best tomato soup I've ever eaten.  Be sure to shake it up before pouring into a pan to heat.  If you microwave it, do it slowly or be ready for a mess to clean up.  Ask me how I know!

I spent the evening watching the third round of the National Finals Rodeo.  If you want to see what a cowboy does today that they did back in the 1800's, just watch a bit of this.  It's the most patriotic sport you'll find, with more action than a football game.  And yes, I watched the 49'ers win!!

Sadly, not only is my favorite Stetson hurt, he's hurt beyond belief.  You have three tendons running down the back of your leg that are attached to the pelvis.  He has torn all three of those completely loose.  He literally can't use that leg at all, yet he got on two broncs and one bull before being convinced by his dad (also a champion bull rider) to quit for this year. Now that's a TOUGH cowboy.  

And so we are on to Monday.  I'm waiting in high anticipation for the Christmas decorations I ordered to be delivered.  Lucky for me a ladder is not required.  I'm afraid I would end up just like my baking ... in the dirt under the eave of the house.  I'm not sure the 5 second rule works when it comes to that.