Wednesday, November 30, 2011

It's not writer's block...

For a long time, I have been toying with the idea of trying to write a children's book.  Fear of failure coupled with avoidance as a coping mechanism is not a productive mix of character traits. Avoidance and lack of creativity (call it over worked and tired) to come up with a subject matter to write about have prevented me from even trying my hand (pun-tastic!) at writing. Enough of the excuses, I'm not getting any younger.  So here it is, in black and white to keep me motivated and accountable..
...Gilbert "Gilby-Do" Gilbmeister "Gilb-man" Gibby...

By December 31, 2011, I will have a rough draft of my story.  My subject?  None other than Gilbert.

With Andy's artistic skills, my book will have better illustrations than story line.  That's it!  The art will sell the book!

Truthfully, I'm excited to get started. I have a few ideas  for a picture book or two.  What do I have to lose?

Nothing like a self-imposed deadline to get ya crackin'.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Adventures in Carrots part 2

Old fashioned fun.
Ever since Matthew was invited to his first friend birthday party from school he's been obsessed with turning 4.  In fact, we already have the #4 candle sitting on the counter because as he says, "We need it."  Today, we made a chain to count down the days until his birthday.  We included Christmas and New Years along the way but he is more excited about turning 4 than anything else.

Who is excited?
Now back to those carrots from my in-laws. Today's adventure in Beta Carotene.

Carrot and Potato Latke


There is nothing more beautiful than a purple onion!
Neither my camera nor my camera skills do it justice.


2 c. shredded carrots
1 c. shredded potatoes
3/4 c. purple onion
3/4 c. herbed bread crumbs
3 large eggs
salt, pepper, and garlic powder

Mix it up then drop by spoonful on to preheated pan with non-stick spray.  

Cookin' on cast iron - my Granny would be proud.




Three dozen latke later, I'm latke'd out but I have finished bag #1 of oversized carrots. I still have another bag of carrots in the refrigerator- oh no! Not to mention these beauties left in the teacher workroom free to a good home...


I have just the plan for these!  

Monday, November 21, 2011

Make Cake, of Course!

What do you do when your mother-in-law gives you a small bag of Herculean size carrots?  Offer to make her a carrot cake.  What does your Father-in-law do? He reaches into the refrigerator and takes out another bag of carrots on steroids. What do you do? Bake cake, LOTS of cake.

This was the whopper from bag #1 of gargantuan carrots.  
10.55 ounces!


Here are the 'Sweet Delights' of the day:

3 Square Carrot-Raisin-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cakes




 And 24 Square Carrot-Raisin-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Muffins with Toasted Coconut on top.

Batch Number 1- all 12 muffins are accounted for...until hubby comes in.

Batch 1 & 2 sans 2 muffins...hubby has arrived.
Carrot-Raisin-Pineapple-Upside-Down Muffin w/ Toasted Coconut

I still have half of the first bag of carrots left.  The second bag hasn't been touched...yet.
In search of carrot baked goodness.