Month: February 2012

what a surprise

Now, you wouldn’t necessarily think that this is a fantastic present, given by a hubby who actually listens (most of the time, anyway), but it was 🙂

A box of Mini-Clif Bars and a beautiful Papyrus card!

Andrew has taken to having a Clif Bar in the afternoons before his workout, and really likes the Crunchy Peanut Butter flavor. I don’t typically eat a lot of pre-packaged stuff, but it’s nice to have a few on-hand for those times when you have to eat-and-run (literally or figuratively) or when I need to pack a snack that I can’t keep cold.  My bar of choice lately has been Luna Bars (lower calories), but now that the  energy bar companies have smartened-up (just like everyone else and their ‘100-calorie packs’), I can enjoy Clif Bars without feeling like I’ve eaten almost a whole meal in one!

Anyway, (I’m getting to the part in which this was a present) just the other day I was commenting (apparently within earshot of Andrew–I specify because more often than not, I just talk to myself all day anyway, so I never quite know what I’ve told him and what I haven’t…) that I should start keeping snacks in my car for those times when I’m STARVING after class or something, but won’t be home any time soon.  I’m one of those “hungry-angry” people, so solving this problem benefits everyone with whom I come into contact.

I hadn’t even had a chance to write down “mini-energy bars” on my shopping list when Andrew came home the other night and presented me with a giftbag (complete with tissue paper and all!) and card, just to say “I love you.” Yes ladies, swoon away…  I may have a pretty frugal husband, but he knows my love language is gifts and strives to show me often.

In fact, he even splurges on Papyrus cards (I have a thing for fine stationery) that are beautiful, just because he knows I appreciate that little extra ‘pizazz.’

So, (now that this has totally turned into a ‘let’s brag on Andrew’ post), just wanted to share about my sweet surprise and how much I’m looking forward to “never go[ing] hungry again!”   Alright, from what movie is that quote taken???

Happy Friday, all!

Fallen

Before anyone gets the idea I’m some sort of master baker after reading about our awesome bagels yesterday, check out what I produced last night:

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Yup, those are four fallen loaves of herbs de Provence bread.

Few things put me in a more sour mood than fallen bread. There is just something so deflating about putting all that hard work into something, only to have it turn out poorly.

So, that, coupled with my rushed-through and barely understood chemistry homework and forgotten phone call (sorry Emily!), put me in quite the mood last night before bed.

Back to the bread… I think what happened (which must happen often since almost ALL my breads fall) is that I allowed my bread to overproof, or over rise. While I don’t normally lose track of time, I did last night (ahem, can we say chemistry homework) and didn’t check on it until the very end of the recommended rise time. The loaves looked great, until I pulled the cover off and they proceeded to deflate. Heartbreaking.

This happens all the time, and I think I’ve finally realized the answer is LESS rise time, not more. Andrew did make a good point about my bread–at least it wasn’t burned or completely inedible. In fact, the bread tastes fine. But, the perfectionist in me will never be OK with fallen bread. It’s a goal of mine to MASTER yeast breads (sooner rather than later, I hope!), so I guess I have my work cut out for me…

Good thing King Arthur Flour has a help hotline…