[chocomouse]

This morning I made hot dog buns, using the Beautiful Burger Bun recipe. I'll make a few changes next time. And yesterday I made my usual whole wheat sandwich bread and added the last of my Harvest Grains mix.

[chocomouse]

Our dinner tonight was salmon on the grill, asparagus, and a cauliflower salad. I planted tomatoes today Mike! 6 Celebrity and 6 La Romas - I've cut way back because we don't need as much tomato sauce for pasta, pizza, etc. and I have quite a bit left in the freezer from last summer.

[chocomouse]

I'm also retired, and my schedule hasn't changed. I get groceries once every two weeks or so, pick up meds, medical appointments. Otherwise, I don't leave the property. I communicate with friends via email and social media, and have participated in several virtual gatherings. At home, I take care of the gardens, clean and cook, and am trying to downsize - which at the moment means putting things in boxes and piling them up, ready to go to thrift stores when they re-open. And I read, a lot. However, Thursday I am leaving for five days with my sister to stay at her RV on the coast. We'll transport all our food and drinks with us, and will get take-out seafood to last for two meals, and probably do the ice cream drive-through a couple of times. Otherwise, the same routine, sit in the sun, chat, read, eat.

[chocomouse]

Dinner tonight was grilled chicken thighs, potatoes roasted on the grill, and asparagus.

[chocomouse]

I'm making Coconut-Rum ice cream. I use Ben and Jerry's sweet cream base #1, except I cook the sugar-eggs mixture 'til it just comes to a simmer, instead of using raw eggs. My husband will let me know if I don't put enough rum in it! The alcohol stops it from freezing rock-hard, but too much will add flavor but prevent it from getting hard enough.

[chocomouse]

Thanks for that recipe, BakerAunt. I will definitely try it in 6 weeks or so when we have more zukes than we can eat. I could probably use my fancy ribbon/slicer/grater tool and try it on some of those shapes, too.

[chocomouse]

I am not a Rewards Plus member; since I live just 10 miles away from the store, I would never have anything shipped. As a regular Rewards member (the original program) I do earn $10 off every, I think, $100 purchase.

Most, I believe all, of the sales and promotions that KAF has are not good on items sold in their store; they apply only to things that are shipped. However, twice a year, spring and fall, they have a "family and friends" sale which is, I recall, 20% off your entire purchase. And then I do buy mixes for friends and relatives who are not bakers.

Years ago, I bought tons of gadgets and pans at KAF; now I own them all and feel like I could open my own store! I do not buy very much there any more as I feel most of their products are very expensive and obtainable elsewhere for less - either the same item or something of comparable quality. The USA pans, which they often claim are "their" own design/product are mostly available on line. I do, however, buy quite a bit at KAF for Christmas gifts; I like to make up my own gift baskets for relatives, like bagel bundles last year. And of course I do have my favorites that I buy there: 50 pound bag of AP flour twice a year, pumpernickel, lemon juice powder, and some whole grain combo flours like the Harvest Grains and the Super 10 Blend.

[chocomouse]

Yes Kimbob. I grow garlic. Plant the small cloves in the fall, before the ground freezes. It stays underground all winter, puts up green shoots in the spring and is ready for harvest in July-August. The garlic scapes, or new green stems, are delicious cut up into salads, scones, etc. The scapes are very interesting -- curling and twisting long green stems that look great in a vase, with other greenery or alone. I live in Zone 4b, in Vermont, so your timing will depend on where you live.

[chocomouse]

Tonight I used up one of my "emergency" meals from the pantry; this is for when I don't feel like cooking or don't know what to cook. So we had shrimp from the freezer, alfredo sauce from a jar, on cavitapi. We also had leftover asparagus and a skimpy green salad of lettuce, one tomato, and 1/4 of an onion. I was 95* here this afternoon, and predicted to be in the upper 90s for the next two days. I may need to find another emergency meal!

[chocomouse]

Mike, I did go into my profile and update my email. My provider of 35 years shut down last fall. But I have not received an email to confirm yet. Maybe it doesn't show up quickly? I'll double check to make sure I didn't have a typo. Yes, my first name is Joan, too.

Edit: yes, my profile shows the change is "pending".

• This reply was modified 5 years, 1 month ago by chocomouse.

[chocomouse]

I am feeling so privileged to live 10 miles from KAF right now. I don't have to rely on orders through their catalogue. We can call the main store number, and pick up our order curbside within a few hours. From what I have heard, they are well stocked and you can pretty much get whatever you want. I have not had to do this, but I cannot imagine not knowing where my next bag of flour might come from, or when!

[chocomouse]

A very Happy Birthday to you Swirth! It's been a pleasure "knowing" you for many years now, and I look forward to many more years of conversation.

[chocomouse]

If my husband shows up on your doorstep claiming it is also his birthday, please just send him back home!! He would love that cake.

[chocomouse]

We had a ham steak, leftover Greek pasta salad, and asparagus.

[chocomouse]

Today I made 2 loaves of Super 10 Blend bread, back of the bag recipe modified. I used 2 cups Super 10, 2 cups AP, 1 cup whole wheat and 1/2 cup sunflower seeds. I also used buttermilk instead of water. I'm needing to cut back on whole wheat because my supply is getting low. It took longer to rise, but had excellent oven spring and the texture and taste are great.

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