Happy New Year!

So I'm 12 days into my dream of a healthier, more productive and creative new year!  Like many of you, I'm aiming for better nutrition and physical fitness to help in improved sleep and a sharper mind.  AND since I'll be 65 this year, I've figured "there is no better time than the present"!

After the joyful Christmas season binge, I started keeping track of what I put in my mouth.  My new I-pod touch has been a big help: I downloaded the LiveStrong Daily Plate app to track meals, snacks and exercise.  Already, I'm sleeping much better and feeling more energetic.  Psychosomatic perhaps??  What ever it takes, I guess!  The key is keeping up to my commitment - updates to follow!

This morning, I took a lovely long walk with with a friend and her dog and caught some frosty beauty along the way....

Star Carol

 Performed at Mt. Tabor Church yesterday.


Star Carol from Peg Baker on Vimeo.

Blue Tango

A selection from our Winter Concert on December 12th.  Portland's Community Music Center Orchestra.

Blue Tango from Peg Baker on Vimeo.

Raspberry Ribbon Strips

This recipe is from the stack of "oldie" cookbooks that I believe I haven't used since my daughter was a little girl!  The dough tastes subtle, like a butter cookie, but not sweet.  The jelly adds the sweetness and texture.  I used raspberry jelly mostly, but ran out and used spiced blueberry jelly, both made and canned last year by my friend Melanie.

The cookbook cover displays the oil, crumbs and finger prints that denotes as well-used and loved cookbook.  There were some errors in some of the recipes, though.  You can see that this recipe didn't say "baking soda" or "baking powder".  It's definitely "baking powder"!

Gifts from my kitchen

First loaves: a little odd looking, but delicious.

While visiting with my daughter and her family in Richmond, Virginia, I was treated to delicious home-made sourdough bread from her kitchen.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and asked for some "starter" to take home with me.  Many of you have heard me say "I'm not much of a bread eater", but I believe all that has changed.

After refining my technique, I tried a whole wheat recipe from the KitchenAide Cookbook.  This recipe uses fast acting yeast so we had bread by the end of one day, rather than a day and a half with "natural yeast" sourdough.  I made three sets of this recipe: we're eating them faster than I can wrap them up for bread!

Whole Wheat Bread

Finally, the "Hearty Herb Loaf".  This recipe is from a bag of Bob's Red Mill Unbleached White Flour.  We like the multi-grain qualities of this bread.  It's moist (minced fresh onion is included) and has a fine grain with a delicate herb favor.

 

Catching Up....

It's been a while since I've updated, so here's what's been happening in our lives since March!

April 8, 2012

My mother, Molly Baker, had her 90th birthday.  My sister Marilyn and I joined Mom and many friends for a big celebration at Wicomico Shores Country Club in Maryland.

April 15, 2012

Our granddaughter Eva Wiznerowicz received her First Communion at St. Michael  Church in Richmond, VA.

Spring 2012 - Michael built our long-dreamed of deck.  This was our favorite place to spend our evenings this past summer when, from July to the end of October, we had rain-free lovely outdoor weather.

April and May - Michael painted our living room and dining room, crafted custom molding and installed wood blinds.

June - My sister, Sister Marilyn Baker celebrated her 50th Jubilee as a Sister of Providence.

L to R: Molly, Molly's sister Phyllis Gervasi, Sister Marilyn, Blaire, me, Eva, Mimi and James.

Marilyn at her reception into the novitiate at St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana, with our parents, Bill and Molly in 1962.

September - our vacation at Crater Lake, Oregon.

Summer and Fall - I'm still studying cello!

Portland's Community Music Center Orchestra - Summer Concert

November - Thanksgiving at Molly's House

A Happy St. Patrick's Day

Gloria, Julie, Peg & Mike

Michael has been away in Las Vegas at a Foosball Tournament so I had to celebrate the wearing of the green without him.  But I did have fun!  I joined friends Gloria, Julie and Mike on a walk (it stopped raining for a couple of hours!) to the world famous Horse Brass Pub for some brews and fish and chips.  An additional treat: Bagpipes!  Not exactly Irish, but it sure adds to the fun!

A tribute to Don Younger (RIP 1941 to 2011), Horse Brass owner and  champion of  Oregon's  craft beer industry.