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March 26, 2007
Alive and Well
I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, but I did take a little trip. To Phoenix. To spend the week with Ashley and her new baby.
I had a great time and learned a whole lot about babies. He's a cutie and such a good baby (well, it seemed like it anyway because he doesn't cry very much). I actually baby sat - by myself - on Tuesday evening because it was Ashley and Torstein's second anniversary and I made them go out to dinner. Eyvin and I did just fine - I managed to feed him and change his diaper while they were gone. Swaddling was beyond my skill level, even though I watched carefully when Ashley did it and paid attention when I unwrapped him I couldn't recreate that trick. Despite my limited knowledge, we did just fine and mom and dad had a nice anniversary dinner. Success!
I took quite a bit of knitting, but didn't do much of anything. I barely managed to knit a couple of rounds on my Jaywalker. The good news on the sock is that I just finished turning the heel and picking up the instep stitches. As soon as the sun comes up around here I'll take some pictures and have those for you tomorrow.
I was on a serious baking kick this weekend. I made sourdough bread (but somehow managed to not take a single picture of it - I'll do that today too), danish rolls, fairy cakes, and pizza on Saturday night.
The pizza is the first recipe from A Year In Bread and I was really happy with it. I made the tomato sauce and used the cheese mixture recommended. I made a meat pizza because that's what Travis likes - Italian sausage, pepperoni, and salami.
Yesterday I made danish pastries from my new favorite cookbook and I like this recipe. You start by processing the butter into the flour/yeast combo in the food processor. Then you refrigerate it overnight and then do the rolling and folding business. I thought it was simple, although time consuming and the end result was worth the time and effort.
And finally because bread and pastry wasn't enough for me, I made more fairy cakes.
I really love this recipe. Travis wanted cookies, but these cupcakes are easier than cookies (I know, it sounds crazy, but I swear, it's true) and I wanted to try a different frosting recipe. Last time I made royal icing, but this time I made 1/2 batch of buttercream frosting. The buttercream was a big hit with Travis and it's an easy recipe - just butter, powdered sugar, some vanilla, and a little cream. Oh, and blue food coloring.
So, today begins another week. I have to go to the accountant this morning and then get my hair trimmed. It should be a busy day (ha, I know - that really doesn't sound busy, but...). Have a great Monday and a lovely week. It's almost April!
Comments
Your photos are beautiful today - especially that last one of the cupcake. It looks really professional.
Posted by: Carole at March 26, 2007 7:48 AM
What a cutie baby! I should know better than to look at your blog when hungry though - no I'm craving cupcakes.
Posted by: PumpkinMama at March 26, 2007 7:59 AM
such cute photos of you and the baby! adorable!
i got Nigella's cookbook out of the library - I am now going to have to buy it. i almost made the danish recipe - it looks really good! next up is the pizza dough to try....
Posted by: stacey at March 26, 2007 8:00 AM
Im starting to think I should get a finders fee for making you get that book. I need to make some of those fairy cakes this week... stat!
I'm going to try the pizza on Tuesday, wish me luck!
Posted by: yahaira at March 26, 2007 8:20 AM
Mmm. Baking. I don't bake myself, but I sure love me some baked goods, or pictures of them.
Posted by: claudia at March 26, 2007 8:58 AM
What a beautiful baby! My best friend is constantly trying to convince me to have a baby (I'm hoping she grows weary of that soon). But babysitting for a night, I think I could handle that as well.
Yummy goodies. We made homemade pizza last night too. Cooking Light always seems to have a handful of recipes I have to try.
Posted by: Kaitie Tee at March 26, 2007 10:04 AM
Ooooo, babies and baking! It doesn't get much better :-)
Posted by: Kristi aka Fiber Fool at March 26, 2007 10:13 AM
I love Nigella's cookbooks. That pizza is making me drool.
Posted by: Mindy at March 26, 2007 10:18 AM
Look at him looking up at you! Sounds like a lovely time for you and for Ashley.
Posted by: margene at March 26, 2007 10:59 AM
glad to have you back! baby evyin (cool name!) looks absolutely smitten with you, gazing adoringly in his auntie's eyes!
now i really need to have some pizza for dinner after seeing that picture, and a cupcake for dessert...mmmmmmm
Posted by: kaetlyn at March 26, 2007 11:42 AM
Oooh, baby goodness! I'm glad you had a good visit! It's always more fun to visit when the baby is BRAND NEW. They don't do as much as a 6 month old but you get to marvel at their freshness! :-)
Cupcakes look too tempting!
Posted by: Elinor at March 26, 2007 12:42 PM
Glad to hear you had a good week, and that the babysitting gig was successful! And don't worry, I've seen those cloths, and I think it takes a PhD to properly swaddle a baby...
And Travis is quite the lucky guy to have such delicious baked goods! That pizza looks amazing.
Posted by: Adam at March 26, 2007 12:52 PM
I had 3 babies and never mastered the swaddling skill. Oh well. What a cute baby. You are a great friend for watching him and letting the new mom and dad go out for dinner. I started Weight Watcher's last week and I'm having a little self control issue after reading your blog. Sheesh! I'm getting in shape for Hawaii!
Posted by: Stephanie at March 26, 2007 3:40 PM
Sounds like a truly productive and happy week! The pizza and turnovers look delicious! Beautiful baby too!
Posted by: AJ at March 26, 2007 8:40 PM
It sounds as though you had a lovely break. The baby is such a cutie pie, and I love all the goodies that you made too, they look delicious.
Posted by: Sue at March 26, 2007 9:28 PM
Now I'm hungry and baby sick =) I think I have over active ability to bond with babies, they're all so sweet.
Posted by: April at March 26, 2007 9:30 PM
Glad to hear from you again! I'm digging the Year in Bread site, my husband has requested pizza for his birthday dinner, so I glad to hear it got rave reviews.
Posted by: Heidi at March 27, 2007 3:47 AM
What great pictures of that little man. I never get much knitting done when babies are around. Given the choice of knitting vs holding babies I go with the baby holding every time.
Posted by: Diane at March 27, 2007 7:48 AM
Ohhh, a little baby! It is hard to do anything when there is a little baby around. You just want to sit and hold him forever and forever. I totally remember having that glassy look of head-over-heels love in my eyes when my kiddos were babies. Now, they are crazy 7 and 5 year olds. If there is a good excuse not to knit, it is being too busy cuddling with a baby.
Posted by: Lori at March 27, 2007 8:25 AM
don't you love the way babies look at you?
Posted by: vanessa at March 27, 2007 1:15 PM
Beautiful baby boy! Welcome back - I was beginning to get worried!
Posted by: christine at March 27, 2007 1:46 PM
What a sweet little baby! And, ooo, cupcakes...
Posted by: diana at March 27, 2007 7:28 PM
It was so great seeing you at Zephyr, we had a such a good time. What a precious little guy. And the food goodies, mmmmmm.
Posted by: Joan at March 28, 2007 3:40 AM
mmm, babies and baking. two of my favorite things.
Posted by: gleek at March 28, 2007 10:04 AM
Droooool... I supposed it would be bad to eat your blog, huh?
Posted by: yaiAnn at March 28, 2007 4:15 PM
PS- I may have to try the danish and cupcake recipes too! You've got me feeling all 'bakey'!
They all look too delicious!
ali
Posted by: ali at March 30, 2007 11:28 AM
Mmmmm, I love babies especially when they are for a finite period of time! I love cakes even more, and yours look gorgeous!
Posted by: liz at March 31, 2007 2:26 AM
YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY (both baby & cupcakes)
Posted by: Keanalee at April 2, 2007 6:46 PM
The pizza is making my mouth water. I have been wanting to make that danish recipe from the book. Yours look just like the book. Beautiful!
Posted by: Oiyi at April 6, 2007 10:50 PM
I'm thinking you should take your next year's bonus and open up a bakery.....you are amazing!
i hope you are well.
Posted by: elisabeth at April 16, 2007 1:14 PM
