Good Morning All,
It's (finally) a bit chillier this morning (low 40's) which feels more appropriate. I think it will be a sunny day, but it's a little hard to tell right now. I've been encouraged to wake to very cloudy and overcast skies, but so far, no rain.
And my it has been a long week hasn't it? I've just wanted to sleep a lot. And I have napped each day which has been a wonderful escape. Yesterday morning I decided to bake something. Fletch had seen a recipe in a magazine for a baked apple bread so I set out to make that. I was surprised that it called for not peeling the apples. There are chunks throughout the bread and also slivers of apple all along the top.
Really it was just ok. Not great. We both found it drier than expected. I found the flavor to be a bit bland (despite cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom). I also think the apple slices on the top are not necessary - with plenty of apples in the batter, no need to put more on top. Bottom line? I will not save the recipe. BUT, it was fun to bake and nice to have something different. We took half of it over to C&M's last night.
C&M are doing well. We did not see Mailing - she was at a work dinner. Next week is her last week in the office - she will be working from home after that. Things are coming together - they received their first order from Dyper (the diaper service they are using); the crib has been set up, the dresser/changing table is in place and all is really ready for the big arrival!! They have a futon in the room that is the nursery and Talbot was happily sitting on top next to a giant stuffed lion:
Talbot seems to have adjusted well to life without Marcel. I'm glad of that.
The framed piece on the wall is a cross stitched piece that was made by one of my sister-in-laws for Colin when he was born. Fun to see it up on a wall again.
No plans (so far) for today. I still feel pretty worn out from the week, so taking it easy will be a priority. Wishing everyone a wonderful, easy weekend - enjoy!
It has been an exhausting week, hasn't it? It's been very gloomy here, too, which seems to match my mood. We're supposed to get a fair amount of rain on Sunday, so I hope some of that makes its way to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that Marcel seems to be doing okay. Soon he'll have a new little sister! We are on baby watch over here -- my sister-in-law had a doctor's appointment the other day and was already 2 cm dilated, so things could happen at any time (though if it hasn't happened before, it sounds like she'll be induced next Friday). I hope the weekend is restful and enjoyable!
A good apple bread recipe is hard to find! I have one for a cake that John's mother used to make but it needs more apple flavor and moistness. I feel like baking something so I think I'll make some never-fail dinner rolls to go with the venison stew I'm making. We may live in a less than ideal world but at least we'll be fed.
ReplyDeleteI made an applesauce cake this week and it was really good. I've been watching the British baking show to get my mind off current events and had a craving for cake.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear things are going well for the expectant couple!
ReplyDeleteTalbot is just so handsome! Even more regal than the lion
I think the apple bread recipes I have tried are all dry and not very flavorful. Instead I prefer to make a better tasting and much moister French Apple Cake (Dorie Greenspan's recipe is the gold standard for me) but David Leibovitz has a "based on Dorie's" recipe here: https://www.davidlebovitz.com/dorie-greenspan-french-apple-cake-recipe/ His version is so so so good and so moist, so apple-y tasting and delicious.
ReplyDeleteself care is definitely on the agenda for a while.
ReplyDeleteI've never been able to find a good apple bread recipe. I've tried several but they always seem dry to me. I haven't done much baking at all recently. It seems like my back is stopping most every activity I want to do anymore
ReplyDeleteI hope your weekend is nice and relaxing.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
I'll jump in on the apple bread discussion and say that when it comes to apples . . . put them in a pie! LOL I do have a great pumpkin bread recipe that I make a lot this time of year, though.
ReplyDeleteThe bread looks delicious though! The rest is so important when we have a season change-glad you are listening to your body! The baby prep is just too wonderful! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSome recipes just don't turn out. How wonderful that you can enjoy the anticipation of a new baby. Taking it easy is a great idea. It's been a hard week.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you and them!! I've been scaling back my obsession with news and it's been wonderful!!!
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