Cutting it Fine - the challenge is on!

savingholmes

All sounding very organised Sandy. The muffins sound tasty. I'd not heard of 'chocolate flour' before... I am hoping to make banana bread soon. I have 3 bananas that are almost ready. May need to nip out for some more eggs though as I also fancy orange loaf cake.

Glad you found your journal and ordered the tracing paper. You sound like you are practicing more self care.

SandyShores

The flour is just flour with cocoa powder Savingholmes, its by McDougalls. They were really tasty, and I've popped four into the freezer.  Yum to the banana bread.  

Thank you.  I'm asking myself each day how do I feel and what do I need.  It makes a change from saying 'what needs doing'.  I'm prioritising me, am definitely happier and it seems to be rubbing off on people around me.  

savingholmes

SandyShores said:

The flour is by McDougalls. They were really tasty, and I've popped four into the freezer.  Yum to the banana bread.  

Thank you.  I'm asking myself each day how do I feel and what do I need.  It makes a change from saying 'what needs doing'.  I'm prioritising me, am definitely happier and it seems to be rubbing off on people around me.  

I may look into the flour. 

I love that question - and the benefits you are getting.

SandyShores

Its only flour and cocoa powder savingholmes, I wouldn't have bought it unless it was on offer, I'm not sure if there is any benefit if you already have cocoa powder.  I use cocoa powder regularly now (must be an age thing), but I have thrown it out a few times previously when I used it only for cake baking (I guess it depends how many chocolate cakes you make).

Yes, its definitely working for me.  Rather than not doing loads on my list, I'm focussing on what I feel better having done or achieved

Edit - thrown it out because its gone out of date

SandyShores

I've made bread again today, adjusted the recipe (less oil) and also read up on the manual - which says to put the liquids in first (doh), and that prevented it all sticking to the bottom of the bowl!  I've adjusted the cooking temperature too - one recipe recommended a higher temperature, so I've been playing around.  High enough so that it rises straight up and sets, but no so high it burns on the outside/slightly underdone inside.  I was going to play around with different breads - sourdough, seeded etc., but want to perfect the white loaf first before I move on.  

I've also performed some maintenance tasks on the sewing machine.  Took a few bits apart and removed some fluff then oiled some screws.  It is running well and I did a test sew and it will be fine for what I need.  When/if I get onto making some more complex items I'll think about a new one.  For now it will be good enough for simple clothing and small crafty items.  

@savingholmes' art is really inspiring me to get going, but I want to start with my sewing first.  At the moment I'm a little bit short of room, but hoping that after Easter I will get my very own space where I can leave things out because no-one else will be using it.

I've had a delivery and also shopped this week, so we are all set up for the week ahead.  Mr Shores even helped with dinner tonight - we are definitely making progress.  He used to do quite  bit of cooking back in the day, but for some reason he took a back seat more and more and I've just picked up the slack.  I think it was partly because I held such a tight rein on the food budget for so long, but its taken quite a bit of prompting to get him back in the kitchen again.  

debtfreeoneday

It must be an age thing. I never used to buy cocoa powder but use it quite a bit now. 

SandyShores

debtfreeoneday said:

It must be an age thing. I never used to buy cocoa powder but use it quite a bit now. 

I know, and I even have it without sugar now!  Although I do occasionally have a hot choc as a treat when I'm in need of a 'lift'.

savingholmes

Glad the sewing plans are progressing. 

Good luck with getting your OH back into cooking.

SandyShores

Thanks saving.  Its going well so far.  The worst thing to me is planning someone else's meals.  He's actually thinking ahead and I'm being hands off.

savingholmes

SandyShores said:

He's actually thinking ahead and I'm being hands off.

Is that as hard for you as it would be for