AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Haiku reflection on a new me DATE: 1/18/2008 11:48:00 PM ----- BODY:
Guy and Lovely gave me a new mixer for Christmas. For 10 years, I have used my very basic Kitchen Aid 4 1/2 quart mixer for all my baking. I felt lucky to have a Kitchen Aid, but I knew that it was a little small for the amount and kind of baking I like to do.

There have been times that Guy has tried to talk me into buying the Professional 600 series mixer that I drooled over. The 6 quart one. Yum. But I just couldn't do it. I had a mixer that worked just fine. It seemed like such a frivolous purchase when I had something that already did the job.

Thank goodness for gifts. The new mixer is a power house, and I swear, I made the best pound cake I have ever made with it on its first run. The crust was absolutely perfect. The batter had room to breathe in that wonderful 6 quart bowl. I love it.

Since my old mixer didn't break, I couldn't see getting rid of it. It's a great mixer. So, we deemed it Lovely's mixer and set about teaching her how to bake.

Yesterday, I gave her a stack of cookbooks so she could pick out a cake to make.

She chose a Hot Milk Cake with Caramel Icing from the Jackson Junior League's Come On In cookbook.

Oh boy. I have never done caramel before.

We set our mixers up this morning and each made the cake. At the same time. Because I think the easiest way to learn it to get to do it yourself. We walked through the steps together and both had some really good looking batter to go into our respective ovens.

Tonight, we tackled the icing, but did it together instead of each doing a separate batch.

I am happy to report that it turned out beautifully. We were beyond proud of ourselves. We cut into Lovely's cake, that she made completely with her own two hands, and it was fantastic. My daddy would be in the kitchen with a fork, finishing off at least one of those cakes himself if he were here.

Now, if someone could just tell me how to clean caramelized sugar out of my cast iron skillet, I would be so thankful.

Tomorrow, we tackle some pajama pants with some cute pink flannel that her dad picked out for her. It's dadgum Home Economics 101 around here. From the woman who never considered herself very domestic. The woman who was going to be a rock star. Then the woman who was married to her job.

Y'all come by. I'll make you some biscuits. Things are different now.

************

Allowing for change
Allows you to find yourself
In comfortable skin.


Make sure you stop by and wish Jennifer safe travels and painless moving before she takes a Haiku Hiatus.

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----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous slouchy DATE:Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 12:13:00 AM EST yum -- that cake (those cakes) sounds (sound) divine! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Bon DATE:Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 8:33:00 AM EST i stand in awe. can i come live in your nice domestic house with its mixers and cakes? seriously, i think you've just set off a longing i didn't know i had.

i think i could find myself a very comfortable (if probably soon enlarged by cake) skin there. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Stella DATE:Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 9:50:00 AM EST That cake sounds delicious!!

If you heat the pan back up, the caramel becomes easier to work with and clean off! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous gail DATE:Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 10:02:00 AM EST MMM can I come over? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous pastormargaret DATE:Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 10:55:00 AM EST Save some cake for Dad. Put some really hot water in the skillet and it will dissolve the cooked on sugar. Been there; done that.
Mom ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Jenni DATE:Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 11:03:00 AM EST I'm so jealous!! I want a new Kitchen-Aid! But I did get a Vita-Mix for Christmas. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Tiffany DATE:Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 11:47:00 AM EST Funny isn't it how we find joy in the things that at one time never even entered our minds? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Imstell DATE:Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 12:01:00 PM EST Would you be my Mom? I mean, I know I'm 40 (oops. 41. I forgot.) and all... but my mom never could cook... and it's never too late to learn... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Mamma DATE:Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 2:11:00 PM EST That is nesting if I ever heard it. I am so mad I don't live closer. I am dying for some of your pound cake ever since you mentioned it last year.

I should make those yummy cupcakes now that I'm thinking of it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous KimmieRo DATE:Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 3:50:00 PM EST MMMMM recipe please!

You already are a wonderful Mom Canape. You are raising a great girl- and Bird? He's the luckiest baby in the world as far as I can tell. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Jenn DATE:Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 10:48:00 PM EST You my friend are indeed a Southern Domestic Goddess! You are a terrific Mom to a terrific young lady and the littlest....he's gonna be so spoiled by you all. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Steph DATE:Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 9:32:00 AM EST The cakes sound YUMMY!

I find myself in the same skin this year. The girl who was gonna join the peace corp and save the world is a cloth diaperin, babywearin, bakin, cookin, cleanin domestic woman.

It's a nice place to be though dont you think? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Becki DATE:Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 10:10:00 AM EST Very cool haiku.

I should bake more....those cakes sound delish!! ----- --------